TEHRAN (ECOIDEAL)- Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad Iraj Masjedi called on the Iraqi foreign ministry to replace dollar with Iran's national currency (rial) to issue visa for the country's pilgrims who are due to visit Iraq in Arbaeen ceremony, one of the currency swap moves Iran is making to counter the US sanctions.
Masjedi's remarks, made in a meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jafari in Baghdad on Wednesday, are in line with Iran's policies to confront the US sanctions after Washington's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal.
During Arbaeen ceremony the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hossein (AS), the third Shiite Imam, is commemorated.
Jafari, for his part, praised Iran for remaining beside Iraq in hard times, specially in the war on the ISIL terrorist group, and underlined Baghdad's preparedness to cooperate and coordinate efforts with Iran to hold Arabaeen ceremony.
Millions of Muslims in Iraq rally from the city of Najaf to the city of Karbala to mark the Arbaeen.
Over 20 million Muslims from across the world, including They will attend the 100-km rally, while hundreds of thousands more will join them on the way to Karbala and to the holy shrine of Imam Hossein (PBUH).
Observers believe the rally is unique in terms of quality and also the number of its participants. It starts from the holy shrine of Imam Ali (PBUH) – the first Shiite Imam – and ends up in the holy shrine of Imam Hossein (PBUH).
Source: Farsnews