Hujjat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi, among public servants and the owners of housing and feeding stations of Husseinic Fortieth pilgrims in Ilam, said, “Purity and devotion of Fortieth pilgrims’ servants, definitely will cause the satisfaction of Imam Hussein (A.S.).”
He, stating that serving Husseinic pilgrims, like serving the Sacred House of God, has rewards, said, “Offering service to the pilgrims of Imam Hussein (A.S.) is a great honor, which today is bestowed to the people of Ilam province.”
“People of Ilam province, regarding the border keep and being host to warriors of Islam army during Holy Defense period, played their role proudly” Grand Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi said, pointing out that the people of Ilam, during Holy Defense period suffered many hardships.
Hujjat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi, saying that the people of this province in the last few years have the honor to serve pilgrims of Holy Shrines, reminded, “People of Ilam province, in addition to religious centers and mosques, offered their houses to the pilgrims and served them elegantly.”
He, pointing out that the great welcome and the good reception of pilgrims by people of Ilam, is a sign of faith, devotion, and love to the household of the Apostle of God (S.A.W.) said, “This climax of devotion, is derived from the coalition of the values of the Islamic Revolution.”
Grand Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, with appreciation and thanks to all the people, officials and active servants in housing and feeding stations in Ilam province, reiterated, “Some good works have been done to facilitate the pilgrimage in Ilam province; however, there is still a great distance with the ideal and perfect point.”
Hujjat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin Raeisi, expressing that the available amenities compared to the masses of pilgrims, who with a particular passion and a sense attend Mehran border, is inconsistent and stressed, “To fix the problems, and facilitating pilgrims’ pilgrimage, necessary planning, equipping and completion of infrastructures are desperately required.”
“Fortieth, will almost end in the next two days, and it is needed that immediately, necessary measures to be taken to remove the obstacles and difficulties for the coming years” he said, pointing out that during the visit to the Mehran border, some deficiencies were observed, and necessary solutions were suggested to officials.
Grand Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, stating that the issue of Fortieth is not a yearly manner, and provisions must be made in terms of time, as well as increased population of pilgrims every year, said, “The issue of Mehran border and the movement of pilgrims, is increasing day by day.”
“It is suggested to Governor of Ilam to design a roadmap, in which all the facilities, requirements, and the necessary equipment are included, so that in the future we can provide easy traffic and pilgrimage in the border” Hujjat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi uttered, stressing that to develop Mehran international border and increasing its infrastructures, a roadmap must be planned and implemented.
He, pointing out that in this roadmap, we need cases such as food, accommodation, parking, community, healthcare, transportation to be taken care of, in order for pilgrims to have fewer difficulties in the next years, said, “Due to unmatched entrance of pilgrims to the province, all the facts and problems of Ilam and Mehran border should be reported to the government in order to build required capacity and infrastructures more than ever.
“Whereas, most of the time, and especially during Muharram and Husseinic Fortieth Ilam turns into the place of enthusiasm and sense of mourners, the variable and floating population of Ilam also should be considered in the planning and allocation of funds” Grand Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi enunciated, stating that today, Ilam should not be looked at based on its fixed population.
Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi, highlighting that all the people and the servants of pilgrims in Ilam, have greatly supported the work and played their role, said, “Fortunately, today, IRGC and the Basij establishments, namelessly, serve the pilgrims and offer variety of valuable services to pilgrims.”
“Commanders and staff of IRGC, made all their efforts to provide welfare of pilgrims” he commented, asserting that the IRGC offered all its amenities for the welfare of the pilgrims.
Grand Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, pointing out that the establishment of Astan Quds Razavi, along with other servants of Husseinic pilgrims, as far as possible, has contributed to serve in this blessed area, emphasized, “This year, we were honored to serve the pilgrims and do our duty in the best point of pilgrims traffic (Mehran border), which required more services.”
“The government should be more prepared, because according to the existing facilities, building infrastructures and capacities in Mehran is not such a hard work” he said, remarking that Astan Quds Razavi establishment is ready for any cooperation to facilitate the pilgrimage for the pilgrims of Imam Hussein (A.S.).
“It is very difficult and painful, waiting enthusiastically for pilgrimage a few days in the border, and the permission to leave and pilgrimage is not issued. A mechanism should be implemented to facilitate easy traffic and pilgrimage for pilgrims, because the Fortieth rally is the largest maneuver of human society” he stated, highlighting that seeing some individuals and families waiting to leave the country and visiting the Holy Shrines is very harsh and disturbing.
Hujjat al-Islam Raeisi, stressing that all officials and managers, should be liable for the Husseinic Fortieth, and this feeling must be present in all parts of the country, said, “Astan Quds Razavi, thanks to Imam Reza (A.S.) is fully prepared to serve the Husseinic pilgrims and will play a role.”
“Since the beginning of activity in Astan Quds Razavi, the first thing felt the need of, was building the affordable hostels for pilgrims. Today, the design and construction of the Pilgrim City has started in holy Mashhad. This hostel, in an area of 35 hectares, and with the reception capacity of 25000 pilgrims is now under construction” he stated, expressing that Astan Quds Razavi, following the command of Supreme Leader (May God Prolong His Life), has put the pilgrimage and serving the needy, its main focus.
Hujjat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin Raeisi, saying that the implementation of this massive project, now is heading done fast said, “Efforts are being made to launch the first phase of the project by the end of this year, and provide reception of 4500 pilgrims.”
It is worth mentioning that the Grand Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, after one-day visiting of Mehran border, left Mehran international border to Ilam by helicopter, and in the city's Martyrs airport, was welcomed by Governor, a group of provincial officials, and military and police commanders.