HOLY NAJAF, Iraq: Tens of thousands of devotees of Ahl-ol Beit (p) gathered at the holy shrines in the holy cities of Najaf, Karbala, Kadhemiyah and Samara to celebrate the auspicious occasion of anniversary of birth of Maula Al-Mowah’hideen Imam-ol Mottaqeen Al-Imam Ali Al-Mortadha (p), holy Prophet Muhammad bin Abdullah (p)’s son-in-aw, cousin and first infallible successor.

Magnificent spiritual gatherings were witnessed across the holy city of Najaf which houses the sacred mausoleum of Ameir-ol Mo’mineen Ali (p) who was born in the House of Allah – Holy Kabah – in the holy city f Makkah. The holy shrine was beautifully decorated with colorful lights and fresh flowers to mark the happy occasion.

Holy city of Karbala – home to the holy shrines of Chief of Martyrs Al-Imam Al-Hussein bin Ali (p) and his brother Abul Fadhl Al-Abbas (p) – also saw spiritual celebratory programs. Main festive programs were held at the brilliantly adorned holy shrines. Throngs of devotees spent 13 Rajab night in prayers, supplications and zeyarah at the holy shrines. They condemned terrorism and prayed for supremacy of Islamic World.

A festival was organized at Al-Imam Al-Hasan (p) auditorium attended by religious, political and social figures besides multitudes of followers of Ahl-ol Beit (p).  Quran-reciter Alhaj Mostafa As-Sarraf recited Quranic verses, Sheikh Ali ash-Shaweli and Sayyed Mehdi Ash-Shirazi addressed while Ashbal Al-Mortadha recited eulogies written by poets Alhaj Kadhim Manzor Al-Karbalayi, Alhan Ali Al-Manzor Al-Karbalayi, Haidar As-Salami and Jaber Al-Kadhemi in the respected court of Al-Imam Ali Al-Mortadha (p). Sweetmeats were served in celebration of the august occasion.

Holy Mausoleums Administration Committee arranged a mass gathering at the place that lays between the two holy shrines of Holy Karbala. Abdul Karim opened the ceremony with Quran recitation followed by Sayyed Haidar Al-Karbalayi’s speech. Later, poets namely Taher Al-Maryi, Ghassan Al-Qureshi, Nazzar Al-Hasnawi, Adnan Al-Mousavi and many others offered poetic tributes to Waleed-ol Kabah Ali Al-Mortadha (P).

In Al-Kadhemiyah, central celebration to mark the happy occasion was held at the Al-Imam Al-Jawwadayn shrine that was attended by representatives of Maraje, clerics, politicians, and social and intellect personalities.

Special foods were cooked in giant pots to facilitate the guests of Al-Imam Ali (p) in all holy cities that were filled with happiness and cheerfulness. Big banners inscribed with statements of greetings to the holy Prophet (p) and Al-Imam Al-Mehdi Al-Montazar (p) were hanged at buildings, shrines and walls.