- International Shia News Agency - https://en.shafaqna.com -

Heading to Karbala, 71,000 Arbaeen pilgrims crossed Mehran border

SHAFAQNA- Mehr News: In order to reach the holy city of Karbala, some 71,000 Iranian and foreign pilgrims passed through the Mehran border in Iranian western province of Ilam on Saturday to join Arbaeen ritual ceremony, an official in the province said.

Mohammad Hassani, the Deputy of General Road Administration of Ilam Province said on Sunday that the number of pilgrims left Iran for Iraq through Mehran border was 69,288.

The number of pilgrims leaving Iran for Iraq is ever-increasing at Mehran joint border, while there are 13 days left to Arbaeen ceremony, he added.

The number of pilgrims has increased since the first month of the Islamic calendar (31 August-6 October), showing a 12 percent increase as compared to the last year’s corresponding period, he mentioned.

Mehran border is located near Iran’s western border with Iraq. It is one of the major borders for crossing cars, trucks for export and pilgrims to Iraq.

Every year, millions of Shia Muslims even Sunni Muslims, Christians and Zoroastrians, etc. from various nationalities depart for the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala to commemorate the 40th day (Arbaeen in Arabic) after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) in the battle of Karbala on Ashura Day in 680 AD. This year, Arbaeen falls on Saturday, October 19.

Read more from shafaqna:

Arbaeen pilgrims’ security at Khosravi border will be provided by Hashd al-Shaabi [1]

Photos: Iranian city of Astara hosting Arbaeen’s foreign pilgrims [2]

Official: Arbaeen is the emanation of Iran, Iraq power on International arena [3]

AQR official: Arbaeen rally is a symbol of glory and dignity for all Muslims [4]