TEHRAN (Tasnim) � Iraqi authorities have issued 850, 000 visas to Iranian pilgrims planning to visit Iraq�s holy city of Karbala for Arbaeen, the head of Iran�s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization said Tuesday.

�So far, 850, 000 visas have been issued to Iranian pilgrims,� Saeed Ohadi told the Tasnim News Agency.

He added that more than 1,350,000 Iranians have registered for pilgrimage to Karbala on Arbaeen, the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of the third Shiite Imam, Imam Hussein (AS).

Ohadi stressed that pilgrims who have not yet registered for the journey, will have until November 24, 4:00 pm (local time), to do so.

The head of Iran�s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization further predicted that the number of Iranian pilgrims visiting the Iraqi city of Karbala this year will hit a record high of 2,000,000.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he lauded the measures taken at the Mehran border-crossing, saying pilgrims can easily travel to Iraq through the border city.

The Arbaeen mourning ceremony is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.

It marks the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), Imam Hussein (AS).

Each year, pilgrims, mainly from Iraq and Iran, travel long routes on foot to Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located.

Last year, around 20 million pilgrims from all over the world gathered in Karbala to attend the mourning ceremonies marking Arbaeen.

By Tasnim News Agency