More than 120,000 pilgrims from 98 countries visited the Holy Shrine of Imam Redha (peace be upon him) in Mashhad between March 2024 and March 2025, according to an official from the shrine.

The Imam Redha Holy Shrine, one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in Iran, continues to attract visitors from across the globe.

Mehdi Lesani, Director of the Non-Iranian Pilgrims Affairs Department at the shrine, said that the majority of visitors came from West Asia. “Pilgrims from Iraq, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia made up the largest groups, followed by those from Pakistan, India, Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, and several Central Asian countries,” he noted.

According to Lesani, the pilgrims represented 43 countries in Asia, 35 in Europe, 21 in Africa, six in the Americas, and two in Oceania.

Arabic-speaking pilgrims, particularly from Iraq, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, formed the largest linguistic group. They were followed by Urdu-speaking pilgrims from Pakistan and India, and Azeri-speaking pilgrims from Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Georgia.

Lesani also highlighted the extensive services available to international pilgrims. Whether arriving individually or in groups, visitors benefit from a wide range of cultural, religious, and welfare facilities provided in dedicated sections of the shrine.

He added that during the final ten days of the lunar month of Safar this year, the shrine welcomed pilgrims from 23 countries.

Citing the Global Muslim Travel Index, Lesani noted that Iran has improved its global ranking for Muslim-friendly travel, rising from 14th place in 2015 to 9th in 2025.