During his address at the Fourth International "Al-Aqsa Call" Conference, the Secretary-General of the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine, Mr. Hassan Rasheed Al-Abayechi, underscored the importance of the conference as a global platform to echo the call of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) in defense of the oppressed, and to renew allegiance to the path of truth championed by the Imam and his noble companions.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, hosted by Al-Zahraa University for Women in Karbala, Mr. Al-Abayechi said, “The General Secretariat of the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine blesses the convening of this sacred conference and takes pride in the presence of the faithful delegations. From under the dome of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), we pray that God Almighty accepts their efforts, blesses their steps, and includes their contributions among their righteous deeds, sealed with the blood of martyrdom and the fragrance of prophecy.”

He noted that the conference coincides with the Arbaeen pilgrimage, a profound occasion that—through the blood of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), his family, and his companions—laid the foundations for honor and dignity. “Karbala has become a sanctuary for the free and a symbol of resistance against tyranny and arrogance,” he said.

Mr. Al-Abayechi emphasized that the spirit of the Hussaini revolution must live on in the hearts of the Islamic nation, especially in the face of the ongoing genocide, siege, starvation, and horrific crimes committed against civilians in Gaza and the West Bank. He described the steadfastness of the Palestinian people as a living continuation of the epic of Karbala, an embodiment of resilience, patience, and unshakeable faith.

He denounced the silence of international and Arab regimes, stating that “the atrocities committed against the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza, are taking place before the eyes and ears of the world. These crimes are a stain on the conscience of humanity. The failure of world powers and Arab governments to exert genuine pressure to stop the aggression or deliver humanitarian aid is a profound moral failure.”

Reaffirming the purpose of the conference, he said, “This gathering is a global call echoing Imam Hussain’s (peace be upon him) cry in defense of the oppressed, and a renewal of commitment to the righteous path he walked. It is a call to uphold the guidance of the two weighty things (the Holy Quran and the Ahlulbayt) and to champion all just causes, foremost among them the cause of Palestine and Holy Jerusalem, in accordance with the values of Islam.”

Mr. Al-Abayechi expressed the full support of the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine for the statements issued by the Office of the Supreme Religious Authority, particularly the recent declaration by His Eminence Sayyed Ali Al-Hussaini Al-Sistani, issued on Muharram 29, 1447 AH (July 25, 2025), which called on Islamic countries and the international community to take immediate action to stop the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “What is happening cannot be met with silence. It demands a swift and decisive humanitarian and Islamic response,” he stressed.

He concluded his speech by paying tribute to the steadfast Palestinian people, affirming that “the blood of the martyrs in Gaza and the West Bank will continue to water the sacred soil of Palestine, just as the blood of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) sanctified the land of Karbala. The banner of Jerusalem will remain aloft through the resolve of the free, regardless of the conspiracies of oppressors or the inaction of accomplices.”

He prayed for the success and guidance of the conference, hoping it would be a blessed step on the path toward a decisive and just victory.

Riyadh Al-Asadi