Astan Quds Razavi

Astan Quds Razavi (Persian: آستان قدس رضوی Āstān-e Qods-e Razavi) (also known as Astan-e-Qods) is a Bonyad, or autonomous charitable foundation, in Mashhad, Iran. It is the administrative organization which manages the Imam Reza shrine and various institutions which belong to the organization.

The administrative apparatus of Astan Quds Razavi is considered the longest-lasting organization since the martyrdom of Imam Reza about 1200 years ago.[1] The main resource of the institution is endowments, estimated to be worth $15 billion.[2] The Astan Quds Razavi is a major player in the economy of the city of Mashhad.[3]

Current Situation

Since the revolution the Astan-e-Qods the bonyad has grown from a "modest concern" into a conglomerate employing 19,000 people[3] and running "auto plants, agricultural businesses, and many other enterprises, and it is worth an estimated $15 billion."[2]

The land occupied by the shrine has grown fourfold since 1979 according to the head of the foundation's international relations department. The foundation owns most of the real estate in Mashhad and rents out shop space to bazaaris and hoteliers.[3]

According to journalist Christopher de Bellaigue, "when asked to identify the most important man in the city, Mashhadis do not name the mayor but rather" the head of Astan-e-Qods.[3]

Ayatollah Abbas Vaez-Tabasi, nicknamed the Sultan of Khorasan,[4] has been the head of Astan-e-Qods since the revolution.[3]

Institutes

Publications

Cultural and educational institute

Economic institutes

Health care institutes

Construction

Social institute

Other related institutes

See also

Footnotes

External links

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