Attack on Religious Sites A Crime against Humanity: Senior Cleric
Ayatollah Alireza Aarafi, the director of Iran’s Seminaries, in a statement, condemned in the strongest terms the attacks by the US and the Zionist regime on religious and historical sites, including the Great Husseiniyeh of Zanjan and the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Tehran, and considered these actions to be a violation of the red lines of monotheistic religions and a crime against the religious and cultural heritage of humanity.
In the statement, addressed to the international community, followers of monotheistic religions, and especially respected religious leaders, he wrote, “Once again, the dirty hands of global arrogance, the criminal American-Zionist regime, have been contaminated with another crime against the sacred sites and spiritual heritage of humanity. These attacks are not just a military action; they are a direct confrontation between the ‘companions of the devil’ and the ‘armies of God’ and a clear insult to all common human and religious values.”
He noted that on April 1, 2026, the day of the Islamic Republic’s anniversary celebration, a ruthless terrorist missile attack took place, targeting the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Tehran and causing heavy damage to the complex of historical, religious, and sacred Christian monuments.
“The breaking of windows and doors, the collapse of part of the roof of a nursing home – where innocent elderly people were still living – and the desecration of a church during an illegitimate invasion are the height of barbarity and hostility to all divine religions.”
Ayatollah Aarafi added, “As the director of the Seminaries – who has always been a defender of the oppressed and a supporter of peaceful coexistence between followers of religions and interfaith rapprochement – I condemn this crime in the strongest terms and declare:
First: Religious places (including mosques, Husseiniyehs, churches, synagogues, Qiblahs, and places of worship of monotheistic religions) are red lines, and any aggression or encroachment on these places, whether in Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, or anywhere else in the world, is an example of “war against God and His religion” and a crime against humanity and religious and cultural heritage.
Second: I call on the United Nations, UNESCO, the Vatican, the World Council of Churches, and all religious leaders of the world not to remain silent in the face of these blatant desecrations and attacks on mosques, holy shrines, Husseiniyehs, places of worship, churches, and synagogues. If a mosque and a church in Tehran are targeted today and it remains unanswered, in which countries will we expect such tragedies tomorrow, and who will be the guardian and custodian of the safe holy places of God around the world?
Third: I warn the followers of all divine religions that global arrogance and the Zionist regime are not only the enemy of Muslims, but also the enemy of all those who believe in God, the prophets, and the divine books. Today it is the turn of the Great Husseiniyeh of Zanjan and the Orthodox Church in Tehran, tomorrow it may be the turn of any other place of worship. The unity of monotheistic religions against this religion-devouring monster is an undeniable necessity.
Read More:
Fourth: I call on the seminaries, universities of the Islamic world, and all free people of the world to issue firm statements, hold protest rallies, and take diplomatic measures to prevent these crimes from becoming normal. The blood of every innocent and the destruction of every place built in the name of God will make the awakened conscience of humanity rage.
In conclusion, while expressing solidarity with all believers, the Russian Orthodox community, and all Christians in Iran and the world, I ask God Almighty to save humanity from the evil of the American-Zionist oppressors and demons as soon as possible.”
4344702
