HOLY NAJAF, Iraq: Hundreds of thousands of devotees observed the auspicious occasion of Mab’ath and Me’raj at the holy shrine of Amir Al-Mo’minin Al-Imam Ali (AS) in the holy city of Najaf amid stiff security.

Since long it has been a practice that devotees from across the country flock to the Haydari shrine to offer him greetings marking the happy occasion.

Special arrangements were made for the devotees.

Food was cooked in giant pots on the streets to serve the guests of Al-Imam Ali (AS) on Mab’ath and Me’raj.

Rajab 27 is day of great happiness, the Day of Feast, known as Mab’ath An-Nabawi (Holy Prophet Muhammad’s, peace be upon him and his progeny, official appointment to the Prophetic Mission) and Isra wa Al-Me’raj (The Night Ascension).

It was 27 Rajab 40th year of elephant (610 C.E.), when Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his progeny, was ordered by Allah to declare his Prophethood to the world. At that time he was 40 years old.

Me’raj was also happened on Rajab 27. The Prophet made a special trip (through extraordinary means) from Al-Haram Mosque in Makkah to Al-Aqsa Mosque and then from there to the heavens.