AQR stresses expanding ties with world Shia, boosting intl. pilgrimage

A seven-member delegation of managers from Shia media networks and institutions in Turkey met with Mostafa Feizi, deputy Custodian of Astan Qods Razavi, in Mashhad to discuss expanding cultural, media, and religious cooperation with Shia communities.
During the meeting, Kadir Akaras, Secretary General of Association of Shia Clerics of Turkey and representative of the delegation, introduced the participants, including Hurriyet, manager of Channel 14 TV in Turkey, and Musa Gunes, director of Kevser International Charity in Istanbul. 
Akaras thanked Astan Qods Razavi, the organization in charge of Imam Reza Shrine in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, for its cooperation with Shia institutions in Turkey and called for broader cultural, media, and religious collaboration.
He also conveyed the greetings and devotion of followers and admirers of the Ahl al-Bayt in Turkey to AQR’s Custodian.
Speaking at the meeting, Mostafa Feizi emphasized that all participants share the mission of serving a common religious path. “Alongside the primary responsibility of serving pilgrims and residents of Imam Reza Shrine, one of the key priorities of the Custodian of Astan Qods Razavi is expanding relations with the Muslim world and with Shia communities in other countries”.
Feizi expressed hope that the number of Shia pilgrims from across the world visiting Imam Reza Shrine will increase every year, allowing the spiritual presence of the shrine to reach broader international audiences.
Referring to the presence of Imam Reza Shrine servants in different countries during the Karamat Ten-Day festivities, the deputy said: “These programs clearly demonstrate deep devotion of people from different nations toward Imam Reza, showing that love for the Ahl al-Bayt transcends borders”.
Feizi also recalled a statement by the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayat. Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who said that “this nation will be resurrected,” noting: “Today the awakening of Muslim nations around the world has made the meaning of this statement clearer”.
Describing Imam Reza Shrine as a gateway for connecting Shia around the world, he stated: “The Custodian of Astan Qods Razavi consistently stresses that serving the pilgrims of the holy shrine remains the institution’s most important duty”.
He concluded by thanking the visiting Turkish media managers and encouraging them to expand efforts to strengthen ties between Shia communities and holy shrines, while conveying the warm greetings of AQR’s Custodian to the Shia of Turkey.