International Week of Ghadir Opens in Najaf with Banner Raising Ceremony
International Week of Ghadir Opens in Najaf with Banner Raising Ceremony
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The Holy Alawi Shrine has inaugurated this year’s Week of Ghadir with the traditional raising of the pledge flag for Amir al‑Mu’minin Imam Ali (peace be upon him), signaling the start of a weeklong program of religious, cultural and celebratory events commemorating Eid al‑Ghadir.
More details in the following report:
The event drew wide attendance from religious leaders, academics, cultural figures and thousands of pilgrims in Najaf.
In a ceremony held Monday morning in the shrine’s courtyard, the Ghadir banner was raised atop the sacred precinct overlooking a large crowd. The banner was hoisted by the shrine’s Secretary‑General, Sayyid Issa al‑Kharsan, amid devotional chants and expressions of allegiance, marking the official launch of activities tied to Eid al‑Ghadir al‑Aghar —“Eid Allah al‑Akbar”.
Flags commemorating Ghadir were then handed to representatives of institutions and organizations from across Iraqi provinces, ahead of coordinated flag‑raising ceremonies scheduled in city centers and towns.
The Holy Alawi Shrine confirmed that this year’s program will include over 150 flags raised inside Iraq and abroad as part of official and community‑level celebrations. These locations include 87 international sites across 28 countries; 21 national locations in 15 Iraqi provinces; multiple events in holy shrines and revered sites; and several venues in Najaf and its environs.
Organizers noted that Europe accounts for a significant share of international activities, with 28 sites in countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Romania and the Czech Republic. The initiative also spans Asia, the Middle East and Africa, including Iran (20 provinces), Pakistan and India (10 sites each), as well as Lebanon, Türkiye, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya and Ivory Coast.
The week’s program will run over seven days and feature a variety of religious and cultural events, including mass celebrations and formal ceremonies, poetry evenings, literary contests, intellectual forums, youth and children’s programming, and community service activities.
