Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei pardoned or commuted the sentences of a large group of Iranian prisoners, marking two important Islamic festivities.
Ayatollah Khamenei on Sunday agreed to pardon or reduce the sentences of 2,272 prisoners on the occasion of Eid al-Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice) and Eid al-Ghadir, which this year fell on July 10 and 18, respectively, according to Press TV.
Eid al-Ghadir is one of the most important festivities on the Islamic calendar, marking the beginning of Shia Islam, when 14 centuries ago Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) introduced Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (PBUH) as the next caliph of Muslims and their religious leader or Imam.
The Leader’s decision came in response to a letter from Iran’s Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei who introduced prisoners eligible on mitigating circumstances, including those found guilty in courts of common pleas and Islamic Revolution tribunals, the Judicial Organization of the Armed Forces, and the State Discretionary Punishment Organization.
The official amnesty request was approved in line with the implementation of the 11th paragraph of Article 110 of the Constitution, which grants the Leader the right to pardon or reduce the sentences of convicts upon a recommendation from the head of the Judiciary.
Muslims traditionally celebrate Eid al-Adha, one of the most important religious festivities, with the sacrifice of animals such as sheep, rams, goats, and cattle.
The act is reminiscent of Prophet Abraham’s (PBUH) submission to divine order when he attempted to sacrifice his son, Ismail. Just before going on with the sacrifice, God provided Prophet Abraham (PBUH) with a ram to sacrifice instead after he successfully passed the divine test.
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