Simultaneously with the arrival of the half of Sha'ban and the auspicious birth anniversary of the savior of mankind, Hazrat Sahib al-Zaman Mahdi Mououd (May God hasten his reappearance), a magnificent celebration was held with the presence of the Ambassador, a group of embassy staff, resident Iranians, religious figures and admirers of the Ahlul Bayt of Infallibility and purity, hosted by Cultural Center.

 

At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Isfand 4, 1402, corresponding  to February 23, 2024, the program began with the broadcast of selected music videos in the meeting hall of the Cultural Center and the recitation of verses from the Holy Word of God by Aramponi the teacher Bright reader and Hafiz of the Holy Quran, followed by Mr. Abdolmajid Abolghasemi, the Cultural Counselor commenced the event by reciting a supplication for the reappearance of Imam Mahdi Dua Faraj in short words, while welcoming the Ambassador, resident Iranians and religious figures and Muslims, offering congratulations on the auspicious occasion of the birth of Imam Mahdi (a.j.), and recited verses to highlight the esteemed position and status of Imam Mahdi (a.j.).

 

Referring to the popular campaign of people in the 4th century, he said that there are many traditions of the order and emphasis of the Infallible Imams (a.j.) to pray and ask for relief in the age of occultation, and this is the best opportunity to pray from the night of the birth of Imam Mahdi (a.j.) for forty nights until On the nights of the blessed month of Ramadan, in the popular campaign of the great quarter of the century, by reciting the pilgrimage of Ashura and the phrase "اللهم عجل لولیک الفرج" (O Allah, hasten the reappearance of Your Guardian) 40 times, along with millions of Muslims worldwide, let’s praying for the imminent reappearance of Imam Mahdi (May God hasten his reappearance) and the best outcomes for that era.

 

Then the Cultural Counselor invited the guests present at the ceremony to listen to the speech of Hujjat al-Islam and the Muslims, Haj Agha Bagheri, the respected head of the organization's representative office in Razavi Khorasan, from the shrine of Motahar Razavi virtually.

Honorable Mr. Bagheri, praising the Almighty God and congratulating on auspicious occasions of Shabaniyah and the birth of Imam Mahdi (a.j.), said in English that the mystical night of the middle of Shaban can be considered as one of the nights of Lailat al-Qadr, and it is said that it may be the beginning of the Nights of Qadr. The Night of Qadr is the night of forgiveness and seeking forgiveness. On the night of the middle of Sha'ban, actions such as asking for forgiveness and repentance before God, as well as reciting Ziyarat of Imam Hussain (a.j.) and reciting the (Salawat) are very important, and among the other recommended actions on this night is reading two rak'ats of prayer, which in the first rak'at is recite Surah Al-Fatiha then Surah Al-Kafurun and in The second rak'at is recite Surah Al-Fatiha and then Surah Al-Tawheed, and after finishing it, it is customary to do the Tasbihat of Lady Fatimah (a.j.). Another recommended practice is to perform the prayer of Ja'far al-Tayyar. It is worth noting that performing the Ja'far al-Tayyar prayer is also recommended during the daytime of mid-Shaban. He further said that the followers of all religions and denominations believe that at a historical moment when the situation of the world is darkness and turmoil, and the human society is facing a crisis and corruption, oppression and irreligion are spreading everywhere; A savior will appear with the approval of an unseen hand and remove the root of oppression and corruption from among humanity and the earth will be filled with justice.

 

 

This good news is found both in the heavenly books and in the holy books of other religions and sects, so it can be concluded that all divine religions and some non-divine religions agree on the universal reformer; In Islam, this global reformer is referred to as Imam Mahdi (May Allah hasten his noble reappearance). He went on to say that the recent crimes of the Zionist regime have led to the martyrdom of more than 30 thousand children and oppressed people in the Gaza Strip.  However, the Palestinian people have resisted the attacks of the Zionist regime with determination and steadfastness until now and they believe that they will be victorious in this field, and, God willing, it will pave the way for the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (May Allah hasten his noble reappearance). At the end of his speech, he prayed to Almighty God for success in worship on this auspicious night for those awaiting followers of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) and expressed hope that by following the divine instructions, we will be able to raise children who will be supportive companions to Imam Mahdi (a.j.).

 

 

Then the Cultural Counselor invited Mr. Nasser Abinal, the head of Imamat Islamic Center, to give a speech. While congratulating the audience on the birthday of Hazrat Sahib al-Zaman Mahdi (a.j.), Mr. Abinal said: Praise and glorification are specific belongs to God, who is the Lord of the universe.

First of all, I would like to say appreciate and thank you to the respected Cultural Adviser Mr. Abdolmajid Abolghasemi and Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Philippines Mr. Yusuf Ismailzadeh for inviting us on this very important occasion of the birth anniversary of Imam Zaman (a.j.). As we all know, the salvation of all Muslims will be in the hands of Imam Mahdi (a.j.).

This night is a joy night for all of us, but our joy is mixed with our solitude because we know that now the axis of resistance in the Middle East bears the burden of defending the rights of the oppressed Muslim nations of the Middle East. Therefore, the vision and tact of Imam Khomeini (r.a) for insisting on defending the rights of the Palestinian brothers and now this vision has been shown to the whole world.

 

I recite some verses of the Qur'an about Imam Mahdi, for example, in Surah Towbah, it says: We are aware and certain that God Almighty has given the light of His knowledge and wisdom through Imam Zaman (a.j.), the representative of Prophet Mohammad, peace and blessings be upon him. In verse 75 of Surah An-Nisa, it is mentioned: "And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah?"

 

Do you know that there are children and vulnerable Muslims, including women, are subjected to oppression and they call on their fellow countrymen to save them. Sunni Muslims can support their brothers and sisters in Palestine, and I express gratitude to the Islamic Republic of Iran, currently recognized worldwide as a symbol of justice, greatness, and wisdom. I believe that even non-Muslims will stand up for the Palestinians. Imam Mahdi (a.j.) is the last of the 12 Imams who was given the authority to lead the believers in the fight against the oppressors of the world. Thank you very much ladies and gentlemen.

 

 

The broadcast of selected songs and the recitation of the supplication for the reappearance (Dua al-Faraj) and the Ziyarat Aminullah were among the other memorable programs of the night. In the end, the guests were treated to a blessed meal in honor of Imam Mahdi (a.j).