Part of new zarih of Imam Hussein (AS) unveiled in Tehran

TEHRAN, Nov. 29 (MNA) -- Part of the newly designed zarih (outer sarcophagus enclosure) of the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) was unveiled in an exhibition at Tehran’s Niavaran Cultural Center on Monday. A large group of Iranian artists in the city of Qom is currently working on the zarih, which will be set up in the holy shrine in Karbala, Iraq, after completion. Iranian prominent miniaturist Mahmud Farshchian was commissioned by the Zarih-making Board of Trustees in Qom in 2007 to create the new design that was competed in March 2011. The zarih is being made of gold, silver, copper and teakwood. It is estimated that the total weight of the gold to be used in construction of the zarih will be 1250kg, the silver will be 1800kg, while the copper to be used will be 600kg. Plans are to use the latest techniques in lighting in this project. Crystals with the ability to change light and color are to be installed inside the zarih. The cost of the project is also estimated at 50.b rials (about $4.6 million) excluding the gold. The board of trustees has decided to make use of the gold that has been donated by people.