Iranian MP: Crossing border facilitated for Iran’s Arbaeen pilgrims

An Iranian lawmaker pointed to the intensified coordination between Tehran and Baghdad for handling the religious rituals for this year’s Arbaeen, saying Iraq will be widening its border passages for the inflow of pilgrims from Iran.

Hawzah News Agency (Tehran, Iran) - The preparations and security arrangements for the visit of Iranian pilgrims to Iraq for Arbaeen have increased compared to last year, Hassan Hosseini Shahroudi told media.

He also noted that Iraq is planned to widen the entrances at the common border for an easier arrival of the Iranian travelers.

The MP further emphasized that the Iranian pilgrims will have to apply for visa inside the country before planning a trip to Iraq, ruling out any arrangement for issuing visa at the border.

On August 13, the interior ministers of Iran and Iraq signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation in handling the religious rituals for Arbaeen, a major Shiite occasion marking the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (as).

The MoU encompasses plans for organizing the Arbaeen pilgrimage, including procedures for facilitating the presence of Iranian pilgrims in Iraq and ensuing their security and health.

Each year, a huge crowd of Shiites flock to the Iraqi city of Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (as) is located, to perform mourning rites.