TEHRAN- In honor of the fourth anniversary of the martyrdom of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, a book highlighting his instrumental role in dismantling the ISIS terrorist group has been unveiled during a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Iranian residents were in attendance during the ceremony, held on Friday, where the Malay and English version of “General Qasem Soleimani: The Wayfarer Who Ended ISIS” was presented, IRNA reported on Saturday. 

General Qassem Soleimani, who was the chief of IRGC Quds Force, was assassinated during a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad on January 3, 2020.

The event was graced by the presence of Valiollah Mohammadi, Iran's Ambassador to Malaysia, and Habib Reza Arzani, Cultural Attaché of Iran, the report added. 

During the ceremony, Arzani expressed condolences for the tragic terrorist incident in Kerman, stating, "The enemies are afraid of the name and ideology of Martyr Soleimani, but these reactionary movements do not diminish the love and admiration of our people for the ideals of Soleimani."

He also added that sincerity and populism were the factors that made Martyr Soleimani popular, adding, "His spiritual strength and steadfastness turned him into an effective diplomat. Therefore, we hope to benefit from his method and character in life."

“General Qasem Soleimani: The Wayfarer Who Ended ISIS” was released for the first time in Kuala Lumpur in April 2023.

The book has been authored by Alfian Hamzah, Irman Abdurahman and Musa Kazim at the Other Press Sdn Bhd, a publisher in Petaling Jaya.

The book has been divided into three sections consisting of twelve chapters and an introduction.

The first part of the book delves into the special position of martyr Soleimani, narrating stories and accounts of his life. The second part of the book, titled "A Soldier from the Mountains of Kerman," begins with five chapters focusing on Kerman, Tehran, Lebanon (from 1998 to 2019), Iraq (from 2004 to 2011), Iraq and Syria (from 2011 to 2019), and Palestine. It thoroughly examines the character of this esteemed martyr, Qassem Soleimani, Shahid al-Quds.

The third part of the book, titled "The Paradox of Qassem Soleimani," composed of three chapters and this section highlights the important themes and testament of martyr Soleimani.

An English edition of the book was also published by the Other Press Sdn Bhd.

The English edition also carries a foreword by Zuhairi Misrawi, an Indonesian writer who first gained public notice as a young intellectual at Nahdlatul Ulama, and a traditionalist member of the Sunni Islam group in Indonesia.

He said that Soleimani is a personality who is needed to be known and followed. 

In a note printed on the back cover, the publisher wrote, “Universally respected by friends and foes alike, the ‘shadow commander’ of Iran’s secretive Quds special forces was the face of armed resistance in defeating ISIS and in reshaping the Middle East.”

“For ceaselessly thwarting their ambitions, schemes and conspiracies, the United States and its allies regarded him as an ‘evil genius.’ Obfuscation and bifurcation are critical tools of subjugation in the post-truth world, especially in the tumultuous region where seeds of discord, grips of greed, and tentacles of tyranny hide under the cry for liberty and in the guise of democracy. And yet, should the long agonizing history of the Middle East be able to provide counsel and clarity, an entirely different picture may emerge of a thoroughly selfless multifaceted “commander of the hearts” who resisted oppression, fought against injustice, and was purely devoted to the ideals of the Islamic revolution.

“General Qasem Soleimani was an embodiment of the notion of a complete person — a renowned strategist, an astute charismatic revolutionary, and a spiritual wayfarer whose life incessantly bore witness to divine love. 

“This book is an invitation to think critically and conscientiously on the complex inextricable interplay of actors, structures, and powers of the interminable conflicts and enduring catastrophe in the Middle East. But more importantly, it is an attempt in all modesty to do justice to the distorted portrayal of the general and to present particular aspects of Soleimani — his genius, his humanity, and his path of love.”

Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, a highly esteemed Iranian military strategist and prominent figure in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), left an indelible mark on Iran's defense efforts. Born in 1957 in Qanat-e Malek, Iran, Soleimani devoted his entire life to safeguarding his country's interests. He gained widespread recognition for his crucial role in leading successful military campaigns, particularly in the battle against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. His exceptional strategic planning, exemplary leadership abilities, and unwavering commitment to preserving Iran's security earned him profound respect both within the military and among the Iranian populace.

General Soleimani, with his remarkable charm and fearless demeanor, commanded immense admiration from his comrades as well as the general public. His resolute dedication to safeguarding Iran's sovereignty and ensuring its security solidified his position as an emblem of fortitude and perseverance.

Despite facing numerous hurdles, such as international sanctions and political tensions, Soleimani remained an indispensable figure in Iran's military and foreign policies. His assassination in January 2020 had a seismic impact on the region, profoundly grieving the Iranian people and intensifying tensions between Iran and the United States. General Qassem Soleimani's impactful contributions to Iran's defense will forever be etched in the nation's memory, serving as a testament to his enduring influence on the geopolitical landscape of the region.

SAB/