Iran (IMNA) - Born in 1960 in Mashhad, the site of the revered shrine of the eighth Shia Imam, Ali ibn Musa Reza (AS), Raeisi was raised in a deeply religious and traditional environment. His education at the Qom seminary, a center of Islamic scholarship, was shaped by influential figures including Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei. From a young age, Raeisi embraced the revolutionary ideals of Imam Khomeini, internalizing a message rooted in justice, spirituality, and human dignity.
Throughout his presidency, Raeisi’s foreign policy was firmly anchored in the principle of defa-al-mostazafin—the defense of the oppressed—a core tenet of Imam Khomeini’s ideology. This was not merely political but a spiritual mandate. In a landmark 2023 UN General Assembly speech, Raeisi declared support for the oppressed as a Quranic imperative.
Raeisi’s commitment extended beyond politics. As Iran’s judiciary chief and custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, he consistently supported resistance movements in Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq. Under his leadership, Iran increased aid to Gaza despite logistical challenges, demonstrating his dedication to the Palestinian cause, which he viewed as the epitome of global injustice.
Following the October 7, 2023 Al-Aqsa Storm operation by Hamas, Raeisi praised the operation as a pivotal moment that shattered the perceived invincibility of the Zionist regime. He called resistance a sacred right and urged continued defiance against oppression. Raeisi framed the Palestinian struggle as a universal humanitarian issue, gaining empathy beyond the Muslim world.
Raeisi was also a vocal critic of Western imperialism and the Zionist regime, condemning their double standards and military support for Israel’s actions in Gaza. He accused Western powers of racism and hypocrisy, urging Muslim nations to sever ties with Israel and advocating for a just global order based on equity and human dignity. His powerful 2023 UN speech, where he held the Qur’an to protest its desecration in Sweden, resonated across the Muslim world and the Global South, highlighting Western cultural arrogance.
Seen as both a religious scholar and a principled leader, Raeisi’s legacy transcends Iran. His fusion of faith and politics earned him admiration from Muslim nations and freedom-seeking peoples worldwide, including Latin America and Africa. Ebrahim Raeisi’s life and presidency remain a testament to leadership rooted in humility, faith, and unwavering support for the oppressed, inspiring many across the globe.
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