TEHRAN - Over the past few days, a significant number of Pakistani pilgrims have entered Iran en route to Iraq’s Karbala to participate in the Arbaeen religious rituals.

According to Iranian customs authorities, 16,538 Pakistani pilgrims have crossed into Iran through the Mirjaveh and Rimdan border points in Sistan-Baluchestan province.

These pilgrims, who are traveling by road, will continue their journey through Iran before crossing into Iraq at the Shalamcheh border, Mehr news agency reported on Sunday.

The customs formalities for these pilgrims were efficiently processed by the staff at the Mirjaveh and Rimdan customs offices.

Mohammad-Ali Khashi, the customs supervisor for Sistan-Baluchestan province, provided further details, stating that during this period, customs formalities were completed for 6,058 pilgrims entering through Rimdan and 10,480 pilgrims through Mirjaveh.

Arbaeen, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, marks the end of a 40-day mourning period following the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.

Each year, millions of Shia Muslims from around the globe undertake this pilgrimage to Karbala, walking hundreds of kilometers as an expression of their faith and devotion.

AM