Statement  By Ambassador Ali Bahreini Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneve  Before OIC Meeting on the Passing of the Late President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran  Geneva- 24 May 2024    اعوذ بالله من الشیطن الرجیم بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم مِنَ المُؤْمِنِینَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوا مَا عَاهَدُوا اللهَ عَلَیْهِ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ قَضَى نَحْبَهُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ یَنْتَظِرُ وَمَا بَدَّلُوا تَبْدِیلًا. My sincere gratitude to my brother, Ambassador Bilal, for convening this memorial event. I take the opportunity to appreciate the words of sympathy and solidarity expressed by distinguished colleagues in this trying time for the   people and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Late President Raisi, late Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian and their accompanies dedicated their life to serve Iranian nation and demised when returning from inauguration ceremony of infrastructures on Iran’s border with the Republic of Azerbaijan. They selflessly gave of their blessed lives to serve Islam and Iran. Pursuant to the principal foreign policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran, both the late Iranian president and the Foreign Minister endeavored to enhance the unity of the Islamic world. As the late President Raisi mentioned in the last United Nations General Assembly, I quote, “The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the priority of the region is Islamic unity and collective development.” End of quote. The Islamic community will not forget Raisi’s fierce defense of the Quran against the insolence displayed by some West-backed malefactors. During the 78th session of United Nations General Assembly, he raised the Al-Mushaf Al-Sharif above his head and spoke out in defense of Holy Quran. When it came to Palestine, they spared no diplomatic efforts to restore all rights of the resilient and oppressed people of Palestine. The late Minister, Amir-Abdollahian, deserves to be described as a crusader for the freedom of Palestine. His dedication to the Palestinian cause, always reminded me of this verse from Quran:   ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُواْ وَهَاجَرُواْ وَجَٰهَدُواْ فِى سَبِیلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۚوَأُوْلَٰٓئِکَ هُمُ ٱلْفَآئِزُونَ   Just two weeks before his demise, during the last OIC summit in Banjul, Amir Abdollahian reoffered his proposal featuring a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the lifting of the blockade, the exchange of prisoners, obligating the Israeli regime to withdraw all military forces from Gaza, enforcing an arms embargo on the apartheid regime of Israel, and supporting the legally binding provisional order of the ICJ. In his tireless shuttle diplomacy advocating for Palestine, Amir Abdollahian visited Geneva three times in since al-Aqsa storm to consult with key officials from international organizations, including the United Nations Secretary-General and his Deputy for Humanitarian Affairs, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and numerous Ministers of Foreign Affairs in defense of Palestine cause. He endeavored with strong determination to enhance relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic states, in accordance with the principal policies of Iran and took significant and notable steps in this regard. Dr. Amir Abdollahian held fruitful and effective meetings with the foreign ministers of many brotherly countries last year in Geneva. The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue earnestly on this blessed path of strengthening Islamic unity and fostering good neighborliness. It will spare no effort to achieve the interests of the Islamic nation by drawing on the teachings of Islam and promoting unity and harmony at the international level. In conclusion, I feel obliged to express my heartfelt gratitude to all esteemed ambassadors and representatives of the Islamic countries for their presence in offering condolences and expressing sympathy on the loss of the President Raisi and the Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian. We hope that their legacy of justice, peace, and well-being will continue to benefit his nation, the Islamic community, and humanity.   رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغۡ قُلُوبَنَا بَعۡدَ إِذۡ هَدَیۡتَنَا وَهَبۡ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنکَ رَحۡمَةًۚ إِنَّکَ أَنتَ ٱلۡوَهَّابُ. رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَیْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْکَافِرِینَ.   I thank you.