Complex financial and social connections make it nearly impossible for Iranians to extricate themselves from the quagmire that is Iraq.
- Iran’s government supports firms with a huge stake in the pilgrimage industry, as well as those that renovate and maintain Shi’ite shrines in Iraq.
- Shamsa, a private Iranian firm, chooses which Iraqi companies to utilize for the pilgrims’ transportation, protection, and accommodation; nearly all these firms are connected with political parties close to Iran.
- Iranian pilgrims are well-received for their economic support to the shrine-cities. However, many suspect the Iranian government of meddling with Iraqi internal politics.
Facts & Figures
- In 2005, Iraq agreed to allow entry to 5,000 Iranian pilgrims per day.
- Karbala receives millions of pilgrims each year, but the city’s hotels have a maximum capacity of only 23,000.
- Al Kawthar, an Iranian company, is part of a $100 million project to renovate the historic city center of Karbala.
Best Quote
“We are Arabs, we will not accept to be colonized by anyone. We do not take orders from the Iranians.” — Mr Ali al-Hayawi, a hotel owner in Karbala