Iran Press/Iran News: During a meeting with some families of the martyred defenders of the holy shrines on October 22, 2018, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei added, the sacrifice made by your martyrs—who were martyred outside Iran at this epoch of time— resembles the sacrifice made by those who protected the grave of Imam Hussain (a.s.), giving their lives for it.
The Leader also said, there was a time when the Abbasid caliphs had decided to destroy the sacred tomb of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), and probably other sacred tombs as well.
Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei reiterated, some people prevent them and protected the grave, sacrificing their lives. They said if anyone comes to visit the grave, their arms will be cut off, legs will be cut off, and they will be killed.
The same impetus has transformed today to the march of 20 million pilgrims on foot on Arba'een, the Leader said. "If some people had not made a self-sacrifice then, the greatness and splendor of Imam Hussain (a.s.) would not have conquered the world today," Ayatollah Khamenei added.
The Leader said, "You see people from different countries, and populations, Persian, Turk, Urdu, European, even from the United States go there. Who made this possible?"
The first blocks were laid by those who gave their lives to visit the tomb of Imam Hussain (a.s.). Your children did the same. If it was not for your dear friends, your dear martyrs, those who went there and endeavored for the sake of God, the enemy would have advanced up to a few kilometres of Karbala, and close to the holy tomb of Imam Hussain (a.s.), Ayatollah Khamenei said.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution also said, they were pounding Karbala with short range mortars, 60 calibre mortars. They would have come that close. They were near Al Kazimayn, near Zeinabiyah, on which they had actually laid siege.
"Your youth went among thousands of others and counteracted the major plight that had befallen upon Islam and Muslims. This is the great work your youth did. And it has been for God. We didn't persuade anyone to go," Ayatollah Khamenei said.
The Leader added, it was not like the time of the US-backed Saddam war when we encouraged young men and Imam Khomeini made a command, and military songs were sung before military operations. It wasn't like that. Nonetheless, these youths went with such enthusiasm, begging for permission to go. This is self-sacrifice. This is a blessing by God Almighty.
God willing, you will see in the near future the effects of this blessing on the Muslim world. Of course, it is hard for you, fathers, mothers, spouses, children, brothers, and sisters, Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated.
The Leader added, "It is obviously very difficult. However, in return for the hardship, there is the blessing of God Almighty. His promise to those who are patient is that God Almighty blesses those who are patient during times of hardships. This is God's promise. It is in the Qur'an. God willing, you will be treated the same way. God willing, we join your youth, follow them on the same path, and reach the same destiny. Alright, please recite another salawat (peace be upon the prophet and his household)."
