Imam Hassan (p) b-day programs kick off in Iraq

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: Programs to mark the happy occasion of the birth anniversary of the first grandson of the holy Prophet Muhammad (p), Al-Imam Al-Hassan bin Ali bin Abi Talib Al-Mojtaba Az-Zaki (p), began on 11 Ramadan, 26 Oct, Tuesday in the City of Imam Ali Al-Mortaza (p) – Holy Najaf.

Four-day (11-14 Ramadan) first cultural religious season programs of Al-Hikmah Foundation for Islamic Culture started in Al-Hindi Mosque under the auspices of the office of Grand Marjay Ayatullah Sayyed Mohammad Said Al-Hakim.

Al-Hindi Mosque is the oldest mosque. Its foundation was laid by a personality whose Tahajjud prayer was not even went qaza. Series of daroos continue all the time in this mosque. In 1960s, Zohrain (noon) prayers therein were led by Grand Marjay of Shiite World Ayatullah Sayyed Mohsin Al-Hakim (late) while Maghrebain (evening) prayers were led by Grand Ayatullah Sayyed Mahmoud Al-Husseini Ash-Shahroudi (late). He was used to deliver dars-e-kharij therein. Ayatullah Al-Hakim library is situated in the same mosque while his grave is also housed therein.

A gathering was held on 11 Ramadan night attended by flocks of devotees. The program opened with recitation of holy Quranic verses followed by a speech of Hojja-tol Islam Sayyed Mohammad Ali Bahr-ol-Uloum on the holy life of Al-Imam Al-Hassan.

As-Saheb (the last Imam, p) Mosque in Al-Ishtaraki area, in Holy Najaf holds religious programs marking the month of Ramadan. After iftar, daily lecture is delivered therein at 8:00 PM followed by Ramadan competition attended by people from all walks of life.

Center of Specialization Studies in Al-Imam Al-Mehdi (p) has announced a writing competition about Al-Imam Al-Hasan Al-Mojtaba (p), and allocated prizes for best writings.

It has been a practice in Iraq, particularly in Holy Najaf, that throngs visit the holy Shrine of Chief of Martyrs Al-Imam Al-Hussein bin Ali bin Abi Talib (p) in Holy Karbala on Friday nights especially during the holy month of Ramadan as well as in Nights of Qadr and the night of the birth anniversary of Al-Imam Al-Hassan bin Ali bin Abi Talib on 15 Ramadan. The holy shrine is crammed with devotees on these occasions.

Meanwhile, special religious gatherings marking the holy fasting month of Ramadan were continued in the holy cities of Najaf, Karbala, Kazemiyah and Samara attended by throngs of devotees.

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