The commemorations brought together diplomats from the Embassy of Iran, members of the clergy from both the Christian and Islamic faiths, visual artists from around Harare, members of the media and over 180 school children from different schools based in Harare.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the commemorations held at the Cultural Centre of the embassy of Iran in Harare early this Tuesday, the 29th July 2025, the Cultural Counsellor, Mr Hamid Bakhtiyar said Israel committed war crimes against Iran by mercilessly killing innocent Iranians, who included military commanders, scientists, women and children.

He noted that the exhibition was held to highlight the crimes committed by the rogue Israeli regime.

Mr Bakhtiyar thanked the people and government of Zimbabwe for standing by Iran during the period of the Israeli aggression.

The Cultural Counsellor also noted with dismay the ongoing killing of innocent and freedom seeking Palestinians, saying over 65000 people have unnecessarily been killed by Israel since the beginning of the latest Palestinian – Israeli war.

He said Israel continues to suffocate the Palestinians through denying them access to food and water.

Mr Bakhtiyar further condemned the Western countries for just watching as Israel commits genocide in Palestine, saying the international community should condemn Israel and make it account for all the heinous crimes it is committing against the innocent Palestinians.

Christian cleric, Reverend Ngaaware Malunga from Tehilla Christian Network and the Zimbabwe Amalgamated Council of Churches condemned Israeli’s aggression on Iran and Palestine. He said Israel and America should be made to understand that the world needs peace and not war.

He said those countries should take a leaf from Zimbabwe’s policy of promoting peaceful coexistence and reengagement with other peace-loving countries.

Mr Robson Musarafu, the chairman of the Friends of Palestine said the world will not endure peace as long as America and Israel continue to be war mongers. He urged all peace-loving countries of the international community to continue rallying behind Palestine until it attains full freedom from Israel.

Sheikh Ismail Duwa, the president of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in Zimbabwe viewed the Israeli aggression on Iran as a direct attack on Islam. He said Muslims should be united in confronting Israel, noting that while Israel was a war monger, Iran was a unifier that was assisting and uplifting all freedom seeking people, especially the people of Palestine.

The guests were later taken on a guided tour of the exhibition, where Mr Bakhtiyar took time to explain the meaning of all the photographs and handicrafts on exhibition.