Holy Karbala: B-day of Imam Ali (a.s.) celebrated

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Marking the Birth Anniversary of Amir al-Mo’mineen Al-Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (peace be on him), thousands of devotees descended at the beautifully adorned holy city of Karbala.

Since long, it has been custom here that the holy city of Karbala, which houses the holy shrines of Imam Al-Husayn bin Ali bin Abi Talib and Hazrat Abbas bin Ali bin Abi Talib (peace be on them), is bedecked on the occasion of 13 Rajab that marks the birth anniversary of Father of A’immah Al-Imam Ali (peace be on him) while the holy City of Imam Ali – Holy Najaf – is decorated in the beginning of Sha’ban in connection with the birth anniversaries of Imam Al-Husayn and Hazrat Abbas (peace be on them).

During Saddam regime for decades, followers of Ahlul Bait (peace be on them) were not free to observe openly days of progeny of Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him & his pure progeny).

At the two holy mausoleums of Al-Husayn and Al-Abbas (peace be on them), grand celebrations kicked off on the eve of 13 Rajab, Sunday, 29 August that concluded on 13 Rajab, Monday, 30 August. Throughout the sacred and auspicious night, believers continued praying and reciting ziyarah as well as eulogies. People wore new dresses, perfumed themselves, greeted each other, and distributed candies and sweetmeat to mark the fragrant occasion.

Seminars, celebrations and festivals were also held near the shrines, at different mosques, religious institutions and husayniyaat which absorbed multitudes of lovers of holy Prophet Progeny (peace be on them) as eulogists continued scenting the festivities by reciting eulogies in praise of Ali Al-Murtaza (peace be on him).

The divan of the Shia endowment organized its special celebration on this occasion at the law faculty of Karbala university under the slogan “Birth of Imam the Emir of the Believers (peace be on him), a renewed civilized radiation by the meaning of freedom, justice and humanity”. Hundreds of religious, political, cultural and intellectual personalities were invited to attend this distinguished celebration during which rich homage was paid to Sayyed Al-Waseeyeen Ali Imam Ali (peace be on him) through speeches, lectures, poems and eulogies.

A huge festival was held under the auspices of Ayatullah Sayyed Muhammad Taqi Al-Modarresi beside the Sacred Husayni Shrine in the great Al-Imam Al-Husayn mosque scented with enlightened speeches on the importance of the day as well as Qasaed by renowned eulogists in the respected court of cousin and son-in-law of holy Prophet (peace be on him & his pure progeny), Al-Imam Ali (peace be on him).

Security was tightened for the safety of the visitors coming to the holy city from across the country.

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