Arbaeen Pilgrimage

The Iraqi embassy in Iran on Monday started issuing visas for the Iranian applicants intending to visit the country for Arbaeen pilgrimage, a major Shiite occasion marking the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH). The Iraqi consulates in the Iranian cities of Mashhad, Kermanshah and Ahvaz have also begun processing the visa applications, hamshahrionline.ir reported.  Last year, more than 2.4 million Iranians traveled to the Iraqi city of Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (PBUH) is located, to perform mourning rites on Arbaeen.  Officials predict that the number of Iranian visitors would hit three million this year.