Iran (IMNA) - Known for its architectural heritage and cultural prominence, Isfahan carries a solemn memory that does not appear in travel guides yet remains deeply rooted in the identity of its people. The 25th of Aban, 1361 (November 16, 1982), was officially designated as “The Day of the Epic and Sacrifice of the People of Isfahan,” marking a large public farewell held amid the Iran–Iraq War.
The ceremony came during a period of severe conflict that began in September 1980 when Saddam Hussein’s regime launched a full-scale invasion of Iran. The war lasted eight years and included extensive aerial attacks, territorial incursions, and widespread mobilization.
The soldiers commemorated on that day had been martyred in Operation Moharram, a 10-day military offensive that began on November 1, 1982, in western Ilam province. The operation, heavily contested by Iraqi forces reportedly under Saddam Hussein’s direct oversight, resulted in the deaths of 1,250 Iranian personnel, including 750 from Isfahan province.
On November 16, 1982, schools, government offices, factories, and the city’s bazaar closed as tens of thousands of residents gathered across Naqsh-e Jahan Square and surrounding streets. Senior clerics and large crowds took part in a major prayer ceremony for the 370 fallen fighters. A message from the founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini (RA), was also read aloud to the participants.
The public funeral, marked by wide participation across the city, reflected both grief and renewed resolve. Observers later described the event as a turning point in strengthening local and national morale during the war. According to accounts, despite the heavy loss, Isfahan continued to send volunteers to the frontlines, demonstrating what the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, later called an “eminent paradigm of sacrifice and honor.”
Imam Khomeini, in remarks following the event, praised the city’s resilience, stating: “Where in the world can one locate a counterpart to Isfahan, which merely days prior conducted funeral rites for 370 of its martyrs? This very nation, having presented such offerings, persists in its service to Islam.”
Isfahan’s wartime toll was considerable. Of the approximately 200,000 Iranians killed in the conflict, 23,000 came from Isfahan province. The 370 martyrs honored on the 25th of Aban represented a single tragic share of this broader sacrifice.
Today, the commemoration stands not merely as a historical marker but as a lasting chapter in Iran’s national memory.
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