New Accommodation Center Launched in Najaf to Host Arbaeen Pilgrims
A number of Iraqi and Iranian officials attended the inauguration ceremony of the center, which can accommodate up to 25,000 pilgrims, according to the website of the Astan (custodianship) of Imam Ali (AS) holy shrine.
It has been constructed in a short period of time and funded with the help of the benevolent people at the Astan Quds Razavi and the municipality of Iran’s holy city of Mashhad, Sayyid Nazar Habl-ul-Matin, the custodian of Imam Ali (AS) holy shrine said.
The center has been equipped with all the necessary facilities needed to serve the pilgrims.
Its inauguration came just in time as millions of pilgrims are scheduled to visit Iraqi holy sites, including the cities of Karbala and Najaf in Arbaeen.
Arbaeen marks 40 days after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and third Shia Imam.
Each year, a huge crowd of Shias march toward Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located, to perform mourning rites on Arbaeen. Many of them also visit Imam Ali’s (AS) holy shrine in Najaf.
This year, Arbaeen falls on Sunday, November 20.
