Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pardoned prison terms for 996 prisoners on the birth anniversary of Imam Ali Bin Abi Taleb (AS)

Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei pardoned 996 prisoners on the birth anniversary of Imam Ali Bin Abi Taleb (AS), Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency IRNA reported Tuesday.

The decision comes after Judiciary Chief Sadeq Amoli Larijani proposed a request to commute the terms of 996 prisoners captured by the revolutionary and public courts, which was approved by Ayatollah Khamenei.

Imam Ali Bin Abi Taleb is a major Islamic figure, as he is the first infallible Imam who was also the first to stand by Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) throughout his mission. Imam Ali was also the Husband of Sayyida Fatima Al Zahraa (AS) the prophet’s daughter, and the father of both Imam Hassan (AS) and Imam Hussein (AS).

Imam Ali’s birth anniversary is on the 13th of Rajab according to the Hegira calender, which is Thursday the 16th of June this year. He was the only person throughout history who was born inside the Holy Kaaba, and is a symbol of perfection, courage, devotion, and tolerance.