Speaking in a news briefing, Reza Khorakian explained the special mourning ceremonies, cultural and promotional programs in the shrine during the first 10 days of Muharram.
“This year’s slogan for Muharram and Safar is ‘World’s Freedom-seekers are in Hussain’s Camp’”, said he.
Stressing that Muharram programs in the shrine coincided with some events and incidents this year such as presidential election, Gowharshad incident, Hijab and Chastity week, and Israel’s brutal attacks on Gaza, he added: “The ritual of ‘Mourning Permission’ got underway last night and the golden dome and courtyards have been all covered in black, preparing the shrine for mourning ceremonies in Enghelab Courtyard during the first 10 days of Muharram”.
Granting Imam Reza shrine’s flag to some 80 mourning processions in Iran and countries like India and Pakistan, decorating courtyards with flowers, gearing up audio facilities for mourning ceremonies in the shrine are among preparations for Muharram.
Talking about the food distributed by pilgrims as vows around the shrine, Khorakian state: “Some 11 endowments and vows Mu’kibs have been set up by the public throughout the shrine to serve pilgrims, and based on estimations, some 6 million pilgrims will have been served by the end of Ashura (10th day of Muharram)”.
Also, the shrine’s guesthouses will serve some 15,000 people for each daily meal, seeing a two-fold increase for Muharram.
The shrine’s husainiyya will also host mourning processions from across Iran, that is, mourners from one province will gather in Quds Courtyard and mourn.
Meanwhile, the official programs of the shrine will be underway in Imam Khomeini Portico.
A special Ashura program for young adults and kids will also get underway in Imam Khomeini Portico on July 15 (the 9th of Muharram).
Khorakian estimated that some 41 different programs have been designed in the shrine for Muharram.
Some 9,000 voluntary servants in the shrine are ready to serve millions of pilgrims, especially during Tasua and Ashura (9th and 10th of Muharram).