November 5, The Iran Project � So far thousands of Iranian pilgrims have flocked to Karbala to attend the Arbaeen rituals, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, marking the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of the third Shia Imam, Imam Hussein (PBUH).

Pilgrims from over 100 countries, including Iran, gathered in Karbala for over a week to mark Arbaeen, defying threats by Takfiri terrorists to attack them. Many of the mourners reached the city on foot to show their devotion to the Shia Imam.

Iraq has so far granted more than 2.3 million Iranian applicants visas for going on pilgrimage to the Arab country to perform mourning rituals marking Arbaeen, spokesperson for a headquarters handling the Arbaeen travels announced.

Shahriar Heidari said more than 2.3 million Iranian pilgrims have obtained Iraqi visa so far.

He reiterated that Iraq�s consulates and missions across Iran are still processing the visa applications ahead of Arbaeen, which falls on November 9 this year.

On Nov. 4, Iran�s Police Commander Brigadier General Hossein Ashtari said there are no problems in handling the Arbaeen pilgrimage and ensuring security as thousands of Iranians are travelling to Iraq to perform religious rituals in commemoration of the third Shiite imam, Imam Hussein (PBUH).

Brigadier General Ashtari stated that there is no need to worry about anything in ensuring security and safety of the pilgrims and controlling the traffic on the roads near border crossings.

Meanwhile, Iran�s Ambassador to Iraq Iraj Masjedi said on Nov. 5 that Tehran will have ultimate cooperation with Baghdad in its reconstruction, as it helped it in the fight against the terrorists and Daesh.

He also hailed Iran-Iraq cooperation in various sectors as excellent, hoping that the cooperation will further improve.

On Nov. 4, Masjedi also said that the number of Iranian and non-Iranian pilgrims entering Iraq through Iranian borders is expected to exceed three million until next week.

Moreover, two Iranian medical clinics were opened in Iraq on the eve of the ritual of Arbaeen when millions of pilgrims flock to the country to commemorate the 40th day of Shia Muslim�s 3rd Imam martyrdom.