AQR unveils special programs for Islamic month of Safar
Under ‘Iran of Imam Reza’ slogan
The activities planned for the final 10 days of Safar, the second month of the Islamic lunar calendar, at Astan Quds Razavi (AQR) are organized into three sections: headquarters operations, cultural support, and artistic and educational programs. They aim to explain the teachings of Imam Reza (PBUH), promote practical adherence to the principle of Velayat-e Faqih, and improve services for pilgrims and residents.
According to the report, a content framework for the final 10 days of Safar has been prepared and communicated to the provincial executive bodies to ensure maximum coordination. Additionally, a special cultural headquarters for this period has commenced its operations. By forming specialized working groups in the fields of propagation, products, scientific-research, and media, this headquarters has taken responsibility for content production, audience analysis, and the integration of information dissemination. The establishment of a specific naming framework for the final 10 days of Safar was also implemented to maintain content and identity cohesion across all programs.
AQR to host Sunni scholars and intellectuals
A symposium for Sunni scholars and intellectuals centered on the theme of the Great Prophet (PBUH) is a key program organized to pursue the sacred axis of unity within the Islamic Ummah.
A collection of cultural and promotional items has been prepared for use in the city, at service tents (mukibs), and in accommodation centers. Furthermore, special cultural packages have been arranged for hotels, railways, and airports to ensure the thematic message of these days is conveyed from the moment pilgrims arrive in Mashhad, northeast Iran. The production of audio-visual packages and the design of exclusive posters for the final 10 days of Safar are among the other measures taken by this organization to strengthen the spiritual atmosphere of the service tents and accommodation centers.
The walkway of the late Ayat. Vaez Tabasi has been designed as the “Amin Narrative” cultural and artistic passage. This passage focuses on the perspective of the martyred Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution (may Allah sanctify his soul) regarding the concepts of Imam Reza (PBUH), pilgrimage, and the culture of service, representing his intellectual system through diverse artistic formats. In this section, in addition to explaining the three main concepts of service, pilgrimage, and Imamate, six historical figures related to the life and era of Imam Reza (PBUH) are introduced to the pilgrims.
The Qur’anic program package “Angels of Resistance” has recreated the image of the circle of children surrounding the martyred Leader at the Dar al-Zikr area of Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine. Additionally, three special publications titled “Minaret,” “Naghareh Khaneh,” and “Dar al-Zikr” have been produced for different age groups.
Six plays based on the gifts donated by the martyred Leader to the museum have been produced and will be performed at the Museum of the Leader’s Gifts until late September. Furthermore, the long play “Footsteps of the Sun” in the Quds Hall and the documentary-film “Sayyid Khorasani” behind the Wali al-Asr Portico are among the other artistic programs of this period.
Additionally, the scientific-cultural program “Tireless Fighter” is being broadcast in eight parts as a combined dialogue format on Iran’s national media, and the “Qur’anic Leader” exhibition is welcoming enthusiasts.
From public mourning to martyrdom night sermons
Concurrent with the arrival of the final 10 days of Safar and the heartbreaking passing of the Prophet of Love and Mercy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the martyrdom of his eldest grandson, Imam Hassan (PBUH), and the lonely martyrdom of the Prophet’s kin, Imam Reza (PBUH), various promotional-cultural programs and mourning rituals are being held at the shrine to allow pilgrims to benefit from the blessings of visiting the Imam of Mercy.
‘In Mourning of the Sun’ ritual
Among these programs is the “In Mourning of the Sun” mourning ritual. Starting from the evening of Saturday, August 8, 2026 (corresponding to the 24th of Safar), for five consecutive nights following the evening congregational prayers in the Imam Khomeini Portico of the shrine, this event will host devotees of the Ahl al-Bayt.
‘Razavi Sermon’ ritual
The “Razavi Sermon” mourning and lamentation ritual is another program of the shrine during the final 10 days of Safar. This special program will commence from the evening of Sunday, August 9, 2026 (corresponding to the 25th of Safar), for five consecutive nights at 10:00 p.m. local time in the Grand Imam Khomeini Portico of Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine, hosting pilgrims.
Special mourning ceremony for women
A special mourning ceremony has also been arranged for female pilgrims and residents during these days. Held under the title “Mourning Prophethood and Guardianship,” the ceremony will welcome female pilgrims and residents every day until the end of Safar in two sessions: at 10:20 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. local time in the Najma Khatun Portico of Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine.
