As part of its ongoing Arbaeen service programs, the Holy Alawi Shrine has equipped and prepared the Murtadha rest station, situated along the walking route near marker No. 96, as one of the main centers for serving pilgrims.
The complex offers hospitality, guidance, cultural, and educational services, as well as special services for children being provided for the first time, welcoming pilgrims who, after visiting the shrine of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), continue on toward holy Karbala.
Ammar Mashallah, head of the complex, told the Holy Alawi Shrine News Center:
“By order of the Deputy Custodian of the Holy Alawi Shrine, the complex began operations on the ninth of Safar. Three halls have been prepared for pilgrims’ rest and lodging, with a capacity to accommodate more than three thousand pilgrims per day and night. Three meal services have also been arranged for pilgrims, with 15,000 meals distributed daily at the outset—a number that will rise to 20,000 meals across three servings as pilgrim numbers peak during the Arbaeen walk. In addition, various hospitality services are provided to pilgrims, including the distribution of drinking water, juice, fruit, and other refreshments.”
Cultural and Artistic Programs
He added:
“For the first time, the Holy Alawi Shrine has organized a series of cultural and artistic programs aimed at introducing the Hussaini movement and explaining the concepts of the Arbaeen pilgrimage through engaging and effective means. These programs include ritual theatrical performances and a live painting program, held as part of efforts to convey the message of the Hussaini movement to Arbaeen pilgrims. Artistic, educational, and cultural programs designed specifically for children are also being carried out by those in charge of the Mohsen Center, dedicated to children’s culture.”
Religious and Qur’anic Services
The head of the rest station also reported on the participation of the Shrine’s Religious Affairs and Intellectual and Cultural Affairs Departments in establishing stations to respond to religious rulings and questions, saying:
“These stations operate with the presence of professors and students of the Hawza, in coordination with the special Hawza outreach program for Arbaeen. In addition, Quranic stations have been established under the program for correcting the recitation of Surat al-Hamd and short Quranic surahs, in cooperation with the Union of Iraqi Qur’an Reciters and Activists, in order to further spread Qur’anic culture among pilgrims.”
Technical, Guidance, and Support Services
Regarding the complex’s other services, he said: “Services for guiding lost pilgrims, free calling both inside and outside Iraq, a mobile phone repair station, a repair station for strollers and children’s carts, as well as a laundry station being launched for the first time, are among the other services offered at this rest station.”
It is worth noting that the Holy Alawi Shrine has prepared an extensive program this year to welcome and serve Arbaeen pilgrims, encompassing hospitality, transportation, guidance, and support services, along with the use of modern technologies, in order to provide a safe, organized, and suitable environment for the millions of pilgrims visiting the shrine of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) during the days of Arbaeen.
