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Preparations finalized to mark Eid Al-Ghadir in Saudi Arabia

By: Abdulali

AL-QATEEF, Saudi Arabia: Preparations have been finalized in Saudi Arabia, particularly in its eastern parts, to celebrate the Eid Al-Ghadir, or the Feast of Ghadir, that falls on 18th Dhul-Hijjah, and renew the oath of allegiance to Master of Believers Al-Imam Ali b. Abi Taleb (p).

Various organizations, committees, societies and missions have made arrangements to hold festive gatherings, poetry nights, galas and festivals at mosques, husseiniyaat and ma’tam. Streets, buildings, mosques and husseiniyaat will also be decorated with lights, shiny colorful buntings and banners inscribed with greetings to believers marking the Eid Al-Ghadir.

Eid Al-Ghadir marks the day when after completing his last pilgrimage (Hajjatol-Widaa), the holy Prophet (p) while leaving Mecca for Medina reached to a place called Ghadir Khum (which is close to today's Juhfah). In this place, this verse of holy Quran was revealed: "O Apostle! Deliver what has been sent down to you from your Lord; and if you don't do it, you have not delivered His message (at all); and Allah will protect you from the people ..." (Quran 5:67). Upon receiving the verse, the Prophet (P) stopped on that place (the pond of Khum) which was extremely hot. Then he sent for all people who have been ahead in the way, to come back and waited until all pilgrims who fell behind, arrived and gathered.

Then the Messenger of Allah addressed to the pilgrims: "Do I not have more right over the believers than what they have over themselves?" People cried and answered: "Yes, O' Messenger of God." Then Prophet (P) held up the hand of Ali and said: "Whoever I am his master (Mawla), Ali is his master (Mawla). O' God, love those who love him, and be hostile to those who are hostile to him."

Marking the auspicious occasion, an annual festive meeting will be held at husseiniyah Al-Hojjah in Al-Mabraz, Ahsaa on Saturday night 18 Dhul-Hijjah, 29 January. Sheikh Abdul Jalil As-Samin and renowned speaker Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ghadir will address while Al-Ostaz Najy Dawoud Al-Herz, Al-Ostaz Hussein Al-Mobarak, As-Safinah As-Sajjadiyah group and Ashbal Al-Mahdiyah Al-Welaiyah group will recite poetry and eulogies.

A program to mark the occasion is scheduled to be held at husseiniyah As-Sayyed Al-Khoei in Sanabas on 18 Dhul-Hijjaah. Sheikh Mohsen Al-Moallem, Husseini chanter Al-Haj Abou Ali Ashour and Al-Imam Al-Hojjah (p) group will pay tributes in the respected court of Al-Imam Ali (p).

A poetry evening and a festival titled “festival of Al-Ghadir” will be held on Friday-Saturday nights, 17-18 Dhul-Hijjah, 28-29 January in Al-Motrafi, Al-Ahsaa. Renowned poets including Hussein Al-Aboud, Abou Karrar Al-Ahsayi and Ali An-Nahvy will attend. Sheikh Ja’far An-Namr will attend the festival.

A festival “Kaffok Ya Ali” will held at husseiniyah An-Nasser in Sehat on Saturday night organized by different committees.

A grand festival will held on Saturday night, 18 Dhul-Hijjah, 28 January at Al-Imam Al-Baqir (p) Mosque in Safwa city. Sayyed Hemzah Abdul-Mottaleb Al-Hasan will attend.

Second annual Ghadir poetic festival was organized at Ar-Rasol Al-Azam (p) Mosque in Al-Awamiyah on 26 January. Those who attended the program included Sheikh Said Abou Al-Makarem (Al-Awamiyah), Sheikh Abdul Karim Al-Zara (Tarout), Al-Ostaz Aqel Al-Lawaty (Kingdom of Oman), Al-Ostaz Bassem Al-Athyan (Al-Ahsaa), Al-Ostaz Zaky As-Salem (Al-Ahsaa), Al-Ostaz Badr Ash-Shabib (Omm Al-Hamam), Al-Ostaz Abdullah Al-Aqzam (Al-Qateef), Al-Ostaz Yasser Al-Gharib, Al-Ostaz Sameer Al-Moslim (Safwa) and Al-Ostaz Muhammad Abdullah (Al-Awamiyah).

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