Iran and Iraq welcome resumption of pilgrimage

As reported by Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Information Base, Mr. Nasir Abdul Mohsen Abdullah, Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to our country, met today with Supreme Leader's Representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs and Supervisor of Iranian Pilgrims Hojjat al-Islam Seyed Abdolfattah Navvab. The meeting which was held at the Supreme Leader Delegation Office.
Referring to good cooperation between the two countries in the field of Hajj and pilgrimage and movement of millions of Iranian and Iraqi pilgrims through the borders of the two sides during a year; Hojjat al-Islam Navvab said at the meeting: We hope with more control of corona virus, the way for Iranian pilgrims travel to the holy shrine in Iraq will be re-established.
Referring to the presence of Mr. Nasir Abdul Mohsen Abdullah in the past years as the Consul General of the Republic of Iraq in Mashhad and familiarity with the activities of Hajj and Pilgrimage, he added: we expect your experience provide more facilities for Iranian pilgrims to travel to Atabat and can take advantage of pilgrimage trips.
Referring to the friendly relations between the two countries and also connection and interest of Iran and Iraq nations, the Iraqi ambassador in Tehran said at this meeting: Corona has reduced pilgrims' trips to holy places in the two countries and we are trying to resume these trips after health conditions was improved.
He announced his readiness to issue visa for pilgrim caravans that will be organized in the future in the form of Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, and added: "Pilgrim cities in Iraq have no problem in welcoming Iranian pilgrims and are waiting for agreements between relevant authorities of two countries."
Supreme Leader' representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs also pointed out with closure of Hajj, Umrah and Atabat trips, 21 committees have been formed in the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization and are optimizing programs in this area. He also welcomed the development of cooperation between the two sides in the field of Hajj and Pilgrimage and invited Chairman of Iraqi Supreme Council of Hajj and Umrah Hojjat al-lslam Sheikh Massoudi to visit Iran.
Deputy head of Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization in Atabat affairs Hojjat al-Islam Sohbatollah Rahmani also reported on the actions and follow-ups of the organization regarding pilgrimage trips to the holy shrines and specified at the meeting: Iraq insists on observing health procedures and maintaining safety and dignity of pilgrims. He also added had good talks with the Iraqi ambassador on how to send pilgrims to Iraq in the future if the corona situation improves.
According to the report, during the meeting, which was held on the eve of anniversary of the Hajj Qasim Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes martyrdom, the two sides commemorated the two martyred commanders of the Resistance Front and the Iraqi ambassador called the US terrorist operation on baghdad airport Cowardly.
The two great martyrs are on the hearts of two nations of Iran and Iraq, and the people showed their love and affection at the funeral of their bodies in the two countries, Iraqi ambassador added.
Supreme Leader's representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage affairs also stated: the martyrs Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes sacrificed their lives and blood in defense of Islam and I am sure that God will punish the oppressors for their deeds.