The Grand Celebration of the Majestic Birth Anniversary of Imam Ali(a.s.) at The Islamic Centre of England – 2023

This glorious ceremony hosted at the Islamic Centre of England in London to celebrate the distinctive birth in the Holy Ka’bah, and Imam Jawad (a.s.) attracted a joyous reception from the crowd that filled the Islamic Centre of England.
The Public Relations Office of the Islamic Centre of England reported, the celebration, on Saturday evening 4th February 2023, attended by a large crowd of hundreds of lovers of Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) packed in the main hall, while the smaller hall and open area of the Islamic Centre were also cram-full.
The function began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an, followed by eulogies recited in respective praise and then melodic entertainment played in praise of the world’s first Shiite Imam, Imam Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s.).
Cultural and religious personalities spoke in Persian, Arabic and English about the moral virtues and characteristics of Imam Ali’s character.
HIWM Seyed Hashem Moosavi, pointed to narrations from the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and explained the philosophy of naming the birthday of Amir al- Momineen Ali (as) as Father’s Day. He elucidated that the Prophet (s.a.) and Imam Ali (a.s.) are those responsible for the training and spiritual perfection of human beings, are in fact the spiritual fathers of the Islamic Ummah.
HIWM Moosavi added: “If we honour this day as Father’s Day, it is due to the reason of observing the orders of God Almighty as He has asked us to respect the paternal status and dignity of the Prophet (s.a.), and Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s.).
HIWM Moosavi added: referred to the virtues of Imam Ali (a.s.) in the Qur’an and traditions, and stated: “His miraculous birth in the Ka’bah, training in the lap of the Prophet (s.a.), being the first Muslim man in the history of Islam and the best role model, are among the virtues that only Amir al-Momineen Imam Ali (a.s.) has.
Speaking in English, HIWM Sheikh Ayyub Rashed explained some important features of the Shias and said: moral principles, being motivational in life and identifying the existing conditions of society are among the most important values of Shi’a. He added: “We must be vigilant with regards to the present and future issues and define the priorities of life in accordance with religious teachings.
In a speech in Arabic, HIWM Syed Qasim Jalali defined the apparent and inner state of actions of human beings and said: “The apparent state of the Tawaf of the holy Ka’bah is Tawhid and its inner state is the acceptance of the wilayah of Amir al- Momineen Ali (a.s.).
During the function, the Tebyan School anthem group performed for the first time, together with two poets, four eulogists of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.), recited their eulogies in three languages turned the event into a jubilant occasion. The Kahoot competition, focusing on the virtues of Imam Ali (a.s.), involved the audience and three winners were awarded prizes for taking part in the competition.
In the final part of the celebration event of the gracious birth of Imam Ali (a.s.), delightful prizes were awarded to the participants of the draw, the first prize of which was a ticket to Karbala in Arbaeen all expense included, which has been financed by the participants of this celebration.