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Despite economic hardship due to US sanctions for more than a year, more than 3.2 million Iranians have signed up to go to Kerbala in Iraq for the great Shia pilgrimage, which is the fortieth day of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein , third successor of the Prophet Muhammad according to Shiite Muslims majority in Iraq, but also in Iran. This year, Iranians are even more numerous than in previous years.
From our correspondent in Tehran ,
Some 3.2 million people have registered on a website created specifically for this purpose. The inscription costs the equivalent of twenty euros. With this inscription, pilgrims no longer need a visa to go to Iraq and this money gives pilgrims social and medical coverage during their stay in this country.
Iran invests a lot
Compared to last year, the number of pilgrims is rising sharply since last year there were only 2 million Iranians present for Arbaeen. This is an increase of more than 50% compared to last year. Pilgrims have been traveling to Iraq for several days and some have already returned. The mourning ceremonies culminate on Saturday, October 19th, which is the fortieth day of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein.
The Iranian authorities have also mobilized major resources for the pilgrimage. Doctors, members of the Red Crescent, cleaning city officials, hundreds of buses, but also an internet and mobile phone network were mobilized or created in Iraq to help the pilgrims. At the border, giant car parks have been created for pilgrim cars. Some pilgrims travel by car to the border, but others go on foot from their hometown to Kerbala. Finally, there are those who fly to Baghdad, Kerbala or Najaf, but their numbers are smaller.
Reinforce Shiism in relation to Sunnism
It is a show of force for Iran in a region in full tension with Saudi Arabia. The authorities insist that this is the largest Muslim pilgrimage, as tens of millions of people from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Azebaydjan make each one to Kerbala for Arbaeen. The number of pilgrims is much greater than those who make the pilgrimage to Mecca. Iran, which supports Shia militias in Iraq , including the Hachd al-Shaabi group, has significantly increased its influence in this neighboring country, which is led by Shiite groups. More than 60% of the Iraqi population is indeed Shiite.
The strengthening of ties between the two countries also goes through religion and various pilgrimage ceremonies in Iraq but also in Iran, since the Iraqis are the first group of foreign tourists coming to Iran. For Tehran, it is also a means of strengthening Shiism in relation to the Sunnism represented by Saudi Arabia.