Arbaeen hospitality gains UNESCO heritage status

TEHRAN – The generous hospitality of Iraqi people during the Arbaeen pilgrimage has been added to UNESCO’s prestigious heritage list.

By Afshin Majlesi

Iran at the height of travel season

TEHRAN – Perhaps it is tough to define a best time for visiting Iran, which is known as a four-season country, I mean spring, summer, fall and winter; each having its own charms and travel lovers.

IKIA operates 979 flights during Arbaeen season

TEHRAN – Imam Khomeini International Airport has operated 979 flights between Iran and Iraq since the beginning of the Arbaeen season on October 9.

By Muhammad Bin Ibrahim

As We Mark 40 Days From Ashura

NIGERIA/KADUNA- On the 10th of October, year 680 AD (which coincides with 10th of Muharram, year 61 AH), in the field of Karbala (today's Iraq), around the banks of Euphrates, the Grandson of Islam's Prophet, Husain, was killed together with his sons, brothers and companions. Before the killing they were denied even water for days. A child of his, Ali al-Asghar, an infant of about six month old was crying profusely because the breast of its mother could not produce the milk due to hunger and thirst. Husain took the child, moved closer to the side of the killers, raised him up saying: "O People! If you show no mercy to me; have mercy on this thirsty child!" At that moment, someone from the Kufan army shot an arrow at the infant as a response to his request. The infant died immediately.

‘Pilgrims who lost Arbaeen’ march in Tehran

People who lost the Arbaeen pilgrimage toward Karbala marched on Saturday a long distance from Tehran’s Imam Hussein Sq. to the holy shrine of Shah Abdol Azim in Rey to commemorate the occasion.

Leader says steadfastness on right path is key to prosperity

TEHRAN - Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Saturday morning that believers’ firm stance on the right path will certainly result in the promotion of the country and prosperity of mankind worldwide.

By Afshin Majlesi

Despite media bias, Western people have right to authentic information on Arbaeen

Mass media outlets, including news agencies, radio, television, the Internet and mobile platforms, have undoubtedly become the primary source of information for the majority of, if not all, individuals in modern societies.

Arbaeen march reaching its height 

The march toward Karbala to mark the Arbaeen ritual is reaching its climax. Arbaeen comes 40 days after Ashura. Millions of people, especially from Iraq and Iran, defy all difficulties to walk tens of kilometers to reach Karbala, where the shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located. Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (S), was martyred in the battle of Karbala against the forces of the Caliph in 680 AD.

The epic of Arba’een

Massive processions underway in Iraq's Karbala as millions mark Arba’een

TEHRAN- Huge processions have been held in the Iraqi holy city of Karbala as millions of mourners commemorated Arba’een, the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH), the third Shia Imam.

Lovers of Imam Hussein on way to Karbala 

Lovers of Imam Hussein (AS) are flocking to Karbala to mark the Arbaeen ritual. So far, more than two million Iranians have crossed into Iraq and more is expected in the next few days.  Karbala is home to the shrine of Imam Hussein, who was martyred along with 72 of his relatives and companions in the battle of Karbala against the forces of the Caliph, in 680 AD.

IKIA schedules 676 extra flights for Arbaeen

TEHRAN – Imam Khomeini International Airport is scheduled to operate 676 extra flights in order to make the best use of air traffic during Arbaeen pilgrimage.

Painting depicting Ashura tragedy unveiled at Tehran children’s center  

TEHRAN – An illustration portraying a story about Imam Hussein (AS) and his six-month-old baby boy, Ali Asghar (AS) who was the youngest person martyred on Ashura, was unveiled during a special ceremony in Tehran on Saturday.

Foes try to disrupt the Arba’een march by stoking unrest in Iraq: ayatollah

TEHRAN – The arrogant countries do not want the Arba’een march to take place, says Ayatollah Mohammad Emami Kashani, a Tehran Friday prayer leader.

