The Iraqi government is intensifying efforts to support the upcoming Ashura pilgrimage in Karbala, with significant increases in fuel supplies and health services.

Fuel supplies increased

On Monday, Oil Minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani ordered the supply of millions of additional liters of black oil, kerosene, and gasoline into Karbala and the central Euphrates provinces.

The move aims to meet heightened demand as the peak of the Ashura pilgrimage approaches. The ministry has also increased the supply of gas cylinders through distribution outlets and mobile vehicles. 

Additionally, the ministry is enhancing transportation services for pilgrims by utilizing vehicles from oil companies and providing water and food along the pilgrimage routes.

Shiite Muslim devotees gather to attend a mourning ritual on the eve of Ashura at the shrine of Imam Abu Al-Fadl al-Abbas in Iraq's central holy city of Karbala on July 15, 2024. (Photo by Mohammed SAWAF / AFP)

Health services enhanced

Health Minister Salih Al-Hasnawi has outlined a comprehensive plan involving four preventive stations and expanded health services, implemented by 100 teams. 

The preventive measures include monitoring food and drinks offered to visitors by 35 inspection teams, distributing health awareness leaflets through 30 mobile teams, and providing rapid response services for emergencies with 35 mobile teams. 

All health institutions in Karbala, both public and private, are on full alert, supported by medical staff from neighboring provinces. 

The plan also includes deploying 100 ambulances, with 10 on standby, across the city. Additional measures involve health centers, including immediate response centers with over 70 beds and medical teams providing services to visitors. 

The plan commenced at the start of Muharram and will continue until the eleventh day, peaking on the night of the ninth to the tenth.

The plan also includes preventive measures with trained health awareness teams providing public health education, hygiene guidelines, nutrition advice, and consultations to processions. Health monitoring teams will take food and beverage samples for testing in public health laboratories. 

Shiite Muslim devotees attend a mourning ritual in Iraq's holy city of Karbala during Ashura, which commemorates the seventh century killing of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein, on July 16, 2024. (Photo by Mohammed SAWAF / AFP)

Rapid response teams will patrol on foot, equipped with first aid kits to provide immediate assistance to visitors in health crises. 

Therapeutic services will be provided by emergency centers within the city, holy shrines, and health centers operated by the Karbala Health Directorate. 

Hospitals from the Ministry of Health, the holy shrines, and the private sector are prepared to offer medical services, equipped with necessary medication, supplies, and equipment. 

A total of 100 ambulances are strategically deployed along pilgrimage routes and the Tuwaireej mourning procession path, with additional units ready outside the city for emergencies.

Free internet services for pilgrims

The Ministry of Communications announced on Tuesday the provision of free internet services for Ashura pilgrims. 

Communications Minister Hayam Al-Yasiri issued directives to provide the best communication services and free internet for visitors to the Imam Hussein shrine during the month of Muharram. 

The ministry has deployed the free internet service between the holy shrines in Karbala and at the sacred sites in Najaf and Kadhimiya during Muharram. 

This initiative aims to increase internet bandwidth free of charge for mobile phone companies, alleviating the burden on visitors and providing excellent communication services to help them perform their rituals smoothly.

Minesterial meeting in Karbala for Ashura preparations

On Tuesday, Karbala hosted a trilateral meeting involving the Ministers of Electricity and Interior, along with the Governor of Karbala, to implement the Prime Minister's directives to ensure the success of the Ashura pilgrimage. 

The Ministry of Electricity stated that the Minister of Electricity met with Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari and the Governor of Karbala to secure the necessary preparations for the pilgrimage. 

The participants reviewed efforts to meet the pilgrimage’s requirements and create ideal conditions for its success. Minister of Electricity Ziyad Ali Fadel emphasized the Prime Minister's directive to provide reliable electrical power to Karbala and the Husseini processions. 

Engineering and technical teams are working around the clock to ensure the pilgrimage is exemplary in organization and service.

Iraqi Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari led a security meeting in Karbala to review plans for Ashura, stressing the need to intensify efforts to serve both local and international pilgrims, the Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday.