Rasa News Agency reports - On the occasion of the auspicious birth anniversary of Imam Ali (A), the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (S), seminarians have had their turbans placed upon their heads and given permission to wear the sacred clerical uniform in special ceremonies held at the offices and homes of various sources of emulation in the holy city of Qom.
Shi’ah clergy wear a white or black turban, a special ankle-length coat called a qaba, with an aba, a loose, sleeveless cloak, which open in front worn over the qaba. The black turban is only worn by a cleric who is a sayyed, someone descended from the Prophet Muhammad (S). This uniform is considered an honour to wear by the clerics and is only given after several years of seminary studies. It comes with heavy responsibilities and it an honour which is not taken lightly.
The turban-bestowing ceremony by the sources of emulation is a religious tradition which is often celebrated on the joyous birth anniversaries of the 12 Infallible Imams (A).
At Madrassah Amir al-Momenin (A), more than 50 seminarians were given their turbans by Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi (HA). His Eminence explained to the new clerics that their duty is to serve and guide the people on their path toward God and to serve the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Ayatollah Hosayn Nouri-Hamadani also consecrated a new group of 10 seminarians at his office, where they benefited from his words of guidance, congratulations, and thankfulness on behalf their hard work. At His Eminence’s office, the new clerics also benefited from the message of Hujjat al-Islam Rezavi-Mehr, who also congratulated the new clerics on the joyous birth anniversary of Imam Ali (A).
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