TEHRAN – The holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) is anticipated to host over two million pilgrims on New Year's Eve, which falls on March 20, the supreme director of the holy shrine has said.

“Based on our estimates, some 2.3 million people will be visiting the holy shrine to celebrate the arrival of the new Iranian year,” Reza Khorrakian said on Monday.

“Among various programs, we are intended to have a [a live] communication with Gaza and synchronize Quran recitations to support the children there, showing solidarity with the people of the Islamic world and the dear people of Palestine.”

Among the myriad traditions cherished by Iranians, one stands out for its profound spiritual significance—the pilgrimage to the sacred shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad.

For generations, Iranians have revered Imam Reza, the eighth Shia Imam, as a symbol of spiritual guidance and blessings. His shrine in Mashhad serves as a beacon of hope and solace for pilgrims seeking divine intervention and spiritual renewal.

Last September, more than 4.5 million travelers visited Mashhad during the last ten days of Safar, which is a remarkable lunar month for Shia Muslims.

The number of travelers visiting Mashhad from September 6 to 15, which traditionally marks special religious rituals and pilgrimage, reached 4.5 million, a local official said.

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.

AM