By Husain Madhloum
Azzaman, December 9, 2014
More than one million Iranian pilgrims are taking part in the religious festival commemorating the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussein, Muslim Shiites most revered saint.
The influx is the largest ever in modern history by Iranian pilgrims in one single religious ceremony in Iraq.
They are traveling by land and air. Up to 800 buses are said to be involved in ferrying the Iranians with Iran Airways running daily flights to Karbala airport where the festival is taking place.
Iraq has temporarily removed visa restrictions for the Iranians willing to visit throughout the celebrations which continue for at least a week.
Iraqi authorities are doing their best to facilitate visit by Iranians, who are marching towards Karbala in such large numbers following a fatwa or religious decree by Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran is reported to be offering a variety of services to cater for the visitors, setting up makeshift restaurants and other amenities to serve the multitudes of its own pilgrims and others.
Iran’s presence is felt in central and southern parts of Iraq. Iranian goods fill shelves of shops and Iranian companies are heavily involved in implementing a variety of projects.
There are fears of Iran transforming the cultural character of certain areas in the south, particularly the holy cities of Karbala and Najaf, where rich Iranians purchase property and set up businesses.
Iran’s rial is traded freely even in the smallest shops and to be able to do good business Persian is the language that one should speak beside Arabic.
