50,000 Pilgrims from Persian Gulf Littoral States in Iraq for Arbaeen
They have entered Iraq via the Safwan border crossing in the southern governorate of Basra, Al-Sumariya news website reported.
They are mostly from Bahrain as well as other Persian Gulf littoral states.
Iraq’s interior ministry had announced earlier that more than 3.4 foreign pilgrims have entered the Arab country for Arbaeen so far.
Thousands of Moukebs (makeshift tents set up annually on the road leading to the holy city of Karbala in Iraq) continue to serve foods and beverages and provide other services to Arbaeen pilgrims.
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.
Last month, Iraqi officials expressed their readiness to host up to five million pilgrims from foreign countries during the Arbaeen season.
Translated by Seyed Hossein Beheshti Shakib
4166844
