Mehran is closed due to the deadly coronavirus and no passenger can leave the country for Iraq to take part in Arbaeen rituals, Majid Kaki told IRNA on Saturday.
Mehran in Iran's Ilam Province is 230 km away from Baghdad and is Iran’s closest border city to Iraqi capital; the border was used as a land route for pilgrims to be present in Iraq to attend Arbaeen before.
Meanwhile, due to pandemic which has killed over 4,630,000 since its outbreak in Dec 2019, the pilgrims cannot leave for holy cities in Iraq to hold Arbaeen ceremony.
Arbaeen which falls on September 28 this year is a mourning ritual observed by Shia Muslims worldwide marking the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) (the third Shia Imam and the grandson of Prophet Mohammad).
Millions of Shia Muslims from across the world walk tens of kilometers to get to the holy shrine of Imam Hussain (AS) in Karbala on Arbaeen Day.
According to remarks made by the governor of Ilam, trade activities are underway in Mehran border under the health protocols.
1483**9417
Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish
Your Comment