Social Welfare Affairs related to the pilgrims of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza(A.S.)

Astan Quds Razavi, after the glorious victory of the Islamic Revolution, has endeavoured to provide especial facilities for the pilgrims of the Holy Shrine of the eighth Imam of the Shi'ite Muslims of the world.
Astan Quds Razavi had also constructed many mosques, Islamic seminaries, libraries, hospitals, schools, colleges, production units and housing colonies in various parts of the country, particularly in the under -developed areas of Khorasan province. It also renders aid in cash and kind to the deprived and poor people in the country. It also provides financial assistance to various hospitals, colleges, schools, Islamic seminaries, libraries and endowment organisations.
Therefore this holy organization, having established the Welfare Office of Pilgrims in 1990, endeavoured to look after and investigate the affairs related to the respected pilgrims, and solve a part of their problems. This office supervises the regular affairs including, hygienic ones and providing necessary illumination for the Holy Shrine, has five different departments, including: the Department of Caretakers, the Department of providing Illumination, the Department of Deposits and Keeping the Lost Objects, the Department of Granting Services and the Department of Granting Aids and Facilities to Pilgrims, all this means granting service to the devotees and pilgrims of His Holiness Imam Reza(A.S.), day and night.
The department of deposits and keeping the lost objects has three sub-offices including, the office of accepting deposit (bag and other equipment) the lost objects has three sub-offices including, the office of accepting deposit (bag and other equipment) the office of accepting money and financial or precious deposits, and the office of keeping lost objects.
Furthermore, the department of granting services enjoys different sub-offices, including the office ot distributing letters of invitation related to the Inn of Imam Reza(A.S.), and the office of issuing the burial license.
The other sub-offices including, the office of investigating the affairs of foreign pilgrims, the office of the miraculously healed persons, the office of delivering wheelchair, the office of investigating the affairs of the lost persons, and the office of granting aids and facilities to pilgrims, which are included among the Sub-offices of the Department of Granting Aids and Facilities to the respected pilgrims.

The Banquet Hall (Mihman-Sara) of Imam Reza(A.S.)
After the martyrdom of Imam Reza (A.S.) and burying the sacred body of His Holiness (A.S.) in Sanabad, the devotees of Imam Reza (A.S.) from all over the world gather around the Holy Shrine, and every individual, according to his economic condition, dedicated a part of his belonging to feed the pilgrims, provide necessary illumination and cleanliness of the Sacred Premises of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.).
The Banquet Hall (Mihman-Sara) of Imam Reza (A.S.) is included among the oldest institutions, and has a very old and ancient history. The activity run in the Banquet Hall of Imam Reza (A.S.), was very limited before the victory of the Islamic Revolution, but after rising of the shining sun of the revolution in the large country of Iran, it was developed and flourished as well as all other institutions of Astan Quds Razavi and also its activities and services, i.e., feeding the pilgrims and servants of Imam Reza (A.S.) were increased eye-catchingly, and at present, over five thousand people are fed in this place daily.
It is worth mentioning that, at present, the new building of the Banquet Hall of Imam Reza (A.S.) is going to be constructed in the area of the Holy Shrine so that, Allah willing, after finishing the project, more than ten thousands of people will be daily fed. And the Astan Qods Razavi by ending the project, will be able to satisfy the need of the devotees who desire enjoying the sacred food prepared in the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.).

Two Welfare and Service Complexes Built
Eng Azizian Managing Director of the Organization for Expansion of the Surrounding Area of Imam Reza ( A . S ) Holy Shrine : " Two welfare and service complexes , amounting at large to 38000 square meters , became ready for use" .
Mr. Azizian reminded that these two complexes are four – storeyed buildings , placed in the west and east sides of the Holy Shrine , with an area of about 6000 sq. m each . The ground and first floors of these buildings have been allocated for supplying goods and providing services . The lower floors have been also allocated for bathroom , ablution and water-closet .
" Services units , with an area of about 7000 sq.m , have been envisioned in these complexes for satisfying the needs of the pilgrims" . He added .
The managing director of the Organization for Expansion of the Surrounding Area of Imam Reza ( A . S ) Holy Shrine explained that two elevators and several electric stairs have been installed in these complexes as for the welfare of the pilgrims , and their easy traffic at the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S) .
He also reminded that fire-alarm system , heating and cooling systems , air-conditioning systems , audio system , water reservoirs and energy – saving measures have been envisioned in the mentioned complexes .
According to the report issued by the General Office of the Public Relations of Astan Quds Razavi , the welfare – service complexes have been constructed during the large project of Razavi Shrine Expansion according to the civil engineering standards . Taking into account the conformity of the complexes to the surrounding spaces , constructed in the course of time , has enable the pilgrims , and citizens to avail themselves of these spaces.