Sadr calls on pilgrims to adhere to Iraqi laws
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Saturday called on Shiite pilgrims to respect the laws of Iraq during their visit to the country, days after his supporters stormed government buildings in the Iraqi capital.
“The laws of this country should be adhered by in all visits to holy sites and elsewhere,” Sadr said in a statement, calling on all Arbaeen pilgrims to adhere to entering Iraq through official crossings and with proper traveling permit and passports.
Sadr specifically pointed at Iranian pilgrims as they are the largest group of people visiting Iraq for holy pilgrimages.
Arbaeen marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for the death of Shiite leader and grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, Imam Hussein, in a battle fought at Karbala in 680 AD.
The day sees millions of Shiite Muslims from across the world including Lebanon, Turkey, Kuwait and especially Iraq’s Shiite-majority neighbor, Iran.
Ahead of Arbaeen, mainly foreign pilgrims set out on a symbolic 80-kilometer-long walk that begins from the city of Najaf where the shrine of Imam Hussein’s father is located, to Karbala which houses Imam Hussein’s shrine. It is customary to dress in black as they march the streets of the city, often hitting themselves with chains and wood.
Stalls of food and water are usually set up by local residents and volunteers to make sure that no pilgrim goes hungry or thirsty. Small tents, lined with mattresses and blankets for people who want to rest, are placed along the path.
Sadr also called on Iraqi officials and specifically local Karbala authorities to maintain security during the ceremonies.
“They need to control and be aware of the security very well and control the checkpoints through security forces only,” he said, noting that checkpoints should not be held by the Iran backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) or the militia affiliated to himself.
Sadr’s statement came after a Monday retirement letter from him set off violent clashes in Baghdad between his supporters and Coordination Framework loyalists in the capital's high-security Green Zone which led to the death of at least 30 people, and the injury of over 500 people.
Despite Sadr’s call for ending the violence, his militia Saraya al-Salam and pro-Iran Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH) militia groups engaged in heavy confrontations in Iraq’s southern city of Basra on Wednesday, leaving at least four militants killed, according to AFP.
“The laws of this country should be adhered by in all visits to holy sites and elsewhere,” Sadr said in a statement, calling on all Arbaeen pilgrims to adhere to entering Iraq through official crossings and with proper traveling permit and passports.
Sadr specifically pointed at Iranian pilgrims as they are the largest group of people visiting Iraq for holy pilgrimages.
Arbaeen marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for the death of Shiite leader and grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, Imam Hussein, in a battle fought at Karbala in 680 AD.
The day sees millions of Shiite Muslims from across the world including Lebanon, Turkey, Kuwait and especially Iraq’s Shiite-majority neighbor, Iran.
Ahead of Arbaeen, mainly foreign pilgrims set out on a symbolic 80-kilometer-long walk that begins from the city of Najaf where the shrine of Imam Hussein’s father is located, to Karbala which houses Imam Hussein’s shrine. It is customary to dress in black as they march the streets of the city, often hitting themselves with chains and wood.
Stalls of food and water are usually set up by local residents and volunteers to make sure that no pilgrim goes hungry or thirsty. Small tents, lined with mattresses and blankets for people who want to rest, are placed along the path.
Sadr also called on Iraqi officials and specifically local Karbala authorities to maintain security during the ceremonies.
“They need to control and be aware of the security very well and control the checkpoints through security forces only,” he said, noting that checkpoints should not be held by the Iran backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) or the militia affiliated to himself.
Sadr’s statement came after a Monday retirement letter from him set off violent clashes in Baghdad between his supporters and Coordination Framework loyalists in the capital's high-security Green Zone which led to the death of at least 30 people, and the injury of over 500 people.
Despite Sadr’s call for ending the violence, his militia Saraya al-Salam and pro-Iran Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH) militia groups engaged in heavy confrontations in Iraq’s southern city of Basra on Wednesday, leaving at least four militants killed, according to AFP.