Under the aegis of His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the supervision of the General Secretariat of the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain, Women's Affairs Department at the Ministry held the first annual Al-Ghadeer Festival in cooperation with the Karbala University and Al-Zahraa University for women, on Wednesday, 3/7/2024, at Um Abiha Hall. The festival started with verse recital from the Holy Quran, followed by the observance of one minute silence mourning and recital of Surat Al-Fatihah for the martyrs of Iraq. Prof. Dr. Zainab Al-Mulla Al-Sultani, President of the University, addressed in a statement the importance of women status in the sayings of Ameer Al-moumeneen (Commander of the Faithful) (prayers be upon him), ensued by a statement made by Prof. Dr. Wifaq Jubouri, representative of the President of Karbala University. A poem recited by poet Dr. Sajjad Al-Moussawi came immediately after, dove tailed by a debate on the Alawite identity presented by Prof. Roaa Abdul Wahid. Benin Ali, a student from Karbala University also related a success story on her research project. At the end, a debate session was held entitled: "Women from the Perspective of Imam Ali (peace be upon him)". Moderated by Dr. Nada Al-Abdi, Head of Women's Affairs Department at the Ministry. Topics of the session were presented by Sheikh Dr. Munjed Al-Kaabi, and Asst.prof. Dr. Zahraa Al- Barqawi.