MNA– Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has arrived in the holy city of Mashhad to mark the martyrdom anniversary of the 8th Shia Imam, Ali ibn Musa al-Reza (PBUH).


According to the Governor of Khorasan Razavi, Alireza Rashidian, the President’s visit to Mashhad is unofficial and aimed at attending the mourning procession for the martyrdom of the eight Shia Imam at Imam Reza’s Mausoleum in the northeastern province of Khorasan Razavi.

However, President Rouhani is also scheduled to meet with officials of Khorasan Razavi where a report on the measures taken by the country’s executive bodies, as well as the implementation status on various projects in the province will be discussed.

A number of development and economic projects of the province completed so far will come on stream on Thursday in the presence of President Rouhani.

Wednesday November 30 is a national holiday in Iran when the country mourns the martyrdom of Imam Reza by taking part in rituals across Iran, but mainly by gathering at Imam Reza’s Mausoleum in Mashhad. Thousands of pilgrims from other countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Azerbaijan also make a trip to this holy city on this day to join other Shias in the ritualistic mourning.