New film chronicles journey of Islamic saint Hazrat Masumeh to Iran

A captivating film showcasing the remarkable journey of Hazrat Masumeh (SA), the revered sister of Imam Reza (AS), during her visit to Iran, has recently been brought to life.

Titled ‘Okht-o-Reda’ (Reza's Sister), the feature film is the creation of acclaimed director Mojtaba Tabatabai, known for his remarkable documentaries ‘Cloudy Sky’ and ‘The Footsteps of Water’.

The film takes us back to the year 815 CE when Hazrat Masumeh (SA) embarked on a momentous pilgrimage from Medina to meet her brother, Imam Reza (AS), in Khorasan, where the eighth Shia Imam resided under the orders of Abbasid caliph Mamun. However, their journey faced numerous challenges due to Mamun's animosity towards the Shia community. His soldiers intercepted them in Saveh, a city near Qom, which was home to a significant population of Shia Muslims.

Tragically, many companions of Hazrat Masumeh (SA) lost their lives during the encounter in Saveh, while she fell ill. As a result, she decided to seek refuge in the welcoming city of Qom. The Shia Muslim community in Qom greeted Hazrat Masumeh (SA) and her companions with utmost warmth upon their arrival. However, her condition remained critical, and she eventually passed away on November 9, 816 CE. She was laid to rest in Qom, where her shrine stands today.

Before her arrival in Qom, Mamun had already executed her brothers, Hazrat Ahmad ibn Musa (AS) and Seyyed Alaeddin Hossein (AS), in the Fars region. Due to the prohibition on the visual depiction of Islamic saints, the film ‘Okht-o-Reda’ approaches the story through the perspectives of three characters, as shared by Tabatabai, who is not only the director but also a co-producer of the film.

The characters include the individual responsible for executing Mamun's orders to transfer Imam Reza (AS) to Khorasan, Hazrat Masumeh's maid, and one of her brothers.

Tabatabai emphasizes that the film remains faithful to historical facts and refrains from embellishments or imaginative storytelling while expertly dramatizing the events surrounding this significant historical narrative.

Most of the film's scenes were shot at the Nurtaban Cinema Town, known for its portrayal of various aspects of Islamic history, including Majid Majidi's acclaimed ‘Muhammad: The Messenger of God’, which chronicles the early life of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH).

‘Okht-o-Reda’ features a cast of talented actors rather than relying on big-name stars to bring the story to life.

Tabatabai intends to premiere the film in Qom, the city where the shrine of Hazrat Masumeh (SA) stands, on October 9 this year, coinciding with the anniversary of her arrival in the city. This significant occasion will provide a fitting tribute to the remarkable journey of Hazrat Masumeh (SA) and her enduring legacy.

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