Mu`takifs as a group entered the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.) on Monday, 9 pm, and after reciting Imam Reza (A.S.) pilgrimage prayer, they were settled at their pre-determined seats in the Gowharshad Mosque.
An indescribable feeling filled the courtyard of the Gowharshad Mosque and all Mu`takifs whispered the greeting to Imam Reza ( A.S. ) politely as they left the Quds courtyard to the Gowharshad Mosque.
Some Mu`takifs have tearful eyes. They have gathered here to wipe the dust out of their hearts with three days of worship.
Upon entering the Gowharshad Mosque, some perform thankfulness prayer and some others start by reading from the Mafatih al-Jinan to follow the special ritual of I'tikaf.
According to the statistics, this year more than 27 thousand and 558 people signed up for the I'tikaf in the Gowharshad Mosque, from which two thousand and 200 people were admitted by lot.
The ritual is planned by department of Propagation and Islamic Communications to start formally at 1 a.m. with recitation of Qur'an by Muhammad Reza Shafiei Mu'men and Hujjat al - Islam Barsalani will give lecture on manners of I'tikaf.
It should be noted that during I'tikaf in the Gowharshad Mosque, religious experts around the clock will answer the religious, beliefs, and counseling questions of Mu'takifs and a lot of lecture programs will be delivered by presence of Ayatollah Alam al-Hoda, Hujjat al-Islam Sayed Ebrahim Raeisi, Grand Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, and religious experts including Hujjat al-Islam Husseini Qomi, Ali Akbari, Farahzad, and Mandegari.
