Reported Strike Near Shalamcheh Raises Concerns as Millions Prepare for Arbaeen Pilgrimage

As millions of Muslims prepare to travel to Iraq for Arbaeen, reports of a strike near the Shalamcheh border crossing have raised fresh concerns about the safety of religious pilgrims entering the country.

According to Iran's Mehr News Agency, citing Khuzestan Deputy Governor for Security and Law Enforcement Valiollah Hayati, missiles struck the area around the passenger terminal at the Shalamcheh border crossing on the Iran Iraq border. Iranian officials attributed the strike to the United States. Initial Iranian media reports stated that two people had been killed. Subsequent reporting from other outlets described conflicting casualty information, with some later reports stating that no casualties had occurred. As of publication, the casualty count has not been independently reconciled.

Regardless of the conflicting casualty reports, the reported strike has drawn attention because of its location. Shalamcheh is one of the most important border crossings used by Muslims traveling into Iraq to perform ziyarat and participate in Arbaeen. Every year, millions of pilgrims pass through the crossing on their way to the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala. In addition to large numbers of Iranian pilgrims, the crossing is widely used by pilgrims from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other countries who travel through Iran before entering Iraq.

Only days before the reported strike, Iranian and Iraqi officials announced that Shalamcheh and the country's other major border crossings had completed preparations for Arbaeen. Authorities have mobilized security personnel, medical teams, volunteers, transportation services, and humanitarian support in anticipation of one of the largest annual movements of people anywhere in the world.

Arbaeen commemorates the fortieth day after the martyrdom of Imam Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. For more than one thousand years, Muslims have observed Arbaeen through peaceful acts of worship, prayer, mourning, charity, and service. Today, the pilgrimage draws tens of millions of worshippers from around the globe, making it one of the largest annual religious gatherings in history.

Many pilgrims spend days or weeks traveling to Karbala. Countless others volunteer their time to provide food, water, shelter, transportation, and medical care free of charge to fellow worshippers. Families, children, elderly pilgrims, religious scholars, humanitarian workers, and volunteers all travel the same routes through border crossings such as Shalamcheh.

The reported strike has renewed concerns about the safety of these civilians as regional hostilities continue. Pilgrims traveling to Iraq for Arbaeen are peaceful noncombatants engaged in a religious observance that has endured continuously for more than a millennium. International humanitarian law requires parties to armed conflict to distinguish between military objectives and civilians and to take constant care to spare civilian populations.

As millions of worshippers begin their journey to Iraq over the coming weeks, protecting pilgrimage routes has become an increasingly urgent humanitarian concern. Border crossings, passenger terminals, highways used by pilgrims, rest stations, humanitarian service centers, and medical facilities supporting the pilgrimage serve civilian purposes and will be relied upon by worshippers from across the Muslim world.

SMF News will continue to monitor developments surrounding the reported strike and provide updates as additional verified information becomes available.

Sources

Mehr News Agency

Associated Press: US military carries out strikes on Iran as both sides threaten civilian infrastructure

The Guardian: Middle East crisis live updates

ANSA: Media report on US missile strike near Iraqi border

Tasnim News Agency: All Iran Iraq border crossings open for Arbaeen pilgrims

New DHS Rule Sets Time Limits for International Students

Beginning September 15, new federal immigration rules are scheduled to replace “duration of status” with fixed expiration dates for foreign students studying at American universities. Most international students will now receive admission for their program length, capped at four years. The rule also creates new extension requirements, limits school transfers and program changes, restricts additional degrees at the same academic level, and reduces the departure period for many students from 60 days to 30 days. These changes will affect Muslim students, scholars and families at universities across the country.

International students and exchange visitors will receive fixed expiration dates instead of being allowed to remain for the duration of their programs under a new Department of Homeland Security rule. The rule also limits admission to four years at a time, requires federal extensions for longer stays, restricts school transfers and changes in academic programs, prevents most students from pursuing another degree at the same or a lower level, and reduces the departure period for many students from 60 days to 30 days.

In practical terms, students may face additional applications, costs and immigration reviews if a program lasts longer than four years or their academic plans change. The rule was published on July 17 and is scheduled to take effect on September 15. That date could change following congressional review. It applies to people in F student status, J exchange visitor status and I status for foreign journalists. Spouses and children with dependent status will also be affected.

Impact on Muslim Students and Families

The rule applies to international students from every country. It will affect Muslim students and scholars attending colleges, universities, seminaries, medical programs and research institutions throughout the United States.

Muslim students in lengthy degree programs may need to apply for extensions. Those considering a change in their field of study, a transfer to another school or a second degree at the same level may face new restrictions.

The effects may also extend to families. The immigration status of a student's spouse and children is generally tied to the student's status. Dependent family members may need to file their own extension applications when the student requests additional time.

Students can review their I94, Form I20 or Form DS 2019 with their school's international student office. Questions involving travel, transfers, extensions or changes in immigration status may require advice from an immigration attorney.

Ending Duration of Status

Most international students currently enter the United States under a system known as duration of status. Their immigration records generally show D/S instead of a fixed expiration date.

This allows a student to remain in the country while enrolled in an approved program, followed by any authorized training and departure period, as long as the student continues following immigration requirements.

Under the new system, students and exchange visitors will receive a specific expiration date. Their admission will generally cover the length of the program listed on their immigration documents, but no longer than four years at a time.

Programs Longer Than Four Years

Students who need additional time will have to apply to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for an extension. They may also leave the country and request a new period of admission when returning.

This change is expected to affect doctoral students, medical trainees and others enrolled in programs that commonly last longer than four years.

