TEHRAN-- All border crossings leading to Iraq have actually been closed on Arbaeen pilgrims due to the distressing circumstance of health and security inside Iraq.In the wake of worrying occurrences that took place at the Shalamcheh and Mehran borders and severe hazards to the health and security of the pilgrims, high-ranking officials chose to close borders until more notification, IRIB priced quote Majid Mir-Ahmadi, the head of the Arbaeen trip head office, as saying.An absence of suitable facilities in Iraq for accepting the pilgrims on one hand and heat, on the other hand, persuaded us to take the choice, he explained.Mojtaba Khaledi, the representative for the Iranian Medical Emergency Organization, revealed on Thursday that 10,325 pilgrims have been referred to healthcare stations having signs of heatstroke.
The Arbaeen expedition, which is among the largest spiritual events worldwide, comes 40 days after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Imam of Shia Muslims, and the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Each year, a big crowd of people flocks to Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located, to carry out mourning rituals.This year Arbaeen falls on September 17.
Before the break out of coronavirus, some 2 to 3 million Iranians attended annually in the Arbaeen march.
Last year, the routines were held practically to avoid the transmission of the disease.MG