Najaf governorate declares Wednesday a public holiday for Muharram observances

NAJAF, Iraq — The Najaf Provincial Council has declared Wednesday an official public holiday for all government institutions except security and service units, as well as students sitting final exams. Council head Hussein al-Aisawi said the decision was taken to mark the eighth day of Muharram and to allow the public to take part in commemoration rituals held during the final nights of the religion's first ten days. The council said the holiday does not apply to security and service directorates, which will remain on duty to ensure the safety of visitors and mourning processions arriving in the province for Muharram and to keep essential services running. Final-year high school students scheduled to take their science, literature and vocational school-leaving examinations are also exempt from the holiday. The council said the exams will proceed as planned with no change in dates. Officials did not announce any additional measures tied to the observance period.