Head of Hajj and Pilgrimage Organisation visits Qazvin Province

During his visit to Qazvin, the head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organisation discussed infrastructure developments in Iraq and the expansion of pilgrimage quotas.

At the start of his visit to Qazvin Province, Engineer Owhadi paid his respects to the late Major General Pilot Babai and other martyrs of the province at the Imamzadeh Hossein shrine, where he recited prayers in their memory.

During the trip, the head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organisation met with the Governor of Qazvin at his office. Governor Morteza Roozbeh welcomed Engineer Owhadi and his delegation, expressing appreciation for the positive measures taken by the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organisation, which have significantly increased the satisfaction of pilgrims performing Umrah.

In his discussion with the Governor, Engineer Owhadi noted that for the first time in 35 years, Iranian Umrah pilgrims were able to be present in the Holy Land during the days of Arbaeen, gaining the opportunity to visit the Prophet of Islam and the Imams of Baqi. He further highlighted that the number of Umrah dispatches has increased by 70 per cent compared to last year, with more than 800,000 Iranian pilgrims expected to visit the Holy Land during the current season.

Following the meeting, Engineer Owhadi attended a conference for pilgrimage agents in Qazvin. He announced that registration for the 1993 Hajj (solar calendar) caravans began three months earlier than the previous year, allowing more time for travel arrangements and educational classes for future pilgrims. He added that for the first time, pilgrims are paying their travel costs in two instalments, a measure that has eased the economic burden at the end of the year and led to full capacity across all Hajj caravans nationwide.

Engineer Owhadi stated that approximately 500,000 Iranian pilgrims were present in Karbala during this year's Arbaeen. He predicted a 50 per cent increase to one million pilgrims next year, emphasising the need for immediate planning to manage these numbers. Proposed initiatives include investing in hotel construction in Iraq and establishing temporary accommodation in the border cities of Shalamcheh and Chazzabeh. He noted that land has already been earmarked in Karbala, Najaf, and Kadhimiya for hotels, with active investment from banks expected to yield a return on investment within two and a half years. He added that these facilities would reduce accommodation costs and improve service standards.

Addressing the current quality of services in Iraq, which he described as inadequate, Owhadi announced the establishment of the 'Omid Zair Development and Construction Company' to improve infrastructure. During the conference, Farhamand, CEO of the Omreh Saadat Cultural Institute, reported that despite certain limitations, quality services have been provided to Iranian pilgrims.

Alireza Kalantari, Director of Hajj and Pilgrimage for Qazvin Province, reported a 25 per cent increase in Umrah capacity and a 20 per cent increase in Atabat pilgrimage capacity for the province compared to last year. He also highlighted the necessity of establishing a Hajj and Pilgrimage Applied Science Centre in Qazvin to improve the professional standards of managers, noting that applicants currently have to travel to Tehran for such training.

The conference was attended by several officials, including Hojjat al-Islam Barikbin, the interim Friday Prayer Leader of Qazvin; Hojjat al-Islam Hosseini and Mr Mohammadi, representatives of Qazvin in the Islamic Consultative Assembly; Mr Khoshjoush, head of the Qazvin Red Crescent; and Dr Sarreshtehdari, head of the provincial Hajj and Pilgrimage Medical Centre.