Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
Jan 7 2007

Martyrs, illuminating stars of Iran’s contemporary history: president

Tehran, Jan 7, IRNA

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Saturday evening that Iranian
martyrs are the illuminating stars in the sky of the country’s
contemporary history leading to salvation.

Addressing a group of families of the martyrs from Iran’s Armenian
community who fell victims to Iraqi-imposed war (1980-1988), the
president said "We are all like members of a single family heading
for common goals," a reference to integration of the Christians in
the entire nation.

He said mothers of all Iranian martyrs, who have, so far, met him,
speak in similar way regardless of being Muslim, Christian, Jewish or
Zoroastrian.

"They all stressed that their children have sacrificed their lives
for sacred aspirations emanated from their religious beliefs," said
the president.

He expressed hope that the world would soon witness a day when peace,
justice and friendship would prevail over all human communities
adding that all nations should play an active role to help such a
dream come true.