Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei received a congregation of war veterans, concurrent with the opening day of "Sacred Defense Week" Tehran Thursday September 22.

During the meeting, footages of the imposed war era were aired, reminding a number of men and women combatants the memories they carried from the eight year war.

Addressing the audience, Ayatollah Khamenei described the sacred defense era as a mirror which reflects the exact replica of Iranian people's capacity.

"The epic of the eight year of holy defense, when Iranian people had stood against worldwide invasion empty-handed by relying on Allah and come finally up with triumphant, should be transferred to future generations, so that they may continue the route with glory and full of hopes", the leader said.

He praised the executives of the Office of the Literary and Art of Resistance, while underlying the significance of recording the events of the Sacred Defense era and recalling the memories of the time, mentioning Hazrat-e Zeinab and Imam Sajjad (a.s.) as the founders of recording important historical events for reviving the Ashoura epic in history through their illuminating, eloquent and piercing words.

The Supreme Leader said world's masterpieces had been emerged when people showed resistance and devotions, and stressed that the Sacred Defense era went beyond a simple event.

"To register the epics of the era and transfer them to future generations by means of artistic and literary media, more investment should be made and the subject should be followed seriously", he asserted.

The innovations and capabilities may emerge amid hard times, the leader said.

He emphasized on the fact of revelation of scientific and spiritual capacities during the war era, saying “the current scientific breakthrough had come up under the pressure exerted after trade and political embargo was imposed on Iran during the wartime”'.

”'One should not intimidate the Iranian people from economic sanctions and political bullyings”, he concluded.

In a message to mark the first day of Iraqi invasion on Iran on September 22, 1980 designated as "Martyrs Day", the Supreme Leader said that remembrance of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to defend their country contributes to enliven their lofty aspirations.

"The epic of Iranian nation to defend the country against the aggression indicated the lofty capacity of human values the God-blessed territory (Iran) enjoys.

"Iranian nation set example of steadfastness, faith, bravery, initiative, intelligence, advancement, sincerity and noble thought and action in the entire universe.”

"Remembering the martyrs is just like injection of blood into veins of typical Iranian character. We should keep their memories alive forever," the Supreme Leader said.

Khamenei-Sacred Defense Week-Martyrs Day