Sunnis have also narrated that the Prophet (p.b.u.h), upon returning from the “حجة الوداع” (farewell Hajj pilgrimage), gathered those returning from the Hajj at a place called Ghadir Khumm and said, “من کنت مولاه فهذا علی مولاه” (For whoever I am leader, Ali is his leader). There is no difference between Shia and Sunni in that such an event has occurred, and the only difference is over the meaning of “Mula” in this hadith.
On Monday, July 24, 2022, coincides with Dhuʻl-Hijjah 18, 1443, and Eid Ghadir, a public celebration titled “10 km celebration” was held in Vali Asr Street in Tehran, with the participation of millions of people and hosted by 350 religious groups including mosques, volunteers, service, and artistic groups.
Hojat al-Islam Dr. Mahdi Farmanian, Deputy for Cultural Affairs of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly wrote the following note about this celebration:
*10 km celebration on Eid Ghadir; A celebration that should have been held for forty years ago*
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By: Mahdi Farmanian
July 19, 2022
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On Monday, July 18, 2022, a celebration on Eid Ghadir Khumm was held on Vali Asr ten-kilometer street.
The event of Ghadir Khumm is one of the historical events in which Shia and Sunni agree. Even the majority of Salafis and Wahhabis acknowledge that the event of Ghadir has occurred, and they also admit the famous saying of the Prophet: “من کنت مولاه فهذا علی مولاه” (For whoever I am leader, Ali is his leader).
Most Sunnis have narrated that the Prophet (p.b.u.h), upon returning from the “حجة الوداع” (farewell Hajj pilgrimage), gathered those returning from the Hajj at a place called Ghadir Khumm and said, “من کنت مولاه فهذا علی مولاه” (For whoever I am leader, Ali is his leader). There is no difference between Shia and Sunni in that such an event has occurred, and the only difference is over the meaning of “Mula” in this hadith.
Therefore, the commemoration of this day does not conflict with the proximity of Islamic denominations, nor does it harm Islamic unity. Propagation of Shiite concepts and symbols with a persuasive and positive approach does not cause any problems, however the way we express the concepts and our literature that we use are of great importance.
In my opinion, the celebration and commemoration of Ghadir in this way started forty years late, and it should have started in the country in the 1980s.
Although the celebration of Eid Ghadir, with this form and extent, has started late, it is blessed. I call everyone not to use provocative literature in these celebrations.
The Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly is an international non-governmental organization (INGO) that was established by a group of Shiite elites under the supervision of the great Islamic authority of the Shiites in 1990 to identify, organize, educate and support the followers of Ahl al-Bayt.