Deputy custodian of the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) in the Iran's northeastern city of Mashhad announced that three million pilgrims have been accommodated in the city during the birth anniversary of the eighth Shia Imam.

Malek Rahmati appreciated endeavors of all servants of the holy shrine to provide a decent welcome for the pilgrims during the celebration days (June 1-11) following two years of COVID-related restrictions.
 
Pilgrims across the globe mark the ten days between the birth anniversary of Hazrat Masoumeh (AS), sister of Imam Reza (AS) and the eighth Shia Imam also known as the ten days of Keramat (dignity).
 
Rahmati enumerated some of the holy shrine programs during the period such as cherishing pilgrims, caring for the underprivileged, sending 70 ‘In the Shade of Sun’ convoys across the country, holding scientific meetings and inter-faith dialogues and also providing thousands of pilgrims with daily food packages.

The deputy custodian also reported on the evolutionary measures undertaken in the holy shrine over the past two years, which included revising the holy shrine macro policies, expanding the network for virtual pilgrimage during the pandemic as well as restoring some monuments in the holy shrine.

He further referred to economic pilgrimage as one of the missions of the holy shrine: “The mission is centered on 5 axes of accommodation, transportation, food, souvenirs, and thoughtful pilgrimage”.

Further in his remarks, Rahmati talked about the holy shrine special attention to knowledge-based programs. “This has been on the agenda for the past couple of years; however, given the emphasis by the Leader naming this year ‘Production; Knowledge-based, and Job-creating’, the holy shrine will implement it with full force”, said the official.

He also explained that the Endowment Beneficiary Foundation was formed in line with resistance economy guidelines, stressing that the holy shrine had never been competing with the private sector, and would only operate in areas seen undesirable by the private sector such as agriculture, medicine and health. 

Rahmati concluded his remarks by referring to social activities of the holy shrine including 900 employment schemes in different provinces, allocating 5,000 m2 and 3,000 m2 of endowed properties for sports and education purposes respectively.