Sayed Isa al-Khirsan, Custodian of the Imam Ali Holy Shrine, stated during the twelfth edition of the Rite of Obligation Ceremony, held as part of the “Week of Modesty” programs on the morning of 11 December 2025, marking the birth anniversary of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her), that this blessed celebration coincides with the remembrance of the day on which courageous men answered the call and fatwa of the Supreme Religious Authority to defend the homeland and its sacred sites.
In an excerpt from Sayed al-Khirsan’s address at the opening of the festival, he stated:
“In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful:
‘O Prophet, tell your wives, your daughters, and the women of the believers to draw their outer garments closely around themselves; that is more suitable so that they may be recognized and not harmed. And God is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’Honorable attendees, with utmost respect and appreciation, peace be upon you and God’s mercy and blessings.
On behalf of myself and all the servants of the Imam Ali Holy Shrine, we extend our sincerest congratulations to our Master, Imam al-Mahdi (may God hasten his noble reappearance), as well as to the Supreme Religious Authority—especially His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayed Ali al-Hussaini al-Sistani (may his noble presence endure)—to the other esteemed religious authorities, and to all believers, on the occasion of the blessed birth anniversary of the Leader of the Women of the Worlds, the Truthful One, Lady Fatimah al-Zahra, daughter of the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his family).”
The custodian of the Imam Ali Holy Shrine added:
“By the blessing of this noble occasion—so dear to the hearts of the followers of Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her)—and in emulation of her exemplary conduct, the Imam Ali Holy Shrine renews its special Rite of Obligation program for adolescent girls, crowning them with the mantle of modesty and dignity. This initiative stems from the Shrine’s paternal care and religious responsibility toward our virtuous daughters, as they embark upon a spiritual affiliation with Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her).”
Sayed Isa al-Khirsan continued:
“It is also fitting, on these days that recall victory and steadfastness, to remember the loyal men who responded to the fatwa of the Supreme Religious Authority and hastened to answer the call, as well as those who supported them. May God’s mercy and pleasure be upon our honored martyrs; we pray for abundant health for the wounded, and for long life for our revered leader, Grand Ayatollah Sayed al-Sistani (may his noble presence endure).”
He concluded by saying:
“We extend our sincere gratitude to all institutions that contributed and cooperated in ensuring the dignified and successful organization of this blessed Rite of Obligation ceremony. We ask God Almighty to grant success and goodness to all.”
These programs form part of a comprehensive initiative prepared by the Imam Ali Holy Shrine to revive this blessed occasion and to create a spiritual atmosphere befitting the station of Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her), while reinforcing the values of modesty and devotion to the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). The initiative includes more than forty diverse activities conducted within and beyond the holy city of Najaf.
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