Preregistration for Arbaeen Pilgrimage to Begin Soon: Iran Interior Minister
Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Arbaeen Headquarters in Tehran on Monday, he said those who wish to go to Iraq during the Arbaeen season should sign up on the website of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization and determine the number of days they want to stay in Iraq and the border crossing they want to use to enter the Arab country.
This would help the organizations in charge to plan for providing services to the pilgrims, he noted.
The official also urged the pilgrims to get a booster dose of the coronavirus vaccine, saying those who have received two doses will be given a third dose and those getting three doses will be vaccinated for the fourth time before going on the pilgrimage.
Vahdi further hailed the measures taken so far in preparation for the pilgrimage, hoping that with the cooperation of related organizations and the people, the pilgrims will gave a safe, secure and good trip during the Arbaeen season.
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 falls on September 17.
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.
Some 3.2 million Iranians took part in the Arbaeen march in 2019 but this year the number is predicted to rise to an all-time high of over five million.
In 2020 and 2021, the Arbaeen march was held in Iraq with a limited number of foreign pilgrims in attendance due to the coronavirus pandemic.
