Kerbala declares five-day local holiday for Imam Hussein Arbaeen pilgrimage

KERBALA, Iraq — The governor of Kerbala, Nasif al-Khatabi, has announced a five-day local holiday in the province to facilitate services for the millions of visitors arriving for the Imam Hussein Arbaeen pilgrimage. According to the governorate's press office, the holiday is intended to enable local residents to take part in serving the pilgrims. The local break covers next Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. The Iraqi Cabinet had already declared Monday and Tuesday, corresponding to the 19th and 20th of the month of Safar, as official national holidays. Together, the measures provide residents of Kerbala who wish to assist pilgrims with a five-day leave period. No further details on additional arrangements for the pilgrimage were immediately provided.