RNA – Masoud Mojaradi, the Director of Pilgrims Affairs of the Oppressed Relief Department of the Holy Shrine of Imam al-Ridha, announced the attendance of over thirty thousand first-time-pilgrims to the Holy Shrine of Imam al-Ridha during the last four months.
Mojaradi said, “During four months that has passed from the establishment of the Oppressed Relief Department of the Holy Shrine of Imam al-Ridha, more than thirty thousand first-time-pilgrims, over forty years old, who due to financial hardships and deprivation had not been able to visit Imam al-Ridha Court, by the efforts of the Holy Shrine of Imam al-Ridha and the assistance of donors have attended the Holy Shrine of Imam al-Ridha from all around the country.”
He explained, “In the ‘Mehr-e Derakhshan’ program, the Holy Shrine of Imam al-Ridha in partnership with aiding agencies such as Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation, Welfare Organization, Revolutionary Guards, and reputable NGO charities across the country, brings the aspirants of pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Imam al-Ridha, generally from deprived areas to the holy city of Mashhad to hopefully someday, no individual in the country due to the financial problems is excluded from the pilgrimage of Imam al-Ridha, he reiterated.”
“Registration, selection and transportation of pilgrims to the holy city of Mashhad, will be performed by Imam Khomeini Relief foundation, Welfare Organization, Revolutionary Guards, and reputable NGO charities, and the Holy Shrine of Imam al-Ridha provides breakfast, lunch, dinner, health and cultural services for pilgrims in the holy city of Mashhad, they would also contribute to the accommodation and transportation as much as possible,” Mojaradi asserted, stressing on the fact that the Holy Shrine of Imam al-Ridha would never be involved independently and it only welcomes pilgrims in the holy city of Mashhad.
“Regarding the attendance of first-time-pilgrims we intend not to act in separation from donors, and this section would require the assistance and participation of the donors. The invitation in the provinces of origin, the cost of transportation and accommodation in Mashhad, is the responsibility of donors and dispatching departments, and the Holy Shrine of Imam al-Ridha will take part in feeding, health and cultural services” the Director of Pilgrims Affairs of the Oppressed Relief Department of the Holy Shrine of Imam al-Ridha expressed.”
R111/112/E