Mauled-ul Imam Ali (p) celebrations report from Saudi Arabia

By: Abdulali

QATEEF, Saudi Arabia: Happiness and cheeriness prevailed Saudi cities of Al-Qateef, Sehat, Al-Awjam, Dammam, Khaweldiyah, Ahsa, Umm Al-Hamam and Al-Qara on the blissful occasion of Mauled, or the birth anniversary of Amir ul’ Mominin Al-Imam Ali ben Abi Taleb (a.s.) on Monday 13 Rajab, 30 August.

All the streets, houses, buildings, hussainiyat, mosques and city gateways were beautifully decorated with colorful shiny ribbons, buntings, artistic tablets and banners inscribed with greetings marking the occasion.

Mominin, or the believers, including young and old thronged festive gatherings held at mosques and hussainiyat to extend their hearty greetings to the holy family of Prophet Muhammad ben Abdullah (s.w.). Speakers threw light on the pious life of Ali (a.s.) in their addresses while eulogists recited eulogies in the respected court of Sayyed Al-Awsiyaa (a.s.) and thus paid rich homage to Imam Al-Mottakin (a.s.).

Sweets, Sweetmeat, cakes and drinks were distributed; feasts and banquets were arranged; people wore new dresses, greeted each other through cards, mobile calls, and e-mails.

The programs that include galas, festivals, seminars, poetic gatherings and parties began on 11 Rajab and ended on 14 Rajab.

These programs were held at various mosques and hussainiyat including hussainiyah late Alhag Al Mulla Hasan An-Nasser Al-Awjam, Al Abbas Mosque Ar-Rabi’yah, hussainiyah As-Sanan, Al Imam Zeinol Abidin Mosque Sehat where Abdel Basset opened the celebration while Ustaz Mansur Al-Jawad and Sheikh Mostapha Al-Moslem addressed and Ustaz Munir Aal Ibrahim as well as little reciters Ali Al Gharib and Sayyed Muhammad As-Sehaty recited eulogies, and hussainiyah Al Haidariyah Al Imran where Sheikh Hasan An-Namr and sheikh ‘Adil Ali addressed while poet Sadeq Al Hasan recited Qasida followed by recitation of holy Quran by Ali Al-Hamadan.

The gatherings demanded immediate withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from Iraq condemning desecration of holy shrine of Al-Imam Ali (a.s.).

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