Based on Imam Ali Society’s objectives concerning utilization of religious rituals for redirecting the students’ and people’s vision towards social problems and creation of new insights in religious rites with respect to the Iranian living and economic conditions, the Society developed Bestowers’ Ka’ba. One of the religious rites and rituals employed in this project, implanted in 2008 for the first time to put the deprived and ill children under focus and draw the attention of the students and public towards these children, is “Etekough³“. In this project, deprived children write their wishes in a letter addressed to the Lord and put it in a box made and painted like Ka’ba. Then they hand the boxes to the people participating in Etekough ceremony, which is selected for this purpose with regards to the children and people mentality on this ritual. It is believed in the society that Imam Ali liked the children and helped them and other needy people. Under this project, a number of children suffering from cancer and mentally retarded children enjoyed their wishes coming true. Their wishes included eating fancy food, having nice clothing, trousseau for a sister, owning a computer, having a home, etc.  This project is also developed by Sharmin Maymandinejad, who pleads to create a modern connection and a proper functioning.

1. “Ka’ba”, meaning cube, is referred to the cubic black stone symbolically considered by Muslims as God’s home in Mecca.

2.  “Kareem”, singular of “kareeman”, means bestower. Being a divine characteristic kareem is also referred to generous people who care for others and help them. Hereinafter they are referred to as “the bestowers”.

3. Etekough is a ceremony held simultaneously with the birthday of Imam Ali, the mythical icon of the Muslims, who was born in Ka’ba.

among people to create an environment of paying attention to handicap children denied of having access to financial sources.

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