Hawzah News Agency- Speaking at the Baqiyatullah Mosque in Karachi, Hojatoleslam Shabbir Hassan Maithami said he had personally attended the funeral of the martyred Leader of the Ummah in Iran, describing the presence of millions as proof that any figure who rises in defense of truth, Islam, and the dignity of the Islamic Ummah will forever hold a special place in the hearts of the people and will be bid farewell with honor and reverence.
The senior Pakistani cleric stated that he witnessed firsthand the loyalty, insight, and resilience of the Iranian people. "Women, men, youth, and the elderly — all with one voice — emphasized continuing the path of the martyred Leader, safeguarding his ideals, and declared their resolve to stand firm against the enemies," he said.
Maithami stressed that the martyred Leader, by offering his blood, proved once again that in the eternal battle between truth and falsehood, the road to victory is paved with endurance, faith, and perseverance. He added that the massive public turnout at the funeral was a manifestation of loyalty, awakening, and national cohesion that foiled all enemy plots.
"Iran has once again demonstrated that it will never surrender to the pressure of arrogant powers," the cleric declared. "Any nation that places its trust in Almighty God and walks the path of the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) may attain the lofty station of martyrdom, but it will never taste defeat."
Turning to the month of Safar and the enduring message of Ashura, Maithami underscored that the honor, dignity, and survival of Islam are owed to the uprising and sacrifice of Imam Hussein, stressing that keeping the spirit and message of Karbala alive is a collective duty. "Today, more than ever, this life-giving message must be transmitted to the new generations," he said.
The Secretary-General emphasized the necessity of presenting history based on evidence, logic, and respect so that the younger generation can distinguish truth from distortion, and called for the sufferings of the Prophet's Household and the realities of Karbala to be elucidated in a scholarly, documented, and informed manner.
Expressing concern over certain actions and moves against mourning ceremonies in Pakistan, Maithami stated: "Mourning gatherings, processions, chest-beating, and other Husseini rituals are an inseparable part of Islamic religion and culture. Any restriction, obstruction, or conspiracy against these rituals is unacceptable to the community of believers." He vowed firm opposition to any measure aimed at weakening or restricting mourning ceremonies.
The Pakistani Shia leader also called on the Sindh provincial government and other responsible institutions to remove obstacles hindering mourning ceremonies, close pending cases in this regard, and enable citizens to fully benefit from religious freedoms and the performance of their rituals.
Stressing the necessity of preserving Islamic unity, Maithami urged Muslims toward empathy, mutual respect, and scholarly, ethics-based dialogue, stating that instead of fueling differences, people should be invited to truth through logic, compassion, good character, and sound reasoning under the guidance of the Holy Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt.
Warning that the widening scope of war in the Middle East could trigger severe economic consequences worldwide and plunge various countries into serious crises, he also called on believers to avoid wastefulness, manage resources properly, strengthen the spirit of cooperation, and assist the needy — describing these as key duties of the Islamic community in the current critical circumstances.
Concluding his address, Maithami urged the faithful to reinforce their spiritual connection with God through prayer, the recitation of Ziyarat Ashura and Dua Alqamah, and seeking intercession through the Ahl al-Bayt, calling on believers to persistently pray for the honor and dignity of the Islamic Ummah, the fulfillment of the martyrs' ideals, and the failure of the enemies of Islam.
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