Over 3.2 million people transit through Iran borders for Arbaeen pilgrimage: Official
More than 3.2 million Arbaeen pilgrims have transited through designated Iranian border crossings, as over 1.6 million have returned, the head of Iran’s Arbaeen Headquarters, Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian, says.
During a visit to the Bashmaq border crossing in Marivan on Sunday, Pourjamshidian said that no major issues disrupting the pilgrimage of Imam Hussein’s visitors have been reported so far, while urging pilgrims to distribute their travel across all Arbaeen border crossings.
He said the Bashmaq and Tamarchin border crossings, with their infrastructure, welfare facilities and favorable weather conditions, have sufficient capacity to accommodate and facilitate pilgrim traffic.
He noted that the joint services provided by Sunni and Shia mawakeb (service tents), executive agencies, governorates and municipalities at the Bashmaq crossing reflect practical Islamic unity.
A significant portion of pilgrim transportation on both sides of the border is being provided free of charge, he added.
Addressing concerns about the return journey, Pourjamshidian said efforts are underway to organize the return route, particularly inside Iraq.
He said authorities have designated specific locations between pillars 57 and 59, established mawakeb, installed directional signs and arranged transportation fleets to reduce difficulties for returning pilgrims.
Pourjamshidian said work is continuing to establish a more coordinated transportation system and designated return points to facilitate the Arbaeen pilgrimage, particularly during the return journey.
The Bashmaq international border crossing in Marivan has served as one of Iran’s official Arbaeen crossings for the fifth consecutive year and annually accommodates large numbers of pilgrims traveling to the holy shrines in Iraq.
