At the meeting of Planning Council of Supreme Leader’s Mission and Hajj Organization in Karbala:
To regulate independent caravans of Atabat and preserve national dignity

According to the Hajj Information base, The meeting of the Planning Council of the Supreme Leader's Mission and the Hajj and Pilgrimage organization was held in Karbala, under the chairmanship of Supreme Leader's representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage affairs and head of the Iranian pilgrims Hojjat al-Islam Seyed Abdolfattah Navvab and with the presence of Hajj and Pilgrimage organization chairman Mr. Alireza Bayat and also relevant deputies who have traveled to Iraq, and officials of the consulate and medical center in Karbala.

At the beginning of this meeting, Hojat al-Islam Navvab, referring to the golden opportunity to serve pilgrims, said: "We must try to provide honest service worthy of the pilgrims."

Some pilgrims travel to Iraq in an organized manner and under the supervision of Hajj and Pilgrimage organization's caravans, and some pilgrims travel to Iraq in independent caravans, and in some cases we witness numerous problems due to the presence of these caravans and the lack of awareness of some pilgrims, he added.

Supreme Leader's representative in Hajj and pilgrimage affairs emphasized the need to resolve problems according to priorities and said: by categorizing and prioritizing, we can definitely reduce problems step by step within a specific time frame.

He emphasized that for the Supreme Leader mission and Hajj and Pilgrimage organization, there should be no difference regarding pilgrims; we must provide services to all the lovers and pilgrims of Aba Abdullah Al-Hossein (AS), in any way and with any caravan that is present in Karbala, and take steps to solve their problems.

Stating that we are all trying to serve the pilgrims of Atabat-e-Aliyat, Mr. Alireza Bayat also said at the meeting: what we see is far from what it should be, therefore, attention must be paid to indicators and improving processes; we have seen growth in some areas, and in some areas we have witnessed a downward trend, which requires special attention.

Stating that the Hajj and Pilgrimage organization cannot resolve all problems alone, he said: "Many problems depend on the assistance of relevant and cooperating agencies; Hajj and Pilgrimage can be central, but other agencies must also be involved."

In the continuation of this meeting, Hojjat al-Islam Hosseini Qomi, who is present in Karbala as a speaker, said those involved in Hajj and pilgrimage should not be tired. He also called for reducing the concerns of pilgrims.

Some problems stem from the lack of insurance or lack of awareness among pilgrims, and we hope that special follow-up will be carried out by the relevant officials, Hojjat al-Islam Hosseini Qomi added.

Dr. Amin Reza Tabatabaei, head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Medical Center of the Hilal Ahmar Society in Iraq, also presented a report on the measures taken and said: unfortunately, some free caravans have caused numerous problems, because these caravans leave Iran without insurance and medical services, and appropriate information must be provided in this regard.

Deputy of our country Consulate in Karbala also presented a report on the measures taken and said: unfortunately, some profit-seeking individuals are exploiting the people's devotion and we are witnessing numerous damages. Some pilgrims do not even know that their caravan is not under the supervision of the Hajj organization, and when they encounter problems, they realize that a few profit-seeking individuals are exploiting them.

Some of the problems occurred at the Atabat are not in dignity of Iranian pilgrims, and some cases have also created problems for the consulate, He emphasized.

Hojat al-Islam Bahjati, director of Supreme Leader representative office in Karbala, also presented a report on cultural measures and said: we hope that the existing problems regarding hotels will be resolved.

Hojjat al-Islam Navvab further expressed hope that at the meeting of the Supreme Council of Hajj, a solution will be devised by the relevant institutions to reduce the costs and problems of Atabat pilgrims.

Director of Hajj Organization's representative office Hossein Nikravesh also presented a report at the meeting on the entry of pilgrims through land and air borders and the concerns raised in the field of hardware and software.

In conclusion, Hojat al-Islam Navvab expressed hope that with the efforts of all those involved, these problems will be reduced over time and resolved in future trips.