Ways to facilitate Mashhad pilgrimage discussed for Pakistani travelers

TEHRAN - A recent business-to-business (B2B) meeting between a tourism delegation from Iran and officials from Pakistan’s Department of Culture and Tourism, Government of Sindh, focused on facilitating travel for Pakistani pilgrims to Mashhad.

Ayatollah Khamenei urges increased focus on Imams Jawad, Hadi, and Askari in literature and art

TEHRAN – During a meeting on Saturday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei highlighted the importance of Imam Jawad (AS), Imam Hadi (AS), and Imam Askari (AS) in the history of Islam.  

Over 400,000 pilgrims expected to walk to Imam Reza shrine for martyrdom anniversary

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. 

Shiraz citadel hosts intl. mourning festival with enthusiastic reception

TEHRAN - Arg-e Karim Khan, the iconic citadel in Shiraz, has commenced an international mourning heritage festival, a four-night event celebrating global mourning rituals. 

Tehran festival delves into Arbaeen heritage among nations

TEHRAN – The first international event dedicated to Arbaeen heritage took place in Tehran, bringing together scholars, researchers, and experts to explore the cultural and historical significance of the religious occasion which marks the culmination of 40 days of mourning for Imam Hussain (AS), the third Shia Imam.

4.5m Iranians expected to attend Arbaeen pilgrimage

TEHRAN - Over 4.5 million Iranian pilgrims have been estimated to attend this year’s Arbaeen pilgrimage destined for the holy city of Karbala, an official said on Monday.

482 foreign travelers attend Muharram rituals in Yazd province

TEHRAN - A total of 482 foreign travelers attended Muharram's mourning rituals in their visits to Yazd province during the first ten days of the lunar month, which ended on the day of Ashura (July 16).

Special Exhibition at National Museum celebrates Muharram symbols

TEHRAN- The National Museum of Iran has unveiled the exhibition, “Alam and Tuq: Symbols and Allegory of Muharram,” in honor of the Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which was martyred on the tenth day of the lunar month in 680 CE. 

Sunni lawmakers laud cultural coexistence, minister’s efforts for inclusivity

TEHRAN - A recent gesture from a group of Sunni lawmakers in the Iranian Parliament has highlighted Iran’s long-standing legacy of ethnic and religious coexistence.

Hojjatieh, a prominent seminary in Qom, undergoes restoration

TEHRAN—Work has commenced to restore Hojjatieh madrasa, which is a prominent seminary in Qom.

Yazd welcomes foreign visitors for Arbaeen commemoration

TEHRAN—A number of foreign travelers to Yazd have visited mourning ceremonies held in the 12th-century Friday Mosque of the oasis city.

Arbaeen pilgrimage: Iran thanks Iraq for hospitality

TEHRAN —Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Tuesday thanked his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein for great deal of efforts to host millions of Iranian pilgrims who join Arabeen procession.

Mashhad expects travel boom as Iran relaxes COVID rules

TEHRAN—The number of foreign arrivals in Mashhad is expected to double during the last ten days of Safar, the second month of the lunar Islamic calendar in which Shia Muslims hold special mourning services.

Mashhad: unforgettable adventures await in northeast Iran

TEHRAN - If you are a traveler seeking a destination that smoothly blends religious, cultural heritage, and natural beauty, Mashhad may be a great choice.

Takht-e Foulad: night tours offer cooler way to enjoy Isfahan site

TEHRAN—Takht-e Foulad, a historical site in Isfahan, has extended its visiting hours and introduced night-tour products, allowing visitors to rediscover the second-largest cemetery in the Shia world.

Iraq to issue special permits for Iranian pilgrims having no passports

TEHRAN – Iraq considers issuing special permits for Iranian travelers having no passports to enter the neighboring country for the Arbaeen pilgrimage.

Mashhad registers some four million overnight stays in Q1

TEHRAN – Mashhad, a prime destination for Shia pilgrims and medical travelers in northeast Iran, has recorded some four million overnight stays, mainly by domestic travelers, in the first three months of the current Iranian calendar year (started on March 21).

Craftspeople hold group exhibit in commemoration of Ashura

TEHRAN – A collection of special handicrafts dedicated to Ashura, which for Shia Muslims, is a solemn day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and 72 of his loyal companions, is on display at the group exhibition in Tehran.

Foreign travelers in Yazd attend Muharram mourning rituals

TEHRAN – This year, like years before, some foreign travelers in Yazd attend Muharram mourning rituals, in which the locals commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS) and his loyal companions, slain in 680 CE at Karbala in modern-day Iraq.

Home eulogies observing Imam Hussein’s martyrdom gains national status

TEHRAN – Mourning eulogies that Iranian people perform at their homes to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and his loyal companions have collectively been registered on the national list of intangible cultural heritage.

By Mohammad Sarfi

Indispensable ones

TEHRAN- “There are men who struggle for a day and they are good. There are men who struggle for a year and they are better. There are men who struggle many years, and they are better still. But there are those who struggle all their lives: These are the indispensable ones.”