Tehran, August 10, IRNA – Iran and Syria signed a Memorandum of Understanding to regulate pilgrimage and religious tourism.

Head of Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Saeed Ohadi, heading an Iranian delegation conferred with Syrian Minister of Tourism Bashar Riyad Yazigi on Monday on regulating issues concerning pilgrims.
He also raised the issue with officials from Syrian Interior Ministry and Tourism Ministry as well as officials from tourist companies.
The two sides expressed their readiness for exchange of pilgrims and religious tourists.
The MoU calls for setting up a joint committee to make necessary coordination to resume travel of Iranian pilgrims to Syria.
One of the issues discussed in the meeting was security for pilgrims.
Senior officials of Syria including the premier and minister of Tourism promised to do their utmost to ensure safety of the pilgrims.
Before beginning of crisis in Syria in March 2011, Iran used to send more than one million pilgrims to Syria annually.
The Syrian government has taken precautionary measures to bolster security in Zeinabiya district and inside of Damascus city for resuming travel of Iranian pilgrims.

By IRNA