The President of Barzani Charity Foundation, the Governor of Erbil and the Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Erbil, praised the role of the Kurdistan Regional Government and Barzani Charity Foundation in welcoming the pilgrims of Imam Hussein’s 40th mourning anniversary.
In the presence of Musa Ahmad President of Barzani Charity Foundation, Erbil Governor Omid Khoshnaw, Iranian Consul General Faramarz Asadi, Massoud Bateli, Chairman of the High Reception Committee and a number of government and civil officials, a press conference was held at the International Exhibition in Shahid Sami Abdulrahman Park in Erbil on Thursday 7/8/2025 in the occasion of Imam Hussein’s 40th mourning anniversary.
At the beginning Mr. Faramarz Asadi, Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Erbil, welcomed the participants and expressed his gratitude to the Kurdistan Regional Government, Barzani Charity Foundation, police, security, transportation and health departments for facilitating and providing services. He said that 85 countries are visiting Iraq to participate in the 40th anniversary of Imam Hussein, five of them, including Iran, will visit the holy cities of Iraq through the borders of the Kurdistan Region. It is the fourth year that the Haji Omeran boarder gate has been designated for their transportation. He also added: “before thanking any other organizations or people we must thank Barzani Charity Foundation. who hosts pilgrims. Today, Barzani Charity Foundation will welcome pilgrims from five countries at the Erbil International Exhibition in Shahid Sami Abdulrahman Park.”
The Iranian Consul General in Erbil, in his speech, thanked President Barzani, President Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani for hosting the pilgrims of Imam Hussein with all governmental and party facilities. He added that President Nechirvan Barzani has borne the cost of transporting the pilgrims from Haji Omeran. He thanked him on this occasion. He also appreciated the role of Mr. Omid Khoshnaw, Governor of Erbil and the institutions of the Kurdistan Regional Government for all the facilities for the pilgrims.
The Iranian Consul General in Erbil said that more than 65,000 pilgrims have arrived in the Kurdistan Region from Haji Omeran border and that they have not faced any problems. He also gave the good news to the pilgrims that the buses carrying the pilgrims have been assigned a place near Karbala, so that they do not get lost on the way back.
Then Mr. Omid Khoshnaw, Governor of Erbil, welcomed the participants and said that this is the fourth year that pilgrims come to Erbil from Haji Omeran gate and good experience has been received in previous years. This year, the services will be much better for the pilgrims who visit the holy cities of Iraq from Erbil. He then added: “We in the Kurdistan Regional Government and at all levels, especially under the recommendations and guidelines of President Massoud Barzani, who ordered at the beginning of this process that, in any way, good services must be provided to the beloved pilgrims. Every year, this process with the support of the President of the Kurdistan Region, Mr. Nechirvan Barzani and the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Mr. Masrour Barzani, with all parties concerned, as well as the continuous support of the Minister of Interior and the team of the Ministry of Interior are an essential reason why we can serve these loved ones in the best way.”
The governor said that the process of welcoming the pilgrims will be conducted under the supervision of the Barzani Charity Foundation and the crisis coordination center in coordination with the Barzani Charity Foundation will be at the service of these loved ones. He also said: “The Barzani Charity Foundation, as always in the Kurdistan Region, shows the identity of the human side of the people and the territory of the Kurdistan Region. They have once again played a very important role in this process and we support them, congratulate them and partner with them, because these things are done well.”
The governor of Erbil, at the end of his speech, prayed, “God accept the prayers and may the pilgrims return safely to their places”.
After welcoming the participants, Mr. Musa Ahmad, President of Barzani Charity Foundation, said: We are pleased that today, as Barzani Charity Foundation, we are fulfilling another duty. Since the establishment of the agency, under the orders of President Barzani, we have been instructed to have a good presence on religious and national occasions and to provide services in every way”. And he added: “We remember the days when our people fled to neighboring Iran because of the disasters they suffered. In addition to the state, the people welcomed us with the utmost kindness. Today we are grateful to God for giving us the opportunity to fulfill some of our duties.”
The President of Barzani Charity Foundation, while appreciating all the coordination with the relevant parties, expressed his pleasure that with the support of donors and businessmen who have always supported Barzani Charity Foundation, they have been able to serve the pilgrims with a full hand. At the end of his speech, he prayed that the pilgrims perform their religious duties and may Allah accept their prayers and worships.
In the final part of the press conference, Mr. Massoud Bateli, Chairman of the High Reception Committee, said that 65,000 pilgrims have traveled through the Haji Amaran gate to visit the holy places of Karbala and Najaf. Not all of them were Iranian pilgrims, and about 20 percent came from other countries. He added that the arrival and return of pilgrims will continue until 19\8\2025.
In the framework of welcoming pilgrims to participate in the 40th mourning anniversary of Imam Hussein in the holy cities of Karbala and Najaf, Barzani Charity Foundation prepared a dinner for more than 3,000 pilgrims.
Mr. Ismail Abdulaziz, a member of the Executive Board of Barzani Charity Foundation and the supervisor of the foundation’s teams to welcome pilgrims, explained that these services will be implemented within the framework of a special program. He added: “Today, Thursday, 7/8/2025, a group of senior officials visited the shelter of Imam Hussein’s 40th pilgrims at the Erbil International Exhibition. They included Musa Ahmad, President of Barzani Charity Foundation, Omid Khoshnaw, Governor of Erbil, Faramarz Asadi, Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Erbil, Massoud Bateli, President of the High Reception Committee and a number of government and civil officials. After visiting all the departments of various services in the pilgrims’ accommodation, they participated in a special dinner prepared by Barzani Charity Foundation for more than 3000 pilgrims.
Regarding the types of services, he said: “Barzani Charity Foundation, in coordination with the Kurdistan Regional Government and with the support of donors, has provided various services for pilgrims, including food and drink, rest, medical treatment and emergency facilities. This initiative is part of the continued policy of supporting pilgrims and religious guests, which shows the deep belief of the Kurdish people in coexistence and respect for the opinions of religions and sects.”
