Afghan Pilgrims Criticize Obstacles to Arbaeen Pilgrimage

Afghan Pilgrims Criticize Obstacles to Arbaeen Pilgrimage
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During a ceremony held in western Kabul to mark Arbaeen, Afghan pilgrims, scholars, and students gathered to express their criticism of the political and administrative hurdles that prevented many from attending the pilgrimage to Karbala this year, Shia Waves Persian reported.

Speakers at the event pointed to strict visa regulations by the Iranian government, including short application windows and confusing procedures that left many travel agencies in disarray. They also criticized the Iraqi government for delaying the start of visa issuance and for a lack of clarity regarding costs and quotas, which they said deprived tens of thousands of people of the opportunity to make the pilgrimage.

Attendees stressed that the love for Imam Hussein (AS) knows no borders and that political or administrative obstacles harm the solidarity of Shias. They called for better cooperation between Iranian and Iraqi authorities and Afghan travel institutions for future pilgrimages. The ceremony concluded with the recitation of the Ziyarat Arbaeen and prayers for the pilgrims and for the security of the Islamic world.