President of the Republic Nizar Amidi emphasized on Wednesday the special attention given to the Holy Governorate of Karbala, citing its profound religious and symbolic significance in the hearts of Iraqis and Muslims.

The Media Office of the Presidency of the Republic stated that President Amidi met with Governor of Holy Karbala Nusseyif Jassim Al-Khattabi, Provincial Council Chairman Qasim Al-Yasari, members of the Provincial Council, and heads of administrative units during his visit to the governorate.

According to the statement, the meeting addressed the current situation in Holy Karbala, including its service and development needs. The discussions also focused on strengthening development plans and upgrading infrastructure to keep pace with the governorate’s growing religious and tourism activity.

President Amidi affirmed that, throughout its history, Holy Karbala has been not only a center of religious and spiritual enlightenment but also a beacon of resistance to injustice and tyranny and a defender of the values of freedom and dignity. He highlighted the governorate’s notable patriotic positions, particularly the uprisings of 1977 and 1991, which he said reflected the people of Karbala’s rejection of authoritarianism and injustice.

He also noted that Karbala was a launching point for the Fatwa of Sufficient Jihad, which helped mobilize Iraqis to confront the terrorist organization ISIS and thwart its plans. He said this further affirmed the governorate’s national role in defending Iraq, its unity, and its sovereignty.

The President stressed the importance of giving Holy Karbala attention commensurate with its immense religious and historical stature and its deep symbolic significance to Iraqis and Muslims. The governorate is home to the holy shrines of Imam Hussain bin Ali and his brother, Abu Al-Fadl Al-Abbas (peace be upon them), as well as numerous other sacred sites and shrines that attract millions of visitors from within Iraq and abroad.

He noted that Holy Karbala receives special attention and stressed the need to improve its public services and urban infrastructure in a manner befitting both its residents and visitors. He underscored the importance of strengthening the governorate’s capacity to accommodate millions of visitors and provide them with high-quality services, affirming the Presidency of the Republic’s support for the local government’s efforts and its plans for the governorate’s development and prosperity.

President Amidi further emphasized that serving citizens, meeting their needs, and improving service standards are fundamental priorities. He underscored the importance of listening to residents’ demands and addressing them within the framework of the law and available resources.

For their part, the Governor of Karbala, the Provincial Council Chairman and members, and the heads of administrative units expressed their appreciation for the President’s visit. They outlined the governorate’s key needs and challenges and presented proposed projects aimed at improving its service and development sectors.