Hawzah News Agency - According to Dr. Reza Naqdi, head of the Islamic Culture and Art Group at the Islamic Research Foundation, Astan Quds Razavi Encyclopedia, a detailed and illustrated work on Imam Reza shrine and Astan Quds Razavi (AQR), will be translated into English and Arabic.
“The presence of Imam Reza's shrine in the city of Mashhad (northeast Iran), the expansion of AQR's premises and institutions, and the interest of devotees in learning about this significant religious and charitable organization made comprehensive research in this area necessary”, Dr. Naqdi explained.
To achieve this, Khorasan Studies Center was established in 1997 within AQR. From the onset, one of its prominent groups was ‘Imam Reza Group’, which proposed the encyclopedia project in 1999. The Encyclopedia Council, consisting of university professors and scholars, was formed to oversee the project.
Specialized groups within the encyclopedia focused on various topics such as ‘Notable Figures’, ‘Written Treasures and Manuscripts’, ‘Titles and Occupations’, ‘Museum Treasures’, ‘Organizations’, and ‘Buildings and Names’.
Experienced academics from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and the Islamic Research Foundation were also involved in this division of labor.
They benefited from existing encyclopedias, reviewing their methodologies and creating a unique approach for Astan Quds Razavi Encyclopedia, which was approved by the specialized council.
The researcher emphasized: “The encyclopedia is the only scientific reference that comprehensively introduces AQR, using the latest research methods, sources, documents, and illustrations. It covers everything related to Imam Reza, his shrine, and the organization”.
The first two volumes of the encyclopedia were published in 2014 and 2020, covering entries from "A" to "S" and "Sh" to "Y," respectively. Due to new findings and developments, a revised edition is planned.
Dr. Naqdi further noted that the encyclopedia gained significant attention from Shia Muslims worldwide upon its release. “As a result, summaries will be published in Arabic and then English. An online portal will also host entries in both languages, allowing for updates while respecting the authors' rights”.
To meet the needs of the community and AQR, some entries will be separately published as books. Examples include rituals at Imam Reza shrine, custodians and deputy custodians of AQR, museum treasures, buildings, and the history and structure of AQR during the Qajar era.