Talking about the special programs designed for these ceremonies, Hoj. Mohammad Zolfaghari said: “Karamat ten-day celebrations – from Hazrat Masoumeh’s birth anniversary (21 May) to Imam Reza’s birth anniversary (31 May) – mark ceremonies innovated by Imam Reza shrine to welcome pilgrims each year”.

He added that during this special period, all the sections in shrine would have special programs, and Deputy Office for International Pilgrims Affairs would do its utmost to decently host non-Iranian pilgrims coming to the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad.

He referred to the unveiling of the book ‘In the presence of Imam Reza’ as one of the programs designed for non-Iranian Muslim children, which has been published in four languages of Persian, Arabic, Urdu, and Azeri.

According to Hoj. Zolfaghari: “On the sidelines of Imam Reza International Congress, a preliminary session will be held, and Iranian and non-Iranian speakers will give lectures on ‘Women Justice and Social Presence’”.

“The ‘Ashra Al-Welayah’ exhibition will also get underway in Dar al-Rahmah Portico and artists from Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain and Iran will display their works of calligraphy, painting and graphics”, he added.

Another special program during this period is a coming-of-age ceremony for 150 young Muslim girls from 17 countries who have reached the age of religious responsibility. Also, entertainments for children such as eulogy contests, and choir performances in Arabic, Urdu, and eight other languages will be among other features of the event.