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Iranian Christian martyr's funeral procession attended by thousands

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
30 Apr 2023 12:47

Martyr Johnny Bet Oshana, an Assyrian Christian from Iran, who was martyred in 1985 and his remains were returned on April 28, 2023, received the funeral of a national hero in Tehran.

An image depicting religious and political figures standing, during the funeral ceremony of Martyr Johnny Bet Oshana, in front of a banner that included the image of the martyr, the Iranian flag, and a statement that reads "The Nation's Martyr", on April 28, 2023. (Tasnim)

The funeral procession held for Johnny Bet Oshana, an Iranian Christian who voluntarily sacrificed his life to defend Iran during the war with Iraq, brought together various Iranian denominations proving, once again, that Iran is a nation that earned its legitimacy and strength through the support of all its people across the multiple religious denominations, all of whom believe in a collective national identity.

Iranian religious and political figures attended the funeral service ceremony of martyr Johnny Bet Oshana on April 28, 2023. (IRNA)

In Tehran, after Friday prayers, thousands of people gathered to bid the martyr farewell. Oshana, who at the time of his martyrdom was 20 years old, was taking part in the Badr Operations near the Tigris River, where he went missing in 1985, after joining the Iranian army to defend his land against the Iraqi invasion.

Earlier this week, the Assyrian Association of Tehran announced that Oshana's remains were identified via DNA tests, in March 2023.

Iranian army officers carry the coffin of martyr Johnny Bet Oshana into the St. Joseph Assyrian Catholic Church in Tehran in an official ceremony on April 28, 2023. (IRNA)

This revelation prompted Iranians to reaffirm that the Islamic Republic and its people do not differentiate between Christians and Muslims, but rather that any martyr that sacrifices their life for Iran is deserving of popular respect, support, and recognition.

A woman, at the funeral, told Fars news agency "I have come here today only for this martyr to tell him that I am one of your family members."

Muslim women shedding tears and paying their respect to martyr Johnny Bet Oshana during the funeral ceremony in Tehran on April 28, 2023. (Tasnim)

"Johnny Bet Oshana was our compatriot who sacrificed his life for the sake of our security. Our presence here is the least that we can do to commemorate this martyr," another attending man said.

Two men are paying their respects during the funeral ceremony of martyr Johnny Bet Oshana in Tehran on April 28, 2023. (Tasnim)

Moreover, the images of martyr General Qassem Soleimani were also present during the funeral ceremony. Significantly this once again reaffirms that martyr Oshana also belongs to the school of thought of martyr Soleimani.

A picture of martyr Commander Qassem Soleimani raised in front of the coffin of martyr Johnny Bet Oshana during the funeral processions in Tehran, April 28, 2023. (Tasnim)

Following the funeral service, which was held at St. Joseph Assyrian Catholic Church in Tehran, the remains of the martyr's body were transferred to the Christian cemetery in Islamshahr, southwest of the capital, where he was laid to rest next to his parents.

The niece and family members of martyr Johnny Bet Oshana pay their final respects as they laid the remains of the martyr to rest at the Christian cemetery in Islamshahr, Tehran, on April 28, 2023. (Tasnim)