Iraqi MPs Call for Making Eid Al-Ghadir a Public Holiday
More than 100 Iranian parliamentarians have signed the motion, according to Sawt al-Iraq website.
Muhammad al-Lakash, one of the MPs who signed the motion, underlined that the occasion has great importance to the majority of Iraqi people.
He noted that Eid al-Ghadir is a public holiday in some provinces of Iraq but a working day in others, which creates confusion and, thus, the issues needs to be addressed.
Eid al-Ghadir is among important feasts and happy holidays of Shia Muslims held on the 18th day of Dhul-Hijja in the lunar Hijri calendar.
It was the day when according to reports, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) appointed Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) as his caliph and the Imam after himself following an order from God. That event happened in the Prophet's (PBUH) Hajjat al-Wida' (the Farewell Hajj), in the year 10 Hijri/632 A.D. in a place called Ghadir Khumm.
In Shia hadiths, the anniversary has been called "Eid Allah al-Akbar” (the greatest Eid of God). Shia Muslims celebrate this day around the world.
This year, Eid al-Ghadir falls on Tuesday, September 20.
