The Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine announces the establishment of the first International Cultural Festival of Imam Al-Baqer (peace be upon him)..

The department of Intellectual and Cultural Affairs at the Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine announced the establishment of the first edition of the International Cultural Festival of Imam Al-Baqer (peace be upon him), under the slogan "Imam Al-Baqer (peace be upon him) the clear beacon and the science's tenor". As after the establishment of many festivals in the names of the Saint Imams (peace be upon them), it was an obligation to show the role of Imam Al-Baqer (peace be upon him) especially that his Imamate period was full of ideological deviations that Imam Al-Baqer (peace be upon him) worked to refute, being the Al-Baqer [the one who splits open knowledge] of all sciences like the Messenger of Allah (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy Household) named him. It is narrated from Jabir ibn AbdAllah Al-Ansari, then the only living companion of the prophet, he used to sit in the mosque and call out: Ya baqir al-ilm, Ya baqir al-ilm. Medinans thought that Jabir was insane; however, he assured them that he had heard from the Holy Prophet (prayers and Allah's peace be upon him and his holy Household) who said: "O Jabir! You will meet a man from my family who will have the same name and the same characteristics as mine. He will split open knowledge extensively."

The safety valve against the ideological and intellectual deviations, which were implanted inside the body of the Islamic nation by the enemies of Islam was and still is the school of Ahl Al-Bayt (peace be upon them) of the Imams of goodness who have clarified to the hole world the true meaning of the Mohammadian Islam. So it was imperative that all believers to know the characteristics of each of these divine lights, the most trustworthy handhold that if the nation grasps it, it will never get lost. Hence comes the interest of the holy shrines in assuming the responsibility of reminding this nation of the leadership role of the Imams of guidance through several cultural festivals.

The program of this festival includes many events and activities such as research sessions about the Imam Al-Baqer (peace be upon him) of researchers from inside and outside Iraq, centered on:

1- The idiosyncratic role of Imam Al-Baqer (peace be upon him).
2- The ideological role of Imam Al-Baqer (peace be upon him).
3- The social and educational role of Imam Al-Baqer (peace be upon him).
4- Imam Al-Baqer (peace be upon him) in the writings of Orientalists.
5- Verbal schools in the era of Imam Al-Baqer (peace be upon him).
6- Political power in the era of Imam Al-Baqer (peace be upon him).
7- Imam Al-Baqer (peace be upon him) facing the deviant currents.
8- Imam Al-Baqer (peace be upon him) and the spiritual dimension of the nation.
9- Imam Al-Baqer (peace be upon him) and the awareness role of the nation.

The festival will also include Quranic evenings and reading some poems, a book exhibition about Imam Mohammed Al-Baqer (peace be upon him) as well as a presentation of a theatrical piece about the Imam (peace be upon him) produced by the holy shrine.