Stating that the issue of pilgrimage is not merely a religious matter but a strategic and national issue, Feizi said: “In cooperation with various organizations, Astan Quds Razavi is designing the roadmap for national pilgrimage document so that transportation, accommodation, services, and guidance of pilgrims are organized in an integrated and smart manner”.
Referring to the emphasis of Ayatollah Khamenei on development of cultural and social programs of Astan Quds Razavi, he said: “We are striving to deepen spirituality, provide services, and achieve cultural justice, not only within the sacred premises but throughout the country”.
Speaking in the same meeting, Khorakian, senior manager of the holy shrine, announced readiness of the complex to host pilgrims. “During this year's Karamat celebrations, 32 service centers have been established at the shrine and across Mashhad, fully prepared to host more than 4 million pilgrims”.
“About 200 thousand copies of cultural and religious products related to Razavi lifestyle, pilgrimage, religious way of life, Nahj al-Balagha, and memories of service martyrs have been produced for distribution among pilgrims”, Khorakian added.
According to him, the holy shrine has been specially decorated with flowers to provide all the visitors with a beautiful and spiritual visual appearance. “Commemoration ceremony for Ayatollah Raeisi will be held on May 7th in the presence of pilgrims and residents of Mashhad in the holy Prophet courtyard of the complex.”
Also in the same meeting with the press, Mohammad Hossein Ostad Agha, CEO of Karamat Razavi Foundation, referred to the activities of his office and said: “One of the major concerns of Astan Quds Razavi is the issue of employment. To that end, about four thousand jobs have been created in rural areas this year”.
Ostad Agha added: “School construction with the help of benefactors and pilgrimage of over 1,600,000 first-time pilgrims to Mashhad are among other achievements of the Foundation”.
Also Abdolhamid Talebi, head of Scientific and Cultural Foundation, said: “Slogan for this year's Karamat celebrations is "Iran of Imam Reza (AS)," and various programs have been planned in this regard”.
He added: “some 300 scientific and cultural programs have been planned in the affiliations of Astan Quds Razavi inside and outside the country this year. One of the most important programs is holding of Imam Reza International Congress”.
Talebi further mentioned dispatch of 65 caravans named "Under the Shade of the Sun" to all parts of the country in over two thousand locations”.