Hawzah News Agency- Speaking at a ceremony unveiling new cultural, artistic, and scientific initiatives for Arbaeen, held at the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization on Tuesday, Majid Pourjamshidian underscored the fundamentally cultural nature of the Arbaeen movement.
“Arbaeen is not merely a religious event, but a massive international cultural movement centered around Iraq and its people,” he said. “All cultural efforts—from poster distribution and slogan selection to public messaging—must be carried out in full coordination with Iraqi authorities and religious bodies.”
Pourjamshidian noted that while recent regional conflicts delayed logistical preparations by approximately 20 days, this shortfall has been largely compensated in recent weeks. During a recent visit to Iraq, he witnessed significant readiness and enthusiastic cooperation from Iraqi officials and citizens, exceeding levels seen in previous years.
“In the minds and hearts of the Iraqi people, Arbaeen holds a sacred place. Whatever we have proposed has been met not with resistance, but with open support and goodwill,” he said.
With temperatures in Iraq expected to be among the highest in recent years, Pourjamshidian expressed hope that both Iranian and Iraqi organizers will overcome the challenges to ensure the successful hosting of millions of pilgrims.
He added that more than 3,000 Iranian processions have been officially registered and hold identification cards, and are ready to provide a wide range of services to pilgrims. “In line with the Supreme Leader’s guidance, Iran’s role is in planning and support, while the operational responsibility inside Iraq lies with our Iraqi brothers. If they request assistance, we will certainly act.”
According to Pourjamshidian, over 10,000 processions within Iraq are also fully prepared to host the influx of pilgrims. He highlighted that these groups often serve beyond Arbaeen, offering support during natural disasters, land pilgrimages, and religious commemorations such as the final ten days of the month of Safar.
Concluding his remarks, the deputy minister expressed deep appreciation for the efforts of the Iraqi government, the custodians of the holy shrines, and the Iraqi people. “Arbaeen is a shared spiritual treasure of the Islamic world. It must be preserved with dignity, mutual respect, and complete coordination.”
Your Comment