Scores of Shiite pilgrims who have entered the Kurdistan Region in recent days from the Haji Omaran border crossing on the Iranian border are warmly hosted at the Erbil International Fair, before continuing their journey towards Karbala to observe Arbaeen. The Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF), alongside civil defense and medical teams, are providing services for the pilgrims and working to ensure their safe passage to the holy Shiite city. More than 110,000 visitors have entered the Kurdistan Region from Iran for Arbaeen pilgrimage in recent days, according to official numbers: more than 75,000 from Erbil’s Haji Omaran border crossing and over 35,000 from Sulaimani’s Bashmakh border crossing. The Arbaeen pilgrimage is a significant religious observance for Shiite Muslims which marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for the death of Imam Hussein, the third Shiite Imam and grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, in 680 AD. Millions of Shiite followers from around the world yearly embark upon a journey to Karbala to attend the Arbaeen pilgrimage.
