June 28th, time to commemorate Sarcheshmeh sardasht martyrs

TEHRAN, (SCIB) - Martyrs of Sarcheshmeh Sardasht will be commemorated July 28, concurrent with the anniversary of the chemical attack on the city.

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دوشنبه - ۱۰ شهريور ۲۰۰۷ / 2007 10 June

The memorial site of Sardasht martyrs will also be inaugurated on the same occasion, Fathalizadeh, head of the Western Azerbaijan office of the foundation of Martyrs and Veterans’ affairs, announced in a meeting. The memorial ceremonies of this year will take place in the form of a Congress by the same name, Fathalizadeh added. “All these events much be held in an organized and well-planned manner”? he said. “The people of Sardasht were the victims of one of the worst possible chemical attacks ever. Indeed, the enemies that provided support and chemical weapons to Saddam are the same people who now claim to advocate freedom of human rights. They victimized the innocent people of our country”? Fathalizadeh pointed out. The fight against chemical weapons is a national concern. “We are conducting several events during these days in order to condemn this criminal act and make the international community aware of the profoundness of this tragedy. We will show the world how the Islamic Republic of Iran was oppressed during those attacks.”? Fathalizadeh emphasized. Also present in the meeting was the governor of Sardasht, Khezr Kaak Darvishi, who considered such memorial ceremonies helpful in “taking us back to the atmosphere of sacrifice, selflessness and martyrdom in the days of war”?. “This year’s plans have to be more harmonized. The atmosphere should stay that of sacrifice and martyrdom and the experiences of the previous years have to be thoroughly implemented in the organization of this year’s events.”? This years memorial ceremonies will begin with a special service to commemorate the victims of Sardasht chemical attack, held 16:15 in Sarcheshmeh square in Sardasht. Afterwards, a group visit is planned to the tomb of the martyrs. A Theater festival, an international Karate contest, photo and caricature exhibitions in Sadasht cultural and artistic center are among other events to take place on the commemoration day. Additionally, Families of the city’s martyrs and prisoners of war will be honored in a special ceremony in the framework of the memorial service. Plans are underway to start networking with Iranian television channels to give international coverage to the memorial ceremony. The city of Sarasht was the target of a chemical attack by the Ba’ath regime in 1986. More than 140 people were martyred in this attack and Thousands were injured.