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Commemorative ceremony honors Hazrat Ruqayyah in Mashhad
On the eve of the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein’s daughter, Hazrat Ruqayyah, a spiritual gathering was held on Tuesday night, July 30, in Akhavan Saales Street, in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad.
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IRIU mobilizes Arbaeen service team at Shalamcheh border
Imam Reza International University runs a joint initiative with Basra University to support Arbaeen pilgrims with accommodation, health, and cultural programs.
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AQR library delegation, Imam Reza Institute hold joint dialogue
Key managers of the Organization of Libraries, Museums, and Documents Center of Astan Quds Razavi and Imam Reza Manuscript Institute discuss potential collaboration on rare manuscript initiatives in Qom.
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Permission ceremony launches Arbaeen service mission from Imam Reza Shrine
Municipal workers, shrine servants, and city officials gather in Mashhad, northeast Iran, for symbolic send-off to Karbala.
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Mashhad city servants receive Imam Reza’s blessing for Arbaeen journey
In a spiritual ceremony held at Imam Reza Shrine, municipal workers from Mashhad gathered to seek permission from the 8th Shia Imam to serve pilgrims of Imam Hussein during Arbaeen ritual. The event featured speeches by shrine official Mohsen Davari and Mashhad mayor Mohammadreza Ghalandar Sharif, and marked 'Permission Ceremony' - a symbolic beginning of their service mission to Iraq.
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Healing, sanctity explored as global experience from ritual to faith
Arizona scholar examines shamanic traditions, sacred journeys, and biopsychological dimensions of pilgrimage in a webinar held under the auspices of the Islamic Research Foundation of Astan Quds Razavi (AQR).
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Persian language refresher course for Uzbek professors held at IRIU
The Persian language refresher course for Uzbek professors was held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Imam Reza International University (IRIU) in Mashhad, northeast Iran.
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Persian language course revives cultural ties, shared identity of Iran, Uzbekistan
Intensive training program in the shrine city of Mashhad, northeast Iran, aims to deepen linguistic, academic, and civilizational bonds between two neighboring nations.
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Persian language, bridge of scholarly ties between Iran, Uzbekistan
Head of Uzbek international cultural foundation calls Persian language a gateway to deeper academic and cultural dialogue.
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Islamic Research Foundation, Interfaith Institute sign cooperation agreement
An MoU, singed by Islamic Research Foundation, affiliated to Astan Quds Razavi (AQR) and International Foundation for Honoring Religions and Denominations from Turkey, aims to promote joint religious studies and cultural dialogue focused on Anatolia and sacred sites.
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Beneficial knowledge, self-purification key to transformation of Humanities: Custodian
Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi calls for deeper integration of spirituality in academic training of seminary students.
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Leader’s strategic mastery reshapes war outcome, humiliates enemy: Custodian
The Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi (AQR), Ayat. Ahmad Marvi, says wise and courageous Islamic leadership turned the tide of 12-day war in Iran’s favor, forcing enemy to seek ceasefire.
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Persian language refresher course launched for Uzbek professors
Imam Reza International University (IRIU) hosts intensive training course to strengthen cultural and academic ties between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Uzbekistan.
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Pilgrimage webinar explores healing, sanctity with Arizona scholar
The 12th session in global series to examine spiritual dimensions of pilgrimage through interdisciplinary lens was held on Thursday, July 24.
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New museum of Imam Reza set to expand cultural space in shrine complex
Construction of a new museum in Imam Reza Shrine progresses in the southern edge of the complex to house major cultural facilities and ease access for pilgrims and visitors.
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AQR calls for revival of Sahifa Sajjadiya
Religious scholars have gathered in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad to urge collective action to promote Imam Sajjad’s supplications, Sahifa Sajjadiya, as a foundation for Islamic civilization.
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Mourning ceremony for Imam Sajjad held at Dar al-Elm School
The night of Imam Sajjad’s martyrdom was commemorated with a mourning ceremony at Dar al-Elm School in Imam Reza Shrine. The event featured a speech by Ayat. Seyyed Mohammad-Mehdi Mirbagheri, head of the Islamic Sciences Academy in Qom and member of the Assembly of Experts. Held on the evening of July 22, the event brought together scholars and pilgrims in remembrance of the 4th Shia Imam.
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Croatian scholar hosts pilgrimage methodology webinar
A virtual session explores multidisciplinary approaches to sacred travel or pilgrimage, highlighting the evolving role of technology, personal experience, and cultural context.
