Hawzah News Agency - (Mashhad - Iran) - The Office for Foreign Pilgrims’ Affairs of Astan Quds Razavi, like previous years, will hold special mourning programs for the first ten days of Muharram, especially for foreign pilgrims visiting Imam Reza (AS) holy shrine.

Director of the office, Seyyed Mohammad Javad Hasheminejad, announced the ten programs that will be held from morning to late at night, including religious lectures, eulogies and mourning in Kowsar, Dar al-Rahma and Dar al-Marhama porticos and Ghadir courtyard and portico, especially for Urdu-, Arabic-, Azeri- and English-speaking pilgrims.

He cited a huge gathering of Afghan mourning bodies on Tasua Day, among other highlights of the day, adding that the Afghan mourning body will mourn in large gatherings after noon and afternoon prayers at Dar al-Marhama portico.

“A special program narrating the story of martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) will be held for Arabic-, Urdu- and Azeri-speaking pilgrims in the Dar al-Marhama, Kowsar and Dar al-Rahma porticos respectively, on the Day of Ashura at 9:00 a.m.,” he said.

Zeinabi Ladies (attributed to Zeinab, Imam Hussein’s sister) program, hosting the Mesbah al-Hoda contests, publishing occasional books, special programs for Ashurai children (children reared with an interest in the culture of Ashura), working with various Arabic language TV networks are other fields of the programs.

“Furthermore, two specialized meetings for Arabic-speaking pilgrims are planned to be held in collaboration with the AQR Center for International Affairs at the Bab al-Jawad conference hall.”

Quranic programs in the first 10 days of Muharram

Head of the AQR Quranic Sciences Department, Hoj. Mehdi Shoja, referring to holding Quranic circles during this time, said that in the first ten days of Muharram, recitation of Quran will be held at the Maqsoura porch of Goharshad Mosque, every day before evening and night prayers in the presence of prominent international reciters.