The closing ceremony of the thirteenth edition of the International Cultural Festival of the Martyrdom Spring

After five days filled with cultural and intellectual movement including research sessions, Quranic and poetic evenings, visits, tours and meetings, the thirteenth edition of the International Cultural Festival of the Martyrdom Spring, sponsored and funded by the holy shrines of Imam al-Hussayn and of al-Abbas (peace be upon both of them) under the slogan: slogan "Imam al-Hussayn (peace be upon him) a continuous rain and an ongoing abundance", was concluded on Thursday afternoon the 7th of Sha'ban 1438 AH corresponding to the 4th of May 2017 in the hall of Imam al-Hassan (peace be upon him) for conferences and seminars at the al-Abbas's (p) holy shrine.

The closing ceremony was attended by religious, academic and hawza figures from inside and outside Iraq, and delegations representing the holy shrines and sanctuaries, representatives of the local government of Karbala province as well as the two Senior Officials of the holy shrines and their two General Secretaries and a group of the martyrs' families of the popular mobilization.

The ceremony started by the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran and reading Surat al-Fatihah in memory of the martyrs of Iraq, followed by the word of the holy shrines of Imam al-Hussayn and of al-Abbas (peace be upon both of them) delivered by the Senior Official of the Imam al-Hussayn's (p) holy shrine; His eminence Sheikh Abd al-Mahdi al-Karbala'i.

Followed by the word of the Iraqi delegations participating in the festival delivered by Sheikh Sarmad al-Tamimi the representative of the Iraqi Fatwa House.

Then was the turn of the word of the foreign participating delegations, delivered on their behalf by the former representative of the European Union in the Middle East and the Director of the Global Conflict Forum; Mr. Alastair Crooke, in which he has stated: "I have found in Imam al-Hussayn (peace be upon him) a symbol of justice during my presence in this sacred land,. I was very touched and what I have seen will remain in my imagination and I will convey it to the Europe when I will return."

Then the poet Najah al-'Irsan has made the souls of the attendees fly with his poem's words that have great impact on them as it was about Lady Zaynab (peace be upon her) and her incomparable patience and forbearance after the martyrdom of her brother Imam al-Hussayn (peace be upon him) in Karbala.

Followed by the word of the holy shrines in Iraq delivered by DR. Jamal ad-Dabbagh the General Secretary of the holy shrine of Imam al-Kadhem and Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon both of them).

In addition to the participation of the genius Hafez and reader of Quran; Mohamad Ali Islami from the Republic of Iran. Followed by a three-dimensional film entitled "The Water Master", produced by the animation unit of the Internet Division at the al-Abbas's (p) holy shrine.

Then the two Senior Officials of the holy shrines of Imam al-Hussayn and of al-Abbas's (peace be upon both of them) and its two General Secretaries have honored a group of the martyrs' families of the popular mobilization.

The closing ceremony was concluded then by honoring the participating delegations and personalities in this festival and its supporting bodies, as well as the Media that has contributed in live broadcasting its events.