(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - This is according to Hashem Muhammad Al-Bajiji, an official with the custodianship, who also told that one of the main programs is presenting the ‘Imam Ali (AS) International Award for Intellectual and Cultural Innovations’.

He said the programs for commemorating Najaf as the cultural capital of the Islamic world would officially commence on March 15.

“A day before that, an international book fair will open in Najaf and then an exhibition of rarities of the mausoleum will be mounted.”

He said organizing monthly conferences and seminars throughout 2012 will be among other programs for the occasion.

Mr. Al-Bajiji noted that other institutions and bodies in Iraq and elsewhere also have plans for commemorating Najaf as the cultural capital of the Muslim world.

He stressed that promoting the status of Imam Ali (AS) will be a main theme of all the programs.

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