AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The Imam Reza holy shrine in Mashhad, Iran, has begun the construction of a new portico named after Imam Ali (AS), the first Shia Imam.
The project was launched on Thursday, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Imam Ali (AS).
A special ceremony was held to mark the occasion, attended by the custodian of the shrine and other national and provincial officials.
The Amir al-Mu'minin Portico will be built between the Ghadir, Islamic Republic, and Holy Prophet courtyards of the shrine complex.
The project aims to increase the covered areas of the shrine, strengthen the structures of the Islamic Republic courtyard, create a 6,000-square-meter space for holding various ceremonies, and facilitate the pilgrimage process.
The portico will cover a total area of 13,000 square meters, of which 7,000 square meters will be roofed and 6,000 square meters will be open.
Khalilollah Kazemi, the head of the construction department of the shrine, said that the project is expected to be completed in two years.
He added that the portico will expand the pilgrimage space of the shrine by 16%.
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