Martyrs of Abrahamic Religions: Symbols of National Unity and Cohesion
By Dr. Yaghoub Soleimani, Deputy for Cultural and Educational Affairs of the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs
The martyrs and veterans belonging to the Abrahamic religions are symbols of national unity and messengers of national cohesion. Their active presence in the movement of Imam Khomeini (RA), the revolutionary struggles of the Iranian nation, and the Holy Defense era is indicative of the Iranian nation’s solidarity. Adherents of monotheistic religions and denominations played a prominent and valuable role in the Imposed War; during that luminous era, all strata of society, regardless of ethnicity, language, sect, or religion, stood against the aggression of the Ba’athist enemy, forging an unshakeable and deterrent power that continues to this day thanks to the grace of the Sacred System of the Islamic Republic.
The empathy and solidarity demonstrated by Iranians across various historical events emphasize that the defense of the country is an issue transcending ethnicity and religion, rooted in the love for the homeland and shared human values, wherein all Iranians unite for a single objective: preserving the independence and territorial integrity of the nation. Consequently, the enemies of Iran and the Sacred Islamic System have failed to achieve any success in the sphere of religious minorities.
The 95 Christian martyrs, 14 Zoroastrian martyrs, 5 Jewish martyrs, along with over 200 veterans and 60 liberated prisoners of war from the Holy Defense era, showcase the depth of their patriotism and faith.
Over the past four decades, the Supreme Leader (May God perpetuate his shadow) has met with the families of many Armenian martyrs on various occasions and has bestowed favor and consideration upon these dear families. The paternal and affectionate gaze of the Leader of the Revolution toward them demonstrates His profound respect for the followers of Abrahamic religions in Islamic Iran.
The Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs has never, nor does it currently, differentiate in any service sector for the esteemed veteran community between the families of Muslim martyrs and the families of martyrs of the Abrahamic religions. Many avenues, alleys, and streets in minority-populated areas have been named after the martyrs of the Abrahamic religions. National and nationwide programs such as “Sepas” (Gratitude), commemorative ceremonies for the martyrs of Abrahamic religions during the Christian New Year, the Ten-Day Dawn (Fajr Decade), Holy Defense Week, and Martyrs Commemoration Week are planned and held with the significant presence of our compatriots from the Abrahamic religions.
Today, cultural and artistic figures bear an important duty and mission in creating sublime artistic, media, visual, and written works centered on these heroic veterans of the homeland. We, at the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, are prepared to receive innovative and creative subjects, plans, and ideas in this regard and to support and participate in the production of cultural works centered on the martyrs of the Abrahamic religions.
We extend our congratulations on the blessed birth of Jesus Christ, son of Mary, and the commencement of the New Year 2026 to our Christian compatriots, and we pledge to our martyrs that, under the sacred banner of the Islamic Republic of Iran, we will build a bright, hopeful, and victorious future filled with success for the children of Iran through friendship and unity.
God willing.
