TEHRAN -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has pardoned or commuted sentences of a group of Iranian prisoners on the occasion of two important Islamic festivities.

The Leader agreed to pardon or reduce the sentences of 2,272 prisoners on the occasion of Eid al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice and Eid al-Ghadir, which this year fell on July 10 and 18 respectively.

The Leader’s decision came in response to a letter from Iran’s Judiciary Chief Gholamhussein Mohseni-Ejei who introduced prisoners eligible for mitigating circumstances, including those found guilty in courts of common pleas and Islamic Revolution tribunals, the Judicial Organization of the Armed Forces, and the State Discretionary Punishment Organization.

The official amnesty request was approved in line with the 11th paragraph of the Constitution’s Article 110, which grants the Leader the right to pardon or reduce the sentences of convicts upon a recommendation from the head of the Judiciary.

Muslims traditionally celebrate Eid al-Adha, one of the most important religious festivities, with the sacrifice of animals such as sheep, rams, goats, and cattle.

The act is reminiscent of Prophet Abraham’s submission to divine order when he attempted to sacrifice his son, Ismail. Just before going on with the sacrifice, God provided Prophet Abraham with a ram to sacrifice instead, after he successfully passed the divine test.

Eid al-Ghadir, held on the 18th of the Muslim month of Dhu Al-Hijjah, is amongst the most significant feasts of Shia Muslims. On this occasion, almost 1,400 years ago, Prophet Muhammad (Peace upon Him) appointed Imam Ali (AS) as his successor.