TEHRAN – The 6th edition of the Imam Reza (AS) International Congress got underway in a ceremony in the holy city of Mashhad on Monday, with President Masoud Pezeshkian addressing the event. 
Minister of Science, Research and Technology Hussein Simayi Saraf was among those attending the inauguration ceremony. 
This year’s edition focuses on human rights and dignity and draws upon the teachings of Ah-ul-Bayt (AS), especially the teachings of Imam Reza (AS).
The two-day congress has been organized by the Scientific and Cultural Organization of the Astan Quds Razavi in collaboration with the University of Tehran and other national and international academic and research institutions.
The main themes of the congress include “Concepts and Theories of Human Dignity and Rights Derived from the Conduct of Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS), with an Emphasis on the Teachings of Imam Reza (AS)”, “Various Dimensions of Human Dignity|, “Securing Fundamental Human Rights in the Civilizational Thought of Imam Reza (AS) and the Sublime School of the Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS),” and “Opportunities and Challenges in Reviving Islamic Tradition for the Preservation of Human Dignity and Rights.”
Addressing the opening ceremony, Secretary of the Congress Saeed Reza Ameli said scholars and thinkers from 21 countries are taking part in this edition.
A forum on Gaza and rights of resistance will also be held on the sidelines of the congress on Tuesday. It will be hosted by the Imam Reza (AS) International University.
Meanwhile, a large gathering of devotees of Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS) is planned to be held here on Friday, marking the birth anniversary of Imam Reza (AS).
The gathering will be held under the motto of “Iran of Imam Reza (AS)”.
According to Abbas Heidari, who is in charge of the popular committee for organizing the festive event, some 1,000 Moukebs (booths) will be set up in the streets hosting the gathering.
They will serve drinks and refreshments to the participants and offer various cultural, social, medical and health services.
The infrastructure for the Moukebs, such as structures, water, electricity, and so on, will be provided by the Municipality of Tehran and various organizations and institutions, Heidari said, adding that the Moukebs will be supplied and managed by community groups, mosques, and religious assemblies.
Shia Muslims all over the world, including in Iran, celebrate Imam Reza (AS)’s birthday anniversary on the 11th day of Dhul Qaada, which falls on May 9 this year.
It will be the end of Karamat Week, which marks the birth anniversaries of Fatima Masumeh (SA) and his brother Imam Reza (AS).