On the night of May 19, 2024, suddenly the heart- wrenching breaking news of the helicopter crash involving Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi with his important companions started spreading on all media. This news compelled everyone to pray for their safe return, and a wave of grief and sorrow spread far and wide. Every heart and every country was praying for the president's safe return.
Pakistan, in particular, has a very special relationship with Iran. Condolence messages were pouring in from all sides, from India and Afghanistan to Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Iran's spiritual leader, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, immediately called an emergency meeting and urged the people to remain calm and pray. However, no significant progress was made until 2 am."
However, on the morning of May 20, 2024, the news of the martyrdom of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions shocked everyone and filled every heart with grief. Since his recent visit to Pakistan in 2024, President Raisi had become a deeply beloved figure in Pakistan as well. Following this tragic incident, a five-day mourning period was announced in Iran and a one-day mourning period in Pakistan.
According to Iranian media, the accident occurred on Sunday while returning from the inauguration ceremony of a dam in East Azerbaijan, Iran, where the helicopter encountered difficulties due to bad weather, fog, and rain.
Despite the tireless efforts of approximately 73 rescue teams, the president and his companions, including Foreign Minister Hossein Ameer-Abdullahian, the governor of East Azerbaijan, and the representative of the Supreme Leader in East Azerbaijan, Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Al-Hashem, were martyred. The bad weather conditions hindered the rescue operation."
Remember that on April 13, 2024, Iran, tired of Israel's constant aggression, showed courage and fired missiles at Israel in self-defense, which was a shock to Israel's defense system. Israel openly threatened Iran on international media in response.
Amidst these tense circumstances, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi made an important and pleasant visit to Pakistan on April 22, 2024. He met with Pakistan's important personalities, including the President, Prime Minister, and Army Chief General Asim Munir. They vowed to strengthen bilateral economic and security ties. The crucial energy project, the Sui-Gas-Pipeline, was also discussed. This project has never been particularly pleasing to the United States.
The 63-year-old President Raisi, a man of strong personality, was born in Mashhad, the 2nd biggest city of Iran, in 1960. He received his early education from a seminary in Qom and earned a Ph.D. in law from Shahid Motahari University in Tehran. He was also the son-in-law of Mashhad Friday prayer leader and Grand Imam of Mula Imam Reza (A.S) shrine, Ahmad Alamolhoda.
Ebrahim Raisi participated in the 1979 Iranian Revolution on the front lines. After the revolution, he held important positions in the judiciary, including Prosecutor and General Prosecutor of Tehran in the 1990s. In 2006, he was elected as a member of parliament from the province of Khorasan for the first time.
Raisi was also the guardian of the Astan Quds Razavi, one of Iran's most important and wealthiest religious organizations. From 2016 to 2019, he was the custodian of the shrine of Mula Imam Reza (A.S) in Mashhad.
In 2017, he ran for president for the first time and surprisingly received over 15.7 million votes, but lost to his rival Hassan Rouhani. He secured 38% of the votes and came second.
Later, in 2019, Iran's Supreme Leader Syed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed him as the head of the judiciary, a powerful position. The following week, he was also elected as the deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member body responsible for electing the next Supreme Leader. As Chief Justice, Raisi implemented several important legal reforms.
Despite low voter turnout, Raisi was elected as Iran's eighth president on June 19, 2021, with a manifesto of positive changes. He remained president until his martyrdom on May 19, 2024. Raisi was considered one of the closest associates of the Supreme Leader Khamenei and was also seen as his potential successor. A courageous personality of the Muslim Ummah has passed away.
The question is, why do such incidents only happen to patriotic and loyal leaders and politicians? Either they are targeted through imprisonment and bondage, or they become victims of such accidents... Is this also just a natural accident, or is it a conspiracy or the result of a threat?!
However, it's time for the Muslim Ummah to wake up from their slumber.
Martyrdom is the honor of the brave. May Allah Almighty elevate the ranks of the honorable Iranian President and his companions.
Ameen.
شور ہے حشر کے میداں سے درِ جنت تک
راستہ دیجیئے حیدرؑ کے غلام آتے ہیں
We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in their grief.