Over Two Million Pilgrims, Including 450,000 Foreigners, Cross into Iraq for Arbaeen Pilgrimage
As the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage is unfolding, over 2.2 million pilgrims have crossed from Iran into Iraq, Shafaq News reported today citing Majid Mirahmadi, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Interior.
Among them, more than 450,000 are foreign pilgrims. The influx includes many Pakistani pilgrims, who are entering Iraq through Iran without any reported issues.
To support the pilgrims, nearly 2,000 Iranian service units, known as Moukebs, have been deployed across key border crossings and holy sites in Iraq. The Iranian embassy in Baghdad acknowledged the cooperation of Iraqi authorities in facilitating this significant religious event, emphasizing the role of the Iraqi people as primary hosts.
Iraq’s Interior Minister, Abdul Amir al-Shammari, stated that four international land border crossings are operating continuously to manage the expected arrival of around five million foreign pilgrims. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has convened security meetings to enhance safety measures, focusing on surveillance to protect the processions during this important pilgrimage, which commemorates the 40th day of the tragic martyrdom of Imam al-Hussein, peace be upon him.
