He was born in a small village called “Qanat Malek” near Rabar County in Kerman Province. This man was a nightmare for the Zionists, colonialists, oppressors, terrorists and particularly Americans for several decades. Major General Soleimani neutralized the Satanic plans of Israel in Middle East. He was the forefather of the numerous resistance movements across the Islamic World. He devoted his whole professional career to the spread of the message of the Islamic Revolution. For 22 years, he was the Commander in Chief of IRGC Quds Elite Corps. All indices show that his tenure was associated with amazing progresses for Islamic Front and major defeats for Israel and US in the region. Major General Soleimani served just one idea, i.e. “Velayat”. His love for the Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution was the love of a pupil who gets melted in the existence of his mentor. He devotedly followed the footprints of Supreme Leader Imam Khamenei and recommended everyone to do so. Finally, after several years of devoted efforts for helping the oppressed nations of the region and propagation of the message of Islamic Revolution in the world, he was assassinated in a drone strike ordered by the Loser President of United States Donald J. Trump who is a disgrace to American Nation on January 3rd 2020. His martyrdom heralded a new phase in the history of Islamic Resistance. “His life and death were both key to the relegalization of Islamic Ideals in the world”, Supreme Leader said in the first moment of his martyrdom. In the first anniversary of the martyrdom of Major General Qassem Soleimani, SAEDNEWS has conducted an exclusive interview with Hajj Qassem’s nephew Yaser Soleimani in order to share untold truths of the personal and private life General Soleimani.
SAEDNEWS: Given your close relations with the family of Major General Soleimani, would you please brief our audience of the key moral features that existed in the Martyr that can serve as a pattern for the youth?
Yaser Soleimani: Truly, speaking of the character of this Noble Martyr is both easy and hard. He was a multifaceted character. His nobility was not just limited to his profession as the Commander in Chief of the IRGC Quds Elite Corps. He was a noble father, a noble uncle, a noble relative, a noble neighbor and a noble citizen. It is hard to reduce this nobility into just one aspect. Although he was a top military official and had countless missions to lead abroad in several countries, he was so meticulous and would never allow any preoccupation to distract him from the family and relatives. He would call his parents everyday even when he was on the battleground. Every week he called his brothers and sisters. He insisted on the close relations with the relatives and friends. The second feature of the Noble Martyr, to which I was personally a witness, is his devotion. He was a truly devoted man. He did everything just for God and people. He cared not about anything of rank and worldly titles.
I think it was exactly this devotion and sincerity that served like a magnet and absorbed millions of hearts towards the Noble Martyr. This was simultaneously endorsed by the friends and foes. Everyone knew in the region that Major General Soleimani seeks just the Good for the Region and nothing else. Whenever there was a quarrel among the group, they would immediately turn to the Martyr for resolution of conflicts. This is why the Supreme Leader says that “Martyr Soleimani is the hero of Iranian nation and the Islamic World”. Third feature was his respect for the people. He was so concerned of the people. He strongly recommended the family members to respect people and do not allow their affiliation to separate them from the rest of the people. As the Commander in Chief of the IRGC Quds Elite Corps he had numerous guards, however, he would always welcome anyone who wanted to share a problem with him. His guards had always troubles due to this feature. The other point is his revolutionary services that lasted for four decades. He was a hardworking commander. He started his activities in early days of Islamic Revolution and continued to serve the Islamic Revolution during the Eight Years Imposed War as the commander in chief of Sarallah Division 41. Later he drew a strategic plan in order to bring security back to the southeastern borders that were regularly attacked by the smugglers and rebels. He was so intelligent. Instead of a military confrontation, he offered the rebels farming lands in return of disarmament. It worked. Then, he was appointed as the Commander in Chief of the IRGC Quds Elite Corps.
SAEDNEWS: Major General Soleimani was against the direct involvement of his relatives and family members in economic and political affairs in the country. We have heard that you had taken part in Parliamentary Election race and later you decided to call it off. What happened?
