In its twenty-fifth edition.. The start of the candle festival on the birth anniversary of Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his holy reappearance)

The holy shrines of Imam al-Hussayn and al-Abbas (peace be upon them) launched the twenty-fifth annual candle festival, on the birth anniversary of Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his holy reappearance).

The festival was held at the Qibla gate of the shrine of Aba al-Fadl al-Abbas (peace be upon him), and in the presence of officials of the two holy shrines, religious and official figures and a large gathering of visitors.

The festival included lighting (1191) candles with the number of years of Imam al-Mahdi's age (may Allah hasten his holy reappearance), arranged in an artistic way to form the phrase (when will you see us and we will see you), and began with reciting Quranic verses, followed by the speech of the Two Holy Shrines, delivered by Sheikh Ali Mohan, congratulating the believers on this blessed occasion.

A member of the central celebrations committee at the Al-Abbas's (p) holy shrine; Sayed Aqeel al-Yasiri, said: "the festival is held to celebrate the birth of Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his holy reappearance), and includes reciting poems and songs, in addition to honoring the winners of the electronic cultural contest launched by the holy shrine.

The celebration of lighting candles for the age of Imam Al-Hujjah bin Al-Hassan (peace be upon them) is an annual tradition that has been practiced by Sayed Meqdad Karim Hadi from the city of Essaouira in Wasit governorate since 2001, but it has evolved to become a festival held under the supervision of the holy shrines of Imam al-Hussayn and al-Abbas (peace be upon them).