Iraqi Officials Review Security Plans for Ashura, Arbaeen Processions
Iraqi Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari chaired the meeting, which was also attended by senior army and police commanders and security officials.
They discussed plans for ensuring the security of domestic and foreign pilgrims attending mourning rituals on Ashura and Arbaeen.
Security of border crossings, security of roads, opening new roads, joint efforts by all security and intelligence forces, and facilitating transportation for pilgrims were among the issues discussed at the meeting.
Ashura, the tenth day of the lunar Hijri month of Muharram, marks the day when Imam Hossein (AS), the third Shia Imam, along with 72 of his companions, was martyred in the battle against the second Umayyad caliph in the Iraqi region of Karbala, some 14 centuries ago.
For Muslims, Ashura symbolizes the eternal struggle of truth against injustice.
On Ashura, Shia Muslims and others around the world hold special ceremonies to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS).
Many pilgrims travel to the holy city of Karbala, Iraq, to attend mourning rituals there.
The Arbaeen mourning ceremony is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. It marks the 40th day after Ashura.
Each year, a huge crowd of Shias flock to Karbala to perform mourning rites.
The pilgrims, mainly from Iraq and Iran, travel long routes on foot to the holy city.
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