TEHRAN (Iran News)  First Vice President Mohammadreza Aref says that this year’s Arbaeen pilgrimage proceeded smoothly without major issues, crediting effective planning and coordination among government agencies.

The event was held “magnificently” with strong public participation despite high temperatures, Aref said on Monday while speaking about the annual commemoration which marks the end of the 40-day mourning period following the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH), the third Shia Imam and the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.

“Thanks to the experiences of past years and the good planning and measures taken by the ministries of interior, and roads and urban development, as well as other responsible institutions, the ceremonies were held in a dignified and glorious manner with the presence of diverse groups of people,” Aref said.

He emphasized that the presence of pilgrims this year was “exceptional,” with an estimated 20 million attendees. “This massive turnout demonstrates the capacity of Islam and Shiism,” he noted.

Aref also criticized enemies seeking to sow division among Muslims, stating, “If Islamic countries maintained their unity, enemies would not be able to advance their agendas or commit crimes like those in Gaza.”

The event was held “magnificently” with strong public participation despite high temperatures, Aref said on Monday while speaking about the annual commemoration which marks the end of the 40-day mourning period following the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH), the third Shia Imam and the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.

“Thanks to the experiences of past years and the good planning and measures taken by the ministries of interior, and roads and urban development, as well as other responsible institutions, the ceremonies were held in a dignified and glorious manner with the presence of diverse groups of people,” Aref said.

He emphasized that the presence of pilgrims this year was “exceptional,” with an estimated 20 million attendees. “This massive turnout demonstrates the capacity of Islam and Shiism,” he noted.

Aref also criticized enemies seeking to sow division among Muslims, stating, “If Islamic countries maintained their unity, enemies would not be able to advance their agendas or commit crimes like those in Gaza.”

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terrorist cells dismantled

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Two terrorist cells dismantled during Arbaeen march in southern Iranian province of Khuzestan have been dismantled, Iran’s Intelligence Minister Seyed Mahmoud Alavi said on Monday.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) – More than two million Iranian Arbaeen pilgrims have entered Iraq a week before annual Arbaeen processions are held in the holy city of Karbala.

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Speaking at a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart at the Mehran border crossing in the western province of Ilam on Monday, Brigadier General Rezaei said, “Security for Iranian Arbaeen pilgrims has been provided 100 percent.”

“We have good intelligence dominance on the borders,” he said, adding, “Developments in the border areas are monitored by the most up-to-date control equipment and with coordination between the Iranian and Iraqi border guards and no danger threatens the security of the pilgrims.”

The top commander further pointed to the large number of pilgrims crossing the Mehran border and said the “desirable” security, the existing infrastructure, and the proximity to the Iraqi holy cities have made the border the first choice for the pilgrims.

This year, the four borders of Khosravi, Mehran, Chazzabeh, and Shalamcheh are open to Arbaeen pilgrims.

Arbaeen, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, comes 40 days after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of the third Shiite Imam.

Each year, a huge crowd of Shiites flock to the Iraqi city of Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located, to perform mourning rites.

In August, Iran and Iraq signed an agreement in Tehran to reopen the Khosravi border crossing and remove visa restrictions for Iranian Arbaeen pilgrims.

Iran and Iraq also agreed to raise the level of services and facilities for the pilgrims and enhance border security during the Arbaeen season, which will culminate in a large gathering in Karbala on October 19.

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In close cooperation with Iran Civil Aviation Organization, the IKIA have received permits for 676 extra flights for Arbaeen, which will be operated from October 9 to November 2, connecting Tehran to Najaf and Baghdad, Ali Rostami, the managing director of Imam Khomeini Airport City said on Monday.

Rostami had earlier put the number of extra flights at over 500, expecting more than 90,000 passengers to be transported to Iraq through the airport in order to attend the religious rituals.

