Eid al-Ghadir

Eid al-Ghadir falls on 18 Dhu al-Hijjah and commemorates Ghadir Khumm, where Shia tradition understands Prophet Muhammad to have affirmed Ali ibn Abi Talib’s spiritual and temporal authority. The event occupies a central place in Shia religious memory, and Iraq—home to major Shia holy cities and seminaries—has a special relationship with its observance.

Law No. 12 of 2024 lists Ghadir Day among Iraq’s general official holidays. The day can be marked by mosque programmes, sermons, charitable food distribution and pilgrim activity, particularly around Najaf and Karbala. It follows the Hijri calendar, so its civil date changes every year; public-service and travel arrangements should be checked against current local notices.

Parliament enacted the recurring holiday nationally in 2024 after debate over its religious and civic meaning. The statute fixes it at 18 Dhu al-Hijjah but does not itself supply a permanent Gregorian equivalent. Iraq’s Central Bank marks the corresponding date as approximate in its advance calendar, and the annual Iraqi religious announcement remains controlling. Describing the holiday accurately also requires acknowledging that Ghadir has particular devotional importance in Shia Islam while Iraq’s nationwide legal closure applies to citizens of every faith and tradition.