The Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine: The "Siddiqa al-Tahira" (peace be upon her) Festival embodies cooperation between religious and academic institutions and promotes cultural values

The Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine has affirmed that the "Al-Siddiqa Al-Tahira" (peace be upon her) Cultural Festival embodies cooperation between religious and academic institutions and promotes cultural values.

This was stated by Dr. Hassan Dakhil during the eleventh edition of the festival—organized by the University and School Relations Division of the Holy Shrine’s Public Relations Department—held to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of Lady Fatima al-Zahra (peace be upon her) and to honor over 1,500 female students from the University of Baghdad who wear the traditional Iraqi *abaya*.

Dr. Dakhil noted that the annual festival reflects the Holy Shrine’s commitment to leveraging such occasions to fulfill its religious, cultural, and social responsibilities. He emphasized that achieving these goals is strengthened through collaboration, partnership, and communication between religious and academic institutions.

He further explained that the dedication to organizing and sustaining this festival stems from the Al-Abbas's (p) Holy Shrine’s recognition of the breadth of its message and the depth of its content. He pointed out that associating the festival with the Siddiqa al-Tahira; Fatima al-Zahra (peace be upon her), goes beyond merely honoring a great historical figure; it serves to evoke a sacred framework of values—embodying the model of life envisioned by the Divine for women, and illustrating how a woman’s existence can be lived within the context of a divine trust and a mission-oriented responsibility. He explained that the festival, as a testament to the cooperation and synergy between religious and academic institutions, conveys a reciprocal message. To the academic institution, it underscores the importance of grounding scholarly work within its social context—rooted in the community’s established principles and culture—without precluding an openness to global horizons. To the religious institution, it demonstrates that its mission is fundamentally rooted in openness, engagement, and care for society, rather than in insularity or withdrawal; religion is not a separate entity from society, but rather the underlying meaning that permeates all its facets.

He further noted that the festival’s activities serve as purposeful, awareness-raising messages and a practical embodiment of cooperation and synergy. In particular, he highlighted the event honoring female students who wear the traditional Iraqi *abaya*. This initiative stems from a profound appreciation for the garment’s significance; the tribute goes beyond merely celebrating a piece of clothing that covers the body—it recognizes the *abaya* as a protective bastion for a woman’s being, a safeguard for her identity and values ​​amidst various intellectual and cultural challenges.