Message of Dr. Amir Hossein Hosseini The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Zimbabwe On the Occasion of Al-Quds Day

Message of Dr. Amir Hossein Hosseini The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Zimbabwe On the Occasion of Al-Quds Day

Message of Dr. Amir Hossein Hosseini

The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Zimbabwe

On the Occasion of Al-Quds Day

 

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Today, we commemorate Al-Quds Day, established through the historic initiative of the late Grand Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ruhollah Khomeini. His vision was that the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan should become a day when people of conscience worldwide raise their voices in solidarity with the Palestinian people and the holy city of Al-Aqsa. Over the decades, this day has become a global reminder that the struggle of the Palestinian people is not merely a political issue, but a profound moral and humanitarian concern that touches the conscience of humanity.

This year’s Al-Quds Day comes at a particularly sensitive moment. The world has witnessed immense suffering in Gaza and across Palestine. At the same time, those responsible believed that by expanding their aggression and even attacking the Islamic Republic of Iran, they could silence the voice of resistance and push the Palestinian cause into the shadows of history. Yet history teaches us that justice cannot be erased by force. Nations that stand for dignity cannot be intimidated, and people who believe in justice cannot be defeated by aggression.

During this holy month of Ramadan, the world also witnessed the martyrdom of a prominent scholar and leader, the late Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution. Millions across Iran and throughout the world mourned his martyrdom. For many, he symbolized steadfastness in defending the rights of oppressed nations and the principle that dignity must never be sacrificed to pressure.

Those who imagined that his martyrdom would weaken the spirit of resistance misunderstood a fundamental reality of history: great ideas do not disappear with the passing of individuals. The Iranian nation demonstrated this resilience with remarkable unity. In accordance with its constitutional procedures, Iran’s Assembly of Experts elected a new leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, reflecting the stability of Iran’s institutions and the determination of its people to remain steadfast.

This message resonates deeply with the history of Africa. The people of Zimbabwe know well that independence and dignity are not gifts handed down by colonial powers. They are the result of sacrifice, perseverance, and courage. The struggle of the Zimbabwean people against colonial domination remains an inspiring chapter in the global history of liberation movements. In many ways, the aspiration of the Palestinian people for freedom echoes the same universal desire for dignity and self-determination that inspired liberation struggles across Africa.

Iran’s position in today’s turbulent circumstances is rooted in the belief that independence, sovereignty, and justice must be defended. Despite immense pressure and aggression, Iran has stood firm while emphasizing its commitment to international law. Under the Charter of the United Nations, the threat or use of threat against sovereign states is prohibited, and every nation has the inherent right to defend itself when attacked.

At the same time, humanitarian principles must always be respected. Civilians, homes, hospitals, schools, orphanages, civil infrastructure, historical sites, and places of worship must never be targeted. Sadly, this principle has not been observed by those who wage aggression against Iran. In Gaza and in recent attacks against Iran, innocent civilians, including women and children, have tragically lost their lives. Every innocent life lost is a tragedy for humanity.

The message of Al-Quds Day is not a call for hatred; it is a call for justice. It is a call for a future in which the Palestinian people can live freely in their homeland and determine their own destiny. Iran firmly believes that Palestine belongs to the Palestinian people and that the future of that land must be determined by their will.

History reminds us that oppression, no matter how powerful it may appear, is never permanent. The human quest for justice ultimately prevails.

Allow me to honor the memory of those who dedicated their lives to this struggle for dignity and justice: the late leader Martyr Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the renowned commander Martyr Qasem Soleimani, and all those who sacrificed their lives in defending the oppressed. We also pay tribute to the visionary legacy of the Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ruhollah Khomeini, whose call for Al-Quds Day awakened the conscience of millions.

May their memory inspire future generations to stand for justice, dignity, and peace. And may the day soon come when the people of Palestine live in freedom, independence, security, and self-determination.