Following reports about currency payments to Arbaeen pilgrims through holes in a wall in Najaf, the National Bank announced that the Iraqi government had closed the designated booths 'due to security issues' and handed over an old building to the bank. According to the official IRNA news agency, the bank announced on Friday, October 26, that currency was supposed to be delivered at the airport, three booths in hotels in the city, and a bank branch in Najaf, but Iraqi officials closed all booths except for the bank branch 'due to security issues.' The National Bank emphasized that it had rented 'multiple and suitable booths,' but 'Iraqi officials also closed them.' According to this announcement, ultimately 'an old building that is not suitable for the people' was handed over to the National Bank, and the bank had to 'use minimal facilities to provide services,' as failing to deliver currency would have caused 'other problems for the pilgrims.' Videos have been circulated on social media showing groups of Iranian participants in the Arbaeen ceremony receiving currency through holes in an old building wall. Hossein Zolfaqari, the Deputy Minister of Interior and Head of the Central Arbaeen Headquarters, had previously stated that currency would be provided to participants in the Arbaeen ceremony based on the official currency rate in Iran. The Central Bank had also previously announced that participants in the Arbaeen ceremony could purchase 100,000 Iraqi dinars through the National Bank at the rate of 96 rials per dinar and receive the dinar banknotes at designated points in the cities of Najaf, Karbala, Kazimayn, and also at three border points opposite the Mehran, Chazabeh, and Shalamcheh borders (inside Iraq). In previous years, some organizations in Iran have reported providing facilities to Arbaeen pilgrims, but the total costs of these institutions for holding the Arbaeen ceremony have not been disclosed. Some political analysts have referred to the Arbaeen ceremony as a 'show of power' by the Islamic Republic.
National Bank's Response to News of Currency Payments to Arbaeen Pilgrims 'Through a Hole in the Wall'
The National Bank of Iran responded to reports of currency payments to Arbaeen pilgrims being made through holes in a wall in Najaf, stating that Iraqi authorities closed all but one designated booth due to security concerns. This situation highlights the challenges faced by Iranian pilgrims and reflects the broader political implications of the Arbaeen ceremony.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The National Bank of Iran faced logistical challenges in distributing currency to Arbaeen pilgrims after Iraqi authorities closed designated booths due to security concerns. The bank resorted to using an old building to distribute currency through holes in the wall.
- Iraqi officials closed all but one currency distribution booth in Najaf.
- Currency was distributed through holes in an old building wall due to these closures.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Arbaeen pilgrimage is one of the largest annual gatherings of Shia Muslims, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. It involves significant logistical coordination between Iran and Iraq.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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