The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on September 22, 2005 issued a message in commemoration of martyrs and devotees of the Sacred Defense era. In his message, the Leader described martyrs as the symbols of the epical and golden era of the Sacred Defense and emphasized that the remembrance of honorable martyrs, who manifested the exalted character of the faithful Iranian nation through the sacrifice of their lives, is enlivening and invigorating. The message was read by the Leader's representative in the Martyrs Foundation, Hojjatoleslam Rahimian, at the Martyrs Cemetery in Tehran during a ceremony in which the tombs of martyrs were dusted, washed with rose water and strewn with flowers. The text of the Leader's message is as follows:...
I express my congratulations on this great feast to the entire Muslim Ummah across the world and all Islamic nations and governments, our dear and honorable nation and government officials and the esteemed audience, especially the venerable guests and diplomatic representatives of Islamic countries who are present at this gathering.
The Feast of Mab'ath is a feast for all human beings, not only for Muslims. The birthday of any prophet and the anniversary of the appointment of any prophet as the messenger of Allah is a feast for the entire humanity.
