(IRNA) -- Spokesman of the Arbaeen Central Headquarters Hamid-Reza Goudarzi told IRNA
that the number of Iranian pilgrims who are enthusiastic to attend the religious rituals of Arbaeen in Iraq would hit 2.5 million people this year, adding that last year two million Iranians took part in the event.
Heidari noted that last year over 170,000 foreign pilgrims entered in Iraq to attend Arbaeen rituals via Iranian border points, predicting the figure could reach 300,0000 this year.
He added the Iranian pilgrims could enter Iraq through the Khosravi (western province of Kermanshah), Mehran (western province of Ilam), Shalamche (southwestern province of Khouzestan) and Chazabe (Khuzestan Province) border checkpoints to Iraq.
Arbaeen, falling on November 9 this year, is a Shia Muslim religious observance that occurs forty days after the Day of Ashura to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and the third Imam of Shia Muslims.
It marks the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), Imam Hussein (AS).
Each year, pilgrims, mainly from Iraq and Iran, travel long routes on foot to Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located.
Last year, around 20 million pilgrims from all over the world gathered in Karbala on Arbaeen.
(Photo: IRNA)