Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi tragically perished in a helicopter accident. Known as a leader dedicated to his people's welfare, Raisi's passing has sparked mourning among numerous world leaders and more than a million Iranians.
The tragic Bell 212 helicopter incident on May 19, 2024, claimed the lives of several prominent political figures: Iranian President Sayyid Ehrahin Raisi-Sadati, known as Ebrahim Raisi; Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian; Governor of East Azerbaijan Malek Rahmati; and Supreme Leader Representative Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashim. Also among the victims were the head of the president’s security team, two pilots, and the flight crew. Initial investigations indicated no signs of foul play or deliberate attack; rather, the accident was attributed to adverse weather conditions, including fog that severely hampered visibility.
The following day, on May 20, President Raisi was officially declared deceased. In tribute to his passing, I seek to commemorate his significant contributions to Iranian society. Such a diligent and influential leader deserves nothing less.
Ebrahim Raisi was born in Mashhad, Iran in 1960. His father's death when he was 5 years old led to financial struggles for his family. At 15, he enrolled in the seminary in Qum, and by the age of 20, he joined Iran's judiciary after the 1979 Revolution. In 1983, he married Jamileh Alamalhoda, daughter of Mashhad's Friday prayer Imam Ahmad Alamolhoda, with whom he had two daughters.
Throughout his career, Raisi held several significant positions. In 1988, he served on a judicial committee overseeing political prisoners, including those from the Mujahideen-e Khalq organization. A year later, he became Tehran's prosecutor. By 2004, he had risen to the role of first deputy chief justice. In 2006, he was elected to the Assembly of Experts, responsible for appointing Iran's Supreme Leader. He earned his PhD in law from Shahid Motahari University in 2012. Appointed as Iran's Prosecutor General in 2014, he later became chair of Astan Quds Razavi, one of Iran's largest religious endowments, in 2016.
His political journey continued unabated. In the 2017 presidential election, Ebrahim Raisi campaigned as a critic of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). However, the incumbent, President Hassan Rouhani, who focused much of his reelection campaign on the JCPOA, ultimately secured victory. In 2019, Raisi assumed the role of Iran’s chief justice. He made another bid in the 2020 presidential election and emerged victorious in 2021 with 62% of the popular vote, despite a turnout of around 49%. This came more than three years after US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA.
Tragically, on May 19, 2024, Raisi lost his life in the aforementioned helicopter crash in the mountainous region of Azerbaijan. His funeral ceremonies were held across Tabriz, Tehran, Ray, Qum, and Mashhad, drawing over a million mourners.
Raisi was widely regarded as a president of the people. He tirelessly worked seven days a week, traversing the nation, visiting every province, and engaging with people from diverse backgrounds. He sat among villagers, listening attentively and striving to address their concerns. In governance, he fostered constructive relationships with Iran’s judiciary and legislative bodies, as well as maintaining strong ties with military and religious authorities.
Shifting Iran’s diplomatic focus away from its challenges with Western nations, Raisi redirected attention towards neighboring countries and the East. He bolstered relations with Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. Notably, he reinforced Iran’s alliances with Russia and China. A spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, speaking on behalf of President Xi Jinping, commended Raisi’s efforts in "strengthening and expanding the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Iran."
In February 2023, Raisi concluded a 25-year "strategic cooperation pact" with China, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations. During the same year in April, Raisi guided Iran's accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a comprehensive Eurasian platform for political, economic, and security cooperation. Additionally, under his leadership, Iran inked an agreement with Iraq to develop a railway linking the Iranian city of Shalamcheh to Basra in Iraq.
Post a Comment