Iran hails Iraq's successful holding of Arbaeen rituals

Tehran, Dec 15, IRNA – Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham on Monday appreciated Iraqi government for successfully holding of the Arbaeen rituals. Millions of Shia Muslims, including several hundreds of thousands from Iran, gathered in the Iraqi holy city of Karbala on December 13 for the religious mourning ceremony of Arbaeen which marked the anniversary of 40th day of martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Imam of Prophet Mohammad's (PBUH) Household. Afkham hailed the Iraqi government and nation, particularly the religious leadership of the country for their kind hospitality and for preparations they had made for the ceremony. Referring to people's great participation in the religious rituals as 'unprecedented,' the spokeswoman said, 'This year's Arbaeen was a symbol of spirituality, unity and public solidarity.' A large number of mourners from across the world arrived in Imam Hussein's shrine in Karbala, Iraq on Saturday to mark the culmination of the 40-day mourning period. Security measures have been tightened by Iraqi officials to secure the routes for this year’s pilgrims in southern Iraqi cities and around the capital Baghdad. The religious ceremonies have been blindly targeted by terrorist attacks in previous years./end