ICT minister stresses quality communication services for Arbaeen pilgrims

Iran’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology Seyed Sattar Hashemi has called for wider cooperation with Iraq in providing better communication network for pilgrims who are going to commemorate Arabaeen.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's Public Relations Center, In a meeting with the Iraqi Ambassador to Iran Naseer Abdul Mohsen Abdullah, Hashemi said a delegation will be dispatched to Iraq for further cooperation to mark the religious event.

Arbaeen marks forty days after Ashura, which is the martyrdom anniversary of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the third imam of Shia Muslims.

“In recent years, effective cooperation has been established between Iran and Iraq in the field of providing quality communications and broadband services during Arbaeen,” said the Iranian minister, “’we have witnessed desirable progress.”

He said increasing the level of communication cooperation between the two countries during Arbaeen is necessary step to improve the quality of pilgrims' communications, and added, “Representatives from this ministry are traveling to Iraq for further coordination and meeting with local officials and operators.”

Also referring to the ICT Ministry’s plan to strengthen international cooperation under the title of technology diplomacy, Hashemi emphasized the use of the two countries’ capacities to play the role of a connecting link in the international transit route through Iran’s infrastructure.

He introduced the capabilities of Iranian knowledge-based companies and the growth of the digital economy in the country, terming these areas as a suitable platform for joint cooperation between the private sectors of the two countries.

“We hope that closer interaction between the private sectors of Iran and Iraq will provide the basis for a more active and joint presence in international markets,” he said.

In the meeting, the Iraqi envoy in Tehran referred to the strong and extensive relations with Iran, especially during Arbaeen, and describing any synergy in bilateral communications as constructive, called for increased cooperation between the two countries.

He welcomed Hashemi’s proposal to utilize the capabilities of Iranian knowledge-based companies and expressed hope that joint projects would be formed in these areas.

Naseer Abdul Mohsen Abdullah expressed his confidence in the coordination of the Iranian delegation's trip to hold a more magnificent Arbaeen ceremony this year, and said: "We hope that this year's services will be improved compared to previous years."