Yaser Soleimani: When I decided to run for Parliament, my uncle Major General Soleimani was in Syria. He was so busy with the battle against ISIS. After my nomination, many political parties started to put my name in their lists. There were rumors of the involvement of the Martyr in political activities and this was not good because the Martyr had no political affiliation but his devotional service to Islamic Revolution. When Major General Soleimani returned home, I paid a visit and talked with him. He told me that the atmosphere is not desirable. I, then, decided to issue a statement and cancel my nomination. The basic philosophy of this approach of the Martyr Soleimani was significant. He believed that if a family member gets involved in political or economic activity and a problem occurs, everything will be attributed to values for which many precious bloods have been shed. Many martyrs have sacrificed their lives for the promotion of these values. My uncle continuously recommended the family that if you want to do something for your country, there is no need for any position or title. Do it anonymously just for the sake of the good of people.
SAEDNEWS: How was the Martyr’s relation with the family members? Did he act as a commander in the house too?
Yaser Soleimani: He was so kind. You cannot believe it. He took care of every single member of the family. The Noble Martyr always insisted on the close family ties. Every year on New Year eve, he would come to his parents. He asked the family members to be together at first four days of the New Year. He held weekly religious meeting at his house every Friday. This meeting was short but attended by the whole family members. If a family member missed a session, he would immediately call and ask about the reason why he or she has not taken part this week. “If everything is OK!” He was so kind. His close ties with his friends. It is wonderful. He was a True Friend for his comrades and friends. When Major General Kazemi got martyred, General Soleimnai was so upset and this sorrow never left his heart until his own martyrdom. He was a close friend with Major General Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf the current speaker of the Iranian Parliament.
SAEDNEWS: As a family member, did you have a special experience of your uncle?
Yaser Soleimani: Martyr Soleimani was a paragon for everyone. Every second beside this great man was precious because he would convey a brilliant tip that could change one’s life. His martyrdom made everyone in the family upset. We are still mourning for him and it is not easy to forget a great man of that size. He belonged to the whole Islamic world and his love is shared by hundreds of millions of people. He was a devoted and sincere man and this sincerity turned him to “General of Hearts”. He cared about every single man around. He did not allow his guards to keep anyone away from him. I remember back in the heyday of the terrorist activities of ISIS in Syria, Turkey was supporting the groups to topple Assad Regime. Erdogan was worried of possible retaliation of Iran by arming the Kurds. In one private session, General Soleimani had told Erdogan that there is no place for any concern because “We are the followers of a Leader who before being a political leader is a Just and Knowledgeable Jurist”. Verily, the main concern of Martyr Soleimani was the security of the Islamic World.
SAEDNEWS: What was recommended most by the Major General Soleimani to the youth?
Yaser Soleimani: His first recommendation was always “following the words of the Supreme Leader as the Saint and the Mentor”. He would say that “I swear God that the salvation depends on your sincere devotion to the Just Jurist”. He insisted on keeping away from luxurious life. He recommended the family to live like the majority of people in the society. Taking care of the family and paying regular visit to the family members were all underlined. He recommended everyone to take every action just for the God and the people. It was indeed this devotion that turned him into a national hero. His funeral was the most popular funeral in the world attended by millions of devoted lovers of martyrdom.
SAEDNEWS: What is the legacy of Hajj Qassem Soleimani in your view?
Yaser Soleimani: Supreme Leader has a beautiful word reading as follows: “Martyr Soleimani defeated the Oppressors both during his lifetime and with his martyrdom”. The most precious result of the devoted efforts of the Martyr Soleimani is the awakening of Islamic World. His blood showed the “antihuman nature of the American government”. This awakening strengthened the Resistance Front and now the region is pregnant with thousands of Hajj Qassems. Hezbollah, Hashd Al Shabi, Fatimyun, Hedaryun, Ansar Allah in Yemen all follow the footprints of Major General Soleimani. This is the most precious legacy that one would leave for the Islamic world.
SAEDNEWS: Tell us about your moments when you heard the news of the martyrdom of the Major General Soleimani?
Yaser Soleimani: I had a meeting and I should have slept well that night. But I had problems and couldn’t sleep. I was so distressed until 4 am. I fell into sleep at 4 and I woke up at 6 and saw that I had 60 missed calls. I knew that something terrible had happened. I made the first call and I heard the news and I fainted for 4 hours. This martyrdom was truly dear to all family members and this would be soothed just with the retaliation and punishment of the traitors and killers.
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