RNA – During his Friday prayer sermon delivered to a large and fervent crowd of believers in the Iraqi city of Karbala’s Holy Shrine of Imam al-Husayn, Hujjat al-Islam Sayyid Ahmad al-Safi referred to the ongoing operation to liberate Iraq’s Nineveh Governorate and the city of Mosul and said, “With courage and zeal, the Popular Mobilization Forces, Iraqi army, air force and national police have been able to force the Daesh Takfiri terrorists to withdraw and have imposed heavy losses on them. This issue is worthy of thanks and appreciation.”
The representative of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani in Karbala stressed that a final victory over terrorism is close and added, “The Iraqi fighters are the builders of the future and are the guarantors of the security and stability of Iraq and for this reason, we and future generations will be proud of them.”
Hujjat al-Islam al-Safi said, “We appreciate the families of the martyrs and warriors for the participation of their children in the war against terrorism.”
He referred to his recent meeting with wounded warriors and those involved in the operation to liberate Mosul and said that the Iraqi warriors are in high spirits and despite their many injuries and difficulties, the wounded soldiers had smiles on the lips and considered these injuries as the mercy of God Almighty.
“These warriors are the source of pride, honour and dignity of Iraq,” he added.
The custodian of the Holy Shrine of Hadhrat Abbas said that one of the wounded fighters whom he had the privilege to meet was a man named Rahim Mandhour Husayn from the city of Diwaniyah. He was born in 1966 and had both of his legs amputated and despite this, his only request was for prosthetic legs, so he can rejoin his brothers on the battlefield!
Hujjat al-Islam al-Safi added, “When we visit some of the warriors, we believe that we will increase their morale, but the fact the opposite of this occurs – they increase our morale!”
He noted verses 29 and 30 of Surah al-Kahf and said, “The sins of the disbelievers and the faith of the believers have no effect on God Almighty.”
His Eminence said these verses are an example of the oppression of the disbelievers and describe the disbelievers as oppressors and added, “Disbelief doesn’t originate from courage but rather from fear.”
Hujjat al-Islam al-Safi stressed that God has promised painful punishments for the oppressors and won’t accept any excuse from the disbelievers.
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