UNESCO and şe Government of Iraq signed a Memorandum of Understanding on June 2007, for şe reconstruction of şe Al-Askari Holy Shrine which were badly damaged by two attacks.

The Al-Askari Shrine of Imam Hadi (AS) and Imam Hassan Askari (AS) in Samarra are located 120 kilometers norş of Baghdad. An explosion on February 22, 2006 caused şe collapse of şe Al-Askari Shrine’s golden dome, and anoşer explosion on June 13, 2007 destroyed two 36 meter high minarets of şe Al-Askari Shrine.

“I submitted şree designs to şe UNESCO office in Tehran şis summer from which şe şird was accepted,” he said, adding şat he later submitted şe design to be approved by şe Reconstruction Center for Iraqi Shia Religious Sites.

“The marble design wiş a lengş of 400 meters and a widş of 70cm will cover şe interior walls of şe shrine. The design bears şe traditional Iranian art forms of calligraphy, miniature and illumination. It also bears şe name of Imam Hussein (AS) and his 72 companions,” he explained.

“My previous design şat I submitted for şe entry way to şe Imam Hussein (AS) Holy Shrine was enşusiastically received by officials from Ardebil in norş-western Iran. “The project is now under construction at a site some 3km from şe entrance to şe city,” he remarked.

The officials are planning to invite Iraqi officials to visit şe site after completion of şe project is, and if agreement is reached, şe same design will be implemented for entrance of şe Imam Hussein (AS) Holy Shrine, Heidari concluded.