‘Haider Haider…’ Joy overflows Iraqis on Ghadir Day

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: Hundreds of thousands of devotees on Tuesday converged on the holy city of Najaf that houses the holy shrine of Commander of Faithful and the first successor of holy Prophet Al-Imam Ali ibn-e-Abi Taleb (as) for the Ghadir festival.

Flocks in groups and caravans from across Iraq and different parts of the world traveled to the holy city to participate in the grand festival celebrations.

They had converged on Najaf the day before -- many of them traveling to the holy city on foot, for Ghadir -- a festival characterized by joy and exempt from the pain.

Along the road to Najaf, residents offered food and drinks to the pilgrims, waving red, white, green and pink banners.

“Our tables and our homes are open to them,” said Kazem Abbas, a long-time resident of Kifl district, some 30 kilometers (18 miles) outside Najaf. “We've been doing this for more than 40 years, but during the Saddam era, we had to hide it,” he said.

The feast of Ghadir marks Prophet Muhammad (sw)'s appointment of his cousin and son-in-law Imam Ali (as) as his successor by saying raising the hand of Ali (as) on the 18th of Zil-Hajj (1410 AH) at the Pond of Ghadir on his return from his last pilgrimage which is known in history as ‘Hajjat-ul-Wida' in front of over 120,000 Muslims “Ali is the master of all those of whom I am master. O Allah! Befriend every friend of his and be the enemy of every enemy of his.”

The holy mausoleum was beautifully decorated with colorful buntings and ribbons as well as well illuminated. Happiness, Joy, cheers and laughs overflowed the holy city.

“Haidar, Haidar, it's the day of allegiance,” marchers chanted as they passed the streets of Najaf. Residents distributed candies, lit firecrackers and sprayed perfumed water on passers-by.

Police deployment was relatively light.

After midday prayers, the faithful recited the Ghadir invocation -- the text of which was available in the area for 50 dinars -- and then slowly spread out through the streets of Najaf to create a giant fairgrounds atmosphere.

END