Under the slogan "Imam Al-Hussayn (peace be upon him) a divine mercy and a humanitarian call" the eleventh edition of the International Cultural Festival of the Martyrdom's Spring was held in the holy shrine of Imam Al-Hussayn (peace be upon him) in the afternoon of the 3rd of Sha'ban 1436 AH corresponding to the 22nd of May, 2015 for the eleventh year in row under the auspices of the two holy shrines of Imam Al-Hussayn and Al-Abbas (peace be upon both of them).
The opening ceremony was attended by the representatives of the religious authorities inside and outside Iraq, the secretaries of the holy shrines in Iraq, and a large number of religious, cultural and political figures from both inside and outside Iraq, in addition to the participating delegations in this festival.
The opening ceremony, which has a large media coverage, began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by the international reader Osama Karbalai, followed by the word of the two secretariats of the two holy shrines, delivered by the General-Secretary of the Al-Abbas's (p) holy shrine Sayed. Ahmed Al-Safi who has expressed his joy and happiness for the establishment of this festival..
Then Sheikh Abd Al-Hussayn Sadeq from Lebanon recited a poem for the occasion, followed by the word of the religious authority Sheikh Safi Gulpaygani delivered by Sheikh Mohamed Al-Hassoon, then the Governor of the holy city of Karbala Mr. 'Aqeel Al-Turayhi has presented a gift to the Secretaries-General of the holy shrines of Imam Al-Hussayn and Al-Abbas (peace be upon both of them).
Then came the word of the religious authority Sheikh Ja'far Subhani delivered by Sheikh Al-Haydari who has prayed for the safety and peace in Iraq. Followed by a poem of the Lebanese poet George Shakoor. Then came the word of the participating delegations delivered on their behalf by Sheikh Ahmed Qablan.
Then the Iraqi Poet Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Nusayrawi presented his poem for the occasion, followed by the word of the former Secretary General of the United Nations who has thanked the two holy shrines for the establishment of this festival, which coincides with the annual birth anniversary of Imam Al-Hussayn (peace be upon him), appreciating the invitation for this gathering that brings together researcher, tribal leaders, diplomats, artists and scholars from different religious backgrounds.
Then came the word of the envoy of the Archbishops of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Carinal Boluch who has expressed his happiness to see the renewal of the holy shrine of Imam Al-Hussayn (peace be upon him).
The last of intervention was of the Former President Parliament of Guinea-Bissau, Mr. Ibrahim Jallu Ibrahim who also was pleased for the invitation to attend this festival, which shows to the world the thought of Ahl Al-Bayt (peace be upon them), thanking all the support of the holy shrines for the establishment of religious Islamic schools in Guinea-Bissau, and then praying for the peace in all Muslim countries especially Iraq.
Finally, a Singing troupe from the Republic of Azerbaijan presented some religious stanzas, followed by honouring some of the heroes of the popular mobilization who have volunteered to fight against the terrorist gangs.