Misbah al-Hussain Requests Dropping Visa Requirements for Pilgrims of Arbaeen
Misbah Al-Hussain Institute, affiliated to the Office of Grand Ayatollah Shirazi in holy Karbala requested the Iraqi government in a written statement to suspend all required payments related to visa and the crossing of border for the pilgrims of Imam Hussain who come from other countries to Iraq in order to participate in the Annual Arbaeen Pilgrimage on the 20th of Safar, October 30th 2018.
In this letter, which was sent to the Iraqi ministry of foreign affairs and all other power-holding bodies in this country, we read:
“Since 2003, the world has stood witness to a generosity beyond description by the people of Iraq, who had the honor to host the sacred shrines of the holy AhlulBayt and their numerous lovers and pilgrims from around the world; the extents of this generosity was so unfathomable that all pilgrims of Imam Hussain were provided with their needs for free and with utmost respect.”
The rest of the letter by this institute reads:
“The Great Shia Islamic Authority Ayatollah Sayed Sadiq Hussaini Shirazi has said that all government officials are expected to facilitate and contribute, in any way possible, to the glorious Arbaeen pilgrimage. The respective measures such as the suspension of visa requirements and its due expenses are necessary, because Shias in some neighboring countries are going through bad economic conditions.”
This letter also requests the Iraqi government to facilitate the issuance of visa for individuals from all nationalities, who are not members of a pilgrimage caravan. In addition, the attendance of millions of pilgrims in Iraq could also contribute to the economy of this country and lead to the creation of many jobs.
It is worth noting that there are many festivals around the world in which the hosting country suspends visa requirements as a means to facilitate public attendance in these festivals.
