Speaking in the opening ceremony, chief director of Imam Reza shrine, Mostafa Feizi, noted that the shrine is the point of convergence for all the lovers of Prophet Muhammad’s Infallible Household. “Imam Reza shrine hosts some 30 million Iranian and non-Iranian pilgrims yearly, and it’s our duty to provide decent services for them”, said Feizi.

Stressing that the deputy office is one of the sections responsible for serving pilgrims from West and Central Asia, etc. he added: “On the occasion of Hazrat Masoumeh’s birth anniversary and Karamat ten-day celebrations, we’ve decided to run this cultural and artistic event in a bid to display the ethos of Prophet Muhammad’s Infallible Household”.

The chief director of shrine further talked about the works on display in the exhibition, stating that “these artistic works indicate the unwavering love of the artists for Prophet Muhammad’s Infallible Household. The concepts presented in each work of art refer to a big incident according to the Holy Quran and Islamic anecdotes”.

Calling the holy shrines in Iran, Iraq and Syria blessings that safeguard human integrity and morality, especially at a time of moral decadence in the world, Feizi maintained: “Benefiting from arts, communication, and morality could be best guaranteed via religion, which can spread the teachings of our Infallible Imams”.

Elsewhere in the ceremony, Hoj. Seyyed Mohammad Zolfaghari, head of the deputy office in charge of international pilgrims’ affairs, called Imam Reza shrine the best in its kind due to the rich Iranian-Islamic history, saying: “The ‘Sanctuary of Velayat’ exhibition has been underway in Dar al-Rahmah Portico since 21 May, and will be hosting pilgrims and artists for 10 days”.

Some 150 works of art by Muslim artists from Kuwait, Bahrain, Sweden, etc. have been put on display in the event.