Martyrdom of Imam Reza in Iran

Meaning and history

Imam Reza, also known as Ali al-Ridha, was the eighth Imam of Shia Muslims. Iran’s tourism portal says he was martyred in 203 AH in Tus and buried beside the grave of Abbasid caliph Harun; the shrine developed at that burial place, and Tus became known as Mashhad al-Reza.[2]

The day commemorates Imam Reza’s death and religious legacy.[2]

The observance in Iran

The Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad is a central place of pilgrimage for this commemoration. Iran’s tourism portal describes the shrine as a major religious center visited by pilgrims from Iran and abroad.[2]

Pilgrimage to the shrine is part of the observance, but customs can differ by place and year. Commemorations may take place in religious settings.[2]

Public holiday and practical effects

The legal holiday list includes 28 Safar among Iran’s public holidays and allows the government to declare additional public holidays nationally or locally.[1]

Iran’s Labour Law says that, in addition to the country’s official holidays, Labour Day is a workers’ official holiday. It does not establish on its own which offices, banks, schools, shops, or transport services close for this particular observance.[3] Travelers should check local opening hours and transport information, especially in Mashhad, rather than assume that all services will be closed or operating normally.[2][3]

Planning a visit to Mashhad

The shrine’s location makes Mashhad the principal destination for visitors seeking to pay their respects.[2]