ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - More than 100,000 visitors have so far passed through the Kurdistan Region’s Haji Omaran border crossing for Arbaeen pilgrimage, a local official told The New Region on Tuesday.

Millions of Shiite Muslims from around the world annually undertake a pilgrimage to the southern Iraqi city of Karbala to participate in Arbaeen, which marks 40 days following the anniversary of Ashura—the day Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was killed in the deserts of Karbala in the seventh century.

Visitors pass through various gates across Iraq in order to reach Karbala. In the Kurdistan region, Shiite pilgrims from Iran and other countries enter from the Haji Omaran crossing toward Karbala and Najaf.

“Until today, Tuesday, more than 100,000 visitors have passed the gateway,” said Salar Tahseen, Haji Omaran’s director of passport and residency.

“A change has taken place this year: the visitors who entered through the Kurdistan Region, must also exit through the Kurdistan Region, not to mention that this year’s preparations are more advanced,” he added.

Iraqi Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari on Friday announced that more than three million foreign visitors have so far arrived in Iraq to participate in Arbaeen commemorations, which falls on Friday.

Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni on Tuesday said that more than 3.4 million Iranian pilgrims have arrived in Iraq for Arbaeen commemorations in recent days, adding that 1.5 million have already returned.