TEHRAN – The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has provided facilities for Arbaeen pilgrims this year, Mehr reported on Thursday.

Following previous political negotiations with the Etisalat, a multinational Emirati based telecommunications services provider in Iraq, and Iraq’s Ministry of Communications, talk tariff between two countries in decreased during Arbaeen pilgrimage, minister for ICT Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi announced.

According to the agreement, talk tariff is decreased from 30,000 rials (about 70 cents) per minute to 9,000 rials (about 20 cents), he announced.

Iranian internet companies also provides free WiFi for Arbaeen trekkers in ten spots from Najaf to Karbala, he added.

Moreover, free WiFi will be provided at the Hazrat Zahra Courtyard at the Imam Hussein shrine in Karbala, he said.

The telecommunication capacity doubled between two countries in comparison to the past year, Azari Jahromi declared.

He asked Iranian not to use data roaming during the pilgrimage, which is become very expensive due to high rate of foreign exchange in Iran.

“They can use Iraqi SIM card for data, which would be more economic,” he suggested.

Over 500,000 visas have so far been issued for Iranian pilgrims who are to make their ways to the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala.

A total of 820,000 people have applied for the visas, of whom 500,000 have been granted the permits till October 17, ISNA reported on Tuesday.

Arbaeen pilgrimage, aka Arbaeen trek, is a characteristic spiritual exercise in which hundreds of thousands of Shia and Sunni Muslims, even Christians and Zoroastrians, etc. from various nationalities participate.

The long treks will be destined to Karbala, where Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is laid to rest. 

The event marks an end to the 40-day mourning period following martyrdom of the Imam and his loyal companions at the Battle of Karbala on Muharram 10 in the year 61 AH (680 CE).

SB/MQ/MG