AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The draw for Iranian university students’ Umrah pilgrimage concluded with the selection of 4,500 participants.
At the ceremony held at the University of Tehran on Tuesday, attended by religious and academic leaders, including Hojjatoleslam Mostafa Rostami, head of the Leader’s Representative Office in Universities, and Alireza Bayat, head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, officials underscored the enthusiasm among Iranian students for this journey.
“This year, 130,000 students and faculty registered for only 4,000 available slots,” said Rostami, highlighting the profound interest in spirituality among students.
He advised participants to prepare for the pilgrimage by studying its rituals and significance.
Bayat emphasized the impact of students’ participation on the pilgrimage's spiritual atmosphere. “The presence of young minds enhances the sense of devotion in places like Mecca and Medina,” he said.
He also announced that operational capacity for Umrah is expected to increase significantly next year, despite current constraints such as limited flight availability.
The selected students will depart from four designated airports in Tehran, Isfahan, Kerman, and Mashhad, with special accommodations and cultural programs tailored for them. However, Bayat cautioned about adhering to regulations in Saudi Arabia, such as restrictions on photography and social media use.
Heshmatollah Ghanbari, a scholar and university professor, spoke about the transformative nature of the pilgrimage. “Hajj is a unique act of worship that demands patience and humility. This opportunity may never come again, so make it count,” he advised students.
The ceremony also saw the allocation of an additional 500 slots to students present at the ceremony, following their appeals, making the event an emotional and inspiring occasion for all attendees.
....................
End/ 257