Iraq Continues Nationwide Service to Honourable Pilgrims of Holy Arbaeen 2025

Millions of Arbaeen pilgrims benefit from expanded services, facilities, and public hospitality as Iraq mobilizes for the world’s largest annual gathering.

According to multiple reports from Shia Waves Persian, Iraqi authorities, religious institutions, and local communities have launched extensive preparations and services to accommodate the millions of pilgrims participating in the Arbaeen pilgrimage.

The Imam Hussein Holy Shrine announced the opening of 27 guidance and assistance centers along the main roads to the holy cities, particularly in Najaf and Babil. Staffed by volunteers—many of them university students—these centers, in coordination with security and service agencies, provide directions, respond to lost and found cases, and assist in resolving pilgrims’ problems during the journey.

In Babil Province, the local government declared a five-day holiday for all state departments except for those directly involved in providing Arbaeen-related services. This measure aims to free up resources and personnel to support the influx of visitors.

From Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, reports indicate that Erbil Province hosted 65,000 Iranian pilgrims, with local residents offering large-scale hospitality, including food and accommodations, to the visitors passing through on their way to the holy shrines.

In Al-Diwaniyah Province, the number of service tents (mawakib) has increased significantly to meet the needs of pilgrims and to provide food, water, and rest areas throughout the routes.

In Karbala, the authorities have installed iron pedestrian bridges at key points along crowded roads to ease the movement of large crowds and improve safety for pilgrims approaching the shrine.

At the Holy Shrine of Imam al-Hadi and Imam al-Askari in Samarra, extensive cooling systems and mist-spraying units have been installed along pilgrims’ paths to reduce heat stress during the intense summer temperatures.

Meanwhile, the Al-Abbas Holy Shrine has organized special Quranic programs for children along the pilgrimage routes, aiming to engage young visitors in religious activities during the Arbaeen journey.

All of these measures—from infrastructure improvements to increased service capacities and community-based hospitality—are part of the nationwide effort to ensure the comfort, safety, and guidance of the millions participating in this year’s Arbaeen pilgrimage.