A student who files an extension on time generally may remain in the country while the application is pending. F1 students may continue studying during that period. Permission to work will depend on the type of employment and when the extension was filed.

OPT and STEM OPT

Optional Practical Training and STEM Optional Practical Training will remain available. However, students may need to file an extension of stay in addition to an employment authorization application.

Students moving from a degree program into practical training will need to monitor both their employment authorization and the expiration date on their I94 immigration record.

Restrictions on Transfers and Academic Changes

Students below the graduate level generally must complete their first academic year before changing schools or majors. Immigration officials may approve exceptions for circumstances such as a school closure, a natural disaster or another situation outside the student's control.

Graduate students will face tighter limits. They generally will not be allowed to change their field or level of study during a program.

Graduate students also generally will not be permitted to transfer to another school during a program unless immigration officials approve an exception based on extenuating circumstances. This could affect students whose research adviser moves to another university or whose academic program becomes unavailable.

Limits on Additional Degrees

After completing a program, an international student generally may begin another program only at a higher academic level.

A student completing a bachelor's degree could move into a master's program. A student completing a master's degree generally could not begin another master's program while remaining in F1 status.

Shorter Departure Period

The rule reduces the usual departure period for many F1 students from 60 days to 30 days.

Students who finish their studies or authorized practical training before their immigration admission period expires will have 30 days to leave the country or take another step to maintain lawful status.

Students who violate the terms of their status will not receive a departure period.

Students Already in the United States

Students and exchange visitors who are lawfully present in the country when the rule takes effect may qualify for transition protections.

In many cases, they will be allowed to remain through the program end date listed on their current Form I20 or Form DS 2019, or through the expiration of existing employment authorization. The transition period generally cannot extend beyond four years from September 15, 2026.

The transition rules generally do not apply to someone outside the United States when the rule takes effect or someone who is already violating immigration status.

International Travel

Travel after September 15 may result in a new fixed expiration date when a student or exchange visitor returns to the United States.

The date recorded on the I94 will control the authorized stay. A valid visa does not allow someone to remain past the I94 expiration date.

The full rule is available through the Federal Register.

Shia Muslim Foundation Condemns Arson Attack on Philadelphia Mosque, Calls for National Action to Protect Houses of Worship

July 9, 2026 — The Shia Muslim Foundation (SMF) strongly condemns the apparent arson attack targeting the Northeast Philadelphia Islamic Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The attack is the latest in a series of threats and acts of violence directed at American mosques and other houses of worship.

According to investigators, a masked individual intentionally set fire to the mosque during the early morning hours of July 5 after throwing an incendiary device at the building. Thanks to the quick action of an observant delivery driver who called 911 and the rapid response of firefighters, the fire was contained before it could engulf the mosque or its adjacent expansion project. No injuries were reported. Federal, state, and local authorities, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are investigating the incident, including the possibility that it was motivated by anti Muslim bias.

"This attack is not simply an attack on one mosque. It is an attack on every American's right to worship freely and safely," said Rahat Husain, Executive Director of the Shia Muslim Foundation. "No family should have to question whether attending prayer could place them in danger. Those responsible must be identified, arrested, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

The Philadelphia attack follows a disturbing pattern of incidents affecting Muslim communities this year. In June, a Michigan man was arrested after allegedly making violent threats against the American Islamic Community Center in Madison Heights, prompting an extensive law enforcement response and widespread concern throughout the local Muslim community. Days before the Philadelphia attack, worshippers at a mosque in Flushing, New York, confronted and restrained an armed individual before anyone was injured, preventing what could have become another tragedy. Together, these incidents demonstrate that threats against houses of worship remain an ongoing national security concern requiring continued vigilance by faith communities, law enforcement, and government officials.

The Shia Muslim Foundation has consistently responded to these incidents through public advocacy, direct engagement with affected communities, and collaboration with public officials and law enforcement partners. Following the threats against the Madison Heights mosque, SMF issued a public statement condemning the threats and reaffirming that every American deserves to worship without fear. After the attempted attack in Flushing, SMF worked to raise awareness of the incident and the continuing need for vigilance at houses of worship. The Foundation has also continued to advocate for stronger protections through outreach, education, and support for federal security initiatives.

Recognizing the evolving threat environment, SMF recently convened its Mosque Safety and Security Summit, bringing together Muslim community leaders, law enforcement agencies, homeland security professionals, emergency management officials, security experts, and nonprofit organizations from across the country. The summit focused on identifying emerging threats, strengthening partnerships between faith communities and public safety agencies, improving emergency preparedness, sharing security best practices, and expanding awareness of resources available to houses of worship, including the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

The attempted arson in Philadelphia reinforces many of the lessons discussed during the summit. Early reporting, rapid coordination with emergency responders, trained congregants, physical security improvements, and strong relationships with law enforcement can significantly reduce the impact of targeted attacks. Protecting houses of worship requires preparation before an incident occurs, not simply a response afterward.

SMF remains committed to helping mosques and Islamic centers strengthen their security through education, technical assistance, security awareness initiatives, grant support, and collaboration with federal, state, and local partners. The Foundation will continue working to build resilient communities that are prepared to prevent, respond to, and recover from threats targeting religious institutions.

The Shia Muslim Foundation stands in solidarity with the leadership and congregation of the Northeast Philadelphia Islamic Center and applauds the delivery driver whose quick actions helped prevent what could have been a far more devastating tragedy. SMF also thanks the firefighters, law enforcement officers, and investigators working to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

Every American deserves the freedom to worship in peace and safety. SMF will continue advocating for stronger protections for houses of worship and working with partners across the country to safeguard the constitutional right to freely practice one's faith.