According to the Public Relations and International Affairs of the Kish Free Zone Organization, the farewell ceremony for the first group of Arbaeen pilgrims was held on Tuesday, 5 Mordad, at the Kish Maritime Passenger Terminal.
After maritime transfer from Kish, the pilgrims continue their land route to the Shalamcheh border and, after border formalities, depart for holy Karbala to participate in the Arbaeen walking ritual.
Hojatoleslam wal Muslimeen Alireza Biniyaz, the Friday Prayer Leader of Kish, referring to the spiritual status of the Arbaeen pilgrimage, stated: Presence on the path of the visitation of Seyyed al-Shohada (a) is a valuable opportunity for the lovers of Ahl al-Bayt (a) that must be cherished.
He added: I ask the pilgrims, in addition to their personal intentions, to include the people of Kish Island, especially those who missed the Arbaeen pilgrimage, in their intentions and to be their proxy visitors. I also appreciate the Kish Free Zone Organization, supporting agencies and all those involved in planning and dispatching the pilgrims.
Next, Mahdi Gardafarin, Head of the Cultural Department and Cultural Centers of the Kish Free Zone Organization, referring to the planning carried out for dispatching pilgrims, said: The Arbaeen headquarters of Kish Island was formed about a month ago with the secretaryship of the Cultural and Social Deputy of the Kish Free Zone Organization, and during this period, numerous meetings were held with various island departments for coordination and planning the dispatch of pilgrims.
He added: The dispatch of Arbaeen pilgrims from Kish Island has been planned in two groups, land and air. The first group includes 120 pilgrims who, after maritime departure from the island, will continue the route by land and enter Iraq through the Shalamcheh border.
Gardafarin continued: The second group includes 140 pilgrims who will be dispatched on Thursday, 8 Mordad, by flight from Kish International Airport to Najaf al-Ashraf. We hope this planning and support will be a step toward promoting the Hosseini culture and facilitating the presence of Kish pilgrims in the Arbaeen walking ritual.