Speaking in a meeting of Iran’s Arbaeen Headquarters in Tehran on Sunday, he said the majority of them were from Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Rahmani Fazli also said planning for next year’s Arbaeen season has already begun, adding that more pilgrims are expected to take part in Arbaeen marches next year.
Arbaeen, which is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, comes 40 days after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions in the 680AD Battle of Karbala.
Each year, a huge crowd of Shias, including many Iranians, flock to Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located, to perform mourning rites on Arbaeen.
Arbaeen fell on October 19 this year.