In an exclusive interview with Hawzah News Agency in the holy city of Qom, Hojatoleslam Syed Ahmed Iqbal Rizvi offered his condolences on the martyrdom of Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei, emphasizing that the late Leader was a figure who transcended Iran's borders and belonged to the entire Islamic Ummah.
Martyr Leader Was the Heart and Soul of the Islamic World
Strongly condemning the criminal attacks by the United States and the Zionist regime against Islamic Iran, Rizvi declared: "I extend my deepest condolences to the Iranian nation and the entire Islamic world on the martyrdom of the pure soul, the martyred Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei, may God be pleased with him."
He added: "He was the heart and soul of the Islamic world and the Revolution. His martyrdom is a monumental loss for the Islamic Ummah and humanity as a whole. Yet, martyrdom was befitting of a personality of his stature."
Iran-Pakistan Ties: Beyond Formal Diplomacy
The senior Pakistani cleric underscored that the martyred Leader consistently stressed Islam as the greatest bond linking the two countries, viewing the Pakistani nation—both Shia and Sunni—as brothers of the Muslim people of Iran.
"This terminology demonstrates that from his perspective, the relationship between the two countries was not merely cooperation between two governments, but a connection between two Muslim nations that share common ideals, values, and concerns," Rizvi stated.
He elaborated that in the martyred Leader's vision, the concept of brotherhood carried profound meaning—encompassing mutual empathy, shared destiny, and reciprocal responsibilities toward issues facing the Islamic world. For this reason, he consistently advocated close Iran-Pakistan cooperation on matters such as Palestine, Kashmir, Islamic unity, and countering enemy conspiracies against the Muslim Ummah. Such cooperation, Rizvi noted, emanates from a shared Islamic mission rather than transient political expediency.
Nations, Not Just States, at the Heart of Ummah Diplomacy
Rizvi further highlighted a defining feature of the martyred Leader's approach: the centrality of nations in shaping relations.
"A key distinction of this outlook from purely diplomatic thinking is that in Martyr Imam Khamenei's view, nations constitute the principal axis of relations," he said. "He frequently spoke of the popular capacities, religious faith, and deep love for the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) among the Pakistani people, viewing these grassroots assets as the guarantor of enduring ties between the two countries."
The MWM vice president stressed that even if occasional political disagreements or temporary problems arise in official relations, the deep-rooted popular and faith-based bonds can prevent fundamental damage to the relationship—a matter of paramount importance.
Pakistan: A Vital Force in the Islamic World
Referring to the martyred Leader's vision of Pakistan, Rizvi stated that Grand Ayatollah Khamenei regarded the country as one of the most important and influential in the Islamic world, endowed with immense religious, popular, and cultural capacities.
In his view, Pakistan was not merely a neighbor to the Islamic Republic of Iran but a nation whose profound Islamic identity, deep historical and cultural ties with Iran, and special standing within the Muslim Ummah enabled it to play a significant role in shaping developments across the Islamic world.
Rizvi also warned that the martyred Leader had consistently cautioned against efforts by extremist currents and foreign elements to sow discord between the two nations, recognizing that such forces ultimately seek to weaken a strategic and civilizational bond rooted in shared Islamic and historical foundations.
Pakistan's Religious Devotion: A Civilizational Asset
"Martyr Imam Khamenei repeatedly emphasized that the Pakistani nation—both Shia and Sunni—are a tried and tested people, devout, committed to Islam, and lovers of the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT), with a firm and deep-seated attachment to Islamic teachings and rituals," Rizvi continued.
He noted that in the martyred Leader's assessment, this religious commitment constituted Pakistan's greatest asset and the primary factor behind the country's success and resilience. Accordingly, he measured the success of Pakistani governments and officials by the depth of their attachment to Islam and their respect for Islamic values and rites.
Relations Rooted in Civilizational Bonds
In his concluding remarks, Rizvi stressed that Martyr Imam Khamenei's emphasis on the brotherhood of the Iranian and Pakistani nations went far beyond conventional diplomatic and political frameworks.
"In standard political approaches, relations between countries are typically shaped by short-term interests, economic considerations, security concerns, and shifting political dynamics, and may change with circumstances or governments," he said. "However, in Martyr Imam Khamenei's thought, the Iran-Pakistan relationship stands on the solid foundation of deep-rooted doctrinal, Islamic, cultural, and popular bonds—unshaken by transient political winds."
Your Comment