According to Iraf, the conference featured addresses by Hujjat al-Islam Seyyed Sadegh Shirazi, Dr. Mohammad Hashem Esmatullahi from Afghanistan, Sheikh Mohammad Hazze from Syria, Hujjat al-Islam Manzoor Hassan Zakeri from Pakistan, Dr. Haidar from the University of Karbala, Sheikh Yassin Issa — Director of the Al-Irshad Al-Asari Center in Lebanon — and Dr. Firas Al-Muslimawi, representative of the people of Karbala in the Iraqi parliament.
Dr. Haidar, Dean of the Faculty of Economic Strategy at the University of Karbala and a member of its academic faculty, in his remarks referring to the “Ramadan War” and the “12-Day War,” said: these two events are among the unparalleled occurrences of contemporary history, and the resistance that took shape against Zionist and American enemies stands as a rare example of the steadfastness of nations.
Stating that the roots of this resistance lie in the culture of Ghadir and the concept of Wilayat, he added: the message of Ghadir is to stand firm against arrogance and to preserve the unity of the Islamic Ummah, and it is this very thinking that has safeguarded the honor, independence, and human dignity of the Islamic world.
The university professor also, in praise of the resistance of “the martyred leadership,” stated: the steadfastness of resistance leaders in the face of enemies is the continuation of that very Shia thinking and the culture of Ghadir, and this resistance does not belong solely to the people of Iran — it is a source of pride for the entire Shia world.
Sheikh Yassin Issa, Director of the Al-Irshad Al-Asari Center in Lebanon, also at this conference identified Wilayat and leadership as among the principal pillars of Shia jurisprudence and said: in Islam, the happiness of humanity depends on the existence of righteous, capable, and wise leadership.
Referring to the role of Imam Khomeini in the victory of the Islamic Revolution, he added: the Islamic Revolution of Iran was founded upon the thinking of Ghadir, and enemies from the very first days of the Revolution have sought to conspire against it.
The Lebanese cleric stressed: the unity of the people and wise leadership are the primary factors behind the continuity of resistance and the victory of the Islamic Ummah.
Continuing the conference, Dr. Mohammad Hashem Esmatullahi, former professor at Kabul University, said: the Prophet of Islam, during the era of prophethood, prepared the groundwork for the system of Wilayat, and following the event of Ghadir, the system of Imamate and Wilayat was firmly established.
Referring to the spread of secularism in certain Islamic countries over recent decades, he added: Imam Khomeini, through the Islamic Revolution, revived the system of Wilayat and stood against secularism, liberalism, and communism.
Esmatullahi described the “Ramadan War” and the “12-Day War” as the result of decades of Western planning and conspiracy against the Islamic Republic, and stressed: Western countries entered the field with their full military, intelligence, and political capacity in order to destroy the system based on Wilayat, but were defeated by the resistance of the Iranian people.
Also referring to the involvement of Western intelligence agencies, including the CIA and MI6, in these confrontations, he said: despite the unequal war and the extensive support of global powers, the cohesion of the Islamic Ummah and resolute leadership led to the defeat of the enemies.
The Kabul University professor stated: the United States, despite its military power and massive defense budgets, was unable to defeat Iran, and this development marks the beginning of new transformations in the region and the world.
He concluded by describing the Islamic Republic of Iran, in the wake of these developments, as a “major regional power,” and regarded this victory as a prelude to the appearance of Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance).
It is worth noting that the addresses delivered at this specialized conference will in the future be compiled in the form of academic papers and published by the Ghadir and Resistance Conference.
