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Iraq
Shiite Muslims commemorating Ashura in Baghdad's mostly Shiite neighborhood of Kadhimiya on Sunday, September 9. Photo: AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — On the occasion of the Shiite commemoration of Ashura, Iraq’s transport ministry on Monday announced a dedicated expansion of trains and buses to transport the influx of pilgrims travelling between holy sites and processions, while the country’s president and prime minister highlighted the occasion’s significance.
Ten trains will travel to and from Baghdad and Basra to Karbala to facilitate the transport of visitors. 175 buses will also be provided, according to a Ministry of Transportation statement citing Transport Minister Abdullah al-Luaibi on Monday.
“The Ministry of Transportation’s year-round contribution to the organization of the millions of visitors that the country witnesses has become clear,” al-Luaibi was quoted as saying.
Ashura, a ten-day mourning period in which Shiite Muslims mourn the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, sees millions of Shiites from across the world flock to Iraq.
Iraq, a Shiite-majority country, is home to some of the Islamic sect’s most holy sites, including the shrine of Imam Hussein.
Security in areas of the country with sizable Shiite populations been upped to protect Ashura activities. On Sunday night, the majority Shiite Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashd al-Shaabi in Arabic, announced a curfew to continue until 5 pm on Tuesday to "secure the Ashura procession" in the Nineveh Plains and Tel Afar in the northwest of the country.
Iraqi President Barham Salih and Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi released statements to commemorate the “painful” event of Imam Hussein’s killing. Hailing Imam Hussein as a figure of reform, both heads of state pushed forth the idea of social and political change in his memory.
“Hussein always and forever calls us to freedom, good, and elevating consciousness to match the current political and social challenge, to reject violence, love the country, and finish the reform projects that Hussein started in the Ummah [global Muslim community] by saying ‘I have come out to demand reform’”, Salih said in a speech at Sulaimani’s Barzinjah mosque on Monday.
In his message to Iraqis, Abdul-Mahdi said citizens should stand “against oppression and corruption,” invoking the need for change in a country marred by corruption.
Ten trains will travel to and from Baghdad and Basra to Karbala to facilitate the transport of visitors. 175 buses will also be provided, according to a Ministry of Transportation statement citing Transport Minister Abdullah al-Luaibi on Monday.
“The Ministry of Transportation’s year-round contribution to the organization of the millions of visitors that the country witnesses has become clear,” al-Luaibi was quoted as saying.
Ashura, a ten-day mourning period in which Shiite Muslims mourn the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, sees millions of Shiites from across the world flock to Iraq.
Iraq, a Shiite-majority country, is home to some of the Islamic sect’s most holy sites, including the shrine of Imam Hussein.
Security in areas of the country with sizable Shiite populations been upped to protect Ashura activities. On Sunday night, the majority Shiite Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashd al-Shaabi in Arabic, announced a curfew to continue until 5 pm on Tuesday to "secure the Ashura procession" in the Nineveh Plains and Tel Afar in the northwest of the country.
Iraqi President Barham Salih and Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi released statements to commemorate the “painful” event of Imam Hussein’s killing. Hailing Imam Hussein as a figure of reform, both heads of state pushed forth the idea of social and political change in his memory.
“Hussein always and forever calls us to freedom, good, and elevating consciousness to match the current political and social challenge, to reject violence, love the country, and finish the reform projects that Hussein started in the Ummah [global Muslim community] by saying ‘I have come out to demand reform’”, Salih said in a speech at Sulaimani’s Barzinjah mosque on Monday.
In his message to Iraqis, Abdul-Mahdi said citizens should stand “against oppression and corruption,” invoking the need for change in a country marred by corruption.
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