Coinciding with the blessed anniversary of the birth of the Master of the Pious, Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), the Golden Iwan of the Holy Shrine has been fully prepared for its official unveiling following an extensive restoration and reconstruction process carried out by the Imam Ali Holy Shrine and its dedicated staff.
The “Golden Iwan,” considered an artistic and historical masterpiece of the Shrine, represents the main entrance to its radiant sanctuary. After many years of anticipation and upon the completion of restoration works, this treasured architectural landmark has regained its brilliance and is once again ready to inspire the hearts and eyes of visitors yearning for the sacred presence of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him).
After the fall of the former regime in Iraq, the Imam Ali Holy Shrine began restoring damaged sections of the Golden Iwan and reinstalling detached inscriptions in 1423 AH. Subsequently, based on the directive of the Supreme Religious Authority in Najaf and under the supervision of the Custodian of the Imam Ali Holy Shrine, Sayed Isa al-Khirsan, comprehensive restoration efforts commenced in 1440 AH to preserve the original identity and historical character of the Iwan.
Throughout the project, and through the combined efforts of skilled craftsmen from Iraq and Iran, the remaining historic tiles, dating back nearly three centuries to the era of Nader Shah Afshar, were restored and returned to their original positions. The restoration of the Golden Iwan was implemented in two phases, in cooperation with the Committee for the Development and Reconstruction of Holy Shrines in Iraq.
During this process, gold-plated tiles were restored and reinstalled while carefully maintaining their historical authenticity. A significant portion of the work was carried out in specialized workshops established within the Shrine’s courtyard, with the reconstruction organized into three planned stages.
Given the sensitivity of the project, the distinctive conditions of the holy city of Najaf, the age of the structural elements, and the cumulative damage sustained over time, every effort was made to preserve the original historic components, replacing them only when absolutely necessary. This level of precision and care contributed to the lengthy duration of the restoration.
Today, through the efforts of the Imam Ali Holy Shrine and the sincere, unseen dedication of its servants, the restoration of the Najaf Golden Iwan has reached its final phase. Its official unveiling is scheduled for the twentieth of the month of Rajab of the current year, after which it will once again welcome visitors and devotees of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).
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