Memoirs of Majid Yousefzadeh

Translated by Kianoush Borzouei

2026-6-4

Majid Yousefzadeh, a disabled veteran of the Sacred Defense and a fighter of the Shrine Defender forces, was a guest at the 284th Night of Reminiscence program held in October 2017. He shared memories concerning military operations in Syria and the martyrdom of Mohsen Hojaji.

Yousefzadeh recounted:

“In Syria, we had many individuals who were taken captive and subsequently beheaded. Yet why was it that Mohsen Hojaji came to symbolize so much? Perhaps a single photograph, or the expression in his eyes during captivity, conveyed countless messages to us. We did not witness the final moments of figures such as Abdollah Eskandari or Reza Esmaeili, who was from Afghanistan. But what was the secret behind Hojaji’s gaze that enabled him to preserve such dignity and strength in his final moments precisely when he was facing torture and execution?

If one studies the biographies of the Shrine Defenders, it becomes apparent that many of them came from families deeply connected to sacrifice and military service. Their fathers were often veterans, members of the Revolutionary Guards, or relatives of martyrs. Mohsen Hojaji’s uncle, Mohammad Ali Hojaji, was himself martyred. He was a seminary student from Najafabad who attained martyrdom during the Muharram Operation in 1982.

During that operation, the fighters were required to cross the seasonal Doyraj River. The water level initially reached only below the knees. The reconnaissance had been completed, and the troops were prepared. However, on the night of the operation, torrential rain fell. The water level rose to nearly three meters. The fighters were not prepared for such conditions, yet they were instructed to enter the water.

Approximately three hundred men were swept away by the floodwaters and attained martyrdom. Martyr Mohammad Ali Hojaji told the fighters: ‘I will teach you a phrase to recite before entering the water. Whoever repeats three times, “Ya Aba Saleh al-Mahdi, adrəkni” (“O Aba Saleh al-Mahdi, come to my aid”), the Imam will take his hand and guide him safely across.’

One of the individuals present later recounted that he repeated this invocation and succeeded in crossing the river. Many of the fighters lost their weapons in the water and advanced without arms, yet they succeeded in capturing the enemy’s defensive line during the Muharram Operation.”

Now let’s watch this narrative.

To date, 378 editions of the Night of Reminiscence of the Sacred Defense have been organized by the Center for Studies and Research on the Culture and Literature of Resistance and the Office of Resistance Literature and Art of the Hozeh Honari (Artistic Sect of the Islamic Revolution). The next session is scheduled to be held on Thursday, 7 May 28th, 2026.

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