AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Iraq’s interior minister said measures are being taken to enhance security in preparation for mourning rituals during Muharram and Arbaeen.

Abdul Amir al-Shammari said on Tuesday that all related bodies and institutions are cooperating to prepare the necessary conditions for the organization of the mourning ceremonies, especially the annual Arbaeen march.

He said the necessary security measures have been adopted in coordination with military, intelligence and security officials and new technologies have been employed in different areas to facilitate the Arbaeen pilgrimage and Muharram rituals.

Muharram, which will start on June 7 this year, is the first month in the lunar Hijri calendar.

Shia Muslims, and others in different parts of the world, hold ceremonies every year in the month of Muharram to mourn the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions.

The third Shia Imam (AS) and a small group of his followers and family members were martyred by the tyrant of his time - Yazid Bin Muawiya, in the battle of Karbala on the tenth day of Muharram (known as Ashura) in the year 680 AD.

The Arbaeen mourning ceremony is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.

It marks the 40th day after Ashura. This year’s Arbaeen is expected to fall on August 25, depending on the moonsighting.

Each year, a huge crowd of Shias flock to Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located, to perform mourning rites.

The pilgrims, mainly from Iraq and Iran, travel long routes on foot to the holy city.

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