The Head of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO), explaining the global significance of the Arbaeen pilgrimage, stated that the tens of millions of participants in Arbaeen gatherings across the Islamic world can be regarded as a driving force for a new global civilization.

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According to the Public Relations Office of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, while the United States and other components of the global hegemonic system are employing both hard and soft power to weaken the resolve of free Muslim nations and violate the sovereignty of independent countries such as Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine, this year's Arbaeen pilgrimage in Iraq is once again being held with remarkable grandeur.

At a time when the enemies have intensified their aggression against Iran and are seeking to create instability across the region, fundamental questions arise regarding the relationship between the Arbaeen movement, the "Discourse of Resistance," and the civilizational future of the Islamic world. To examine these issues, Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Mehdi Imanipour, President of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, spoke with the Tasnim News Agency about the relationship between the Arbaeen movement and current developments in the international system.

The full interview follows:

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Question:

At a time when enemies are using military and security tools, repeatedly violating the sovereignty of Iran and other countries in an attempt to create fear and intimidation across the region, we are witnessing Arbaeen being held with even greater magnificence than before. What message does this coincidence convey about the authenticity of the Discourse of Resistance?

Imanipour:

First of all, I extend my condolences on the occasion of Arbaeen to the countless devoted followers of Imam Abu Abdillah al-Husayn (peace be upon him) and the School of Ashura throughout the world.

To understand the significance of this convergence, we must first define "resistance." In Islamic thought, resistance is not merely a defensive or passive reaction to aggression. Rather, it is an active and principled steadfastness in the pursuit of truth. When enemies choose military aggression against Muslim countries as a means of changing the behavior of nations, their objective is to generate fear and paralyze the will of people.

The holding of the Arbaeen pilgrimage under such circumstances completely overturns the enemy's calculations. Arbaeen demonstrates that resistance extends beyond the battlefield and becomes part of everyday life.

The fact that millions of people from around the world travel to Karbala despite military and security threats illustrates that the discourse of resistance has become not simply a strategy or tactic but an enduring school of thought within the culture of the followers of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).

While the enemy seeks to create insecurity through pressure and intimidation, Arbaeen responds with the security that stems from faith in God. This shows that resistance has become deeply rooted within the Muslim Ummah.

Arbaeen is the continuation of the Ashura movement, and Ashura itself represents resistance against oppression. Just as Lady Zaynab (peace be upon her), through her powerful speeches in Kufa and Damascus, upheld the message of resistance even when the enemy appeared victorious, today's Arbaeen proclaims through the presence of millions that resistance is everlasting.

This gathering is not merely a religious ceremony; it is a demonstration of the strength of the Islamic Ummah in the face of the hybrid warfare of the global hegemonic system.

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Question:

Some analysts describe Arbaeen as a vast communications network. From the perspective of cultural diplomacy, how can this network contribute to the broader framework of resistance within the international order? Can Arbaeen be considered the foundation of a new civilization?

Imanipour:

Absolutely.

We view the annual Arbaeen movement not simply as a calendar event but as a civilizational capacity.

In today's international system, power is largely defined through networking. Western hegemony is built upon interconnected financial, media, and military networks. Arbaeen offers an alternative model—networking based on justice, spirituality, and the pursuit of truth.

Arbaeen is creating a civilization-building network. It effectively transcends the geographical boundaries that the hegemonic system has historically used to divide Muslim societies.

When an Iranian pilgrim walks alongside an Iraqi pilgrim, a Yemeni youth, and a Lebanese resistance fighter, what emerges is the practical formation of the Ummah. This network serves as the human infrastructure of resistance.

The relationships established during Arbaeen become a support network in times of crisis.

More importantly, this framework is dynamic. Beyond its religious dimension, Arbaeen cultivates the moral foundations necessary for governing society: faithful living, solidarity, noble character, sincere service, and cooperation in righteous deeds.

These are precisely the qualities required for advancing the New Islamic Civilization.

Therefore, Arbaeen is not merely complementary to military resistance—it also provides its intellectual and spiritual energy.