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Afghan migrant mourning groups gather at Imam Reza Shrine
On Tuesday night, July 8, mourning ceremonies were held by several Afghan migrant religious groups in Kowsar Courtyard of Imam Reza Shrine. The event marked the 13th night of Muharram, first month on the Islamic lunar calendar, and brought together pilgrims in remembrance of Imam Hussein’s martyrdom.
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Musa ibn Jafar mourning group gathers at Imam Reza Shrine
Mourning for Imam Hussein knows no age—young and old come together to play their part in keeping the remembrance alive. After thirteen nights of elegies and supplication, Afghan mourners from the Musa ibn Jafar group, out of reverence and in honor of their proximity to Imam Reza, arrive seeking the gracious Imam’s seal of acceptance for their devotion.
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Qajar-era Muharram rituals in rare English travelogues at AQR’s library
Two 19th-century British accounts, kept at the library of Astan Quds Razavi, highlight the emotional depth and social reach of Iranian mourning traditions for Muharram during Qajar dynasty.
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Imam Reza Shrine holds Shaam-e Ghariban ritual
Spiritual ceremony of Imam Hossein’s (AS) Shaam-e Ghariban (literally translated as Evening of Strangers) was held in Imam Reza Shrine having Ayatollah Ahmad Marvi, Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi (AQR), and a number of provincial and national officials in attendance.
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Ashura Maqtal Khani ritual held at Imam Reza Shrine
Ashura’s traditional ritual of Maqtal Khani was held by Ayatollah Seyyed Ahmad Alamolhoda, Leader’s representative in Khorasan Razavi province, in Imam Reza Shrine on the tenth day of Muharram.
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Benefactors donate rosewater for Tasua, Ashura rituals
To mark the mourning days of Tasua and Ashura, a group of benefactors donated 1,500 kilograms of pure Kashan rosewater for perfuming the courtyards of Imam Reza Shrine. The fragrant offering was used to scent the sacred spaces during the peak of mourning ceremonies, enhancing the spiritual atmosphere for the thousands of pilgrims gathered to commemorate the sacrifices of Karbala.
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Ashura night sermon held at Imam Reza shrine
On Saturday night, July 5, 2025, the traditional Ashura night sermon – traditional Khotbeh Khani recitation ceremony – was held in Prophet’s Courtyard of Imam Reza shrine. The ceremony was attended by Ayat. Ahmad Marvi, the Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, along with shrine servants and pilgrims. As part of this long-standing ritual, participants gathered to recite the special sermon of Ashura night, honoring the martyrdom of Imam Hussein and his companions.
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Imam Reza Shrine holds Tasua mourning ritual
On Saturday, July 5, 2025, mourning ceremonies for Tasua were held throughout Imam Reza Shrine with pilgrims and devotees in attendance. One of the key processions was led by the Alem Al-e-Muhammad group, which began at Bab al-Kazem and moved toward Goharshad Courtyard. Pilgrims and shrine servants joined in collective mourning, reciting elegies and paying tribute to Hazrat Abbas, the flag-bearer of Karbala. The sacred spaces of the shrine echoed with sorrowful chants as black banners and devotional rituals marked the solemn occasion.
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Iranian nation defeats enemy by following Imam Hussein’s path of resistance: Custodian
The Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi (AQR) says Iran’s victory over the Zionist regime stems from emulating Imam Hussein’s steadfastness.
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Tasua night atmosphere fills Imam Reza Shrine
On Friday evening, July 4, Imam Khomeini Portico of Imam Reza Shrine hosted the Tasua night mourning ceremony. The event featured a sermon by Ayat. Rashed Yazdi, drawing pilgrims into a night of spiritual reflection and remembrance for Hazrat Abbas (Imam Hussein’s brother) and the sacrifices of Karbala.
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Afghan Muslims hold mourning ceremony at Imam Reza Hussainiya
Large number of Shia Muslims from Afghanistan hold their traditional mourning ceremonies at the Hussainiya of Imam Reza Shrine coinciding with eighth night of Muharram on Thursday, July 3.
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Tasua night mourning held at Imam Reza Hussainiya
Tasua night mourning ceremony was held on Friday evening, July 4, at the Hussainiya of Imam Reza Shrine, featuring a sermon by Hoj. Mohsen Kazerooni.