Iranians salute, bid farewell to 250 unidentified martyrs of war

Iranians have held large funeral processions nationwide for 250 unidentified martyrs of the war imposed by the former Iraqi regime on the Islamic Republic in the 1980s.

The mourning ceremonies, which were held in several cities on Thursday, coincided with the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (SA).

Out of the 250 martyrs, whose remains have been newly recovered, 150 will be laid to rest in Tehran Province and the remaining in 24 other Iranian provinces.

‘Anonymous on earth but well known in heavens’

In a message, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei paid tribute to the martyrs and said the coincidence of the funerals with the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Fatima (SA) “brings the good news that their memory will last forever.”

“Peace be upon the unknown martyrs; those unknown among the earth’s inhabitants but well-known in the heavens,” the Leader said.

“I send my greetings to the pure souls of these martyrs and to the waiting eyes and hearts of their fathers, mothers and wives, and I pray for God’s ever-increasing grace and mercy for all of them,” Ayatollah Khamenei added.

Speaking at the event in Tehran, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf praised the braveries of the martyrs during the 1980-1988 war imposed on Iran, which is known as “the Sacred Defense.”

“We must know that our dear and precious martyrs … entered the field and sacrificed their lives for the sake of Islam, the [Islamic] Revolution and our beloved Iran.”

Referring to Iranian officials, Qalibaf said, “It is today upon us to serve this dear nation. We are duty-bound to make efforts to continue down the path opened by the martyrs, General Qassem Soleimani and Imam Khomeini with faith in God and the people.”

SS