Hawzah News Agency –The technical and engineering staff at the al-Abbas's (p) holy shrine began installing the Imam al-Hassan (peace be upon him) gate, which is the second largest gate in the holy shrine after the Qibla Gate, and it overlooks the square between the two holy shrines.
The supervisor of the installation works, Engineer Ali Salloum, told Al-Kafeel Network, “The door that we started installing has been designed, executed and will be installed by Iraqis, and is characterized by several technical characteristics and high durability, in addition to the aesthetic factor as its inscriptions and decorations are inspired from those of the holy courtyard of the shrine of Aba al-Fadl al-Abbas (peace be upon him) and its holy grid."
He added, "The commencement of these works came after most of the rehabilitation and development works were nearing completion."
Salloum indicated that "the gate consists of two doors that are symmetrical in shape, design, inscriptions and decorations. The width of each is 2.72 m, its height is 3.45 m, and its thickness is 10 cm. It is made of good quality wood (Burmese teak). The total weight of the two doors is (4 tons)."
He added, "The door was installed in an artistic way on a wooden frame, with a width of (5.95 m), a height of (3.75 m) and a thickness of (30 cm) to match the weight of the door."
Salloum explained that “the calligraphy and gilding were done by the calligrapher Firas al-Baghdadi, where a large inscription is decorating the middle of each door, on which the verse was written: {[O Prophet,] say, "I do not ask you for a reward for this [message] except for showing affection to close relatives."}. This inscription is framed with inscriptions and with the expression "Peace be upon you O Qamar of Bani Hashem" on its top. At the right door is written "Peace be upon you O son of the first of the people who became Muslim), and on the left door (Peace be upon you, O son of the oldest of them in faith)."
He continued, "The corner of each door contains a small scroll on which one of the titles of Aba al-Fadl al-Abbas (peace be upon him) is written. Each is also decorated with a golden frame surrounding it with golden ornaments, and an epigraphic poetic band framed by another golden decorative band. All of these inscriptions are executed by Husam Abd al-Redha, under the supervision of Professor Rawdan Bahia, and covered with layers of tempered glass, which is distinguished by its durability and resistance to breakage and scratches.
Salloum concluded that "the installation work is proceeding as planned, provided that after these works, the frame that surrounds this door will be installed."