TEHRAN (Dispatches) – Iran’s
Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance says the ministry, along with Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, carried out a significant part of coordination for the 2022 Arbaeen March.
Pointing out that Arbaeen processions were pursued through the formation of different committees in Iraq, Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili stated on the sidelines of the cabinet meeting on Wednesday that the head of the Islamic Culture and Communication Organization and Iran’s cultural attache in Iraq pursued the holding of the event.
Esmaili also reported on the formation of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Supreme Council in October in presence of President Raisi.
Elsewhere in his remarks, he reported the formation of the governors of the Cinema Supreme Council, which would be announced by the First Vice President, Mohammad Mokhber.
More than three million Iranian pilgrims flocked to neighboring Iraq to participate in the annual Arbaeen commemorations, setting a new record.
Arba’en marks the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shia Imam, which brings together millions of people from across the world who undertake an 80-km walk between the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala.
Imam Hussein (AS) and his 72 companions were martyred in the Battle of Karbala in southern Iraq in 680 AD while resisting the much larger army of the despot Umayyad ruler of the time, Yazid.
The Arbaeen Walk is the largest annual peaceful gathering that witnesses the participation of millions of people from different countries, most notably Iran.
Experts say it is an endeavor to keep alive the movement of Karbala, which is a movement against terrorism, fascism, and despotism.