Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine: The Ya Hussein Road Afforestation Project aims to alleviate the suffering of visitors during the major pilgrimage seasons

Dr. Afdhal al-Shami, a member of the Board of Directors of the Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine, confirmed that the afforestation project on the (Ya Hussein) road aims to alleviate the suffering of visitors during the major pilgrimage seasons.

Al-Shami said: "The project is part of a series of efforts aimed at serving the visitors of Imam al-Hussayn (peace be upon him)," explaining that "the current works are being carried out in cooperation with the relevant authorities in the province of Karbala, starting from the circumferential road (Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis Street) in Karbala, up to the Khan An-Nes area, and will be completed later."

He pointed out that the importance of afforestation stems from the climatic conditions accompanying the Arbaeen pilgrimage in recent years, as it coincides with extremely hot months, making the provision of shade and green spaces a necessity to alleviate the suffering of the visitors who walk hundreds of kilometres on foot.

He explained that this project will directly contribute to supporting the visitors during their journey, emphasising the need for everyone's cooperation to ensure a more comfortable and service-oriented environment for the crowds heading towards Karbala.

For his part, the director of the General Authority for Groundwater/ Karbala branch, Engineer Haidar Sahib Aboud, said: "As a continuation of the afforestation project on the (Ya Hussein) and (Ya Ali) roads, in service of the visitors of Aba Abdillah Al-Hussayn (peace be upon him), and based on the request of the Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine and the Governor of Karbala, the authority has started drilling 5 new wells to expand the agricultural area and support the afforestation efforts along the road."

He added that this work comes as a continuation of what the branch of the authority had previously accomplished, as 25 wells were drilled earlier to support afforestation projects on the roads (Ya Hussein) and (Ya Ali). He affirmed that the General Authority for Groundwater will continue to provide the best services to visitors and contribute to the development of the environment surrounding the holy city of Karbala, which enhances the quality of services and ensures the sustainability of the afforestation project.

The Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine is keen on expanding green spaces within and outside the province of Karbala, based on its vision to enhance the environment, achieve sustainable development goals, reduce temperatures, and ease the journey for visitors heading to the shrine of Imam al-Hussayn and his brother Aba al-Fadl al-Abbas (peace be upon them).