Age-old tradition of Iftar at Imam Reza (AS) shrine

The ritual of iftar meal distribution at the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) is historically dated to 332 years ago.

The holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS), eighth Shia Imam and grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), has been carrying out its annual iftar distribution during Islam’s holy month of Ramadan.

Historical documents show that various ceremonies held at the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) during the Safavid, Afsharid, and Qajar eras in honor of different religious occasions, such as Ramadan.

The ritual starts during the day when people came together at the shrine to read verses of the Holy Quran.

Then, at sunset, a variety of foods were prepared according to the seasons of the year and all the expenses of preparing these foods were paid for by the holy shrine.

Every year during this holy month, many pilgrims receive hot food and simple iftar packages outside the holy shrine in addition to the iftar meals inside the shrine.

In the suburbs and deprived areas of Mashhad, iftar packages are also distributed each day.

Reports by Astan Quds Razavi, which manages the shrine complex and other associated institutions, say that Mashhad’s holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) where the eighth Shia Imam is laid to rest is normally visited by an average number of 500,000 pilgrims each day.

Preparing and distributing iftar meals is a longstanding tradition in the holy shrine undertaken annually with people’s charity.

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