Mr. Esmailzadeh, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran, presented his credentials to Mr. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the President of the Philippines, during a ceremony on Thursday, Aug 17, 2023, at the Presidential Palace in Manila.

During a meeting between the Cultural Counselor of our country and the head of the National Library of the Philippines, a crucial matter was brought to the forefront. Abdulmajid Abulqasmi and Cesar Gilbert Adriano came together to express hope regarding the revival of the Iran Studies Room at the National Library of the Philippines and the reinstatement of the memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the national libraries of the two countries.

On the evening of Saturday 7 of Mordad, 1402, corresponding to the 7th of Muharram, a commemoration for the martyrdom of Imam Zain al-Abidin (a.s.) was held at the Cultural Center meeting hall. Hojjat al-Islam Seyyed Sadiq Tabatabai, a scholar of the seminary and university, delivered a lecture recounting the early events of Islam. He highlighted how the supplications of Imam Sajjad (a.s.) collected in Sahifa Sajjadiyeh, along with the efforts of Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) and Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.), contributed to the growth and prosperity of the Islamic faith.

The Shaam-e-Ghariban ceremony, which was another turning point in the Karbala event and an objective reflection on the oppression of the family of the son of the Prophet (PBUH), was held with the presence by mourners and devotees of the Ahl al-Bayt from different nationalities, the ambassador and staff of the Islamic Republic of Iran Embassy in Manila and a large number of resident Iranians who came from far and near to pay their respects to Agha Aba Abdullah (a.s), loyal companions and the captives of Karbala.

On Friday, 6th of Mordad, 1402, corresponding to July 28, 2023, the mourning assembly of the martyrs of Karbala will be held with the presence of devotees of the son of Fatima (pbuh) along with Ziyarat Ashura, performing the noon prayer of Ashura, mourning and and chest beating.

On Thursday, August 5, 1402 (equivalent to July 27, 2023), an event of significant cultural and religious importance took place. Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Seyyed Mohammad Sadiq Tabatabai Shirazi, a respected cleric and professor from the center and a notable figure in the Hozah and University, graced the Blue Mosque situated in the Muslim enclave of Maharlika, a suburb of Metropolis Manila. During this visit, discussions were held with the mosque's director, the teachers of Dar al-Quran, and other officials involved in the administration of the mosque.

On the evening of Thursday, the 5th of Mordad 1402, corresponding to the 27th of July 2023 (Night of Ashura), once again the mourners and devotees of the Ahl al-Bayt gathered in the Cultural Center hall of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Manila to pay their respects to Imam Hussain (a.s.) and his loyal companions.

On the night of August 4, 2023, corresponding to the 8th of Muharram, a mourning ceremony for Qamar Bani Hashim Abulfazl (a.s.) was held at the Cultural Center hall of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Manila. The event was attended by Ambassador Esmaeil Zadeh, embassy staff, visiting cleric Haj Agha Seyed Sadegh Tabatabai, and Iranian residents and followers of Ahl al-Bayt from the Philippines, India, and Pakistan. The gathering included speeches, recitations of Ziyarat Ashura, and mourning rituals.

The Cultural Counselor of Iran and the Executive Director of the National Commission of Culture and Arts of the Philippines met to discuss the signing of a draft exchange program and the organization of cultural weeks in both countries, in light of the upcoming 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Iran and the Philippines.