Expressions of Iranian Devotion: From Ashura to Itikaf

Expressions of Iranian Devotion: From Ashura to Itikaf

One of the claims often made in anti-Iranian media and imperialist-affiliated outlets is that the religious beliefs of the Iranian people are changing or decreasing. However, the reality of Iranian society completely contradicts this claim—annual religious events show that Iranians have not lost their faith; on the contrary, their displays of devotion are growing stronger, even if these events are censored or blacked out in the media.

Prominent among them is the massive participation in mourning ceremonies for Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) during the ten days leading up to Ashura. All Iranian communities join with their own local rituals. Another major observance is the mourning for Lady Fatimah Zahra (peace be upon her), known as Fatimiyyah in Iran, commemorating her martyrdom.

Equally important are the Night of Qadr ceremonies during Ramadan, held in mosques and shrines across the country. Shia Muslims believe that the destinies for the coming year are decreed on these nights, and congregants pray, repent, and seek divine help for the year ahead.

These rituals annually attract millions of Iranians nationwide. Statistics show not only has attendance not decreased—it has increased, especially among youth and teenagers. In 2025, the crowds at Imam Reza’s shrine during Laylat al-Qadr were so immense that, for the first time ever, the shrine’s administration officially declared it had reached full capacity. Note: the shrine covers an area of approximately 91 hectares.

According to data from polling centers, the level of religious belief among the Iranian people in 2024 was calculated at over 94%. This means that 94% of Iranians hold religious beliefs and show spiritual tendencies toward the Holy Qur'an — the sacred book of Muslims — or in commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him). Furthermore, around 80% of Iranians try to participate in the religious mourning ceremonies of Ashura, which equates to more than 60 million people. This makes the Iranian population one of the most devout in the world.

Interestingly, the Iranian people's presence is not limited to sorrowful religious events. They also take part extensively in joyful religious celebrations. For example, Eid al-Ghadir — known in recent years as the "Ten-Kilometer Ghadir Party" in Tehran and other cities — has witnessed massive participation across the country. These celebrations have not only become the largest public gatherings in the history of Iran but have also been dubbed the largest Shia religious celebrations in all of history. In 2024, Eid al-Ghadir in Tehran was held along Enqelab Street with over 4.5 million participants covering a 13.5-kilometer stretch.

All these figures are grounded in reality, while imperialist media outlets and their affiliated social platforms either censor or boycott such deep-rooted Iranian religiosity. Instead, they promote distorted and false narratives. However, the real spirit of the Iranian people is vastly different from the image portrayed by imperialist-driven media.