Iraqi Council of Ministers Announces Official Holiday in Observance of Ashura

The Iraqi Council of Ministers has announced the suspension of official working hours across all government ministries and institutions next Thursday. This decision coincides with the commemoration of the tenth of Muharram and the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him). Iraqi provinces, particularly Baghdad, Karbala, and Najaf, are preparing to host religious ceremonies and mourning gatherings, with heightened security and service measures in place to ensure the safety of visitors and provide necessary services.