BAGHDAD - Ammar Hakim, leader of Iraq's National Wisdom Movement, calls Lieutenant General Soleimani a kind-hearted person who established good interactions with all Iraqi religious and ethnic groups, including Shiites, Sunnis, and Kurds.

“His heart, inherently Islamic, remained open to all, demonstrating a humane and compassionate nature,” Hakim tells the Tehran Times as Iran is marking the fourth anniversary of his martyrdom by the Trump administration.

Hakim also says General Soleimani, an anti-terror hero who led the IRGC Quds Force, was “universally recognized as a charismatic, brave, and revolutionary personality.”

Following is the text of the interview:

Q: Can you share your first encounter with Martyr Qassem Soleimani?

A: In the name of God. Martyr Soleimani was a figure of great prominence, well-known for his significant responsibilities, especially in relation to Iraq. My uncle, Martyr Ayatollah Seyyed Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim, and my father, Sayyid Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, were already in contact with him due to the specific tasks and expertise he possessed.

Although I had heard of him, I hadn't met or spoken to him before, as I was deeply immersed in my academic pursuits in Qom.

As the fall of the Ba’ath regime neared and the United States initiated actions against Iraq, it became crucial to strategize for the era after the (Saddam) regime. Filling the political vacuum was a pressing concern, and one of the key aspects was dispatching scholars, missionaries, and preachers. Iraqi society needed to bridge not only the political gap but also the religious and cultural void.

Given my background and expertise, my father approached me, emphasizing the urgency of preparing preachers and clerics from various provinces. He informed me that Hajj Qassem Soleimani's brother had discussed this matter in a meeting, recognizing the need for technical and logistical coordination, including border issues. My father instructed me to liaise with the official party in the Islamic Republic, which was the Quds Force, to address these details.

Shortly after, I received a call on the same day. It marked the initiation of my first direct conversation with Hajj Qassem Soleimani, may God have mercy on him.

During our initial phone conversation, we laid the groundwork for our collaboration, and our first face-to-face meeting took place in the presence of Martyr Ayatollah Hakim. The focus of our discussion was centered around the deployment of missionaries. It's worth noting that we had already conducted several meetings two or three months before the (Saddam) regime's collapse.

After the fall of the regime, with the new mission at hand and our presence in Iraq, coupled with Martyr Soleimani's expertise in navigating such situations, our interactions intensified. From 2003 to 2009, my primary responsibility was the cultural sector, and we engaged in numerous meetings, calls, and discussions during this period.

Following Mr. Wald's passing and my transition to Baghdad, where I entered the political arena, our consultations naturally extended into political domains. Over the six years, I occasionally carried messages from my father, and during the tenure of Martyr Ayatollah Hakim, I conveyed messages from him as well. These initial six years were marked by political discussions.

Our relationship endured from 2003 until his penultimate trip. During his stay in Baghdad on that occasion, we met several times. Over these extended years, characterized by mutual feelings, interest, and understanding, our connection extended beyond work matters. Martyr Soleimani exhibited genuine interest in the Hakim family, my late father Sayyid Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, and us. Reciprocally, we shared similar feelings and interest in him. Thus, our bond comprised both emotional and work-related aspects.

Q: Did Martyr Soleimani engage with Iraqi political forces independently, or did he strive to unite and bring them together?

A: One notable characteristic of Martyr Soleimani was his profound love for his country and the Islamic Republic of Iran. His heart, inherently Islamic, remained open to all, demonstrating a humane and compassionate nature. He consistently prioritized the general interests of Muslims, even in his interactions with Iraqi Arab Shiites.

I've heard accounts from Pakistanis, Afghans, and others who worked with him, attesting to an unparalleled sense of camaraderie. A person's true nature often reveals themselves through their language and actions during extended collaborations. Martyr Soleimani's warm-hearted approach fostered a sense of inclusion. One never felt alienated or perceived him as belonging to another country or ethnicity.

While there may have been some misunderstandings among Sunnis regarding political developments in 2003, his deep and longstanding relationships with Shiites and Kurds spoke volumes about his character and commitment.

Therefore, he initially focused on building relationships with the Shiites and Kurds, gradually expanding communication bridges as subsequent developments unfolded. Our continuous encouragement aimed at fostering interaction between the Islamic Republic and all Iraqi groups. While relations with Sunnis were initially weak, it was not due to a lack of interest on Martyr Soleimani's part but rather a result of misunderstandings among these political groups. Over time, these relationships evolved, and he actively engaged with all factions during his visits to Iraq.

