MNA – Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary and Iranian Affairs Hassan Ghashghavi underlined that Iranian nationals have to provide visa to participate in Arbaeen mourning ceremony in Iraq.

Denying some reports on the abolition of visas for participation in the rally of Arbaeen, Ghashghavi said nobody could travel to Iraq without having visa. "Unfortunately, those who don't get visas, sacrfice a compulsory act which is providing visa to a recommended act and consequently create a disturbing trend to the responsible agencies" he said.

Deputy FM said Illegal crossing of Iraq's border would bring 6 years in prison for the offenders.

"It makes our ambassador to Iraq, and Iranian consulate in Karbala, to go looking for the liberation of people detained for lack of visa rather than considering pilgrims' security, nutrition and health issues," Ghashghavi noted.

Avoiding cancelling of the visas is not in favor of one side or to the detriment of the other side, he noted.

Arbaeen marks the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), Imam Hossein. Each year, pilgrims travel long routes on foot to Karbala, where the holy shrine is located.