The ceremony was held at Al-Zahra Husseiniya (religious center) of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICOR) with the participation of a number of officials, including Culture Minister Seyed Abbas Salehi and ICRO Chief Abouzar Ebrahimi Torkaman.
Slahei in a speech said the Arbaeen pilgrimage has significance from many aspects and this makes it necessary that what happens in this ritual should be registered and remain for the posterity.
He said the ritual relates to different aspects of human life, including his body, his beliefs, his emotions, and his will power.
The ritual provides an opportunity for human growth spiritually, emotionally and mentally, he said.
According to Salehi, Arbaeen pilgrimage can have a lasting effect in promoting world peace and social coexistence, interaction, and solidarity.
The winners in different categories, such as photos, films, travel accounts, and online activists, were from countries like Iraq, Iran, Canada, the US, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Lebanon.
According to Mahdi Saadat, an official with ICRO, 2,200 works were submitted to the organizing committee from 21 countries.
He noted that 40 selected photos submitted to the contest will be showcased in an exhibition.
ICRO has organized the Arabeen Award since 2014 with the aim of reflecting the manifestations of this international religious event to the world.
Wherever words cannot convey the greatness of a message, the best communication medium would be the language of art. That is why ICRO decided to hold the international award annually in the categories of photos, videos and travelogues, with the aim of spreading the message of Arbaeen and Ashura.
This year’s event was held ahead of the martyrdom anniversary of Lt. General Qassem Soleimani and its main theme was “Generals of Resistance; Protectors of Security of Arabeen (pilgrimage)”.