Karbala: Extensive Preparations Underway to Receive Millions of Pilgrims for the Arbaeen Pilgrimage
The Holy Shrine of Imam al-Husayn (peace be upon him) is preparing to receive pilgrims coming from various Iraqi provinces as well as from Arab, regional, and foreign countries to commemorate the Arbaeen of Imam al-Husayn (peace be upon him).
The head of the Maintenance Department at the Holy Shrine, Engineer Abdul Hassan Muhammad, told Karbala International News Agency that:
“The shrine is preparing to meet the needs and requirements of pilgrims during the Arbaeen pilgrimage under the guidance of His Eminence Sheikh Abdul Mahdi al-Karbala’i, the legitimate custodian of the Holy Shrine.”
He pointed out that preparations include a wide range of projects, such as:
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Constructing two bridges: one to organize the movement of processions and pilgrims at the entrance to Qibla Street, and another in the area between the Two Holy Shrines.
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Expanding the accommodation space for pilgrims in the Shuhada Street area (entrance to the Courtyard of the Prophet, peace be upon him and his family) by an additional 7,000 square meters.
The department head added:
“Special accommodation tents have been erected and equipped with drinking water, piped water, electricity, sound systems, and storage containers for pilgrims’ belongings. Additional areas were opened in the Ta’leeb zone with new tents installed, and they’ve been supplied with water and electric generators. Ice factories and the water station are now operating at full capacity.”
He also explained that preparations include:
“Covering streets leading to the shrine of Imam al-Husayn (peace be upon him) with heat-insulating fabric (what we call the ‘shading process’) such as Shuhada Street, Qibla Street, the road between the Two Shrines, and Sidra Street, all supported with water pumps and sprayers to cool the atmosphere and reduce heat.”
He noted the shrine's coordination with multiple Karbala directorates such as:
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The Sewerage Directorate
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The Water Directorate
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The Directorate of Water Resources
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The Municipality Directorate
All of this aims to overcome any challenges in delivering services to the Hussaini processions and pilgrims at large.