Iran seeks to increase number of Shiite pilgrims to Iraq’s holy sites from 500,000 to 3 million a year
November 23, 2007 8:33 am Iraq, IranIran seeks 3 million Shiite pilgrims into Iraq a year, Reuters, November 22, 2007
BAGHDAD Reuters - Iran is pressing Iraq to increase six-fold the number of Shiite pilgrims from Iran allowed to visit Iraqs holy sites, a move that could deepen ties between historical foes, the government said on Thursday.
Mohammed Abbas al-Aribi, Iraqs acting tourism and antiquities minister, discussed religious pilgrims at a meeting with Iranian Ambassador Hassan Kazemi-Qomi, a government statement said.
About 500,000 Shiite pilgrims from Iran visit Iraq every year, the statement said, many of whom go to the Imam Hussein and Imam Abbas shrines in Kerbala, two of the holiest sites for Shiite Muslims, and the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf.
“We want to bring that to three million,” Kazemi-Qomi said, according to the statement. He said Iran hoped to sign an agreement increasing the number of Iranian pilgrims permitted into Iraq every day from 1,500 to 2,500.