RNA – During his Friday prayer sermon delivered to a huge and fervent crowd of believers in the Iraqi city of Karbala, Hujjat al-Islam Abdul-Mahdi al-Karbala’i appreciated the excellent level of services from both the Iraqi government and people to the 27 million pilgrims who participated in this weeks’ Arba’in pilgrimage.
The representative of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani said the Arbaeen pilgrimage was held with great success and without any security weakness and added that this success reflects the unique management, proper organization and efforts of all those who were involved in organizing the event, in which pilgrims from over 100 countries walked for days to reach the Holy Shrine of Imam Husayn and his brother, Hadhrat Abbas, in Karbala.
Hujjat al-Islam Karbala’i also pointed to successful security measures during Arbaeen, which culminated on Thursday, saying that the level of services to pilgrims have been good, especially in regard to the efforts of intelligence and security agencies and volunteer forces which prevented ISIL terrorists, who had issued threats against the pilgrims, from interfering in the solemn commemoration.
His Eminence added that this is a great national achievement for Iraq and proof of the ability of Iraqis to work together to overcome the complex conditions facing their country and successfully hold an event involving millions of pilgrims despite the lack of basic infrastructure, necessary capabilities and the threat of terrorism and psychological conditions.
The Iraqi cleric also pointed to the increasing numbers of pilgrims from inside and outside Iraq over the past few years, but stressed that the increase of pilgrims does not correspond with the expansion of basic services to pilgrims and stressed that investors and the government should make more efforts to provide the necessary resources for infrastructure and social services, especially in the fields of transportation and health services.
Hujjat al-Islam Karbala’i also demanded the formation of a higher committee for coordination, pursuing and administrating the pilgrims.
He stressed that due to the strong will, patience and spirit of sacrifice among the Iraqi people, they will triumph over their enemies and defeat the ISIL Takfiri terrorists.
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