Najaf Ashraf province and the roads leading to Karbala are witnessing the movement of pilgrims from all over Iraq and other countries for the Arbaeen of Imam Hussein (AS).
According to the international group Pak Sahafat News Agency, the correspondent of the Iraqi news agency Waa reported: Najaf Ashraf province and the roads leading to Karbala are witnessing the movement of pilgrims from all over Iraq and other countries for the Arbaeen ceremony of Imam Hussein (AS) and his brother Abolfazl Al-Abbas (AS).
This is among the security, health and service measures. The security, health plan, and the services provided by the local authorities are very smooth
Securing the skies of the two holy shrines in Karbala
Al-Abbas (AS) Combat Brigade announced that it will use fortified advanced equipment that has not been used so far to ensure the security of the two holy shrines in Karbala at the same time as the ceremony.
In an official statement, the Al-Abbas (AS) Combat Brigade, while emphasizing that the headquarters of these forces is capable of gathering thousands of combatants and volunteers in 48 hours, stated that it uses these forces every year to ensure the security of millions of pilgrims.
In this statement, with reference to the fact that this brigade operates to ensure the security of the Arbaeen ceremony within the framework of the “Forces of Holy Shrines”, which includes 4 forces subordinate to the holy shrines, the activities of this brigade are described.
Al-Abbas Fighting Brigade (AS) announced that it is moving in the direction of pursuing and dealing with lawbreakers and the remnants of ISIL.
Al-Abbas Combat Brigade (AS) has emphasized that there is very good coordination with the Karbala Governorate and the Karbala Operations Command Headquarters and other security organizations in the province.
The brigade’s statement also states that various ethnicities and religions are present within the framework of the Kirkuk Health Department in cooperation with the Abbas (AS) Combat Brigade to serve the pilgrims.
The brigade has emphasized that 90% of the funding for these forces to secure the Arbaeen ceremony will come from the holy shrine of Hazrat Abbas (AS).
Al-Kazemi special order on the occasion of Arbaeen
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has ordered tighter security measures and the prevention of any insecurity to target Husseini pilgrims.
According to the media office of the Iraqi Prime Minister, a meeting of the Council of the Ministry of National Security chaired by Al-Kadhimi was held and the security plan of Arbaeen pilgrimage, measures taken to protect pilgrims in addition to the mechanism of entry of foreign pilgrims to Iraq and facilities provided to them were reviewed.
Al-Kadhimi ordered that security measures be tightened to protect the processions and that any insecurity be targeted to target pilgrims.
While emphasizing the need to implement the security plan carefully and diligently, he praised the cooperation of citizens with the security services and their efforts to fully comply with security and health orders.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces stressed the need to intensify intelligence and pre-emptive efforts before the operation and the importance of continuing the terrorist attack and targeting ISIS hideouts.
Closed on the occasion of Arbaeen
The Secretariat of the Iraqi Cabinet announced an official holiday on Tuesday across the country on the occasion of Arbaeen Husseini.
According to an official statement from the Iraqi Cabinet Secretariat, all offices throughout Iraq will be closed on Tuesday, except for service circles, on the occasion of the Arbaeen of Imam Hussein (AS).
The Iraqi law on official holidays has not yet been approved by the Iraqi parliament, and the Iraqi cabinet declares a state of emergency on the occasion.
Some governorates, including Najaf, Ashraf and Karbala, have declared more than a day off.
Holidays in some of the provinces of Iraq are as under:
Najaf province is closed from September 26 to 30, Dhi Qar on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays next week, Al-Diwaniyah Sundays to Tuesdays, Karbala from Thursdays (yesterday), Maysan provinces Mondays and Tuesdays, Muthanna Mondays and Tuesdays, Basra is closed on Sunday and Monday.
Local officials in Babylon have also announced office hours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.