The holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS), eighth Shia Imam, in Iran’s northeastern city of Mashhad commemorated the Day of Arafah and Eid al-Adha ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday.

Hosting thousands of pilgrims from Iran and many other countries, Imam Reza holy shrine has held special ceremonies of Arafah day and momentous religious occasion of Eid al-Adha on 9th and 10th of July respectively.

The special ceremony of day of Arafah kicked off on Saturday afternoon, July 9 by religious lecture of Hujjat-ul-Islam Seyyed Hossein Momeni in Imam Khomeini portico of Imam Reza holy shrine. The ceremony was continued by Seyyed Mahdi Mirdamad’s recitation of Arafah prayer. 

Arafah prayer is annually held in Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia’s Mecca, where Hajj pilgrims stay a day before Eid al-Adha for ritual in Mina. People in Iran commemorated the holy day on July 9 this year. 

Also, special programs of Eid al-Adha began on Sunday morning by congregational prayer of the Eid in holy shrine’s Imam Khomeini portico. The special collective prayer was led by Ayatollah Alamolhoda, interim Friday prayer leader of Mashhad.

The keynote lecturer of the day of Eid al-Adha was Hujjat-ul-Islam Mohammad Hossein Rajaei Khorasani; panegyrists of the ceremony were a number of famous Iranian panegyrists as well.  

Muslims traditionally celebrate Eid al-Adha as one of the most noteworthy religious festivities with the sacrifice of animals such as sheep, rams, goats and cattle and offer votive food to the poor and their fellow Muslims.

Courtyards and porticos of Imam Reza holy shrine had previously been decorated with colorful flags and flowers and all the ceremonies were in compliance with health protocols of Coronavirus. Almost all arriving pilgrims and visitors of the complex were served by free packages of food and snacks.