Behnam said: “With respect to the existing spatial limitations we are facing in Imam Reza shrine, final participants of the ceremony will be chosen through a lottery. Names of the selected man and women will be announced on 26th of December”.

He added: “People from Razavi Khorasan, Tehran, and Isfahan occupies first, second, and third positions in terms of number of applicants respectively”.

The deputy for sacred premises of the complex further noted: “Around three thousand and 70 applicants of this year’s Itikaf ceremony were from 21 foreign countries among which Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon, Australia, Azerbaijan, Syria, Nigeria, the US, Canada, Bangladesh, Tanzania, Germany, Philippines, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Kuwait, Netherland, and Honduras can be referred to in order of abundance”.

Pointing to the ground breaking presence of the young people in this ceremony, Behnam stated: “With respect to the spatial limitations of the complex, 1200 persons will have the opportunity of participating in this ceremony. This capacity is divided among men and women participants equally”.

He concluded: “10 percent of the capacity will be given to foreign pilgrims, 10 percent to people from provinces other than Razavi Korasan and 10 percent to those who have participated in the same ceremony in last three years. The remaining 70 percent of the capacity will be allocated to others”.