Baghdad: Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Friday sponsored the second conference of the Permanent Higher Committee for Mass Pilgrimages, established to create a safe and organized environment for the millions of pilgrims who visit the holy shrines annually.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Sudani expressed appreciation for the efforts made to secure the Arbaeen pilgrimage, highlighting that a special plan was launched two weeks ago under the supervision of ministers and field-level government bodies. This plan was put in place to ensure readiness for the peak of the pilgrimage in the coming days. Al-Sudani emphasized that the conference aims to review existing plans and projects, noting that the government’s role extends beyond security measures to include developmental and infrastructure projects for the benefit of pilgrims and citizens.
Al-Sudani announced the initiation of the second phase of service projects, totaling 36, set to commence following the conclusion of the Arbaeen pilgrimage. He recalled the challenges faced by pilgrims under the former regime, contrasting it with the current efforts by the Iraqi people to assist visitors along all routes. He praised the security forces for safeguarding the pilgrimage and acknowledged the Ministry of Interior’s initiative to involve Police College and Higher Institute students in inspection tasks.
The Prime Minister commended the collaborative efforts of ministries, governorates, holy shrines, and supporting bodies in planning and implementation. He stressed the importance of adopting sustainable, scientific plans to manage the increasing number of visitors, citing strategic projects like the Karbala International Airport and other developing airports.
Al-Sudani pointed out that in the past, temporary committees were formed in coordination with holy shrines and governorates, but they often fell short of desired outcomes. This led to the establishment of the Permanent Higher Committee for Mass Pilgrimages to ensure improved organization and continuity.
He mentioned ongoing projects aimed at facilitating pilgrim and citizen movement, stimulating economic activity, and inaugurating strategic projects in Karbala and Najaf over recent months. Additionally, he announced five major livestock projects in Karbala worth over $2 billion, along with 102 service and development projects initiated in August 2024, 41 of which are currently underway.
Emphasizing the need to review performance post-pilgrimage to address weaknesses, Al-Sudani advocated for establishing a dedicated electricity network for Husseini processions and supporting the hotel sector to accommodate visitor needs. He concluded by directing the Higher Committee to identify and address shortcomings through projects that serve pilgrims and advance the development of the holy cities.