Karbala, Sept 8, IRNA – Iranian and Iraqi officials exchanged views on making necessary preparations for the annual Arbaeen mourning ceremony that is to be held in Karbala on November 20 this year and starts in this Iraq's holy city of Karbala.

The talks were held here Wednesday evening by Iran's Ambassador to Baghdad Hassan Danaeifar and Karbala Friday Prayers Leader Abdul Mahdi al-Karbalai.

The two discussed issues such as accommodation and transportation of the Arbaeen pilgrims in the meeting.

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), the third Imam of Shiite Muslims.

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.

Danaeifar appreciated the Iraqi nation and government for having good interaction with Iran on performing Arbaeen ceremonies each year.

He hoped that this year's Arbaeen ceremony would be as remarkable as the past years.

By IRNA