Director of Non-Iranian Pilgrims’ Affairs of Astan Quds Razavi said, “During the blessed Ramadan month, more than 30 cultural contests were organized by the management of non-Iranian pilgrims’ affairs for Arabic speaking pilgrims in the Razavi holy shrine.”
According to news from Astan Quds Razavi, Hujjat al-Islam Ali Baqeri giving this report said, “The Razavi holy shrine hosts each year thousands of non-Iranian pilgrims from different parts of the world and holding Islamic celebrations, mourning ceremonies, and contests are services rendered to this group of pilgrims especially during the blessed Ramadan.”
He described the cultural contests as the most comprehensive cultural programs of the Razavi holy shrine and asserted, “Using first-hand religious sources, attention to motives of religious recognition alongside training, and dealing with superstitions and doubts are the main purposes of holding such cultural programs.”
“The general title of Arabic-speakers contests was ‘using the guide of Qur’an and Itrat’ including 31 cultural contests in Ramadan for this group of pilgrims”, Baqeri pointed out.
“Promoting the culture of the Ahl al-Bayt (A.S.), propagation on conduct of the prophet (S.A.W.) and the Infallible Imams (A.S.), spreading the highest ethical affairs, raising enthusiasm for reading religious texts and resolving religious doubts were the objectives of holding the cultural contests in the Razavi holy shrine”
“Elaboration on many doubts and superstitions, as well as reasonable and logical reasons for resolving them in the Islamic societies were incorporated into the contests so that the readers could become informed religiously and avoid deviation”, Baqeri continued.
Referring to the number of participants he said, “On Average, 500 people took part daily in the cultural activities that amounted to 1000 people on different occasions.”
“Such cultural contests cause can raise the interest of all men in discovering various religious contests and further acquaintance with the conduct of the Infallible Imams (A.S.); assays indicate the positive feedback of the audience and they all were unanimous about the effectiveness of the contests on raising the scientific levels of the audience”, he added.
“Subjects such as Imam Hassan Mujtaba (A.S.), nights of Qadr, human ethical affairs according to Qur’anic interpretations, and considering Qur’anic verses had been incorporated into the contests in the Ramadan”, he said.
“The questions of the contest had been made from the texts on the contest sheets in multiple choices form and all the participators were able to give correct answers to the final questions”, he added.
Regarding participation in cultural contests, he said, “The contest sheets were distributed in the Ghadir courtyard before the evening prayers and also in the Dar al-Rahmah portico each day. Anyone interested could refer to this section to take part in the contest.”
“Holy Qur’an, Muntakhab al-Husna, Mafatih al-Jinan, Muntakhab al-Adeyeh were among the presents given to the winners”, Baqeri remarked.
Director of Non-Iranian Pilgrims’ Affairs of Astan Quds Razavi noted at the end, “During the blessed Ramadan month, more than 370 people were selected in the cultural contests specific to the Arabic speaking pilgrims who were granted rewards.”
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