Every year on Imam Reza's martyrdom anniversary, his holy shrine gets jam-packed with pilgrims, with thousands of Iranians traveling on foot for days to reach the northeastern city.
Mashhad also hosts thousands of foreign pilgrims who travel this time around to pay tribute to the sacred figure.
Imam Reza was martyred in 818 AD. Historical accounts suggest, Imam Reza was invited by then tyrant Abbasid ruler Ma’moun from Medina to Mashhad but poisoned him to death.
The mass mourning ceremonies are a true testament to the long-standing love people have for Imam Reza.
In the days leading up to the occasions, caravans of pilgrims begin a journey on foot to Iran’s northeastern holy city of Mashhad, which is home to Imam Reza’s holy shrine.
The 28th day of the month of Safar(the second month in the lunar Hijri calendar) marks the passing away of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as well as the martyrdom of Imam Hassan (AS), the second Shia Imam.
This year, the sad occasion fell on Sunday, September 25. The martyrdom anniversary of Imam Reza ('a), the eighth Imam of Shia Muslims who was martyred on the last day of the month of Safar, will also be mourned by Shia Muslims around the world on Tuesday.
On the Sad and Mourning occasion of the passing away anniversary of Holy Prophet of Islam Hadrat Muhammad Mustafa, and martyrdom of two of his infallible successors Imam Hasan Mujtaba, and Imam Reza (peace be upon them) we extend our Heartfelt Grief and Condolences to Muslim Ummah and all the followers of the Holy Ahlul Bayt across the world.
Imam Khomeini through his historic messages, speeches and works frequently invited the world community to follow footsteps of the holy prophet of Islam and his infallible successors to attain prosperity in this world and salvation hereafter.