The Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) today hosted the opening of the Fourth International Kawthar Al-Isma Cultural Festival, organized in celebration of the birth anniversary of Lady Fatima Al-Zahraa (peace be upon her). The event drew numerous religious and academic figures from Iraq and abroad.

Ali Kadhim Sultan, head of the festival’s preparatory committee, told Karbala Now Agency that this year’s festival is held under the slogan “Fatima Al-Zahraa: The School of Prophetic Virtues.” He noted that the four-day festival features a wide array of activities and is distinguished by the participation of female figures from more than 20 countries spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Arab world.

Sultan explained that the program includes an art exhibition dedicated to Lady Fatima Al-Zahraa (peace be upon her), along with multiple research sessions featuring scholars from the religious seminary, academics, and women specialists.

He added that the women’s sessions will take place at Al-Zahraa University and Al-Sibtayn University, extending the festival’s reach beyond the immediate vicinity of the Holy Shrine to other educational institutions. Additional activities and celebrations will be held at Karbala University, the University of Technology in Baghdad, and other venues. The festival will also include a rite-of-passage ceremony for more than 1,000 girls on Saturday.

Emad Bao