I don’t know if you have ever noticed or not, but when people like something or someone a lot, they try to find other people’s opinion about that thing or person. I don’t know the reason either, maybe when we see what we like from the eyes of others, our feelings become stronger. However, at times this choice becomes gratifying. There is a point of time, where you know someone and you love him and you want to praise him from others point of view, which means you are sure that no one can deny his greatness and eminence, and now, you just want to enjoy hearing others praising him.



I started looking for the same verve. I searched everywhere for a trace of martyr Soleimani so that I could know him from the eyes of others.



Peace was all you wanted



Although Martyr Soleimani was the most pivotal and well-known military figure of Iran and IRGC, his pacifism was one of his distinctive features and he worked hard for this. The former US envoy to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, admits this and says: “General Soleimani has been active in establishing peace in the Middle East region.” It takes a lot of courage for someone from among the opponents and enemies to say that the other party played an effective role in developing peace. In fact, it seems like this is a declaration of submission to the nature and tactics of Martyr Soleimani.



About Haj Qassem’s presence in the region, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement says: “The feeling of Haj Qassem’s presence was a feeling of security.” Assured by Haj Qassem’s presence, all the countries of the Middle East region were living under the shadow of security, but after his martyrdom, it seemed as if the elder of the family was lost. They grieved the lost the sense of security.



After the martyrdom of Soleimani, Ayatollah Sistani said: “The unique role of martyr Soleimani during the years of fighting with the elements of ISIL in Iraq, as well as the many hardships he suffered in this regard, will not be forgotten.”



Soleimani; All-round personality



Many of us know Qassem Soleimani’s personality very well. Gen. Soleimani was not only an important military figure, but also played a pivotal role in other aspects of life. He was a perfect father in the family, a perfect friend among friends, and perfect politician in the field of politics. Regarding his personality, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Secretary General of Hezbollah in Lebanon, says: “Haj Qassem was a multi-faceted personality. In the political dimension, he was one of the greatest political analysts and political thinkers.”



However, besides being an important military figure, Haj Qassem was also an emotional person in his personal and friendly life. His love among the people was clear and explicit, to the extent that during the martyrdom of Haj Ahmad Kazemi, everyone knew how difficult it was for Haj Qassem to bear the loss of his old friend. His tears during the funeral of martyr Kazemi are remembered by everyone and obviously, it also caught the attention of the enemies.



Michael Segal, head of the Iran bureau at the IDF Military Intelligence Directorate’s research division says: “Although he is known as a tough military man, we see him going to funerals, mourn and shed tears. One of his unique characteristics is that he has a deep connection with the families of martyrs and veterans.”



Even the German magazine Spiegel writes about Gen Soleimani: “A man more successful than the United States! Gen. Soleimani is not a person who stays at home when he sends his troops to battle.” This is another aspect of the personality of this well-known commander who never, under any circumstances, sent his troops to the battle-field alone.



There is no other way but to admire you



Gen Soleimani’s personality was so eminent that even his enemies had no choice but to admire him. Even the famous newspaper New York Times writes about him: “Soleimani; An enemy who is both hated and admired.”



Or, for example, Barack Obama, the former president of the United States, says: “He is my enemy, but I have special respect for him.” Actually, no one could resist in front of a personality like Gen Soleimani and were compelled to admit that they failed when it comes to him. Meir Dagan, the former Mossad chief, says: “Soleimani is what I call politically clever.”



Even the French Le Monde magazine had nothing but admiration for Martyr Soleimani: “He is the most powerful man in the Middle East and the Che Guevara of Iran!” On the other hand, Weekly Standard writes: “Mr. All-rounder of Iran!” Is there anything Soleimani can’t do?”



Supporter of the oppressed



In addition to the capability that has attracted everyone’s attention in Haj Qassem’s personality, our commander has a much more important feature that he is known for all over the world. Gen. Soleimani was always a supporter and helper of the oppressed and vulnerable and made efforts to free them from the clutches of the enemies. His all-round struggle in Iraq and Syria and the Middle East in general is a proof of this unique feature.



David Petraeus, the former head of the CIA, says about General Soleimani: “Soleimani was our most significant Iranian adversary in the Greater Middle East.” He was extremely successful in changing the shape of the region after the Iraq war and the Syrian revolution. He was a military icon for Iranians, he widely represented a figure of national resilience in the face of four decades of U.S. pressure.”



This is also the reason for the popularity of Gen Soleimani among the people of Iraq and Syria. Syrian President Bashar Assad says about the Syrian people’s interest in Haj Qassem: “The memory of Martyr Soleimani will remain in the conscience of the Syrian people, who will never forget standing by the Syrian Arab Army and defending Syria against terrorism.” Gen. Soleimani was always in the front line in the fight against Palestine and he never forgot the oppressed people of Palestine. Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the Hamas political movement says: “Soleimani spent his whole life in protection and support of Palestine, and I declare that this is the great commander of Quds Martyr.”



Farzana Zainli




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