Over a million Arbaeen pilgrims still in Iraq: Police chief

Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Radan, commander of the Iranian Law Enforcement (Police), announced on Monday that more than one million Arbaeen pilgrims are still in Iraq. He made the remarks during an inspection visit to the Shalamcheh border crossing in Khuzestan Province.

Radan provided the latest statistics on the movement of Arbaeen pilgrims, stating that "So far, about 3.2 million pilgrims have left the country to participate in the Arbaeen ceremony." He added that approximately 2.2 million have returned, leaving over one million still in Iraq. He predicted that the peak wave of returning pilgrims would occur within the next one to two days.

The Chief of Police urged pilgrims to use various border crossings shared with Iraq to return home, which would ensure better services and reduce congestion. He also highlighted the security situation, saying, "Fortunately, this year, with the cooperation and coordination of officials from the two countries, there was good security in Iran and Iraq, and pilgrims traveled in complete safety."

The Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, commemorates the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (a.s.). Millions of Shia Muslims from around the world, particularly from Iran, travel to Karbala in Iraq for the occasion. The Iranian authorities have been facilitating the movement of pilgrims through border crossings like Shalamcheh.

According to Mehr News Agency, the report was filed by MNA.