Wasit Provincial Council Declares August 2 Public Holiday for Imam Hussein Arbaeen Pilgrimage

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Wasit Provincial Council has declared Sunday, August 2, 2026, a public holiday for government offices across the province to coincide with the 40th-day commemoration (Arbaeen) of Imam Hussein. Governor Ali Hasan Selim ordered the suspension of the working day in provincial departments to allow citizens to travel to Karbala for the pilgrimage without disruption. Under the decision, security and service units are exempt from the holiday to ensure continuous operations and security coverage during the pilgrimage period. The council said the measure applies only within Wasit's borders and is an administrative step to ease the flow of visitors. Officials said additional measures have been taken along transport routes to facilitate the safe passage of pilgrims. No further details on the arrangements were immediately available.