Iraqi government has issued a statement announcing the latest decision which mandates vaccination for all pilgrims heading to the country for Arba’een, forty days after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shia Imam and grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

The government has required all Iraqi nationals and foreign pilgrims to the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) to received COVID vaccination ahead of departure for Arbaeen ceremony, reported Taqrib News Agency (TNA).
 
Part of the statement reads,” Iraqi citizens or foreign pilgrims who has not received the COVID vaccine will not be admitted to the holy city of Karbala for Arbaeen ceremonies and vaccination is the condition for allowing pilgrims to the city.”
 
Pilgrims who intend to depart for Karbala should receive two doses of COVID vaccine and Iraqi Foreign Ministry has announced to all embassies across globe to check the vaccination certificates for all those asking for visa otherwise they will be rejected from entering the city.”
 
Iraqi government will issue 15-day visas for all pilgrims from across the globe and 5,000 pilgrims from each country will be admitted to Arbaeen ceremonies.
 
Iraq’s Supreme Health and Safety Committee has announced to all Mawkebs (pilgrim serving stations) active in Karbala that all their staffs should receive both doses of vaccine ahead of the ceremony.
 
PCR test for all foreign pilgrims will be conducted at airports for 60,000 Iraqi dinars.
 
Pilgrims from across the globe are preparing for Arbaeen ceremonies and marking the fortieth day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS).