Baghdad: The Holy Shrine of Imam Ali has initiated the distribution of hospitality meals to visitors as part of its early services for the Arbaeen pilgrimage. The Visitors’ Hospitality Department at the shrine is providing meals and refreshments to pilgrims visiting the shrine of Imam Hussein for the Arba’een commemoration. These visitors come to seek blessings and pay their respects before proceeding to Karbala for the pilgrimage rituals. The meal distribution began on the seventh day of the month of Safar.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, an official from the department stated, “We commenced providing hospitality to the millions of pilgrims with their early arrival through the main entrance at the central visitor hospitality center.” A large dinner banquet was also prepared in alignment with the commemoration of the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hassan al-Mujtaba.

Al-Tamimi confirmed that the General Secretariat has directed the early opening of numerous service, hospitality, and rest sites for Arbaeen pilgrims in the vicinity of the Al-Haydari Shrine. Additional sites are established on internal roads through the Old City, along with hospitality sites on the ‘Ya Hussein’ route, where millions of pilgrims converge on Karbala, passing through Najaf.

The Al-Alawi Shrine is dedicating the efforts of all its departments to assist the pilgrims. The shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf serves as a primary stop for pilgrims on their journey to Karbala to perform the pilgrimage rituals.