Hawzah News Agency (Samarra, Iraq) - The Infallible Imams (a.s.) are the reason for unbreakable friendship between the Iranian and Iraqi nations, says AQR General Custodian.

During a meeting with the Custodian of Askariya Imams' (a.s.) shrine, Hojatol al Islam Ahmad Marvi argued that according to the traditions a pilgrimage has a higher virtue if it is associated with knowledge.

"We do not consider only the material aspect of the service rendering to pilgrims, although it is important for us, yet our profound mission is to raise the level of religious knowledge of pilgrims," he said.

He commented that along with facilities created for pilgrims’ well-being, in AQR, detailed cultural programs are planned and implemented throughout the year to raise the pilgrims' awareness.

He pointed to a portico and a courtyard dedicated to the Arabic-language pilgrims and tens of thousands of non-Iranian pilgrims visiting the shrine annually, consisting mostly of Iraqi brothers and sisters.

"As we are working to improve the level of religious knowledge of Iranians, it is our duty to provide welfare and cultural services to non-Iranian pilgrims especially Iraqis. Albeit, we are far from reaching the desired point in providing services, but we are on the move," he reiterated.

Referring to the attempts of the enemies to create a gap between Iran and Iraq as two great and powerful countries of the Shia world, he considered a possible motive in triggering Saddam to invade Iran as darkening and destroying the friendship between the two countries.

He further noted that if this eight-year war broke out between two other countries, it may take years and perhaps centuries to wipe their grudge and hatred, however, today, thanks to the existence of the Imams, there is such a deep-seated friendship between Iran and Iraq as if there had been no conflict between the two nations, and the plots and investments of the enemies were in vain.