Imam Ali (p) martyrdom anniversary marked in Iraq

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: Tens of thousands of devotees flocked at the holy Shrine of Amir Al-Mo’minin Al-Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (p) in the holy city of Najaf to mark his martyrdom anniversary on 21st of the month of Ramadan.

Devotees began descending at the holy city on the eve of 19 Ramadan, the day when Ibn Moljem (l) struck the holy head of Mawla Al-Mowahhedin, cousin and son-in-law of holy Prophet (p), Al-Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (p), with poisonous sword while he was offering Fajr (dawn) prayer in the Mosque of Kufa in 40 AH.

It has been a practice here in Holy Najaf that the 21st night of Ramadan is commemorated with holding Majales Al-Azaa at the holy shrine, husseiniyaat and mosques.

Speakers addressed and threw light on different aspects of the life of Imam Ali (p), his jihad, his heroic deeds and his help for holy Prophet (p). Then they recited the whole tragedy of his murder.

Elegy-chanters offered poetic homage to the Nasser-i-Rasul, or the Helper of Holy Prophet (p), Al-Imam Ali (p). Latam Ala As-Sador (chest beating) was performed on the great suffering of Holy Prophet (p) and his pure progeny (p).

Meanwhile, delegations coming from different Iraqi cities and towns went to the offices of Al-Marja’iyaat Ad-Diniyah Al-Olya and offered them condolences on the night of 21 Ramadan after offering rituals of Zeyarah.

Special Iftar and Sahour meals were arranged to facilitate the devotees.

Besides Holy Najaf, Martyrdom Anniversary of Imam Ali (p) was observed in all other cities including Holy Karbala, Kazemiyah, Samara, Basra and Baghdad.

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