According to Zahra Fatemi Moghaddam, head of archives evaluation sector, “Imam Reza shrine guesthouses have some 500 years of history in accommodating pilgrims”.

She added that the guesthouses used to have different names during various periods, saying: “During Safavid and Afsharid periods, they were called ‘Kitchen’, whereas during Qajar era, they were known as ‘Sacred Company’. It was in Pahlavi era that they came to be known as ‘Imam Reza Guesthouses’ ”.

“Documents from Safavid era (1501-1736) indicate that Iftar meals were distributed among pilgrims and servants during the holy month of Ramadan”, continued Fatemi Moghaddam.

The oldest document in the archive dates back to the year 1698.

“Midway through Qajar period, Dawn meal was also added to the accommodating programs of the guesthouses, which was prepared and distributed among pilgrims and servants”, stated she.

The Iftar meal during the Safavid period was only rice and meat; however, it there was more variety during the Qajar era such as rice dishes, bread, cheese, soup, tea, etc.

In a bid to make these historic documents accessible to future generations, the Organization of Libraries, Museums and Documents has digitalized the documents.