Under the auspices of the Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine and for the third year in a row, the Third Annual Cultural Festival of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) in India was launched..

To celebrate the auspicious birth anniversary of the door of the city of knowledge of the Holy Prophet (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy Household), Imam Ali (peace be upon him), on the evening of Saturday 13th of Rajab, 1436 Ah corresponding to the 2nd May, 2015 and for the third year in a row, the Third Annual Cultural Festival of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) was launched under the slogan "The Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) a divine tender and human approach", held by the holy shrines of Iraq under the auspices of the Al-Abbas's (p) holy shrine in the Hussaynya of 'Aza Az-Zahra (peace be upon him) in Hyderabad city in India and will last for five days.

The opening ceremony that started by the recitation of verses from the holy Quran, was attended by a large number of religious, cultural and academic figures from inside and outside the city along with a group of the lovers and followers of Ahl Al-Bayt (peace be upon them) as well as the official delegations that represented the holy shrines in Iraq. Then came the word of the representative of the religious authority of Najaf in Hyderabad, Sayed Reda Agha in which he has stated: "It is a pleasure and a honour to celebrate the birth anniversary of the Master of the Unitarians, the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) in the presence of representatives of the holy shrines in Iraq. We hope the success of this festival by achieving its goals, so all the thanks to the Al-Abbas's (p) holy shrine for its sponsoring of this festival, which has become one of the events that every Muslim in India waits for, and we also praise all the efforts made by its Preparatory Committee."

Followed by the word of the holy shrines in Iraq delivered by Sheikh Adel Al-Wakeel the deputy head of the Department of Religious Affairs at the Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine, in which he stated: "Peace be upon you from the land of prophets and guardians, from the depth of History and the source of civilizations, from the majestic domes of the holy shrines in Najaf, Karbala, Kadhemiyah and Samarra, from the bladder of love and altruism, the palms of brotherhood and redemption of Aba Al-Fadl Al-Abbas (peace be upon him), from the door of the city of knowledge to the lovers of holy Household of Mohammed (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy Household), we came to you bringing the fragrance of Al-Ghadeer, the perfume of martyrdom and scents of loyalty..."

Then came the word of the Preacher of Friday in the mosque of Mecca in Hyderabad city, Sheikh Hafez Mohamed Uthman, who has started it by the holy verse: {And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.) (3:103) Adding: "If we unite around Imam Ali (peace be upon him) after the the holy Prophet (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy Household), by following the approach of Ahl Al-Bayt (peace be upon them) we will be strong and we would not be an easy prey for those who want to divide us, so welcome to the delegations of Iraq and its holy shrines in Hyderabad city, hoping to make this blessed occasion; the birth anniversary of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) a turning point for our unity."

Followed by interventions of figures from the Indian city of Lucknow, which was honoured to host the festival in its previous editions.

The opening ceremony included the recitation of poems describing this great occasion and its impact on the hearts of the believers.

Then Sheikh Ali Al-Asdi invited the attendees to assist to the opening of the festival activities that included a fair of books in Urdu and English, a photo exhibition, intellectual and ideological contests and a number of other events.