Hojatoleslam Sayyid Sajid Ali Naqvi, head of the Shia Ulema Council of Pakistan, has addressed a letter to Ayatollah Arafi, the director of the Islamic Seminaries of Iran, expressing profound grief over recent events while hailing the steadfastness of the Iranian nation.
The full text of the letter is as follows:
To the Esteemed Presence of Ayatollah Sheikh Alireza Arafi,
Respected Director of the Islamic Seminaries of Iran
Peace be upon you, and the Mercy of God, and His Blessings
With utmost sorrow and grief, in the early hours of February 28, 2026, the heartbreaking and tragic news of the martyrdom of Iran’s Supreme Leader plunged hearts into profound and agonizing mourning. For moments, a state of shock and disbelief cast a shadow over the soul, leaving the tongue incapable of description. Yet, clinging to the station of contentment and submission before the wise will of the Almighty, we have endeavored to summon hearts toward beautiful patience and tranquility.
In the wake of this immense calamity, a wave of sympathy and condolence has surged among the believers and devotees across Pakistan—a wave that continues with fervor and sincerity. Without a doubt, the savage and criminal act perpetrated by America and Zionism constitutes an unforgivable crime and an eternal stain of disgrace upon the record of its perpetrators, for which no justification can be conceived.
Following this tragedy, a series of aggressive attacks by the United States and the Zionist regime against the Islamic Republic of Iran commenced. However, the faithful, discerning, and proud Iranian nation has stood firm against this imposed war with admirable fortitude and unwavering resolve. Through their massive and passionate presence on the scene, they have demonstrated their decisive support for the sacred Islamic establishment. The immense public gatherings in the streets and squares stand as a clear manifestation of this loyalty and vigilance—a presence that persists and continues to thwart the sinister schemes of global arrogance and the enemies of the Revolution.
Furthermore, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), imbued with a spirit of sacrifice and selflessness, have defended the sanctity of Islam and the homeland on all fronts. Like a firm structure, they have resisted the enemy’s onslaught—a truth acknowledged by both friend and foe alike.
The believers of Pakistan, in their commitment to safeguarding the Islamic System, remain in constant supplication, beseeching the Almighty for the honor, authority, and perpetuity of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Undoubtedly, this imposed war has, from its outset, inflicted extensive human and material losses upon the Islamic Republic of Iran. A number of the most prominent commanders and top-tier figures have offered their lives in the path of elevating this divine system, and the sacrifices of the noble Iranian nation have been witnessed by the entire Islamic Ummah. This spirit of sacrifice and struggle has not only subsided but has intensified day by day, transforming into an enduring asset for the continuation of the luminous path of the Revolution.
In addition to human casualties, the nation’s vital infrastructure has also been targeted by enemy assaults, resulting in heavy damage to civilian centers, hospitals, airports, industrial facilities, sports venues, major highways, railway lines, bridges, schools, and other key installations.
Since the onset of this aggression, we have continuously condemned these crimes through Pakistani domestic media as well as international forums and outlets. Nationwide gatherings and public protests have been held across Pakistan to denounce this tragedy, and through various programs, the voice of the oppressed Iranian nation has been conveyed to the world. Moreover, the process of collecting financial aid for the war-affected continues, and these contributions are being delivered through official channels to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Islamabad.
The atmosphere of grief and mourning continues to cast its shadow over our hearts, and the healing of this deep wound requires the passage of time. Nevertheless, we hold the firm belief that the martyrdom of the Wise Leader, his loyal companions, and other believers will lead to the further deepening and consolidation of the foundations of the Islamic Revolution.
Indeed, the pure blood of the martyrs is the guarantor of the survival, growth, and expansion of this Divine Movement. Its effects and blessings shall flow throughout history forevermore, rendering the radiant visage of Truth and Reality ever more manifest.
We beseech Almighty God for ever-increasing success for Your Eminence.
And Peace be upon you, and the Mercy of God, and His Blessings
Sayyid Sajid Ali Naqvi
