Hawzah News Agency (Qom, Iran) – Addressing seminary students during his advanced jurisprudence course in Qom, Shia source of emulation Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi issued a statement on the occasion of Arbaeen pilgrimage in which he pointed out the duties of Iranian and Iraqi authorities to better organize Arbaeen walk.

 "Arbaeen pilgrimage is considered as a great Islamic gathering worldwide therefore we must thank Iraqi officials for their efforts in providing service to foreign pilgrims." he said in his statement.

Grand Ayatollah Makarem also asked all foreign pilgrims to get visa in order to enter Iraq; "Receiving visa for entering Iraqi borders is essential and no one is allowed to neglect Iraq's legal processes for entering the country. Making pilgrimage to Iraq is regarded as Mustahab in Islam whereas entering a foreign country with legal documents is an obligation for all."

Reiterating that all pilgrims must be thankful to Iraqis for their hospitality during Arbaeen pilgrimage, the senior cleric added, "We must not overlook the hospitality of Iraqi nation during Arbaeen walk since they do their best to provide safety and comfort for the pilgrims."

End.