The Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine concluded the activities of the ninth edition of the Sacred Defense Fatwa Cultural Festival.
The festival was organized by the Intellectual Affairs Department and Al-Wafi Documentation and Studies Foundation at the Holy Shrine, under the slogan "Religious Authority: The Fortress of the Islamic Nation," and it lasted for two days.
The first day of the festival included various activities, such as a research conference on the Fatwa of sacred Defense, which featured several scientific papers, an exhibition of historical photos and documents, as well as a documentary film about the sacred fatwa and the liberation battles. Additionally, there was a ceremony to honor the judging committees and the winners of the short story and classical poetry competitions, along with the unveiling of the project (Encyclopedia of Friday Sermons: Documentation and Verification), which consists of 33 volumes and includes Friday sermons from 2003 to 2020. This project received the blessing of the religious authorities of the holy shrines of Imam al-Hussayn and al-Abbas (peace be upon them); His Eminence Sheikh Abdul-Mahdi Al-Karbalaei and His Eminence Sayed Ahmad Al-Safi.
The second day, dedicated to the Speicher massacre, featured various activities, including the screening of the film "If Valor Speaks," which showcased the bravery of the sons of Iraq in combating ISIS terrorism. Additionally, 30 families of the victims and contributors to the festival were honored, along with a series of scientific, cultural, and documentary events that highlighted the sacrifices and heroism of the Iraqis and emphasized the pivotal role of the supreme religious authority in guiding society and protecting its sanctities.
The festival aims to commemorate the sacred fatwa of defense and document the heroics of Iraqis and the significant events that the country has experienced, to serve as a witness that preserves the national memory from being forgotten.