The Expansion Projects Department of the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine has published an official map outlining the Grand Expansion Project in the area surrounding the two holy shrines in central Karbala. Several components of the project are currently under construction, while other courtyards shown on the map are part of a long-term implementation plan.

Engineer Hussein Redha Mahdi, Head of the Expansion Projects Department, stated that the Grand Expansion Project is one of the largest religious construction initiatives in Iraq, distinguished by its unprecedented service, organizational, and architectural scope. He emphasized that the project aims to significantly enhance the services provided to visitors of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him).

He explained that the project is being carried out by the Expansion Projects Department of the General Secretariat of the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine, under the guidance of the representative of the Supreme Religious Authority, Sheikh Karbalaey, with direct follow-up by the Secretary-General, Mr. Hassan Rashid Jawad Al-Abayechi, and under the supervision of specialized engineering and technical teams.

Engineer Mahdi further clarified that the project comprises four main courtyards surrounding the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain, covering a total area of approximately 750,000 square meters. Of this, 500,000 square meters are designated for worship areas, while 250,000 square meters are allocated for service facilities. These include comprehensive visitor services, organized entry and exit routes, and integrated health, security, and logistical support systems.

He added that, once completed, the expansion project will accommodate more than one million visitors at a time, marking a major advancement in crowd management during the million-person pilgrimages, in line with the continuous annual increase in visitors to Karbala.

The head of the department noted that the project is the first of its kind among holy shrine developments in Iraq in terms of scale, functional integration, and pilgrimage-focused urban planning. He affirmed that the initiative responds to the growing need for infrastructure that reflects Karbala’s religious and humanitarian significance while meeting modern safety and organizational standards.

Concluding his remarks, Engineer Mahdi stated that the Grand Expansion Project represents not merely an urban expansion, but a long-term strategic vision for organizing pilgrimage movement, improving traffic flow, and ensuring the safety and comfort of the millions of visitors who come to Karbala each year.