The mourning ceremony includes various sections, including lectures and presentations on religious teachings, recitation of prose pieces by adolescent girls, religious poetry, lamentation recitations, and expressions of grief for the Prophet Muhammad’s household.
Children’s mourning ceremony at Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine
The “Children’s Hussainiyeh” special program, aimed at promoting the teachings of the household of Prophet Muhammad (PBUT), is another event planned for the mourning days of the final 10 days of Safar.
During the ceremony, religious concepts, including the conduct of the family of Prophet Muhammad (PBUT) and the etiquette of pilgrimage, are taught to children aged three to 10 through poetry, tales, stories, puppet shows, and other child-oriented activities in a child-friendly environment.
Mourning ceremonies for non-Iranian pilgrims
Special mourning ceremonies for non-Iranian pilgrims during the final 10 days of Safar will be held in two sections for Arabic-speaking and Urdu-speaking pilgrims.
The special program for Arabic-speaking pilgrims will welcome visitors from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates in two daily sessions: after the noon and afternoon prayers in the Dar al-Marhama Portico, and after the sunset and night prayers in the Ghadir Portico of Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine.
The Ghadir Portico of Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine will also host Urdu-speaking pilgrims from India and Pakistan during the final 10 days of Safar. Mourning ceremonies will be held every night after the sunset and night prayers.
The “Gathering of Arabic-Speaking Women,” scheduled for 5 p.m. local time on Wednesday, August 12, and a poetry evening for Urdu-speaking pilgrims, scheduled for Sunday, August 9, after the sunset and night prayers in the Ghadir Portico, are among the main programs for non-Iranian pilgrims at Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine during the final 10 days of Safar.
‘Hussainiyeh of the Shrine’ program
One of the most popular programs during the final 10 days of Safar is the establishment of a Hussainiyeh representing the entire Islamic Republic of Iran at Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine. The Hussainiyeh will be set up in the Quds Courtyard of Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine, where mourning groups from across the country will gather to mourn and express their devotion to the sacred presence of the family of Prophet Muhammad (PBUT).
The Hussainiyeh will welcome religious mourning groups from the provinces of Mazandaran, Hamedan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Golestan, Isfahan, Khorasan Razavi, North Khorasan, South Khorasan, Hormozgan, East Azarbaijan, Bandar Abbas, and other areas in three daily sessions: from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. local time.
‘Threshold of devotion’ program
During the final 10 days of Safar, a special program titled “Threshold of Devotion,” a mourning gathering for various social groups and pilgrimage delegations, will be held every day from 7:30 p.m. local time in the Dar al-Hedayah Portico of the Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine from August 9 to 13.
Series of religious Q&A sessions
During the mourning days of the final 10 days of Safar, pilgrims and residents of Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine can attend a series of religious question-and-answer (Q&A) sessions every day at 7:40 p.m. local time in the Islamic Republic Courtyard of Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine.
The sessions will address various religious, social, cultural, and pilgrimage-related topics in the presence of religious instructors and experts.
Qur’anic programs at
Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine
Holding Qur’anic gatherings is another program planned for the final 10 days of Safar. One such event is the “Razavi Qur’an Recitation Forum,” which will welcome pilgrims every day at 5 p.m. local time in the Imam Khomeini Portico of Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine.
The Dar al-Hojjah Portico of the Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine will also host the Razavi Qur’an Recitation Forum every night after the sunset and night prayers, with the participation of international Qur’an reciters and memorizers.
A special Qur’anic gathering for adolescents will be held every day two hours before the sunset call to prayer in the Maghsurah Portico of the Goharshad Mosque, welcoming Qur’anic-minded teenagers from Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine.
‘Step by step’ youth service event
The “Step by Step” youth service event will be held at Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine with the participation of 600 female and male teenagers.
From August 8 to 10, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. local time, the teenagers will serve pilgrims in several areas, including sprinkling rosewater, distributing water and sherbet, assisting elderly pilgrims, supervising children’s activities, explaining the meaning of pilgrimage, and reciting pilgrimage texts for visitors.
The boys will serve in the Ghadir Courtyard and Goharshad Mosque, while the girls will serve in the Imam Khomeini Portico and Dar al-Hojjah Portico.
‘Book Reading Podium’ cultural program
The “Book Reading Podium” cultural program, centered on introducing and reading excerpts from the book “Memento,” will be held every day at 5:30 p.m. local time for one hour in the Quds Courtyard of Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine.
During the program, pilgrims and residents will stand behind the podium and read sections of the book. At the end of each session, selected participants will be honored with the presentation of blessed gifts from Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine.
