A number of Indian religious, cultural and intellectual figures have confirmed their intention to participate in the events of the annual international cultural Festival and Conference of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) in its second edition, set up and sponsored by the Al-Abbas's (p) holy shrine with the participation of the holy shrines of Imam Ali, Imam Al-Hussayn and Imam Al-Kadhem (peace be upon them) as well as the Secretariat of the Iraqi Shiite shrines, and that will be held in the city of Lucknow in India, under the theme: "The Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) The righteous of the faithful and the heir of the Prophets' science", from 13 to17 Rajab 1435 AH corresponding to (13-17 May 2014), so to commemorate the anniversary of birth of the Guardian (wasiy) of Allah's Messenger (Peace and Allah’s mercy be upon him and his pure lineage) the Leader of the Resplendent and the dragonfly of the pious Imam Ali Ibnu Abi Talib (peace be upon them).
As part of its preparations, Invitations' cards were printed and sent to the religious, cultural and intellectual personalities for their attendance and participation in this blessed annual festival.
The chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the festival , Mr. Jassam Mohammed Hamad explained to the Al-Kafeel's Network: " For a higher impact and to ensure a wider participation of an elite group in the events of the annual international cultural Festival of the Commander of the faithful (peace be upon him) in its second edition in the city of Lucknow, the choice of those figures was in coordination with the committee overseeing the festival and its Preparatory Committee that invited religious figures, deans of scientific families in addition to the students of hawza and religious schools in the city of Lucknow, as well as number of Islamic researchers and some cultural and academic figures, whom confirmed their presence and active participation in order to ensure the success of this festival and make it one of the most remarkable events made by Iraqi holy shrines in this city. "
Mr. Mohammed Jaber Baqeri Jawarsi a researcher, author and director of the Foundation of the reform (Al-Islah) in the city of Lucknow, is one of the personalities that have been invited, explained: "It's delightful and gratifying what Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine is doing to set up this festival which takes the great name of the Commander of the Faithful Ali Ibnu Abi Talib (peace be upon them), and became one of the intellectual and cultural communication loops between the Holy shrines of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) and their lovers and followers living in the city of Lucknow, who dream to have the honour to visit them and to stand in their blessed doorsteps. "
Mr. Ali Nasser Al'abqati a religious scholar and the owner of one of the largest libraries in the city of Lucknow said: “We consider this festival as one of the commemoration's methods of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) and an application of what our Imam Jaafar As-Sadeq (peace be upon him) said: "Keep alive 'our affair'. May God bless whoever holds alive our affair". therefore our thanks to the officials of the Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine who made the city of Lucknow each year a cultural and intellectual centre for the lovers and followers of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) in this city. "
Also Mr. Hameed Al-Hasan, a savant, preacher and supervisor of the regular school of Religious Sciences, which was founded more than 125 years ago, said: “We praise the holy shrine for the great efforts made to set up and sponsor this festival, which was very successful in the previous edition where we had the privilege of participation in a number of its activities that left positive echoes till this day. "
The Cultural Festival of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) is held for the veneration of Ahl Al-Bayt's (Peace be upon them) rituals, in order to spread their culture, their approach and their biographies that teach the world the true meaning of Islam, and to confirm the great role of the Iraqi holy sites in general and of the Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine in particular, by the establishment and sponsorship of festivals, seminars and conferences inside and outside the country, showing how they became in record time a guidance beacon for all and a brilliant model at all levels.