First group of Iranian pilgrims to Iraq since 1980

A group of 750 Iranian pilgrims arrived Saturday to the borders with Iraq, for the first time since the 1980-1988 war broke out between the two countries.

The group of pilgrims is accompanied by Iranian Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Atoallah Mohadjerani. They were received at the check post of Al-Mounzirya, 150 km east of Baghdad, by Iraq's minister of religious affairs, Abdel Mouneem Ahmed Saleh.

The Iranian pilgrims will visit Shiite holy sites located in Iraq.

Last July 8, the two countries had reached an agreement authorizing Iranians to perform pilgrimages in Iraq. The agreement authorizes Iran to send 3,000 Iranians a week starting August 15.

Iraqi Housing Minister Maan Abdallah al-Sarsam said yesterday that after finishing its development, Al-Mounzirya will be one of the biggest border institutes in the area.

He said that the institute will receive thousands of visitors from Islamic countries to visit the religious places in Iraq, as it will be one of the most important border points in the country.