Supreme Leader representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs visits the impressive projects and development of Al-Askari shrine

According to the Hajj Information Base, Supreme Leader's representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage affairs and head of the Iranian pilgrims Hojjat al-Islam Seyed Abdolfattah Navvab, Head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage organization Dr. Alireza Bayat and accompanying delegation who traveled Iraq to review the process of service delivery to Iranian pilgrims ahead of Nowruz Atabat and Ramadan dispatches, welcomed in Samarra by Haj Amin Shariati Iran’s diplomatic representative in the city. During the visit, they reviewed progress on key projects to improve pilgrim services. 

Mr. Amin Shariati briefed Supreme Leader’s Representative and accompanying delegation, stating, God Willing, strong cultural ties have been established between the people of Samarra and Iranian pilgrims.

Stating that between 100 to 150 Iranian pilgrim caravans visit the holy sites in Samarra nightly, emphasized, By God’s grace, the security situation in the city is stable, and we face no significant issue.

Iranian embassy representative in Samarra congratulated Mr. Bayat, head of the Hajj and pilgrimage organization, and referring to his records, said: the chairman, who has repeatedly traveled to Iraq with pilgrims and spent the night in Samarra, in the cellar. It is a trophy for the pilgrimage organization because it knows exactly where the merits and problems are.

Reporting to Hojjat al-Islam Navvab, Mr. Shariati said that development of accommodation and food facilities is one of the most important concerns that are being pursued.

Hojjat al-Islam Navvab also praised the extensive work done in Samarra, saying that we all need to serve the pilgrims as a great honor for ourselves and make it possible to do great work with small but persistent steps.

He also emphasized that Iranian servants in Samarra should consider serving pilgrims from other countries as part of their honors. 

Supreme Leader’s representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage affairs further called on Iranian officials involved in serving pilgrims of Atabat to continuously solicit feedback from pilgrims regarding the services they provide, so that the merits and shortcomings of their work can be identified more swiftly and effectively. 

During the continued presence of Supreme Leader’s representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage affairs, head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage organization and the accompanying delegation in Samarra, the delegation met and held talks with the custodian of Al-Askari Atabe. 

In his meeting with Dr. Jamil Nafe’, the custodian of Al-Askari Atabe, Hojjat al-Islam Navvab described serving the pilgrims of Ahl al-Bayt (PBUH) as a tremendous blessing. He stated, the people of Samarra are privileged to serve pilgrims of the Infallible Imam. You, as the custodian of this shrine, are a reputable and successful individual, and I hope you will always remain a source of benefit for your family, these two holy shrines, and this land.

Iranian pilgrims are satisfied with the services at the Askari Atabe, especially in endowment and courtyard, and we hope that pilgrims’ satisfaction will be a source of goodness and blessing in your life and hereafter, as well as in the lives of other servants of these two holy shrines, Supreme Leader’s representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage affairs emphasized.

Head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage organization also said at the meeting that we are very pleased that, thank God, we are witnessing a great growth in services provided to pilgrims in Samarra. He added: changes and developments in the shrine are impressive, and we must thank you and congratulate you for this.

While welcoming the guests and also referring to the strong presence of Iranian pilgrims in the two Holy shrine, Dr. Jamil Nafe’, custodian of two Holy Mosques said: the approach and performance of Iranian pilgrims is excellent, and I personally believe that the presence of Iranian pilgrims gives a special flavor to the region because Iranians participate pilgrimage in groups, and both their order and their collective actions are excellent, and they have a very spiritual status during the pilgrimage.

He continued: some countries’ pilgrims, such as Lebanon, Afghanistan, and some other countries, usually come to visit the two Holy Mosques of Askari seasonally, for example during Arbaeen or the Day of Arafah, but Iranian pilgrims are present in Samar throughout the year, and we are happy about this and are interested in being able to serve these pilgrims as much as possible.

The custodian of Two Holy Mosques also emphasized that coordination between this Custodianship and Mr. Haj Amin Shariati, Iranian embassy representative in Samarra, is complete and excellent, and this bilateral coordination will continue, God willing.

Hojjat al-Islam Bahjati, director of Supreme Leader representative office in Karbala, also thanked the custodian of Two Holy Mosques (PBUH) for their cooperation and announced the Supreme Leader Mission desire to hold a cultural program in Samarra, saying that consultations and correspondence have been held with the Two Holy Mosques Atabe in this regard and we are awaiting a response.

He also said about the issue of pilgrim accommodation: we hope that the necessary conditions will be provided and obstacles will be removed so that Iranian pilgrims can be accommodated in Samarra.