President Rouhani visited the family of Armenian martyr Edwin Shahmirian on Christmas Eve and spoke with them in a cordial atmosphere, the President’s Press Office reported.
In the visit that took place late on Sunday, Dr Rouhani congratulated the birthday of Jesus Christ and added: “The Iranian nation appreciates the devotion and self-sacrifice of the martyrs and their respectful families.”
“These days are the days of happiness of all Iranian people and the world, especially our Armenian and Christian citizens, and I am happy that this visit is taking place in such a night,” the President continued.
Dr Rouhani also responded to the martyr’s mother’s happiness over his visit and said: “This is our duty and the least we can do for you dear families of martyrs. You have devoted your son for defending the country and the Iranian nation and definitely have a high place beside the Almighty.”
“The people of Iran are always grateful to their fellow Armenian citizens and consider them trustworthy, hard-working and honest, who love their country,” President Rouhani added.
He also went on to say: “The people of Iran consider Prophet Jesus Christ, Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Noah, Prophet Ibrahim, and Prophet Moses as great prophets who have brought blessings and prosperity for the humankind.”
A plaque of appreciation was given to the family of the martyr.
President Rouhani also visited the family of Armenian martyr Georgekeshish Harutun.
Saluting the patience and self-sacrifice of the families of the great martyrs, the President said: “The entire Iranian nation defend that blood of our dear martyrs who defended the Iranian land by giving their lives”.
Dr Rouhani also stressed that in Iran, all religions and ethnic groups stand by each other in happiness and sadness, saying: “Our people have always stood by each other and will continue to do so”.
Referring the conditions of Christians in the Middle East, the President said: “Christians have suffered a lot of damages in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon from terrorists and this was also the case for Muslims. Therefore, terrorist created conditions that the fate of Muslims and Christians are now interwoven more strangely and this is necessary that we help each other more in this situation”.
Martyr Georgekeshish Harutun’s mother and sisters also expressed happiness over meeting with President Rouhani and told him memories of the martyr.
In this visit that Vice-President in Martyrs and Veterans Affairs Hojatoleslam Val-Moslemin Shahidi was attending, a plaque of appreciation was given to the family of the martyr.