Q: How did martyr Soleimani deal with the fatwa of jihad against Daesh?

A: Martyr Soleimani demonstrated remarkable dimensions in his efforts and activities, universally recognized for his charismatic, brave, revolutionary, and pioneering personality. His involvement began immediately after the fall of Mosul, preceding Imam Sistani's fatwa on defensive jihad.

Upon arriving in Iraq, the prevailing conditions were marked by anxiety and fear due to the advancing ISIS, notorious for its brutal methods. Baghdad was under imminent threat, with low confidence and a disintegrating military. Martyr Soleimani, drawing on his experience from the Syrian crisis, where ISIS originated before moving to Iraq, was well-versed in the tactics of this extremist group.

His presence instilled confidence among leaders and troops, and he played a crucial role in centralizing scattered resources, revitalizing efforts, and boosting morale amid severe breakdowns within various groups.

As areas between Baghdad and Samarra fell (to Daesh), with Samarra on the brink of fall and the Al-Askari Shrine at risk, Martyr Soleimani took proactive measures. Personally confronting terrorists on the road to Samarra, he intervened to prevent its fall, redrew strategies, and returned to the field.

Martyr Soleimani played a key role in consolidating resources, strengthening efforts, and leveraging the power of the fatwa of jihad. However, despite the people's commitment, lack of organizational and administrative capability or specific military tactics, and a shortage of necessary weapons and ammunition posed significant challenges. Much of the weaponry fell into the hands of ISIS, and challenges persisted due to issues during Mr. al-Maliki's term, elections, and international opposition to the extension of his government's third term, leaving Iraqis without substantial assistance.

Even America refused to ship weapons that we had paid for.

Iraq sought help from countries worldwide, but only the Islamic Republic, led by the distinctive and multi-faceted personality of General Soleimani, stood by Iraq in its time of need. His expertise in the field, particularly during the war against the unconventional tactics of ISIS, played a crucial role.

Organizing a comprehensive response to the fatwa of jihad, he stepped in when the Iraqi army, police, and military apparatus were overwhelmed. General Soleimani's presence instilled confidence, providing a unique and pivotal role that ultimately saved Iraq from a perilous situation threatening the entire political process and the nation.

Q: How did you receive the news of General Soleimani's martyrdom, especially as the attack occurred in Iraq, where he was a guest of Mr. Adil Abdul Mahdi, responding to his invitation, alongside the esteemed General Hajj Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis?

A: I was asleep when the operation took place on a Friday night. Waking up before the call to prayer, I was bombarded with news that seemed beyond imagination. The loss of two influential figures, General Soleimani and al-Muhandis, inside Iraq was a clear violation of Iraq's sovereignty. The act was intended to push Iraq into a new challenge. Their martyrdom greatly affected us emotionally and spiritually.

The criminal attack contradicted all values, and from an international law standpoint, both were official figures in their respective armed forces. Martyr Soleimani, invited by the Iraqi Prime Minister, was on a mission to enhance Iraq's role in facilitating dialogue between the Islamic Republic and Saudi Arabia. His trip had legal clearance, making the incident more significant.    

Immediately contacting the Prime Minister, we discussed strategies to prevent the situation from escalating out of control and how to navigate the aftermath.

The day following the incident, on Friday evening, we convened a meeting of officials in our office to strategize our response and address the potential consequences.

One remarkable trait of Martyr Soleimani was his conduct during times of conflict—an attribute of significant importance. People's true nature often surfaces when disagreements arise. While consensus naturally fosters special relationships, it's in moments of divergence where one's inner values become apparent.

Martyr Soleimani demonstrated integrity not only in agreement but also in disagreement, approaching disputes with fairness. Despite expressing dissent and occasional anger, he adhered to a framework of values, allowing principles to govern his behavior even in challenging situations.

Having encountered numerous individuals, it can be asserted that the exceptional and multi-dimensional character of Martyr Soleimani was truly remarkable.

As you may be aware, our late father battled with cancer and received treatment in Tehran for an extended 30-month period—a considerable duration. Normally, even the closest family members might visit intermittently during such prolonged illnesses—initially daily, then weekly, and so on. However, from the onset of our late father's illness until his passing, Martyr Soleimani visited him every single day.

It wasn't for official business; my father repeatedly implored him not to trouble himself, citing the challenges of Tehran's large and congested city life. Nevertheless, Martyr Soleimani made daily visits to the hospital, dedicating an hour to meet with the doctor and address details.

This act went beyond the expected responsibilities of Martyr Soleimani, offering a poignant glimpse into his humanity—one that entails adequate description.