Manifestation of Shiite-Sunni unity in serving Pakistani pilgrims in Iran

News Asia and Pacific Africa and Arab countries

Tuesday, 20 September 2022

18,095 Pakistani pilgrims have entered Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan Province, as the only entry gate for Pakistani pilgrims going to Arbaeen of Imam Hussain (a.s.). In the ceremony of welcoming and serving Pakistani pilgrims in this province of Iran, the unity of Shia and Sunni was fully witnessed.

18,095 Pakistani pilgrims have entered Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan Province, as the only entry gate for Pakistani pilgrims going to Arbaeen of Imam Hussain (a.s.). In the ceremony of welcoming and serving Pakistani pilgrims in this province of Iran, the unity of Shia and Sunni was fully witnessed.

After a 2-year hiatus in Arbaeen pilgrimage due to the covid-19 pandemic, Imam Hussain (a.s.) gave the people of Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province the success to serve Pakistani pilgrims. In this province, by declaring their love for the AhlulBayt of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and affixing the labels “We are the servants of Hussain” on their chests, Shiites and Sunnis brought pride and honor to the Islamic Republic.

The warm-hearted and hospitable people of Sistan and Baluchistan province, as the only land gate for Pakistani pilgrims to reach Karbala, consider it their honor to welcome and host these pilgrims. So that different strata of people, including young and old, Shia and Sunni, rich and poor, all record the honor of serving the Arbaeen pilgrims of the friendly and neighboring country of Pakistan.

Shiites make up about 25% of Pakistan’s population and live throughout the country, and many cities and villages in various states of Pakistan have Shiite populations.

Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan province is the only way for Pakistan to access the Middle Asia, Europe, and Iraq, and its heart is Karbala. After the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the way of this province has been opened for Pakistani pilgrims to reach Karbala.

On the way to Karbala, Pakistani pilgrims enter Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan province, and the Shiite and Sunni people of the province honored to host them.

The rich culture of the people of this province and their love for Imam Hussain (a.s.) makes them treat the Pakistani pilgrims like their brothers so that the pilgrims do not feel alienated. Because the people of this province believe that there is no difference between the pilgrims of Imam Hussain (a.s.), of any nationality.

Pakistani pilgrims to the shrine of Imam Hussain (a.s.) in Karbala have been passing through Sistan and Baluchistan for many years, giving the people of this province the honor of serving the AhlulBayt (a.s.).

Due to the covid-19 pandemic, the people of Sistan and Baluchistan were not able to serve the pilgrims of Imam Hussain (a.s.). But this year, with the decrease in the risk of the virus, the way for Pakistani pilgrims was opened.

Therefore, in the months of Muharram and Safar, Pakistani pilgrims from different cities of the country leave for Karbala, and on this route, they pass through the territory of Iran and enter Iraq.

On the way, the faithful people of Iran and Iraq sincerely host and serve the pilgrims of Imam Hussain (a.s.).

In the great gathering of Arbaeen, all Muslims, both Shiite and Sunni, with empathy and solidarity move towards the destination of all free people. This wonderful event leads to a unique union.

People and authorities in the land of Islamic unity, Iran, have mobilized and are receiving Pakistani pilgrims. The zealous border dwellers of the region, who are mostly Sunni brothers, also open the doors of their homes to the pilgrims of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and host them.

Unity of Shiite and Sunni in serving Pakistani pilgrims

The deputy of “Salman Corps” of IRGC in Sistan and Baluchistan in the affairs of Basij stated, “Many of those who serve Pakistani pilgrims in the province, are Sunni brothers.”

“We thank God that, after 2 years of the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in the world, He gave us the opportunity to serve the pilgrims of Imam Hussain (a.s.) in Sistan and Baluchistan Province,” Colonel Ali Beiknejad added.

“Being able to serve Pakistani pilgrims is a success by God,” he added, “There are many hadith about service to believers. In such a way that this service has more reward than the reward given to pilgrims for Umrah.”

