Holding a religious celebration for several thousand people in Mashhad during the widespread outbreak of Corona

The religious ceremony known as the "People's Celebration of Eid al-Bay'at" was held on Monday evening, November 25, with the attendance of thousands of people at the Imam Reza Stadium in Mashhad, while a Mashhad governor's official admitted that no permit had been issued by the governor's office or the headquarters to combat the coronavirus to hold religious ceremonies.

According to IRNA, Mashhad governorship officials have announced that they have not issued any permits to hold this celebration, while the Islamic Propaganda Organization, as the organizer, claims to have received approval and "verbal permission" for this ceremony from the Mashhad Health Center.

The head of the Islamic Propaganda Department of Mashhad told IRNA on Monday evening: "This magnificent celebration was held this evening in the open air and with full observance of social distancing."

Earlier in the day, Ahmad Rivadeh, the political deputy of the governor of Mashhad, told ISNA that the national and provincial headquarters for combating the coronavirus had ordered officials to prevent ceremonies and gatherings and move them to the "virtual space."

Mashhad Health Center officials have not yet responded officially to the gathering of several thousand people at Imam Reza Stadium.

However, the Mashhad Municipality announced in a statement on Monday that this institution "had no role" in organizing the popular celebration of Eid al-Bay'at and that "the municipality's logo was misused" in designing the event's posters.

This religious celebration was held with "verbal permission" despite the fact that about two weeks ago, many fans and admirers of Mohammad Reza Shajarian, a master of Iranian traditional singing and music, were unable to attend the funeral of their beloved artist due to restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Source: Radio Farda