TEHRAN - Today marks the 30th day of the lunar month of Safar, commemorated as the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Shia Imam. In observance of this solemn occasion, a significant number of pilgrims have embarked on a spiritual journey on foot to his holy shrine in Mashhad. 

The pilgrimage, which has seen a notable increase in participants this year, is anticipated to draw over 400,000 walkers by the end of the day.

Imam Reza (AS) holds a revered place in Shia Islam, particularly among Iranians, due to his historical and spiritual significance. As a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the eighth Imam in Twelver Shia Islam, Imam Reza is honored with numerous titles, including Reza, Alem Al-Muhammad, Gharib Al-Ghoarba, Shams Al-Shomous, and Moin Al-Zoafa. His martyrdom anniversary, known as the "Day of Mourning," is a time of deep reflection and commemoration for millions of his followers.

Ali-Asghar Shalbafian, the deputy minister of tourism, heritage, and handicrafts, has emphasized the growing scale of the pilgrimage. In a recent statement, Shalbafian noted that the number of pilgrims walking to Mashhad has surged in recent years. 

“Given the increasing number of foot pilgrims every year, it is crucial to strengthen infrastructure and adopt a national approach to managing the pilgrimage during the final days of Safar,” he said.

Currently, over 230,000 pilgrims have already arrived in Mashhad on foot, with expectations for this number to exceed 400,000 by the end of the day. 

Shalbafian highlighted the extensive efforts made to accommodate the influx of visitors, including the establishment of over 360 service stations, known as Mukebs, along the main pilgrimage routes. These stations, operated by volunteers, provide essential services and refreshments to support the pilgrims on their journey.

The pilgrimage to Imam Reza’s shrine is part of a broader annual tradition, during which millions of Shia Muslims from across the globe make their way to Mashhad. The city, which is one of the most visited pilgrimage destinations in the world, is expected to host over 4 million visitors during the final days of Safar. As of now, around 92% of the pilgrims have arrived by private vehicles, 5% by train, and 3% by air.

In preparation for the influx, the city has arranged approximately 1.17 million overnight accommodations across various types, including official, temporary, and emergency facilities. 

Shalbafian reported that around 223,000 official accommodations are already fully booked. However, additional arrangements have been made to ensure that all pilgrims have a place to stay, with temporary and emergency accommodations fully operational to meet demand.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Shalbafian pointed out that future pilgrimages could see even higher numbers, especially as the final days of Safar will fall in the summer months in coming years. This seasonal shift is expected to increase the number of foot pilgrims traveling to Mashhad. He also mentioned ongoing legislative efforts to address the challenges associated with the pilgrimage, including the development of a new national pilgrimage strategy as mandated by the country’s seventh development plan.

The pilgrimage to Imam Reza’s shrine is not only a significant spiritual event but also a testament to the deep devotion and cultural significance attached to the Imam among Shia Muslims. 

In August 2020, the spiritual tradition of pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) was registered on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts.
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