Widespread condemnation of provocative acts by Iranian regime-linked elements during Holy Arba’een

Clerics, observers, and activists from Iraq and other countries have condemned what they described as provocative and barbaric actions, far removed from the ethics of Imam Hussein, peace be upon him, and his honourable pilgrims.

These actions were carried out by elements affiliated with the Iranian regime in front of the delegation of the Supreme Religious Authority, His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq al-Husseini al-Shirazi, at the entrance of Imam Hussein Holy Shrine.

The actions included attacks, stone-throwing, and the chanting of inflammatory slogans, which many considered a blatant violation of the sanctity of the city of the Master of Martyrs and the Holy Arbaeen Pilgrimage, as well as an affront to the status of the religious authority.

Observers expressed concern that these violent acts nearly disrupted the Holy Arbaeen Pilgrimage and could have affected the flow of the pilgrimage, which attracts millions of visitors from around the world.

At the same time, they praised the restraint and noble conduct demonstrated by the members of the Shirazi Religious delegation, who chose to respect the sanctity of the pilgrimage and the holy city, adhering to the guidance and ethics of the wise Religious Authority.

Observers and activists called on the Iraqi authorities to take firm action against these violations, stressing the need to ensure that the pilgrimage is not turned into a platform exploited by regimes and parties to settle scores and increase tensions.

They also warned that such actions are aimed at undermining the success of the Arbaeen Pilgrimage and cautioned that the authorities’ failure to perform their duties could lead to an escalation of the situation, potentially endangering the atmosphere of the pilgrimage and the safety of its participants.