The Secretary-General of the Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine reveals the details of the service, organizational, and health plans for the Arbaeen pilgrimage

The Secretary-General of the Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine; Sayed Mustafa Murtada Aal Dia-Uddin, revealed comprehensive details about the service, organizational, and health plans, in addition to the media, cultural, and security efforts related to the Arbaeen Ziyarat of Imam al-Hussayn (peace be upon him).

Aal Dia-Uddin said in a special episode on Karbala Satellite Channel: "The preparation for the plan to manage the millions visitors event of the Ziyarat Arbaeen of Imam al-Hussayn (peace be upon him) begins after the end of each pilgrimage season. The administration of the holy shrine holds meetings throughout the year for all specializations and both service and non-service departments to identify and address challenges, and to coordinate on various security, service, cultural, administrative, and health levels."

He added that there is ongoing coordination between the Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine and both the central and local governments, as well as with the Imam al-Hussayn's (p) Holy Shrine, under the guidance of the Senior Officials of the two holy shrines. Their directives have resulted in a high level of service and coordination, which begins with the raising of the flags on the domes of Imam al-Hussayn and his brother Aba al-Fadl al-Abbas (peace be upon them) on the first day of the month of Muharram.

The service effort to provide water and ice
He explained that the holy shrine, under the guidance of its Senior Official, provides water and ice for free to visitors and processions during the months of Muharram and Safar. Its factories have completely stopped selling during this period, and water is transported in large quantities for distribution, reaching up to 75 million cups, in addition to 12 million cups of natural juice. These are transported using specialized carts to prepare the processions inside and outside the city.

He explained that the holy shrine has four ice factories, a crystal ice factory, and a block ice factory, all of which are fully operational, in addition to purchasing ice from private factories in provinces such as Anbar, Baghdad, and Babylon to meet the increasing demand due to the hot weather.

Visitor counting system
Regarding the visitor counting system, the Secretary-General confirmed that the holy shrine uses an accurate electronic counting system to monitor the number of visitors arriving at the two holy shrines through five axes: Baghdad, Najaf Ashraf, Babylon, Al-Husseiniyah, and Al-Jamaleya.

He added that the numbers are estimated lower than the actual records to ensure credibility, and these statistics are used to plan services and needs for the major Ziyarats. The system is developed and updated annually according to scientific advancements.

The work of the Lost Persons Guidance Centers
He confirmed that the Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine has developed an accurate electronic system to address the issue of lost individuals, especially children and the elderly, using modern technologies such as imaging and instant communication; to disseminate the photos and information of the missing across all areas of Karbala.

He added that this system is managed by multiple departments in coordination with security agencies, and it is characterized by quick response and effectiveness in reuniting the lost with their families. He explained that the service is supported by field expertise gained by the members of the holy shrine after more than 24 years, with ongoing training and learning, and the security work is carried out with high precision and a spirit of responsibility.

The General Cultural Procession
He explained that the holy shrine has established a general cultural procession dedicated to serving the visitors by providing cultural and intellectual services and religious answers to religious questions during the Ziyarat of Imam al-Hussayn (peace be upon him), with the presence of male and female specialists. The procession also includes social and psychological stations aimed at educating young men and women to face societal challenges.

He pointed out that the procession includes professors with advanced degrees in various fields to provide advice and support, aiming to meet all the intellectual and spiritual needs of the visitors on their blessed journey.

The health aspect
Aal Dia-Uddin pointed out that the Medical Affairs Department at the holy shrine is deploying medical units inside the holy courtyard and its surroundings, as well as on the routes leading to Karbala. Each unit is equipped with a specialist doctor to diagnose cases, some of which are treated on-site, while others are referred to hospitals such as Al-Safir, Al-Kafeel, Imam al-Hussayn (peace be upon him) Medical City, or the Turkish hospital.

He added that there are also specialized medical teams for emergency cases such as cardiac shocks, equipped with doctors and equipment, confirming that this system has developed over the years, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and its directorates in the provinces, and with the participation of volunteer doctors from various parts of Iraq.

Providing services to media institutions
The Secretary-General mentioned that media is a fundamental pillar in conveying the cause of Imam al-Hussayn (peace be upon him). His Eminence, the Senior Official, emphasizes in every Ziyarat season the support of genuine and truthful media, confirming that the Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine provides through the Media Department all the facilities and resources to media channels to enable them to perform their role in conveying the rituals of the Ziyarat to the world.

He added that the media department provides media materials without logos to any interested channel, with the aim of conveying the message of Imam al-Hussayn (peace be upon him) and the scene of the visitors to all parts of the world with clarity and freedom.