Iran’s VP Goes to Iraq for Arbaeen, Praises Hospitality

Rasa - Iranian First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri arrived in the Iraqi city of Najaf on Sunday to attend Arbaeen procession, saying he was impressed by Iraq’s simultaneous handling of the overcrowded religious ceremony and a military operation to liberate the city of Mosul.

News ID: 425182

Date: 20 November 2016 - 20:51

RNA - Heading a delegation of Iranian officials, Jahangiri travelled to Iraq to take part in the religious procession between the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala to pay tribute to Imam Hussein (AS) on Arbaeen, which marks forty days after the martyrdom anniversary of the highly-revered Shiite Imam.

In a meeting with governor general of the province of Najaf, Jahangiri hailed the Iraqi government’s ability to handle a huge influx of pilgrims for the Arbaeen mourning ceremony and a large-scale military operation for retaking the city of Mosul from Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group.

Earlier on Saturday evening, Jahangiri had a telephone conversation with Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, discussing a range of issues, from bilateral ties to joint action against terrorism.

In the call, the Iraqi premier highlighted the endeavors Baghdad has made to ensure security of the Arbaeen pilgrims, concurrent with the ongoing war to recapture Mosul.

The Arbaeen mourning ceremony is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. Each year, millions of pilgrims, mainly from Iraq and Iran, travel long routes on foot to Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located.

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