News - Middle East: Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni says Iran and Iraq have the "highest level" of cooperation regarding the Arba’een march, an annual religious event attended by millions of pilgrims in Iraq.

Momeni made the remarks in a Friday meeting with Iranian and Iraqi officials in charge of border affairs as millions of Iranian pilgrims make their on-foot journey to the holy Iraqi city of Karbala to attend the million-strong Arba’een procession every day. 

He hailed the Iraqi interior minister’s “good innovation” to settle six special representatives in six border crossings with the purpose of swift settlement of problems in the border areas.

He said the Arba’een march is a manifestation of deep bonds between the Iranian and Iraqi nations.

The Arba’een mourning ceremony is one of the world's largest religious gatherings. It commemorates the 40th day after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS). Held annually, Arba’een falls on the 20th day of Safar, the second month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Imam Hussein was martyred in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD.

Each year, a large number of Shias travel to Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located, to perform mourning rites. Pilgrims, mainly from Iraq and Iran, often journey long distances on foot to reach the holy city.

Iran FM pursuing measures to serve pilgrims

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also on Friday pursued the latest measures taken to serve the Iranian pilgrims attending the Arba’een ceremony.

Araghchi held separate phone conversations with Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad Mohammad Kazem Al-e Sadeq, as well as consuls general in the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala Razi Kazemi Mazandarani and Abdolrahim Sadati Far, respectively.

He hailed great efforts made by the heads and staff of Iran’s representative missions in Iraq to serve the Iranian pilgrims.

The top Iranian diplomat also thanked the Iraqi government and people for their warm hospitality.

Source: Press TV