‘Amin’ knowledge campaign
The “Amin” knowledge campaign is also being held at Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine concurrent with the final 10 days of Safar. As part of this campaign, 35 educational flashcards for each participant, totaling 700,000 copies, will be produced and distributed among pilgrims. The content of these flashcards includes stories of Imam Reza (PBUH), narratives from the life of the martyred Leader, selected excerpts from his messages, and passages from the Aminullah Pilgrimage text.
In the field of production and distribution of cultural products, a collection of written works and educational products tailored to different groups of pilgrims is offered at Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine. Additionally, crafts with Razavi themes, including the Naghareh Khaneh, the Saqqakhaneh (public drinking fountain), and service tents, have been prepared for children and adolescents.
‘Elegy of the Sun’ cultural competitions
The “Elegy of the Sun” series of cultural competitions is also held during the final 10 days of Safar with the aim of deepening the pilgrims’ connection with Razavi teachings. These competitions are designed using field and virtual capacities, and different age groups and nationalities can participate in them.
This program includes weekly written competitions, the “Memento” book reading competition focused on the explanation of the letter of Imam Reza (PBUH) to Hazrat Abdul Azim Hasani and held in the Quds Courtyard after the noon prayer, the interactive and challenging competition “Victorious Stranger,” special competitions for children in the children’s portico, special competitions for non-Iranian pilgrims in the Ghadir Courtyard, and text-message competitions concurrent with the mourning ceremonies.
Ten content-based portico murals
In the field of environmental advertising, 10 content-based portico murals will be installed in different areas of Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine. These portico murals are designed using ritual and Razavi poetry, as well as poems by the martyred Leader. Alongside these, special graphic designs will be executed in the main porticos of the shrine and the U-turns leading to the shrine.
A special traffic plan for pilgrims will also be implemented for visiting the tomb of the martyred Leader in the Dar al-Zikr Portico. In this plan, two dedicated paths for men and two paths for women have been designated. Shrine servants will be stationed along the four paths to guide pilgrims, organize queues, answer questions, and assist the elderly and disabled. Additionally, the space and floral arrangements around the tomb will be continuously maintained.
Diverse media and virtual space programs
In the media and virtual space section, diverse programs are implemented to cover the events of the final 10 days of Safar and reflect the atmosphere of the shrine to domestic and international audiences. These programs include live broadcasts from specific locations of the shrine, such as the Naghareh Khaneh and minarets, coverage of the children’s portico programs, the execution of the “Challenge with Servants,” live coverage of the Ghadir Courtyard, and the production of multi-language content, podcasts, music videos, and video clips.
Establishment of the ‘Imam Jawad’ service tent (mukib)
Outside the shrine and along the routes leading to Mashhad, the “Imam Jawad” (PBUH) service tent run by shoe-keeper servants on the Neyshabur-Mashhad axis, and the “Miqat al-Reza” service tent run by doorkeeper servants on the Sarakhs-Mashhad axis, are providing services to pilgrims traveling on foot. These service tents provide facilities including catering, accommodation, welfare services, health and medical care, guidance, and cultural and promotional programs.
‘Sanctuary’ special program
The “Sanctuary” special program, centered on performing the prayer of supplication to Imam Mahdi (PBUH), is held every day at 10:45 a.m. local time in the Ayat. Tabrizi Sanctuary, as well as on August 6 and 13 after the noon prayer in the Najma Khatun Portico. The “Ascension of the Believers” special program, centered on the voluntary prayer of the Great Prophet (PBUH), will be held on the night of August 11, and “Prostration in the Eighth Sanctuary,” centered on the voluntary prayer of Imam Reza (PBUH), will be held on the night of August 12, immediately after the sunset and night prayers in the late Ayat. Nahavandi Sanctuary.
Services for correcting the recitation of pilgrims’ prayers are also provided every day in two time slots, from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. local times, in the sanctuaries of Ayat. Tabrizi and Ayat. Nahavandi, as well as the Dar al-Velayah Portico.
‘Service in Paradise’ initiative
The “Service in Paradise” initiative offers honorary service opportunities for men and women aged 17 to 55. Initial registration is facilitated through the Nasim Razavi software and the Razavi Servant system, with daily service commitments ranging from two to four hours. The service reservation time for men is set from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and for women from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time. Areas of service include wheelchair assistance and cleaning duties. Offices for this plan are located in the Islamic Revolution Courtyard, adjacent to the eastern door of the Abbasi Portico, in Room 120 for women and Room 124 for men.
