TEHRAN- The Iranian Minister of Interior held a meeting with border officials from both Iran and Iraq at the Munthrya border crossing, situated on the Iraqi side of the Khosravi border, to address the security measures for pilgrims participating in the Arbaeen Walk.

As reported by Iran’s interior ministry, Eskandar Momeni participated in this meeting on Friday morning, which included officials from both nations at the Khosravi and Munthrya borders. 

Momeni emphasized the exceptional level of collaboration between Iranian and Iraqi authorities while assessing the current status of pilgrims traveling for the Arbaeen Hosseini observance. 
 
He expressed his appreciation to the Iraqi minister of interior and highlighted the establishment of six special representatives from the Iraqi side at various border crossings as a commendable initiative designed to swiftly address issues at the border points. 

Momeni characterized the Arbaeen Walk as a testament to the profound connection between the two nations, noting that the relations and cooperation among their officials are exceptionally strong. 

The meeting also featured Brigadier General Hassan Omid, the director of the Munthrya border in Iraq, during which Momeni reiterated his gratitude to his Iraqi counterpart for the effective collaboration in accommodating millions of Iranian pilgrims and visitors from other countries. 

On the same day, Iran’s minister of interior traveled to the provinces of Kermanshah and Ilam provinces to inspect the Arbaeen border crossings, including Khosravi and Mehran.

The Arbaeen Walk is a significant annual event in Shia Islam, commemorating the 40 days following the martyrdom anniversary of Husayn ibn Ali, the third Imam. This pilgrimage takes place 40 days after Ashura, the day when Imam Husayn was martyred during the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. 

Each year, millions of devotees, often exceeding 20 million, undertake this journey, traversing approximately 80 kilometers from Najaf to Karbala in Iraq. 

The Arbaeen Walk serves as a profound expression of their commitment to the principles championed by Imam Husayn, such as justice and resistance against tyranny.