“All of us should consider this opportunity to serve as a blessing to gain God’s pleasure. Pakistani pilgrims reach Iran for pilgrimage (in Karbala) after long journeys and many hardships. Today, serving them has a lot of spiritual reward,” he emphasized.

Necessary services are well provided to Pakistani pilgrims at the Iran-Pakistan border: General Pakpour

While announcing the provision of necessary services to Pakistani pilgrims at the Rimdan border terminal in Sistan and Baluchistan province, the commander of the IRGC ground forces stated, “Necessary services are well provided to Pakistani pilgrims in Mowkebs located at Rimdan border terminal.”

During a visit to Rimdan border in Dashtiari city of Sistan and Baluchistan, Sardar Mohammad Pakpour stated, “Rimdan border is one of the entrance crossings for Pakistani pilgrims going for the Arbaeen pilgrimage, which has facilitated their entry this year.”

“Many Mowkebs have been stationed at Rimdan border terminal and provide necessary services to these pilgrims,” he added.

“Iranian Police Special Units, IRGC, border guard, and other organizations, including customs, have a very good cooperation and synergy for the entry of Pakistani pilgrims,” said the commander of the IRGC ground forces.

Setting up a field hospital to provide medical services to Pakistani pilgrims: IRGC commander

The Commander of the Southeast Medical Center of the IRGC Ground Force announced, “The IRGC field hospital was set up on the border of Rimdan in Dashtiari city of Sistan and Baluchistan to provide medical services to Pakistani pilgrims on their way to Arbaeen pilgrimage.”

Dr. Gurban Ali Bandani stated, “With the support of the IRGC Ground Force Combat Medical Center and the Quds Headquarters, and by the soldiers of the Southeast Medical Center of the IRGC Ground Force, the 32-bed with full equipment “Martyrs Defending Health Mobile Hospital” of Nabi Akram (p.b.u.h) Zahedan Hospital, launched at the zero point of the Iran-Pakistan border at Rimdan terminal.”

“The hospital has emergency, hospitalization, laboratory, radiology, surgery room, and pharmacy departments, as well as supporting departments,” he stated.

“Until September 16, doctors and paramedics, Mowkebs and people of the surrounding villages are ready to serve and treat Pakistani pilgrims going to Arbaeen of Imam Hussain (a.s.),” said the Commander of the Southeast Medical Center of the IRGC Ground Force.

Establishing 4 cultural Mowkebs to serve Pakistani pilgrims

The Director General of the Department of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Sistan and Baluchistan province announced the establishment of four cultural, artistic and media Mowkebs by his respective organization to provide cultural services to Pakistani pilgrims going to Karbala.

Referring to the special cultural and artistic programs of Arbaeen in Sistan and Baluchistan province, Hossein Mesgarani stated, “As Arbaeen of Imam Hussain (a.s.) approaches, various cultural and artistic programs have been planned in this province, the most important of which are the fourth photo exhibition of mourning for Ashura in virtual space, and the establishment of four cultural, artistic and media Mowkebs.”

“Therefore, cultural, artistic and media processions were established at Mirjaveh border terminal, Imam Reza (a.s.) hotel for pilgrims, Rimdan border terminal and Karbala city and were ready to welcome the pilgrims of Imam Hussain (a.s.),” he added.

The Director General of Islamic Culture and Guidance of Sistan and Baluchistan announced, “A photo exhibition will be held at Imam Reza (a.s.) hotel for pilgrims, Mirjaveh and Rimdan border terminals. Other programs of this General Directorate on the eve of Arbaeen of Imam Hussain (a.s.) are screening of short films related to Muharram with Urdu subtitles, short documentary films, performance of Tazieh and calligraphy of hadiths and poems related to Ashura.”

“Also, on the eve of Arbaeen, other programs have been organized in the province and are on the agenda, including the graphic design of the urban space and Mowkebs, announcing the call for the 5^th photo competition of Ashura mourning, holding a media tour, and giving Quran and cultural packages to Pakistani pilgrims,” he continued.

