Historic Religious Ceremonies at Imam Reza Shrine Recognized as National Heritage
The announcement was made by Hojat-ol-Islam Seyyed Jallal Hosseini, the head of the Organization of Libraries, Museums, and the Document Center associated with the holy shrine.
Two years ago, initial documents related to the Sufeh ceremony and the oration ritual were gathered and submitted to the relevant committee for evaluation, according to Hosseini.
“These two ceremonies were introduced and defended in the national council and finally registered in the current winter,” he added.
Oration Ritual: A Legacy from the Safavid Era
The oration, better known as "khutbah Khani", within Imam Reza (AS) shrine encompasses the eloquent recitation of speeches in praise of God, the Holy Prophet (PBUH), and the infallible Imams (AS).
This tradition has deep historical roots, dating back to the Safavid era. Historical records indicate that the role of the preacher was an official position, even documented in existing endowment letters.
Furthermore, the act of reciting a sermon takes on special significance during solemn occasions, such as the night of Ashura and the commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Reza (AS) on the 30th of Safar.
Sufeh Ceremony: A Millennium-Old Tradition
Sufeh ceremony is one of the most magnificent and rooted traditions of the Imam Reza (AS) shrine in the field of reciting the Holy Quran.
This ceremony is held every day by the servants of the complex on two occasions, half an hour after sunrise and immediately after Maghrib and Isha prayers.
The Sufeh ceremony consists of two parts; reciting the Quran and reading fourteen stanzas of a poem written by Khajeh Nasir al-Din Toosi (1201-1274 CE) in praise of the infallible Imams (AS).
This ceremony is held by fourteen Quran memorizers and several other servants at Dar al-Hufaz or in some cases in Dar al-Salam porticos.
Source: news.razavi.ir
