Najaf Ready to Host Millions of Arbaeen Pilgrims
According to the secretariat of the Astan, it has prepared the required facilities to provide accommodation, health, security and food for millions of pilgrims expected to arrive in the holy city during Arbaeen, al-Alam news network reported.
Sayyid Habl-ul-Matin, secretary of the Astan, told reporters on Monday that various places in and around the city have been specified for accommodation of the pilgrims.
Arbaeen marks 40 days after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and third Shia Imam.
Each year, a huge crowd of Shias march toward Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located, to perform mourning rites. Many of them also visit Imam Ali’s (AS) holy shrine in Najaf.
In the past few years, around 20 million pilgrims from all over the world, including Iran, took part in the mourning ceremonies in Iraqi holy cities marking Arbaeen.
This year, Arbaeen falls on Sunday, November 20.
Meanwhile, given the threats posed by Takfiri terrorist groups, especially Daesh (ISIL or ISIS), Iraqi security forces have ramped up efforts in recent days to ensure security for the pilgrims.
