Ali Akbar Poorjamshidian, deputy interior minister and head of Iran’s Central Arbaeen Headquarters, said on Wednesday that all service agencies are fully prepared to host and assist pilgrims and mourners during the final days of the lunar month of Safar.
He extended condolences on the passing anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the martyrdom anniversaries of Imam Hassan (AS), the second Imam of Shiite Muslims, and Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Shiite Imam.
Poorjamshidian said thousands of service providers, volunteers and pilgrims are present along various walking routes leading to Mashhad and the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS), ready to provide food and other services to the pilgrims.
He said more than 4 million pilgrims from across Iran and various parts of the world have traveled to Mashhad to attend the end-of-Safar ceremonies, adding that all necessary facilities and services have been arranged for them.
More than 700,000 people, particularly from the provinces of Khorasan Razavi, South Khorasan and North Khorasan, are walking along routes leading to Mashhad, the official said.
The influx comes as Iranians across the country mark the 28th of Safar, which commemorates the passing of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the martyrdom of Imam Hassan (AS). Millions of devotees, along with large numbers of foreign pilgrims, have gathered at the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) to hold mourning ceremonies.
Many pilgrims are expected to remain in Mashhad through Thursday to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Reza (AS), with mourners converging on his holy shrine, mosques and other religious centers across the city.