Imam Khomeini Intl. Airport to operate extra flights for Arbaeen

TEHRAN – Imam Khomeini International Airport is scheduled to operate extra flights to cater for religious pilgrimage of Arbaeen, which falls on October 19 this year.

Tehran museum to host meeting on Muharram rituals

TEHRAN - The Glass and Ceramic Museum of Tehran will this evening host a meeting to discuss Muharram rituals which were held during Qajar era (1789–1925) at Tekyeh Dowlat, a royal theater in downtown Tehran.

Iran and its enormous potential for religious tourism

TEHRAN – Iran is growing into a major destination for religious tourism despite U.S. sanctions on its economy, some experts say. 

20,000 traffic police forces on duty during Arbaeen pilgrimage

TEHRAN – During the Arbaeen pilgrimage, some 20,000 traffic police forces will stand guard to ensure the pilgrims’ safety, traffic police chief Seyed Kamal Hadianfar has announced.

By Sondos Al-Asaad

Machgharah: The town of Resistance and Martyrs commemorates Imam Hussein’s Martyrdom

BEIRUT - Thousands of mourners have gathered from various West Bekaa villages to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein, the third Shiite Imam and the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), in the Lebanese town of Machgharah, to pledge allegiance to Imam Hussein and to resonate their firm stance to all the conspirators that no war shall weaken their determination and faith in the approach of resistance.

By Seyed Hossein Hosseiniseddiq

Muharram mourning in a strange country

TEHRAN - A few years back, I went to Germany to study for a doctorate and settled in a university campus located in a small town hundred kilometers North of Frankfurt in the woods. After a short while, I got to know the university and its surroundings. In a cold evening, it was about four o'clock after returning from the library. I was browsing my Persian calendar, and I suddenly realized that it was the fifth or sixth of Muharram and I was struck by a strange tragedy or grief.  I knew that there was not definitely a mosque for Shiites in this small town. Of course, later on, I discovered that a leased mosque belonging to the Ahmadiyya sect of Pakistan was located behind my faculty, the Middle East Studies Center.

Muharram rituals capture attention of foreigners

TEHRAN – Iran turns to a major tourism hub during the mourning month of Muharram. Every year thousands of foreigners flock to the country to see with their naked eyes and record with cameras the Iranian fervor during Muharram that reaches its climax on its 10th day, also known as Ashura.

By Afshin Majlesi

A unique experience in life: Traveling to Iran during Muharram

TEHRAN – A unique time for visiting Iran is during the first ten days of the lunar month of Muharram, which falls from Sept. 1 to 10 this year. That’s because Iranians, who are mostly Shia Muslims, hold special ceremonies during this time. For Shia Muslims, Muharram is a turning point in the history of Islam.

Muslim mourners mark martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS)  

Muslim mourners travel on a street in Karbala, Iraq on September 3, 2019 in a group representing the caravan of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions when they embarked on a journey to Kufa in 680 CE.    

Iran-Iraq border open to Arbaeen pilgrims

TEHRAN - Iran-Iraq border crossing of Khosravi was opened to Arbaeen pilgrims on Sunday in order to facilitate the commute of people who want to visit the holy city of Karbala.

Multimedia exhibit to explore feelings of mourners in Muharram rituals

TEHRAN – An exhibition of installation and photos depicting the feelings of Iranians from every walk of life during the mourning rituals for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companion in Muharram will be at Tehran’s Laleh Gallery.

Iranian consul general warns pilgrims against illegal entry into Iraq

TEHRAN – Iran’s consul general in the Iraqi city of Karbala has warned Iranian pilgrims against illegal entry into Iraq during the Arba’een rituals.

By M.A. Saki

Iranians and Iraqis are inseparable 

The two nations of Iran and Iraq are bonded together by geography and more importantly religion, especially in the form of Shia Islam.

Tens of foreign tourists spectate Arbaeen rituals in Yazd

TEHRAN – Tens of international tourists on October 30 spectated Arbaeen rituals in Iran’s central Yazd province.