Arbaeen marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for the death of the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, Imam Hussein, in a battle fought in the Iraqi city of Karbala in 680 AD.
Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi told reporters that seven border crossings will be utilized for Arbaeen, announcing that the Iraqi and Iranian governments have agreed to issue special visas for the ritual, according to IRNA.
The day sees millions of Shiite Muslims from across the world including Lebanon, Turkey, Kuwait, and especially Iraq’s Shiite-majority neighbor, Iran, journey to the Shiite holy city of Karbala on a symbolic 80-kilometer walk that begins from the city of Najaf. It is customary to dress in black as they march the streets of the city, often self-flagellating with chains and wood.
“It was agreed to coordinate the exchange of information between the two sides, and to open joint headquarters at the borders for the purpose of controlling movement, as well as promoting visitors and controlling the moment of visitors,” Iraqi Interior Minister Abdul-Amir al-Shammari said following the meeting with Vahidi.
Arbaeen is marked 40 days after the Shiite commemoration of Imam Hussein’s death, also known as Ashura.
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