International Shia News Agency

“Al-Zahra” Poetry Festival Held in Iraq

SHAFAQNA – Marking the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Fatemeh Zahra (SA), a poetry festival was held in the holy city of Karbala, Iraq.

According to the website of the Alawi holy shrine, the Astan (custodianship) of Imam Ali’s (AS) holy shrine organized the festival under the supervision of the country’s Shia Waqf Diwan.

It was held on March 14 with the participation of the deputy of the Astan, members of the Astan’s board of directors as well as a number of eminent literary, academic, cultural and religious figures.

Addressing the program, member of the Astan Muhammad Javad Al-Turaihi stressed the importance of developing Islamic teachings in the Muslim society and introducing the beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and her children as the best role-models.

Muhammad Hussein Al-Saqeer, a well-known figure in the holy city of Najaf, recited a qasida (an Arabic or Persian elegiac monorhyme poem, usually having a tripartite structure) praising Hazrat Zahra (SA) and said that the holy city has played the role of a minaret for the world of Islam, from which the virtues of Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS) are disseminated.

He further highlighted the important role of sources of emulation in defending Islam and the oppressed.

The program continued with poetries recited by Nazar Qatari from Iraq, Mustafa Al-Lawati from Oman, Ahmad Al-Majid from Qatif, Ibrahim Al-Bushafi’ from Al-Ahsaa, Ali Jad’an from the holy city of Medina and ‘Aqeel Al-Qash’ami from Bahrain.
Top poets and directors of some of the satellite channels were honored at the end of the festival.

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