Goharshad Mosque to host 1,500 worshippers for Rajab spiritual retreat

Registration for this year’s iʿtikāf begins November 15, with participants selected by lottery.

The deputy in charge of sacred premises affairs at Imam Reza Shrine has announced the opening of registration for the Rajab iʿtikāf ceremony at Goharshad Grand Mosque, with 1,500 participants to be selected for this year’s spiritual retreat.
According to Amin Behnam, “The tradition of holding iʿtikāf at Goharshad Mosque dates back to 1993. Last year, around 84,000 people registered, with 1,500 selected through a lottery. Of those, 80 percent were from Khorasan Razavi Province, 15 percent from other provinces, and 5 percent from abroad”.
He added that last year’s applicants came from 28 countries, including Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Turkey, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Germany, Nigeria, Lebanon, Australia, Greece, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Bangladesh, Kuwait, Tajikistan, and the United States. “Around 70 international participants were ultimately able to attend”.
Registration for this year’s iʿtikāf opens at 8 a.m. on Saturday, November 15, and continues until 11:59 p.m. on November 24. Applicants can register via the website www.etekaf.razavi.ir or by texting number 8 to 500048030. The lottery will be held on December 1, and selected participants will be notified by SMS on December 5.
“The minimum age for participation is 14 for men and 12 for women, allowing for family involvement and parental supervision. Three prayer halls have been designated for men—Najafabadi, Nahavandi, and Milani—and three for women—Sabzevari, Tabrizi, and Garm”, Behnam explained.
He also announced that with the completion of the Goharshad Mosque substructure project next year, the capacity for iʿtikāf will double, enabling service to up to 3,000 participants.
Behnam emphasized that all participants will be selected solely through the official lottery process, with no special quotas or exceptions. On the night of the retreat’s commencement, January 2, participants will be transported to the shrine via designated stations for men and women.
Iʿtikāf is a spiritual retreat observed in Islam, typically during the last ten days of Ramadan or in other sacred months like Rajab and Sha'ban. It involves secluding oneself in a mosque for a set period—usually three days or more—with the intention of dedicating time solely to worship, reflection, and drawing closer to God.