Tehran, IRNA – Iraqi and Iranian officials have discussed the circumstances of border crossings and infrastructure of roads utilized by Iranian pilgrims, who perform the Arbaeen pilgrimage (40th day after Ashura, which is the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hossein PBUH).
Iranian deputy Interior Minister for security and law enforcement affairs Majid Mirahmadi, who visited Iraq to take part in the first seminar of joint security commission and high joint committee of Arbaeen, has held talks with Iraqi Interior Minister Othman al-Ghanimi.
Heading a high-ranking delegation, Mirahmadi expressed gratitude to the Iraqi side for their hospitality, especially in providing Iranian pilgrims with great services.
The Iranian and Iraqi officials followed up the issue of pilgrimages during Arbaeen and other religious occasions, discussing infrastructure of border crossings between the two neighboring countries.
The Iranian representative urged Iraq to pave the ground for facilitating and easing the Iranian pilgrims’ journey to Karbala, an Iraqi city where Imam Hossain’s holy shrine is located.
Pointing to the possibility that there might be increase of number of Iranian pilgrims during this year’s Arbaeen and the impact of hot weather in this summer, Mirahmadi called on the Iraqi side to speed up delivery of equipment through border crossings.
He further noted that implementation of a cooperation agreement on public security and preparation of first seminar of joint security commission in the presence of officials of both nations indicate that the two countries are determined to pave the way for securing tranquility and welfare of citizens of Iraq and Iran.
For his part, al-Ghanimi underlined that providing services to pilgrims, who visit holy shrine of Imam Hussain (PBUH) is considered as a great honor for the Iraqi government and people, noting that Iraq is ready to host pilgrims during the holy month of Muharram, especially in Arbaeen period.
Iraq will do all-out endeavors in order to increase the number of gates in border crossing with the aim of reducing the time of controlling Iranian pilgrims’ passports, he said.
The Iraqi minister referred to the signing of a cooperation agreement between interior ministries of Iran and Iraq during his trip to Tehran, mentioning that the pace of bilateral collaborations is promising and progressing.
The minister went on to say that his country is prepared to exchange experiences and information with Iran’s Ministry of Interior, as well as police forces, arguing that such cooperation will pave the ground for expansion of mutual ties and guarantee security and tranquility in border areas.
Source: Islamic Republic News Agency – IRNA
