bookstores and information booths, and the organization of religious ceremonies and special occasions became effective tools for religious promotion. Over the past four decades, religious outreach at Astan Qods Razavi has evolved gradually, moving from foundational institutional structures toward digital and intenational engagement. The 1980s and 1990s were marked by reconstruction and the formation of cultural and educational frameworks, with traditional classes, ceremonies, religious publications, and observance of religious occasions at the center. From the 2000s to the 2010s, diversification of audiences, use of moden communication tools, creation of specialized cultural and promotional departments, production of audio-visual content, and organization of scientific and cultural conferences and festivals became defining features. In the most recent decade, digital transformation, active presence in virtual space, development of applications and multimedia content, engagement with domestic and intenational audiences, and expansion of research and collaboration with scholars and academic institutions have shaped the main priorities of Astan Qods.
 
Promoting Religious Outreach
At Imam Reza shrine, cultural activities are not limited to distributing products and publications; they aim to create a comprehensive experience of leaning about the life and teachings of Imam Reza for pilgrims. From a five-year-old child holding a small booklet to teenagers and adults participating in reading competitions and exhibitions, these initiatives reflect a comprehensive cultural policy aimed at building a lasting connection between pilgrims and the Razavi heritage. The theme booklets and packages designed for children are not only entertaining but serve as the first step in familiarizing younger generations with religious concepts and moral values, encouraging active participation in the experience of pilgrimage. Products for teenagers focus on inquiry, conscious pilgrimage, and leaning about the historical life of Imam Reza, providing a space for reflection and engagement with intellectual and spiritual questions during a formative stage of identity development. Meanwhile, publications for youth and adults—including periodicals, analytical texts, and extended books—create opportunities for deeper understanding of Razavi teachings and encourage readers to explore various dimensions of pilgrimage and Razavi ethics.
 
Publishing Rooted in Faith
Zaer-e Razavi Publications, the cultural publishing arm of AQR, began its work in 2008 and has since printed millions of books and periodicals, becoming one of the leading publishers of religious knowledge in Iran. Its primary focus is promoting the culture of pilgrimage, Imam Reza’s teachings, and familiarizing pilgrims with the services of the holy shrine. At the same time, it strives to convey the principles of the Islamic Revolution in language appropriate for different age groups. Its works fall into four main categories: Imam Reza’s teachings, shrine studies, religious knowledge, and the Islamic Revolution, each tailored for children, teenagers, youth, and adults. Beyond domestic production, translations into Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Azeri, Urdu, and Swahili allow non-Iranian pilgrims to benefit from Razavi teachings and lean about the culture of the Islamic Revolution. Religious scholars who answer pilgrims’ questions are also among the publication’s audiences, and specialized books are produced to enhance the quality of their responses. Works such as the Rahnama series, designed to address real needs of pilgrims, Razavi Q&A for comprehensive answers about history,