Shiite cleric calls "Ghadir Khom"

Shiite Muslims are preparing to celebrate one of their greatest religious eves, Ghadir Khom, on Tuesday.Ghadir Khom was an oasis on the way to Mecca where Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) , in his last Hajj pilgrimage, gathered all his relatives and appointed Imam Ali (AS) as his successor and actually the leader of the Muslim nation after himself. Though the event has been rejected by some, a lot of Shiite and Sunni religious scholars agree on the righteousness of the event. Iranian Supreme Leader's representative in the Northern Qazvin province says the event of Ghadir Khom (Pond of Khom) is a new chapter in the life of Islam as it heralded the beginning of Muslim World leadership after Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Ayatollah Hadi Barikbin said in this great historic event, the leadership of the Muslim World after the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was determined, a report by Ahlul Bayt news agency said. He referred to the event of Ghadir Khom as the reviving principle of Islam and continuation of prophecy, saying, "Had it not been for the event of Ghadir Khom, the right path of Islam would not have had an Imam (leader) and the way for invasion of the enemies would be paved." Barikbin, who is a member of Iran's Assembly of Experts, stressed the inseparability of prophecy and jurisprudence, and said due to the efforts of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) there are today more than 1.5 billion Muslims whose hearts beat for Islam. As a background for the Event of Ghadir Khom, he said," Having invited all his relatives, the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) asked for a successor and an executer to whose three demands Imam Ali (AS) was the only volunteer." "In the same meeting the Prophet (PBUH) named Imam Ali (AS) as his brother, successor and caliphate after himself," he added. The grand Iranian jurisprudent called Eid-ul-Ghadir as the day when the religion of Islam is completed and the high status of the first Shiite Imam has to be reviewed for his followers. He rejected Ghadir event as an issue only related to the Shiite, and said, "Ghadir is one of the most important basis of Islam and applies to all members of the Muslim community." Ayatollah Barikbin hailed Ghadeer as one of the greatest Eid's for the Muslims, and demanded that serious efforts are made in order for this event to turn into a globalized culture.