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Question:

The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a central pillar of the resistance movement, faces unprecedented sanctions and pressure. How do you assess the relationship between Arbaeen and Iran's comprehensive resistance against threats, conspiracies, and aggression?

Imanipour:

Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran serves as the standard-bearer of the discourse of resistance.

The hegemonic system understands that Iran's strength lies not only in its military capabilities but also in the discourse of resistance that it promotes.

The enemy seeks to isolate Arbaeen because Arbaeen strengthens that discourse.

Iran has become the beating heart of the geography of resistance, while Arbaeen serves as one of its greatest sources of spiritual vitality.

The connection established through Arbaeen between Iran and other countries goes beyond ordinary bilateral or multilateral relations. It constitutes a civilizational bond that no external power can sever.

Resistance encompasses every arena—military, economic, political, and cultural. In this regard, Arbaeen plays a vital role in neutralizing the enemy's cognitive warfare.

The enemy attempts to create divisions between Iran and Iraq, whereas Arbaeen presents Iran as a nation supporting its Iraqi Muslim brothers.

We regard the dissemination of Arbaeen's universal message as a shared responsibility and consider Arbaeen to be the greatest exhibition of the soft power of the discourse of resistance.

Its connection with the resilience of the Iranian people represents the export of a model of resistance to the broader Islamic world.

When other nations witness Iran continuing to play a leading role in organizing Arbaeen despite intense external pressure, they recognize that steadfastness ultimately leads to success.

In this way, Arbaeen extends Iran's influence beyond geographical frontiers to the realm of shared beliefs and values.

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Question:

Many scholars believe the world is transitioning from the current global order to a new one. What is Arbaeen's civilizational role in humanity's future? Can its message resonate beyond the Shi'a world?

Imanipour:

The existing international order—built upon profit-seeking, individualism, and domination—is gradually collapsing.

Humanity has grown weary of this unjust, spiritually empty system and is seeking a spirituality rooted in justice.

This is where Arbaeen becomes relevant.

The civilizational message of Arbaeen is human solidarity grounded in faith and justice.

Arbaeen does not belong solely to Shi'a Muslims. It belongs to all who reject oppression and seek genuine freedom.

The presence of Sunni Muslims, Christians, and even seekers of truth from diverse backgrounds demonstrates that Arbaeen speaks a universal language.

The emerging world order requires a solid ethical foundation—something liberalism has failed to provide.

Arbaeen offers a moral framework capable of connecting science, technology, economics, governance, and other dimensions of civilization while uniting humanity around the principles of combating injustice and supporting the oppressed.

We are preparing the ground for a civilization in which justice is not merely a slogan but a way of life.

Arbaeen serves as a rehearsal for the Mahdavi society—a society where self-sacrifice takes precedence over the accumulation of wealth.

This civilizational vision is not only relevant to the world; it represents humanity's path out of its current impasse.

It is our responsibility to communicate this message to the world through art, diplomacy, and media, for today's world needs the teachings of Imam Husayn more than ever.

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Question:

As President of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, what is your roadmap for civilizational engagement? How can Arbaeen strengthen the global resistance movement and leave a lasting impact on the international order?

Imanipour:

Our roadmap is founded upon three pillars:

• Discourse-building
• Networking among intellectuals and elites
• People-to-people diplomacy

We must present the values of Arbaeen in a language that resonates globally.

We should empower citizen media and establish what may be called Arbaeen diplomacy by utilizing the enormous potential of Arbaeen pilgrims as ambassadors.

Every pilgrim can serve as an ambassador who explains the values embodied in this event, the reasons for its existence, and concepts such as resistance within his or her own country.

Our mission is to unite humanity around the understanding that resistance—in its broadest sense—is not merely a political concept but a way of life, and that building a new civilization is a universal aspiration.

If we succeed in presenting the true message of Arbaeen, the hegemonic system will no longer be able to undermine the will of nations through its instruments of power.

At the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, we are laying the groundwork for this great movement.

Arbaeen must become a civilizational driving force.

We firmly believe that the future belongs to the oppressed, and that Arbaeen is the point from which that future begins to emerge in human history.