Over 450 Multilingual Staff Serve Non-Iranian Pilgrims at Imam Reza Shrine

IQNA – More than 450 male and female staff members are providing services to non-Iranian pilgrims at the Imam Reza (AS) Shrine, according to Seyyed Mohammad Zolfaqari, Director of Non-Iranian Pilgrim Affairs.

These staff members operate in dedicated areas such as Ghadir, Dar al-Marhama, and Dar al-Rahma porticos, catering specifically to Arabic, Urdu, and Azerbaijani-speaking visitors, Zolfaqari said.

He explained that the multilingual staff assist pilgrims by offering guidance, organizing prayer rows, distributing and collecting prayer books and Quran copies during ceremonies, and handing out blessed packages. “Their goal is to ensure a smooth and stress-free pilgrimage experience for every visitor,” he added.

The staff also addresses religious questions raised by non-Iranian pilgrims, noted Zolfaqari.

He highlighted that the shrine welcomes over five million international pilgrims annually. “Of these, 65% are Arabic-speaking visitors from Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Bahrain, the UAE, Yemen, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. Urdu-speaking pilgrims from India and Pakistan make up 25%, while Azerbaijani-speaking visitors account for the remaining 10%.”

He further detailed activities arranged for international visitors, including welcoming ceremonies, guided tours of the shrine, museum visits, cultural competitions with prizes, and the distribution of cultural packages.

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