Dhi Qar provincial council suspends official work on Tuesday for religious commemoration

DHI QAR, Iraq — The provincial council in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar has decided to suspend official work on Tuesday to coincide with the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas, council spokesman Ahmed al-Ibrahimi said in a written statement on Sunday. Al-Ibrahimi said the suspension was issued to mark the religious occasion and allow public employees and citizens to take part in commemoration events across the province. Under the decision, public institutions in Dhi Qar will not operate on Tuesday. Officials said remembrance activities will continue in an orderly manner throughout the province. The measure is part of Iraq's practice of declaring official holidays on major Shia religious commemorations.