Astans of Holy Shrines in Karbala, Najaf Announce Plans for Serving Arbaeen Pilgrims
Haidar Rahim, the media affairs official of the Astan of Imam Ali (AS) said the programs include preparations to provide accommodation for Arbaeen pilgrims.
He said 26 areas at the mausoleum and elsewhere in Najaf have been prepared for accommodation, including the Hazrat Zahra (SA) courtyard with a capacity to host some 30,000 pilgrims.
Rahim added that 10 centers will serve food while ten other centers offer health and treatment services.
According to the official, there has also been good coordination with security and police commanders in Najaf and the Iraqi interior minister to ensure security during the Arbaeen pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Ali Mouhan, an official with the Astan of Hazrat Abbas (AS) holy shrine, said the Astan’s religious affairs department will set up propagation centers on the path of Arbaeen march pilgrims.
He said brochures and booklets have also been prepared that include questions and answers on religious issues, religious rulings, and issues like payers, Hijab, etc.
The Arbaeen mourning ceremony is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
It marks the 40th day after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), Imam Hussein (AS). This year’s Arbaeen will fall on September 6.
Each year, a huge crowd of Shias flock to Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located, to perform mourning rites.
The pilgrims, mainly from Iraq and Iran, travel long routes on foot to the holy city.
Earlier this month, Iraqi officials expressed their readiness to host up to five million pilgrims from different countries during the Arbaeen season.
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