Iran’s Khosravi Border Prepares for Millions, Building on a Secure and Peaceful Arbaeen 2023
In a high-level meeting of the Kermanshah Province Arbaeen Headquarters, senior Iranian officials have lauded the successful and secure hosting of the 2023 Arbaeen pilgrimage, outlining ambitious plans to expand services at the Khosravi border crossing for future years.
An Incomparable Honor
Ali-Akbar Pourjamshidian, the head of the Central Arbaeen Headquarters, opened the session by emphasizing the spiritual significance of serving the pilgrims of Imam Hussein (AS). “The blessing of serving the pilgrims of Aba Abdullah Al-Hussein (AS) is incomparable to any position or status,” he stated.
He also conveyed the appreciation of Iran’s President for all the executive agents involved in the Arbaeen ceremonies. “The President considered it his duty to thank the servants of the global Arbaeen movement on behalf of the government and the people of Iran,” Pourjamshidian said, adding that a commemorative medal of honor was issued this year for all Arbaeen servants.
A Model of Security and Service
Highlighting the operational success of the event, Pourjamshidian, who also serves as Deputy Interior Minister, commended the quality of services and the high level of security maintained throughout the pilgrimage. “This year’s Arbaeen was one of the most secure years,” he affirmed. “Despite some regional conditions that led to recommendations to halt the movement of pilgrims, thanks to the efforts of security, law enforcement, military, and popular forces, not the smallest security incident occurred during the Arbaeen period.”
Officials also extended gratitude to the people and government of Iraq for their cooperation and efforts in facilitating services for the millions of pilgrims, noting the deep solidarity displayed between the two nations.
Khosravi Border: A Hub for Future Growth
A key focus of the meeting was the strategic development of the Khosravi border crossing in Kermanshah province. Pourjamshidian underscored its significant potential, stating, “Khosravi border and Kermanshah province have a high capacity for serving pilgrims. Our planning for the coming years is to develop the infrastructure so we can host even more pilgrims at the Arbaeen borders, especially Khosravi.”
Echoing this sentiment, Kermanshah Governor Manouchehr Habibi detailed the province’s central role, announcing, “This year, we hosted 60 percent of the Iranian Arbaeen pilgrims, which is a great honor for Kermanshah province.” He reported a 13 percent increase in pilgrim traffic through the Khosravi border compared to the previous year, attributing the success to extensive logistical efforts.
A Massive Logistical Undertaking
The scale of the services provided was vast. Governor Habibi reported that 290 service camps (Mawkeb) were active within Kermanshah province and its routes to the border, with over 150 more inside Iraq managed primarily by servants from Kermanshah. The transportation network included over 400 buses within Iran, 30 free buses inside Iraq, and 60 buses shuttling between Al-Mundhiriya and the Baghdad Husseiniyah. Furthermore, 260 flights operated over 16 days to destinations including Tehran and Mashhad.
The meeting concluded with an awards ceremony, honoring the dedicated servants and organizers of the Arbaeen pilgrimage in the province, as officials expressed hope to build on this year’s experiences for even more successful hostings in the future.