In the ceremonial sector for incense burning and rosewater sprinkling, the rosewater is sourced primarily from the regions of Kashan, Torbat-e Heydariyeh, and Shiraz. Rosewater sprinkling is performed in the Naghareh Khaneh Portico, the Bab al-Salam entrance, the Abbasi Portico, the Clock Portico, the Telegraph House Portico, all enclosures, shrine entrances, and the tea houses of Imam Reza (PBUH). In open spaces, this service is carried out by mobile teams involving approximately 20 servants. Incense burning is also conducted along the access routes, in the courtyards, and at the main entrances of the holy shrine daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. local time with about 40 servants in attendance.
Traditional ‘Sermon Recitation’ ceremony
The traditional “Sermon Recitation” ceremony will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, concurrent with the evening prayers in the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) Courtyard. This ceremony will be attended by military and government officials, servants from the eight shift rotations, and groups of pilgrims and residents. The program includes the recitation of the Qur’an, the condolences of the Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, lectures, and candle-lighting. The text of the sermon has been revised since this year’s month of Muharram and was performed for the first time during the Ashura night sermon recitation this year.
Traditional ‘Evening of the Strangers’ ceremony
The traditional “Sham-e-Ghariban” (meaning “Evening of the Strangers”) ceremony, marking the night of the martyrdom of Imam Reza (PBUH), will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2026, after the evening prayers, beginning from the area of the central organization of Astan Quds Razavi at the Shohada intersection. The servants, including attendants, door-keepers, shoe-keepers, and guards, will move toward the holy shrine in the form of a mourning delegation. Leading the delegation, 14 door-keepers will carry burning candles. The ceremony will take place at the Golden Portico of the Islamic Revolution Courtyard and the area between the Clock Portico and the Steel Window; approximately 25 percent of the courtyard space will be allocated for the deployment of staff.
Organization of religious delegations at Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine
To facilitate the attendance of religious delegations during the final 10 days of Safar, four routes — Bab al-Jawad, Sheikh Tusi, Sheikh Tabarsi, and Navvab Safavi — have been designated as entry points for mourning groups. After entering the holy shrine, the delegations are directed to the Islamic Revolution Courtyard and are stationed in the area behind the Steel Window. The use of drums and cymbals within the holy shrine is prohibited, and the entry of banners, standards, and flags of the delegations is permitted provided that regulations are observed. Measures for crowd management and density control during peak hours have also been anticipated.
In the final days of Safar, in organizing the attendance of religious delegations from outside Mashhad City, more than 2,000 delegations have received authorization to hold mourning ceremonies at Imam Reza (PBUH) Shrine since the beginning of the month of Muharram, and it is expected that this number will reach approximately 4,000 by the end of Safar. Furthermore, the sanctuaries of the Goharshad Grand Mosque and the surrounding courtyards have been allocated around the clock for delegations to hold mourning ceremonies, with a duration of one hour allocated for each delegation. Special measures have also been planned for the final three days of Safar to manage traffic and the entry and exit of delegations from the Islamic Revolution Courtyard. To date, the details of more than 7,000 religious delegations from across the country have been registered in the office of religious delegations of Astan Quds Razavi.
Accommodation spots and daily hot meals for pilgrims
On the eve of the final 10 days of Safar, the Karamat Razavi Foundation has prepared an extensive program to serve the pilgrims of Imam Reza (PBUH); a program centered on accommodation, catering, and welfare and cultural services in the areas surrounding the holy shrine and along the routes leading to the holy city of Mashhad.
Based on the forecast announced by the Social Services Department of the Karamat Razavi Foundation, the service tent on Martyr Shushtari Street will be active for three days with a capacity to accommodate 5,000 people, distributing breakfast, lunch, and dinner, alongside snacks such as local cookies, tea, sherbet, and fruit among pilgrims. In the Tapol-Mahaleh and Rezvan Garden path, space has been prepared for the accommodation of 3,000 people, where 18 diverse services, including medical services, stroller and wheelchair repair, laundry services, massage, and cultural booths, will be offered to pilgrims.
Additionally, 15 provincial Razavi service tents will be deployed in these same locations to provide main catering and snacks for pilgrims. Throughout Mashhad, support for the service tents is provided through the distribution of food and welfare items such as meat, legumes, rice, tea, oil, and mineral water, and an ice-making machine with the capacity to produce 800 blocks of ice per day will be placed at the service of the tents. Furthermore, 15 organizations and Razavi service tents are participating in the preparation and distribution of food.
The article was provided by the
Astan Quds Razavi organization.