Dar al-Rahmah Portico at the shrine hosted 38 boys and 43 girls, marking their spiritual milestone during the Karamat Ten-Day Celebrations.
Under the auspices of the West Asia Department of the Non-Iranian Pilgrims’ Office, the event provided a moment of happiness for children carrying the burden of displacement.
Young girls, dressed in white floral-patterned chadors (Islamic veil), radiated innocence and joy, their smiles brightening the gathering. Boys, dressed in white garments, symbolized purity and devotion as they embraced their new spiritual journey.
Among the attendees were twin sisters, Fatemeh and Malikeh, who, alongside their family, had come from the Sayyida Zaynab neighborhood in Damascus. Their mother, overwhelmed with emotion, expressed her longing for peace, hoping they could return home and visit the shrines of Hazrat Zaynab and Hazrat Ruqayyah.
Another young attendee, Ayah, gazed at pink balloons decorating the venue, recalling the street vendors selling balloons near Sayyida Zaynab shrine. She shared how the ceremony taught her the importance of prayer and fasting, a lesson she holds close as she dreams of returning to her homeland.
Among the boys, Mahmoud Omran reflected on his time in Iran. Having made friends with Mohammad Hassan, he expressed gratitude for Imam Reza and prayed for an end to the conflict that had displaced his family.
As the celebration continued, the children’s laughter intensified, providing a rare moment of joy for their weary parents. They prayed that, with the defeat of extremist forces, their children would one day rejoice in their own homes, free from sorrow.