Iraq reports nearly 3 million visitors for Arbaeen pilgrimage
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's border ports authority announced that nearly three million foreign pilgrims have visited the country for the Shiite holy pilgrimage of Arbaeen, state media reported on Saturday.
'The total number of visitors to Iraq to perform the [Arbaeen] pilgrimage has reached approximately three million visitors so far,' said Adnan al-Waeli, head of Iraq's border ports authority.
Nearly one million pilgrims have already departed Iraq, according to Waeli, and the Zurbatiyah border crossing in Wasit province has been the busiest point of arrival and departure.
The Shiite Muslim Arbaeen pilgrimage marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, Imam Hussein, who died in a battle fought in Karbala in 680 AD.
Millions of religious tourists from Lebanon, Turkey, Kuwait, and especially Iraq's Shiite-majority neighbor Iran journey to Iraq for a symbolic 80-kilometer walk from Najaf to Karbala - both Shiite holy cities.
The Arbaeen walk begins in Ras al-Bishah, near Iraq's southern borders with Iran and Kuwait, near the Gulf. Pilgrims customarily dress in black, march through the streets, and often self-flagellate with chains and wood. The walk ends at the shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala.
The mourning of the Imam's death is one of the most important rituals in Shiite Islam.
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Rudaw Net
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Chlorine leak sickens hundreds amid Arbaeen pilgrimage in Iraq
Also in Iraq Kurdish MP slams Baghdad for hypocrisy toward Erbil Two Kurds arrested in Kirkuk for flying US flags to stand trial Iraq reports nearly three million visitors for Arbaeen pilgrimage Sudani dismisses 2 PMF commanders linked to attack on ministry A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Over 620 cases of suffocation have been reported following a chlorine gas leak in Iraq's southern Karbala province, the Iraqi health ministry announced on Sunday. The incident occurred amid the ongoing Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the largest annual religious gatherings in the world. In an official statement, the health ministry confirmed it had 'recorded 621 suffocation cases in a chlorine gas leakage incident,' adding that 'all patients received necessary treatment and were discharged in good health.' Iraqi interior ministry Spokesperson Miqdad Miri stated that 'the leak originated from one of the water directorates along the Najaf-Karbala road,' which is currently hosting millions of pilgrims taking part in the 80-kilometer Arbaeen march between the two holy Shiite cities. 'Civil defense and emergency ambulance teams' responded swiftly to contain the situation and assist affected individuals,' Miri said. Meanwhile, Karbala Governor Nassif Jassim al-Khattabi visited a local hospital treating the victims and confirmed, 'Most cases have left the hospital after receiving the necessary treatment.' The gas leak comes as millions of religious pilgrims journey to Iraq for Arbaeen, a symbolic walk commemorating the end of the 40-day mourning period following the martyrdom of Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, in the year 680 CE. The pilgrimage is set to culminate on August 15, when crowds are expected to peak in his shrine city of Karbala. Adnan al-Waeli, head of Iraq's Border Ports Authority, said on Sunday that nearly three million foreign pilgrims have already entered the country to participate in the pilgrimage, while the total number of pilgrims is typically announced later on the day of Arbaeen.
Rudaw Net
3 days ago
- Rudaw Net
Iraq reports nearly 3 million visitors for Arbaeen pilgrimage
Also in Iraq Two Kurds arrested in Kirkuk for flying US flags to stand trial Sudani dismisses 2 PMF commanders linked to attack on ministry Iraq facing worst drought in over 90 years: UN Iraq denies oil smuggling after US sanctions Iran-linked network A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's border ports authority announced that nearly three million foreign pilgrims have visited the country for the Shiite holy pilgrimage of Arbaeen, state media reported on Saturday. 'The total number of visitors to Iraq to perform the [Arbaeen] pilgrimage has reached approximately three million visitors so far,' said Adnan al-Waeli, head of Iraq's border ports authority. Nearly one million pilgrims have already departed Iraq, according to Waeli, and the Zurbatiyah border crossing in Wasit province has been the busiest point of arrival and departure. The Shiite Muslim Arbaeen pilgrimage marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, Imam Hussein, who died in a battle fought in Karbala in 680 AD. Millions of religious tourists from Lebanon, Turkey, Kuwait, and especially Iraq's Shiite-majority neighbor Iran journey to Iraq for a symbolic 80-kilometer walk from Najaf to Karbala - both Shiite holy cities. The Arbaeen walk begins in Ras al-Bishah, near Iraq's southern borders with Iran and Kuwait, near the Gulf. Pilgrims customarily dress in black, march through the streets, and often self-flagellate with chains and wood. The walk ends at the shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala. The mourning of the Imam's death is one of the most important rituals in Shiite Islam.
