BEIRUT – Since February, the shrine of Saied Hassannasrala, the late Secretary-General of Hezbollah, attracted around 100,000 visitors a month, including popular delegations and prominent religious and political figures.
Since his historic and unprecedented funeral date, it has been revealed that the shrine assumes an international identity that embodies Sayednaslala’s philosophy of leading the main causes among Palestine, beyond narrow religious and national affiliations.
On the 43rd anniversary of the Sabla and Shatira genocide, the shrine received a delegation saying, “Please Don’t Forget the Sabla and Shatira Massacre.”
On behalf of the delegation, Heather Stroud, leader of the delegation, said, “It is a great honor to be here with the people of Lebanese, and it is an honor to be alive in the year Hassan Nasrara was alive.
The shrine is supervised by a media outlet that was launched shortly after the funeral. It includes a team of volunteers, including descendants of Sayyed Nasrallah.
To discuss these details, the Tehran Times interviewed Dr. Diaa Abu Taam (R), director of the media and public relations department of the shrine at Martyr Sayyed Nasrallah (R).
Below is the interview text.
1.How do popular and foreign delegation visits reflect their appreciation for Nasrala’s approach?
Visits to sacred shrines, whether popular or political, have not stopped since February last year. The numbers differed between representatives of the country and representatives of religious authorities as well as representatives of the Holy Shrines (Razavi, Arawiya, Hussenya, Abbasiya, Kadhimiya). They all visited the shrine and presented the sacred shrine of Imam in Aar Al Beit with the gift of blessed marble stones and flags.
Representatives of the Iraqi government and the presidency were present as well as political parties of various affiliations. Dr. Ali Larijani, director of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, visited the sacred shrine, as well as foreign ministers Araguchi and foreign ministers of several other countries. These visits, whether high-ranking officials, officials, or even popular delegations, all conveyed a single message. His uplift should not be limited to leadership roles limited to Lebanon’s political or resistance contexts.
Popular delegations of foreigners from outside the Islamic countries constantly emphasize that his uplift represents the human meaning and the human message in all senses. And the whole of humanity today is tired. Humanity all today is suffering from the horror of this scene.
The martialism of Saeednasrallah is seeing what is happening in Gaza, and comes at the moment that this martialism is a sacrifice in this battle to support the people of Gaza, support the Palestinian cause, and stand up to the rogance and intimidation of America and Israel. People believe that the loss of this symbol of humanity, and that it is the duty of all people, not just the country, but the world, to carry this torch from his prominent status and spread it on the level of the whole world, not the West Asian level. All people express this personality, his excellence, is a global character that cannot be confined to borders, religions or sects.
2. What are the most prominent religious and political events in the Holy Temple?
Events from his burial to the present take two forms: cultural aspects related to the movements of intellectuals, writers and activists. He also accompanied him to media activities and commemorative events. For example, the large festival entitled “Message to Sayyed” featured activists and writers from various countries in the region. The turnout was enormous. The event was held inside the shrine to announce the names of the winners. Participants ranged from 10 to 60 years of age, making this an event with both cultural and media aspects.
We often revisit his lectures and interviews of excellence dealing with the political situation of the time. People draw lessons from the 12 Shiite Imams in patience, loyalty to the protection of Said Arikhamenei, resistance to arrogance, and confronting injustice despite limited resources – as if they were responsible for perseverance, loyalty to the protection of Said Arikhamenei. We also commemorated the fateful night on the holy moon and the night of Asura in Ramadan.
In particular, the number of participants in these religious events was very large, sometimes exceeding 15,000 per night. Of course, this was one of the school blessings that his excellence was established, where he consistently emphasized the importance of linking the Holy Qur’an and the omnipotence of God with our everyday lives and political struggles. These are two trucks on the same train, and the deviation of either truck leads to decline.
3. What role do these events play in strengthening his relationship with excellence?
Of course, all events, whether religious or cultural, are related to resistance and play a role in attracting those people. Moreover, numerous artists, poets, painters, singers and readers serve at shrines and voluntarily seek them as an expression of loyalty. Currently, the number of those volunteers is around 200, and the number is expected to increase.
Additionally, the shrine’s media office is open to volunteers. The office of the servants of the Holy Temple is also open. Religious Activities Offices are also open to volunteers. Of course, each department has its own conditions for voluntary activities, especially since shrines have a certain level of morality that volunteers must have.
We can say that this sacred shrine has the ability to create a community that carries the value of Said Nasrara, God willing to do so.
4. How has shrines transformed into a cultural symbol that integrates the existence of resistance in the collective memory of people?
If you come to all the people who visit the shrine, whether religious or secular, Lebanese or non-Lebanese, Muslim or non-Muslim, we ask them: “What do you mean? Why do you visit him?” “We are visiting our father.”
We see his famous, especially the young children who talk to him. “Ah, why, why did you leave us?” This is the true love and passion reflected in their actions. This love returns to people’s conscience and makes them feel that there are problems that Said Nasrara was talking about, and that he also provided his invaluable life in our lives.
5. In your opinion, what is the purpose of the report broadcast by one of the channels to undermine shrines?
Many visitors to Sayyed say, “I hope that Almighty God has taken us and protected you.” From this perspective, we understand what his excellence spoke about and what he taught. It is a consecration of these principles. The followers feel that if they fail to maintain the commandments and values he has sanctified, they will betray him. This also gives us an understanding of the depth of hostility from the enemy towards this shrine.
The enemy of resistance is closely monitoring these visitors. This has led to media reports attempting to raise doubts about whether the land is truly his prominent location.
These are trivial lies that serve the enemy. We are always used to the fact that we are in the eyes of conflict at the heart of conflict. Praise to God, the Lord of the world, and this feeling is to deepen people’s attachment, passion and connection. As his excellence recommended, we must carry his voice, his thoughts, and his blood to the whole world, to future generations.