In preparation for the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage, which brings millions of pilgrims to Karbala, the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine has launched a large-scale engineering and service plan to accommodate visitors and ensure their comfort, particularly amid soaring summer temperatures.

Engineer Hussein Redha Mahdi, Head of the Engineering Projects Department at the Shrine, stated, “The services provided this year are comprehensive and span multiple sectors, including air conditioning systems within the Holy Shrine and its courtyards, expansion and modernization of electrical networks, and maintenance of essential infrastructure.”

He noted that a cutting-edge cooling system with a total capacity of 9,000 tons has been installed, divided between the Holy Shrine and the surrounding courtyard. “Fresh air fans have been added to the courtyard gates to ensure 100% air circulation, creating positive air pressure and maintaining interior temperatures between 24 and 26°C (75–79°F),” he added.

Special attention has been given to regulating access to prayer halls and ensuring a smooth flow of pilgrims. An emergency plan was developed in coordination with the Electricity Division to prioritize restoration of cooling systems, especially within prayer areas, in case of power outages.

Mahdi further explained that more than 135,000 square meters of external areas have been outfitted with fixed and mobile air conditioning systems, covering major roads such as Al-Sidra Street, Al-Shuhada Street, Bab Al-Salam and Bab Al-Qibla. “Weather-resistant materials were used that also preserve the visual and Islamic identity of the area,” he said.

To address outdoor temperatures, over 420 misting fans have been deployed across 160,000 square meters, reducing temperatures by up to 9°C. Fogging systems were also activated at critical locations, including Ahmed Zainy Street, Al-Shuhada Street, the Imam Mahdi site, and the Al-Aqeelah Zainab Courtyard, covering another 145,000 square meters.

As part of system enhancements, 3,700 industrial air coolers—400 of them newly installed—are now operating across 250,000 square meters of roadways and public spaces. Additionally, 26 remote-controlled fog cannons have been positioned along Bab Al-Qibla and Al-Jumhuriya Street, cooling a further 252,000 square meters by an average of 9°C.

On the electrical side, the Electricity Division is working to ensure a stable power supply throughout Arbaeen. Their efforts include lighting installations across the courtyards of Al-Aqeelah Zainab and Zainabi Hill, electrical circuit maintenance within the Holy Shrine, and equipping volunteer stations with power sources to ensure continuous operations.

Mahdi emphasized that “electricity is also being supplied to Hussaini processions inside and outside the Shrine, in coordination with the Refrigeration Department, with careful energy rationing to ensure transformer efficiency.”

He concluded by saying, “These efforts reflect the vision of the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) to serve its visitors under extreme climatic and crowding conditions—an embodiment of the ongoing legacy of Hussaini service and devotion that renews each year.”

Ameer Al-Mousawi