Martyrdom of Imam Ali in Iran

An official holiday on 21 Ramadan

Iran’s law listing official national holidays names 21 Ramadan as the day of the martyrdom of Hazrat Amir, a title for Imam Ali. Iran’s Labour Law separately recognizes official holidays as workers’ holidays. The holiday law names the date but does not set out a substitute-day rule; the official calendar lists no observed substitute days.[1][4]

The law identifies the holiday by the Islamic date, not a fixed Gregorian date. Its Gregorian equivalent therefore changes from year to year. The date in the Iranian calendar commemorates Ali’s death, rather than the reported attack two days earlier.[1][2]

Who Imam Ali was

Ali ibn Abi Talib was the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, the first Shiite Imam and the fourth caliph. The anniversary matters within Iran’s religious calendar because Shiite observances give particular attention to the deaths and martyrdoms of the Imams.[2][3]

In the broader Shiite calendar, the month of Ramadan is a period of fasting and religious reflection as well as a time for commemorating Ali. The day’s lunar-calendar observance is shared across Shiite communities beyond Iran; the legal status as a national public holiday described here is specific to Iran.[1][2]

Prayer and remembrance

Encyclopaedia Iranica describes mosques as crowded on the nights of 19, 21 and 23 Ramadan, when worshippers stay awake for prayer. The 21st-night observance coincides with the commemoration of Ali’s death.[2]

Practices vary among Shiite communities, with no single universal practice for this anniversary.[2]

What to expect day to day

The holiday law establishes the date as an official national holiday, and the Labour Law recognizes official holidays in its provisions for workers. These sources do not specify which government counters, banks, shops or transport services close or change their hours for this particular holiday. Travelers should check directly with the office, business or operator they plan to use.[1][4]