More than 18,000 Pakistani pilgrims went to Karbala from the border terminals of Sistan and Baluchistan province of Iran

The spokesperson of Arbaeen headquarters in Sistan and Baluchistan stated, “From July 23 to September 20, 18,950 Pakistani pilgrims entered Sistan and Baluchistan province from two border terminals of Mirjaveh and Rimdan and then went to holy shrines in Iraq.”

“Of these, 9,539 pilgrims entered the province through the border terminal of Rimdan, Dashtiari city, and 7,226 pilgrims entered the province through the border terminal of Mirjaveh city, and most of them went to Mashhad and Qom by bus,” Javad Ghanbari stated.

“Even now, all necessary facilities for the welfare of Pakistani pilgrims have been provided in the province by various institutions and volunteer popular groups. Months ago, plans and measures were taken for the entering Arbaeen pilgrims from the 2 border terminals of Rimdan and Mirjaveh, and the necessary infrastructure has been built, especially in Rimdan,” he added.

“This year, the Rimdan border terminal in the south of the province has been designated for the entering the Pakistani pilgrims for the first time,” the spokesperson of Sistan and Baluchistan Arbaeen headquarters noted, “The number of Pakistani pilgrims entering through the Mirjaveh border terminal has decreased by about 80% compared to the same period of the last entry before the outbreak of Covid-19, and the main reason of that is floods in this country. In this case, we sympathize with our friendly and neighboring country.”

100 volunteer servants serve Pakistani pilgrims in Zahedan

The director of the popular Mowkeb “at the time of Hussain in Zahedan” stated, “Right now, 100 volunteer servants from this city are serving Pakistani pilgrims on their way to Arbaeen.”

Mahdi Rastegar, expressing his satisfaction with serving the pilgrims of Imam Hussain (a.s.) said, “Popular Mowkeb “at the time of Hussain in Zahedan”, consisting of about 100 brother and sister volunteer servants, is serving Pakistani pilgrims.”

“The services offered to pilgrims include cultural, health and food services, the costs of which are mostly funded by public benefactors,” he added.

The director of the popular Mowkeb “At the time of Hussain Zahedan” emphasized, “The main objectives of the people’s popular Mowkeb “At the time of Hussain Zahedan” are to provide the necessary conditions for people’s participation in Sistan and Baluchistan province to serve the pilgrims.”

“The deepening of the pure culture of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and realization of the slogan “We are the nation of Imam Hussain (a.s.)” in Sistan and Baluchistan province has made significant progress, although there is still room to expand it,” he stated.

“The desire to serve the pilgrims is very high among the people of Sistan and Baluchistan and we trying to prepare a place to provide services in this Mowkeb,” Rastegar noted.

Everyday 4 teams of Iran’s Red Crescent provide services to Pakistani pilgrims

The head of the Sistan and Baluchistan Red Crescent stated, “Every day, four teams (three male and one female teams), consisting of five rescuers, are serving the Pakistani pilgrims of Arbaeen at the border posts of Mirjaveh and Rimdan cities.”

Alireza Mirbahauddin said, “61 operatives and employees, along with 2 ambulances, 2 rescue vehicles and 2 motorcycles, provide services at 2 rescue centers in Mirjaveh and Rimdan cities to Arbaeen pilgrims who enter Iran from Pakistan.”

“To provide services to pilgrims, 2 camps have been set up in Mirjaveh and Rimdan cities, where 10 tents are ready for emergency and possible accommodation of pilgrims in each camp,” he added.

“Four temporary relief and rescue bases have also been established to provide roadside assistance on the routes of Chabahar, Fanuj, Iranshahr and Mirjaveh to provide the services needed by the pilgrims,” mentioned the head of the Red Crescent of Sistan and Baluchistan province.

“Blood sugar and blood pressure testing, implementation of station trainings such as CPR and first aid, distribution of educational brochures, outpatient services, distribution of warm food and syrup are among the services of rescuers for Arbaeen pilgrims,” he noted.

Arbaeen Iran Pakistan pilgrims Shiite Sunni unity