Iraq: State departments on high alert to ensure success of Holy Arbaeen Pilgrimage
The Iraqi government has announced that all state departments and institutions have been put on a state of alert and preparedness to ensure the success of the Holy Arbaeen Pilgrimage of Imam Hussein, peace be upon him.
In a statement followed by Shia Waves Agency, the spokesperson for the Iraqi government media Haider Majeed said on Tuesday that, “There is a full mobilization of government efforts for the million-person Arbaeen Pilgrimage of Imam Hussain, starting from the border crossings and receiving the incoming visitors.”
Majeed added that, “the Border Crossings Authority is intensifying its efforts, increasing the number of both civilian and military employees in the passport and nationality departments, as well as increasing the number of computers and entry points for visitors.”
He explained that, “all state departments are on high alert. The Ministry of Electricity has made all necessary arrangements to ensure the provision of electrical power, especially in Holy Karbala and Najaf, which are excluded from regular power cuts. Additionally, there are extended hours of electricity supply to other provinces and cities where visitors are present.”
He added that “the Ministry of Transport is on alert, preparing and equipping a large number of buses to transport the pilgrims, and opening new parking lots in Holy Karbala to accommodate the number of vehicles. The Ministry of Oil has increased the quotas for white oil and gas, and tankers have been allocated to transport these materials to Karbala and supply the Hussaini Mawakib.”
It should be mentioned that Shia Muslims commemorate the Holy Arbaeen Pilgrimage forty days after Ashura, the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, his family, and companions in the “Battle of Karbala” in the year 61 AH (680 CE).
