HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: Holy Najaf Hauzaa authorities, professors, scholars and officials have strongly condemned statements of cleric Sheikh Nasser Makarem Shirazi in which he criticized celebrations on Rabi-ol Awal 9 which marks Eid Az-Zahraa (AS).

The Hauzaa scholars told about this eid that there are a number of traditions from Ahlil Beit (AS) regarding this great feast and that devotees of Ahlil Beit (AS) have been practicing the same since centuries.

Nasser Makarem Shirazi in his statement cited by Iranian Rasa News Agency noted that extending greetings to the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (s) Sayeda Fatimah Az-Zahra (AS) marking Eid Az-Zahra (AS) is not lawful.

Al-Allamah Sheikh Muhammad An-Najafi, one of the professors of Al-Hauzaa Al-Ilmiyah An-Najaf Al-Ashraf said there go countless sayings of Prophet (s) and his progeny on this Eid day that this is ‘Yomo Saroor-e-Aal-i-Yassin’. He further quoted a saying of Amir ul Mo’minin Al-Imam Ali (AS) in which he said: ‘I know 72 names of the 9th day of Rabi ol Awal. Amon these are second Ghadir Day, Little Ghadir, Calm Day, Blessing Day…..’ to the end of hadith.

An-Najafi also said that Rabi ol Awal 9 is the day of Coronation of our Imam Al-Mehdi Al-Montadhar (ATF) and marking this happy occasion every believer celebrates.