Under the auspices of the Deputy Office for Non-Iranian Pilgrims’ Affairs, a special event welcomed pilgrimage caravans from the Republic of Azerbaijan and Turkey at Bab al-Reza entrance.
Hoj. Altay Sultanov opened the gathering with a special prayer (Edhn al-Dukhul), which refers to the recitation or supplication made before entering a sacred site in Islamic rituals, and a speech on the etiquette of pilgrimage, emphasizing the spiritual significance of presence at Imam Reza shrine.
A poet enriched the atmosphere with eulogies, followed by the recitation of Imam Reza prayer, deepening the pilgrims’ connection to the sacred space.
Jamal Gubadov, an expert in shrine studies, provided insights into the history and architectural significance of Imam Reza shrine, complemented by visual presentations showcasing its spiritual grandeur.
In a dedicated session, religious scholar Ms. Sadeqi addressed Azeri-speaking women’s inquiries on Islamic rulings. The ceremony concluded with the distribution of cultural materials and blessed souvenirs to pilgrims.
On the sidelines of the celebrations, the Azerbaijani choir “Günəş Yolu” performed an anthem, marking the occasion with artistic devotion.
The six-member choir, composed of children of Azerbaijani seminary students, trained under Ms. Mahmoudi’s supervision, delivering live and recorded performances.
Since the beginning of Karamat Ten-Day Clebrations (the period between the birth anniversaries of Hazrat Masumah and Imam Reza), they have performed daily for pilgrimage caravans from Central Asia. Their recorded works, produced in a professional studio, were later broadcast via Azeri-language social media platforms of Astan Quds Razavi and aired on Sahar TV and Velayat TV.
Throughout the celebrations, the choir held two daily performances—morning (9–10 AM) and afternoon (4–5 PM)—across various courtyards of Imam Reza shrine.
This initiative strengthened cultural ties with Azeri-speaking pilgrims while showcasing the artistic talents of the seminary community, receiving widespread appreciation from visitors and media audiences.