RNA – In a speech marking the 34th anniversary of the beginning of the Iran-Iraq War in 1980, Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi-Amoli explained that the Holy Defence Week is a valuable opportunity to remember the brave men who fought on the side of righteousness against the evil regime of Saddam at-Tikriti. “These soldiers gave their pure blood and lives to protect the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.
He emphasized that Muslims should never be warlike, aggressive and be the initiators of war, but we have the right to stand up against oppression and the aggression of the enemies of our religion until the oppressors are annihilated. Ayatollah Javadi-Amoli emphasized that jihad is an essential component of Islam as it protects the faith: “Jihad on the path of God is considered an act of love and living under a tyrant ruler is not only painful for the believers, but is abhorrent.”
Ayatollah Javadi-Amoli explained that the epic of Ashura inspired Imam Khomeini (RA) to rise up against the tyrant of his day and it also inspired those soldiers fighting against Saddam’s forces during what Iranians call the “Imposed War.” “The nobility of our nation and our religion is due to the martyrs and the eight-year long holy defence of the Iranian nation and to the colour and smell of Karbala. On the nights before large military operations to break the lines of the enemies, Iranian soldiers could be heard praying and crying ‘Ya Husayn!’ from their camps,” His Eminence remembered.
He stated the perseverance and patience of Imam Khomeini during the uprising against the evil Pahlavi regime was inspired by the struggle and efforts Imam Husayn (A). “Some people told Imam Khomeini (RA) that his uprising would never succeed but he lovingly decided to continue on the path of the greater jihad and he was successful. His sincere followers were those who threw grenades under the tanks of the enemies and were martyred,” Ayatollah Javadi-Amoli explained.
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