Over 13,500 Moukebs Registered to Provide Services during Arbaeen

IQNA – More than 13,500 Moukebs from different provinces of Iraq as well as some Arab, Islamic and foreign countries have been registered to participate in this year’s Arbaeen procession.

Moukebs are booths set up on the roads leading to Karbala and in the holy city to offer services such as votive food and drink, accommodation, etc, to Arbaeen pilgrims.

The Husseini Moukeb and Delegations Department affiliated with the Astan (custodianship) of the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) announced the registration of over 13,500 Moukebs from inside and outside Iraq so far.

Mohammad Karim Aziz, head of the department, said that given the presence of Moukebs that have not yet been registered, this number is expected to exceed 16,000.

Aziz explained that the department has announced the timing of the mourning groups and Moukebs based on a specific mechanism developed by the Central Committee consisting of the Astans of Imam Hussein (AS) and Hazrat Abbas (AS) holy shrines and relevant government agencies.

He said schedule for the arrival of mourning groups has been set based on different provinces and countries so that the movement of pilgrims and processions in the holy courtyard of Imam Hussein (AS) holy shrine and the area between the two holy shrines (Bain-ul-Haramain) can take place in an orderly and easy manner.”

He emphasized that the Astan of Imam Hussein (AS) holy shrine has asked the officials of all Moukebs and delegations to comply with the issued instructions, including vehicle specifications, size and power of loudspeakers, entry routes, ensuring that the groups enter through designated gates, and achieving the highest levels of organization and accuracy.

The official said the purpose of implementing these regulations is to present a true and worthy image of the Husseini mourning rituals to the world and to demonstrate a high level of order, coordination, and adherence to the rules in holding the Arbaeen rituals.

Within the framework of these organizational efforts, the Astan of Imam Hussein (AS) holy shrine continues its efforts to create the best possible conditions for receiving mourning groups, ensuring the smooth flow of movement, preserving the sanctity of the rituals, and reflecting the civilized image of the Arbaeen pilgrimage to the world, he stated.

Arbaeen is a religious event observed by Shia Muslims on the fortieth day after the Day of Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the third Shia imam.

It is one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world, with millions of Shia Muslims, as well as many Sunnis and followers of other religions, walking to Karbala from various cities in Iraq and neighboring countries. This year, the day of Arbaeen will fall on August 4.

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