Haidari shrine reopens on Imam Al-Mehdi (p) birth anniversary

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: Doors of the holy shrine of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (peace be upon him) in the holy city of Najaf reopened on Thursday to the public for the first time since a peace deal in August ended three weeks of fighting between US forces and Moqtada As-Sadr’s militia.

The reopening of the holy shrine came on the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of Imam of the Era, Al-Imam Muhammad bin Hassan Al-Hujjah Al-Mehdi (peace be upon him), the 12th infallible descendant of holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his pure progeny).

“Haidari Shrine has been reopened,” Vice Governor of Holy Najaf Talal Bilal told reporters.

The reopening ceremony was held in the presence of a representative of Ayatullah Sayyed Ali As-Sistani and Najaf’s vice governor.

As the Shrine opened, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and devotees entered extending their profound greetings to Abul A’immah (Father of the 11 Imams from the progeny of Holy Prophet, peace be upon him and his pure progeny) Al-Imam Ali (peace be upon him) on the birth anniversary of Imam Al-Hujjah (peace be upon him).

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