Supreme Committee Issues Statement on Completion of Imam Hussein Arba'een Pilgrimage
The High Committee for receiving visitors for the Arbaeen commemoration of Imam Hussein in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, announced on Monday, August 26, 2024, the final statistics for receiving Iranian visitors who performed the Arbaeen pilgrimage rituals.
Following the directive of the Kurdistan Regional Government and with the participation of all relevant ministries and stakeholders, preparations have been made to ensure the smooth provision of public services for the 2024 Imam Hussein Arba'een pilgrimage. These services cover areas such as safety, health, transportation, checkpoints, and the provision of essential needs.
The preparations include:
- Setting up four checkpoints at key locations: Haji Omaran International Gate, Kani Maran, Erbil International Exhibition, and Sherawa Checkpoint.
- Deploying multiple operational centers and teams from various government departments of the Kurdistan Regional Government. These teams, composed of specialized, professional, capable, and active staff, will work around the clock at the following locations: (Iranian Affairs Department - Haji Omaran International Gate - Transportation - Security - Police - Passport Control - Customs Police - Security at complexes - Narcotics Prevention - Civil Activities Police - Customs - Traffic Police - Border Guard - Health Services - Crisis Coordination Center - Civil Defense - Tourism - Municipal Services - Environmental Protection).
-Ten temporary mobile transport stations were set up along the main route for transporting visitors from the Haji Omaran border crossing to Karbala, consisting of several empty buses and local office teams.
-An aviation team was prepared within the Erbil Traffic Directorate for use when needed, coordinating with other teams from related departments.
-58 passport computers were installed to expedite procedures and process visitors' passports quickly.
-4,500 buses, coasters, and minibuses were prepared to transport visitors from the Haji Omaran International Border Crossing to Karbala in two stages.
-More than 100 emergency vehicles and equipment were deployed, including fire trucks, ambulances, cranes, drinking water tankers, heavy water tankers, garbage cleaning equipment, medicine refrigerators, minibuses, tractors, forklifts, cargo trucks, cement mixers, pickup trucks, and security vehicles. These were provided by relevant departments and the Barzani Charity Foundation at all rest stations and along the routes to assist and support the visitors.
-Regarding the statistics of the visitors' arrival process, which officially began on August 8, 2024, and ended on August 26, 2024, the details are as follows:
The committee reported that the statistics for the arrival and departure of Iranian, foreign, and other visitors were approximately 110,000 people. Of this number, 61,000 were arrivals, while 49,000 were departures.
In addition to Iranian visitors, pilgrims from other countries such as Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia also traveled, with the total number of foreign visitors exceeding 10,500.
-The number of visitors who sought medical treatment due to illness and visited health centers and teams at all four stations was more than 3,000 patients.
-There were no traffic accidents, except for one bus that overturned during the return journey. Fortunately, the bus was empty except for the driver, and there were no casualties.