Arbaeen marks an end to the 40-day mourning period following martyrdom of the Imam Hussein (AS) and his loyal companions at the Battle of Karbala on Muharram 10 in the year 61 AH (680 CE).

Arbaeen pilgrimage, aka Arbaeen trek, is a characteristic spiritual exercise in which hundreds of thousands of Iranians along with other nationals participate. The long treks will be destined to Karbala, where Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is laid to rest.

The event marks an end to the 40-day mourning period following martyrdom of the Imam and his loyal companions at the Battle of Karbala on Muharram 10 in the year 61 AH (680 CE).

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General Ashtari also said another agreement between the two sides on the removal of visa requirements also comes into effect today, describing it as a positive step toward paving the way for Iranian pilgrims visiting the neighboring country.

Iraqi armed and defense forces will endeavor to ensure the security of the pilgrims on Arbaeen Day, he said.

Arbaeen, which is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, comes 40 days after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of the third Shia Imam, Imam Hussein (AS).

Each year, millions of Shias visit Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located, to perform mourning rites.

This year, Arbaeen falls on Saturday, October 19.

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Brigadier General Ashtari hailed Iraqi government and nation’s hospitality as a valuable measure, saying the agreements on the removal of visa requirements for Arbaeen pilgrims is a positive step toward paving the way for Iranian pilgrims visiting the neighboring country.

He expressed hope that the measure would increase the number of pilgrims this year.

The police chief also siad that Khosravi border crossing has been reopened for the Arbaeen marching, saying “This year, Iranian pilgrims will enter and exit through Chazzabeh, Shalamcheh, Mehran and Khosravi borders.”

Voicing Iranian police’s readiness for exchanging experience with the Iraqi police, the commander added that while Iran is located in the vicinity of the biggest drug producer, it is in the forefront of fighting narcotics.

Al-Yaseri, for his part, hailed capabilities of Iran’s police, saying that Iraq favors using experience of Iran’s police.

Pointing to the arrangements made for Arbaeen ceremony, he said, “Facilitating movement of Arbaeen pilgrims is of high significance for us.”

Iraqi armed and defense forces will endeavor to ensure security of the pilgrims on Arbaeen Day, he said.

Arbaeen, which is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, comes 40 days after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of the third Shia Imam, Imam Hussein (AS).

Each year, millions of Shias visit Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located, to perform mourning rites.

This year, Arbaeen falls on Saturday, October 19.

The post Iran, Iraq discuss cooperation on Arbaeen march appeared first on Iran News Daily.

Every year Shia Muslims from across the globe came into Iraq to commemorate the 40th day after Ashura. Pilgrims travel miles on foot to reach the shrine of Imam Hussain in Karbala. Providing security for a dozen million people who attend the ceremony is achieved by cooperation between different Iranian Armed Forces, such IRGC, police, with Iraqi security bodies.

Capabilities of forces for increasing Arbaeen security grows by the day, highlighted Fadavi.

According to reports, some 14 million pilgrims took part in the March of Arbaeen last year, 2.35 million of which were Iranian pilgrims.

The trek symbolizes of a peaceful utopia where no one is hungry or homeless. People are giving away free food and drinks, offering their houses to the pilgrims, and pilgrims themselves are treating one another as brothers and selflessly regardless of their social class, race, color, religion, etc.

Thousands of Mawkibs (voluntarily prepared stations providing pilgrims with free food and place to rest) , stalls providing free of charge foods, beverages, accommodation, and medicines, are set up along the way to Karbala and the holy shrines as many believe that taking care of pilgrims of Imam Hossein (AS) and serving them is a religious duty.

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The two countries of Iran and Iraq have high potentials and capabilities to promote their trade and business level, he emphasized.

Those industries that have been shut down due to financial problems should be reactivated, Jawad Qandil added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the ambassador pointed to Arbaeen ceremony and added, “Iraqi Embassy to Tehran will mobilize all facilities for the better organizing Arbaeen pilgrimage in the current year (started March 21, 2019).”

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