Birthday of Imam Mahdi in Iran
Iran recognizes the Birthday of Imam Mahdi, observed on 15 Sha'ban, as a national public holiday. For Twelver Shi'a Muslims, the day celebrates the birth of the twelfth Imam, whose awaited return is associated with justice.[1][2]
A public holiday on 15 Sha'ban
Iran’s law on official holidays includes Nim-e Sha'ban, or the middle of Sha'ban, in its list of national public holidays.[1] The date follows the Islamic lunar calendar, so its Gregorian date changes from year to year.
The law establishes the date as an official public holiday. Check locally before visiting a shop, office or attraction, and check with transport providers before travelling.[1]
Meaning in Twelver Shi'a belief
The holiday is tied to the birth anniversary of Muhammad al-Mahdi, regarded in Twelver Shi'a belief as the twelfth and final Imam. In this tradition, he is in occultation and is expected to reappear as the Mahdi. Accounts of the birth and its date differ.[2]
The observance also has a public meaning in Iran. In a message addressed to the nation of Iran on 15 Sha'ban, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini called the day Imam Mahdi’s birthday and connected his promised era with the establishment of justice.[3]
Gatherings and observance
Celebrations include gatherings at religious sites. Iranian broadcaster iFilm reported worshippers assembling at Jamkaran Mosque in Qom for the Imam’s birth anniversary, which falls on 15 Sha'ban.[4]
The holiday has religious importance and is marked by a gathering in Qom. Travelers should check local announcements for site access and services around major religious gatherings.[1][4]
Frequently asked questions
When is the Birthday of Imam Mahdi?
Is it a public holiday in Iran?
Yes. Iran’s law on official holidays lists Nim-e Sha'ban as a national public holiday.[1]
Are shops and transport services open?
Shops and transport operators set their own hours, so check with them before you travel.
Sources and references
Sources used for Birthday of Imam Mahdi in Iran:
- لایحه قانونی تعیین تعطیلات رسمی کشور- Islamic Revolutionary Council of Iran; text reproduced by the Nezamat legal archive
- ISLAM IN IRAN vii. THE CONCEPT OF MAHDI IN TWELVER SHIʿISM- Encyclopædia Iranica
- Radio-TV Message [Establishment of true justice in the days of the promised Mahdi (`aj)]- Comprehensive Imam Khomeini Website
- Embracing hope: Celebrating Imam Mahdi’s birth anniv. at Jamkaran- iFilm, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting