The Islamic Republic of Iran, despite all pressures, remains steadfast in its covenant of resistance

Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, at the "Muharram and Ashura in the Documents of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs" event at the Center for Political and International Studies, emphasized: "The uprising of Aba Abdillah al-Hussain (AS) in human history, beyond a historical or religious event, is a 'school of life' and an 'eternal charter' on the originality of justice and truth-seeking, and a 'fundamental document' of resistance against the oppressor, deviation, and corruption, and the defense of the sanctity of human dignity."

The full text of this speech is as follows:

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our master and patron, Abi al-Qasim Muhammad, and upon his pure, immaculate Ahl al-Bayt. We align ourselves with them and disassociate from their enemies until the Day of Judgment.

Esteemed guests,
Ambassadors and heads of foreign missions in Tehran,
Honorable scholars, clerics, and university professors,
Researchers, cultural and media figures,
And all those interested in the history, culture, and unique heritage of Ashura.

Peace be upon you.

Today we have gathered for the opening of an event whose subject is not merely a collection of administrative documents and historical correspondences, but a part of the living memory of a nation: a memory intertwined with the name of Imam Hussein (AS), the event of Karbala, the culture of Ashura, and the rituals of Muharram.

The uprising of Aba Abdillah al-Hussain (AS) in human history, beyond a historical or religious event, is a "school of life" and an "eternal charter" on the originality of justice and truth-seeking, and a "fundamental document" of resistance against the oppressor, deviation, and corruption, and the defense of the sanctity of human dignity.

This uprising is the universal language of justice, and the Iranian nation, for centuries, has chosen this liberating school as the axis of faithful life in various spheres of personal, social, and national life, and as the eloquent language of truth-seeking and anti-domination in the international arena.

Today's documentary event is a valuable opportunity to explore the collective memory of Iranians and to revisit the ancient ties of this land with the world through the lens of Muharram, Ashura, and related rituals. Each document is evidence of an interaction, and each page narrates an effort in the long-standing connection of Iranians with this uprising.

Examining hundreds of unpublished documents, some of which are being displayed for the first time today, confronts us with a fundamental truth: that safeguarding sanctities and promoting the culture of Ashura has always been part of the national commitment and diplomatic identity of Iranians in their interaction with the world, even despite the irreligiosity and anti-religious stance of some rulers, especially during the dark era of the puppet Pahlavi regime.

From reports of Ashura ceremonies in Petrograd, Istanbul, the Caucasus, and Indian cities, to the establishment of shared Hussainiyas in Baku and the "School of Honor" in Baghdad, all bear witness that Iran has been a civilizational center of gravity for promoting human and spiritual values based on this ever-living Ashura heritage.

In the deeper layers of these documents, the manifestation of Iran's "civilizational dignity-seeking" in confrontation with the system of domination and colonial powers is evident. Iran's diplomacy in these documents is not a rigid, opportunistic diplomacy, but a "human-centered diplomacy" that uses every opportunity to elevate human values. In other words, these documents bring history closer to the level of human experience from the level of official decisions.

In these collections, Muharram and Ashura are not merely recorded as religious rituals. What is seen in the documents is the presence of Ashura in various spheres of social life and relations among nations: from ensuring the security of pilgrims and resolving their accommodation and transportation issues, to pursuing health and medical matters and even the return of destitute pilgrims; from supporting the mourning ceremonies of Iranians residing abroad, to efforts to remove restrictions on the Persian language and religious rituals; from repairing domes, courtyards, and water fountains, to donating carpets, chandeliers, and artworks to the holy shrines.

These documents clearly show that the culture of Ashura has taken shape in a social context and has always been a site of dialogue between popular traditions, jurisprudential views, social exigencies, and public responsibilities. Studying these documents, rather than presenting a simple and uniform picture, reveals the multi-layeredness and dynamism of this culture.

From this perspective, Ashura is both a heritage of faith and a heritage of ethics; both a reminder of oppression and an invitation to responsibility; both mourning and awareness. The message of Imam Hussein (AS) in Karbala is not confined to geographical borders. This message is the language of human dignity, confronting humiliation, rejecting indifference, and standing against oppression. For this reason, the culture of Ashura has been able to create grounds for dialogue and empathy among different nations and cultures.

A careful examination of this collection of "documents," "images," and "rituals" shows that Ashura has truly transcended a historical event and transformed into a "civilizational phenomenon" rich in sublime concepts. Ashura is the link between yesterday and today, and the eternal guiding light of this nation in the numerous challenges of the past, present, and future.

Dear brothers and sisters,

This year, Iran's Muharram and Ashura have a different color and scent. The historical country of Iran was subjected to the unjust and oppressive aggression of two arrogant, lawless, and truth-opposing regimes, America and Israel, and offered many martyrs on the path of freedom, the country's pride, and the firmness of God's word. The Hussaini nation of Iran witnessed with its own eyes the shedding of the blood of the Sayyid al-Shuhada of the Islamic Revolution and his pure children – from the school of the blessed tree of Minab to the Dena warship, to the children of Lamerd and the brave soldiers of Iran – but stood manfully and courageously for its dignity and independence to show that it has lived the message of Ashura in every single cell of its being.

Throughout history, many nations have faced critical moments, stood at fateful crossroads, and their character has been put to the test and judgment. From poverty and siege to imposed war and aggression. In those decisive moments, oppressed nations have been forced to answer a fundamental question: will they surrender and live under the yoke of oppression, or will they stand firm for their values and ideals to the last drop of their blood?

Dear brothers and sisters,

True patriotism is not blind loyalty to the land, but loyalty to the values that give meaning to that land – freedom, justice, human dignity, and the assurance that future generations can live independently in their geographical space and be masters of their own destiny.

Numerous historical examples, including Ashura, remind us that courage is measured not by victory, but by the readiness for sacrifice and the ultimate self-sacrifice for a cause. Heroes who have become the supreme example for generations were not those seeking domination and supremacy. On the contrary, they were those who stood firm in defense of their people and their principles, in the belief that right must prevail over might.

Such is the legacy of our master and lord, Imam Hussein (AS), for all his followers: that death with dignity is preferable to a life of humiliation, and this is the enduring logic of resistance. It is he who taught us that freedom requires sacrifice, and that readiness for "ultimate sacrifice" is among the most important factors for the salvation and victory of a nation against the savages and tyrants of history.

History has repeatedly shown that when nations abandon sacrifice, perseverance, and the effort to maintain their independence, they lose more than their land. They risk losing their collective identity, national will, and ability to shape their future. Regaining dignity, once they have surrendered, is, if not impossible, extremely difficult. It is with this understanding, both ideological and strategic, that Iran has stood and, God willing, will stand firm on its covenant of resistance despite all pressures.

Iran today is Iran standing against the storm of injustice and oppression. We stand firm on the covenant we made with the Sayyid al-Shuhada of our time, the great leader, Grand Ayatollah the martyred Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei, and we will not allow these unjustly shed bloods to be forgotten or ignored. We will neither forget nor forgive. These bloods will boil and will make the tree of justice-seeking more robust every day.

For over 1,400 years, the "movement of retribution" of Imam Hussein (AS) has transcended a mere emotional reaction to become a social movement and a political movement – a roaring sea that never ceases to surge, carrying the call of truth-seeking and justice from Karbala and the anti-oppression of Ashura to every corner of the world. Where Hussein cried out, "One like me does not pledge allegiance to one like Yazid," he founded a movement that, more than 14 centuries later, surged in the words of the Hussein of our time, and once again made blood victorious over the sword. It is this perspective and approach to building a "movement" from retribution that has turned Ashura into a human-building and elevating school, and a permanent commitment to fighting the roots, causes, and grounds of domination and oppression.

In conclusion, I thank all the researchers, experts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, document researchers, and all colleagues who have participated in the collection and organization of this exhibition. Honoring the memory of Aba Abdillah al-Hussain (AS) and the martyrs of Karbala, and the memory of the Sayyid al-Shuhada of the Islamic Revolution and the martyrs of the two recent wars, I open the exhibition.

I am confident that the exhibition and specialized seminar on "Muharram and Ashura in the Documents of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs" will open a window to a deeper and more profound understanding of the connection of Iranians with the Ashura uprising, and will recount a part of their efforts in preserving Islamic values and human dignity.