Imam Reza Shrine Hosts First International AI Illustration Festival
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The first international event dedicated to AI-driven illustration art was held at the Imam Reza (AS) holy shrine in Mashhad, northeast Iran, bringing together artists from several Islamic countries to explore religious themes through modern technology.
Organized by the Deputy Office for Non-Iranian Pilgrims’ Affairs in partnership with Hudhud Media Agency, the event focused on Imam Reza’s (AS) teachings and the Karamat Ten-Day Celebrations.
The festival featured six categories including, Hazrat Masoumeh’s character, Imam Reza’s (AS) teachings, the concept of charity, the shrine’s architecture, honoring pilgrims, and the Karamat celebrations.
Artists from Bahrain, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon submitted hundreds of entries.
From these, 147 works were shortlisted, and 20 were selected for display at the upcoming Wilayat Ten-Day Exhibition.
Submissions were judged on both technical execution and thematic depth.
The festival embraced diverse artistic formats, including painting, photography, and digital design, with a strong representation from Islamic nations.
Winners were announced on Imam Reza’s (AS) birth anniversary, May 9.
The awards ceremony will take place during the Wilayat Ten-Day Celebrations, which span from Eid al-Adha on June 6 to Eid al-Ghadir on June 14.
Astan Quds Razavi, the shrine’s custodian, said the initiative signals a broader move toward blending artificial intelligence with spiritual artistic expression.
Organizers plan to continue hosting similar events in the future.
