- Title: 'Exceptional number' in Iraq's Kerbala for Arbaeen pilgrimage
- Date: 16th September 2022
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF MEDIA AT THE IMAM ABBAS SHRINE, ALI AL-BADRI, SAYING: "Preparations for next year have already started, by taking note of comments and preparing other places. The Shrine of Imam Abbas is also willing to find new places to reroute pilgrims towards, places maybe outside the usual routes taken by pilgrims, by opening new spaces inside the old city." OVERVIEW OF CROWDS OF PILGRIMS INSIDE IMAM HUSSEIN SHRINE VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS INSIDE THE SHRINE VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS SLAPPING THEMSELVES MEN CHANTING THROUGH MICROPHONE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS PROVIDING SERVICES TO PILGRIMS, HAIDER AL-KAABI, SAYING: "This year is special, different than other years, with higher numbers (of pilgrims). Each year, we come on the 13th day (of the month of Safar) and open the prayers centre to offer shelter and food. This year, we opened since the 7th... we opened the prayers centre since the (anniversary of the) death of (Imam Hussein) for shelter, food, and a stand in the city of Najaf. We do this every year but this year, there are many, it is a blessing from God. We distribute about 5000-6000 rations per meal, between breakfast, lunch and dinner - and we are continuing, God willing, we are happy." VARIOUS OF OVERVIEW OF CROWDS OF PILGRIMS NEAR IMAM HUSSEIN SHRINE
- Embargoed: 30th September 2022 14:23
- Keywords: Arbaeen Iraq Kerbala Pilgrimage Shi'ite
- Location: KERBALA, IRAQ
- City: KERBALA, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: Middle East,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA003584816092022RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Millions of pilgrims walked through Kerbala on Friday (September 16) for the annual Shi'ite ritual of Arbaeen, held for the first time since 2020 without any COVID restrictions.
In 2020 and 2021, attendance estimates were lower than usual due to coronavirus measures limiting the number of foreign pilgrims entering Iraq.
"Of course, we are happy to serve as many pilgrims as possible. We all noticed these exceptional numbers of pilgrims that came to Kerbala after the coronavirus pandemic," said Ali al-Badri, the Head of Media at the Imam Abbas Shrine.
He said that teams covering departments such as cleaning and the provision of services were mobilised to cater for the needs of the pilgrims coming from Iraq and abroad.
"We distribute about 5000-6000 rations per meal, between breakfast, lunch and dinner - and we are continuing, God willing, we are happy," said Haider al-Kaabi, who heads a group providing pilgrims with shelter and food free of charge.
Arbaeen marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad, Imam Hussein, killed in battle in 680.
(Production: Ahmed Saeed, Thaier al-Sudani, Charlotte Bruneau) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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