Hawzah News Agency- The celebrations began being held on Monday, featuring festivities, including eulogistic ceremonies hosting chanting and joyful crowds, and distribution of confectionary and sherbet.

Ali ibn Abi Talib (pbuh) was born 23 years before the Hijra, which marked Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) departure from the holy city of Mecca to Medina.

The Imam is known as the first to be appointed by the Prophet to the estimable position of Imamate among Shia Muslims.

Declaring him as his successor during the Ghadir Khum event, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) averred, "Whoever I am his master, Ali is his master."

Imam Ali (pbuh) is a celebrated personality among many faiths, including Sunni Islam.

He is the husband of the Prophet’s daughter, Hazrat Fatima Zahra (SA), and the father of Shia Muslims’ Second and Third Imams, Imam Hassan (AS) and Imam Hussain (AS), as well as Hazrat Zaynab (SA) and Umm Kulthum.

The Imam ruled as the Caliph for less than five years.

He holds a prominent position among Muslims owing to his epic bravery, contempt for danger, and insistence on observation of justice and equality.

Imam Ali (pbuh) fought off many wars waged by hostile forces, including those enlisted by Muawiya, whose tyrannical son, Yazid, ended up martyring Imam Hussain (pbuh) in a heavily-lopsided battle.

The cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was, himself, martyred after being struck in the head with a poisonous sword wielded by Ibn Muljam, while he was saying his prayers in the Great Mosque of Kufa, which is located in Iraq now, on the 19th of Ramadan 40 Anno Hejira (27 January AD 661). His Majesty was martyred two days later.

The night preceding Imam Ali’s martyrdom is considered to be one of the threefold Qadr (Destiny) Nights, when the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) more than 14 centuries ago.

Source: Press TV