The Iraqi land border will be reopened to Iranian pilgrims at the same time as Eid al-Fitr
According to Moj News Agency, quoting the public relations of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, Seyed Sadegh Hosseini in a meeting with Hassan Nazem – Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities of Iraq – referring to the activities of more than 2,500 offices of pilgrimage services in Iran, said: Offices under the supervision of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization are in charge of sending pilgrims.
Referring to the high cost of air travel to send Iranian pilgrims to Iraq and the high cost of Najaf airport, he said: “We expect the cost of air travel to decrease to see more Iranian pilgrims.”
The head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization referred to the request of the President to send pilgrims to the holy shrine and added: Especially in Najaf, it can be effective in this regard.
According to Hosseini, the resumption of pilgrimages to the two countries by land could also be helpful in reducing the travel costs of pilgrims from the two countries.
He added: “One of the main reasons for the closure of land borders is the spread of corona, which is currently on the agenda despite the vaccination of about 75% of the population in our country and efforts to comply with health procedures to witness the movement of Iranian pilgrims by land.” Let us be, just as the land border of Iran is now open to Iraqi pilgrims.
The head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, requesting that the reopening of the land borders meet the demands of many applicants to travel to the holy shrines of Aliaat, suggested that this measure be taken from Eid al-Fitr with the help of Iraqi officials and officials.
Emphasizing on ground expeditions in full compliance with health instructions, Hosseini said: “These expeditions can be done under the full supervision of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization and the Iraqi Ministry of Tourism, and in accordance with the established procedures so that there is no problem in terms of corona.”
He continued: “There are several months left until the Arbaeen days, and considering the welcome of the enthusiasts for the Arbaeen walk, we can resume the ground dispatches according to the health instructions, to create more suitable conditions until the peak of the trips in those days.”
The head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization also referred to the issue of determining the standard ranking of Iraqi hotels and said: “Determining this issue in the plans of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization for the accommodation of pilgrims can reduce the problems and concerns of pilgrims and increase satisfaction.”
Hassan Nazem, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities of Iraq, also stressed the importance of signing a memorandum of understanding between the two countries on sending pilgrims from the two countries, adding: “The signing of this memorandum can meet the needs of pilgrims from both countries. We hope this memorandum The sooner it is finalized.
He said: “We hope to see the expansion of pilgrimage trips as well as more coordination and interaction in order to facilitate the affairs of pilgrims in the two countries.”
The Iraqi Minister of Culture and Tourism said that the purpose of the trip to the two countries was the pilgrimage of the Imams and said: “We are a soul in two bodies due to the issue of pilgrimage and religious commonalities, therefore the hearts and homes of the Iraqi people to the pilgrims.” Iran is open and we welcome the issue of increasing the number of pilgrims and paying attention to the culture of pilgrimage.
Regarding the reopening of land borders, Nazem said: “The Ministry of Tourism will follow up on this issue and we will raise it in the cabinet to make a final review.”
The Iraqi Minister of Culture and Tourism also referred to the readiness of the ranking of the country’s hotels, adding: “We will provide this ranking to the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization to help address concerns in this regard.”
The Iranian Hajj and Pilgrimage delegation, which has been visiting Iraq since Friday, has met with the Iraqi President, the Minister of Health and the Director of Hajj and Umrah, as well as the President of Najaf Airport, the Iranian Ambassador to Iraq and other consular officials in Najaf. Karbala has had meetings. This trip is mainly aimed at following the reopening of the Iraqi land border, which has been closed to Iranian pilgrims since the outbreak of the Corona virus, as well as exploring ways to reduce the cost of travel to Atbat.
The Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization believes that reopening Iraq’s land border will reduce the cost of the trip by up to 50 percent. The cost of air travel to Iraq with Hajj and pilgrimage caravans has exceeded 13 million tomans.