TEHRAN- On Monday, the Resistance Ummah International Conference, as part of the international section of the 16th edition of Ammar Popular Film Festival, was held at Cinema Bahman in Tehran. 

The conference focused on the theme of “Unity of the Islamic World’s Artists in Confronting the West’s Media Warfare.” The significant event featured prominent international figures, including Marzieh Hashemi, Secretary of the 16th Ammar Popular Film Festival (from the U.S.); Seyed Mosafer, an artist and Defender of Shrine (from Afghanistan); Shehu Abdolsalam, a professor at Shahid Beheshti University (from Nigeria); Zeinab Jaber, a media activist (from Lebanon); and Hassan Shemshadi, a media activist in the Islamic world (from Iran). 

Speaking at the event, Zeinab Jaber, the Lebanese media activist stated: “As the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has emphasized, the battlefield today is not military warfare but media warfare. Anyone who can must engage in the field of clarification and explanation, as it is now a definite and urgent duty.” 

For her part, Marzieh Hashemi underscored the heavy responsibility of media personnel: “Our duty today is much heavier than before. The Ammar Popular Film Festival is fundamentally different from other festivals, which often reward works presenting a negative image of Islam and Iran, disregarding truth. Ammar seeks truth.” 

She urged media professionals to seize the opportunity and act swiftly with all available tools to amplify the voice of truth. 

Hassan Shemshadi addressed the critical nature of the media front: “Today, everyone speaks of the importance of soft, perceptual, and cognitive warfare. Statistics show three-fourths of the world’s population is influenced by the Western and American media empire, highlighting the necessity of our media work.” 

He warned against underestimating the enemy and stressed that those in this field must understand its significance. He paid tribute to the dozens of journalists who have sacrificed their lives to publish the truth, noting that this path is costly and not for those seeking comfort, but for those who have relinquished their lives and interests. 

Shehu Abdolsalam spoke about the exemplary media approach of Sheikh Zakzaky of Nigeria: “Having witnessed his activities, I consider him a model. Millions were influenced by him and embraced Shia Islam, though he never directly invited anyone. He believes the salvation for our country is a return to Islam. His pursuit of justice is a prominent feature that attracts audiences.” 

He added that while Western media typically tries to tarnish Islam’s image, the true face of Islam can be seen in Iran, where religion integrates with knowledge and progress in various defensive and scientific dimensions. Media work, he stressed, must showcase this true Islam, which opposes both oppression and submission to it. 

Artist and Defender of Shrine Seyed Mosafer praised the popular nature of the Ammar Festival but also offered constructive criticism, questioning why revolutionary media from other nations, like Nigeria or Afghanistan, are not better known and supported within Iran. 

“You are behind a trench where you must be in front of the camera; you cannot remain hidden,” he stated, highlighting the critical and difficult role of the media trench. 

Since its inception, the Ammar Popular Film Festival has championed the defense of exalted Islamic values and the support of popular and revolutionary artists. The 16th edition, under the motto "The Civilizational Battle of Islamic Iran Against the Barbaric West," aims to globally expose further dimensions of any malicious aggression by the despicable Zionist regime during the 12-Day War. The 16th edition convenes as the vile Zionist regime conducted terrorist operations inside the country, insulting mosques and the sanctities of devout Iranians.

The festival will come to an end on January 29.  

Ammar Popular Film Festival was established in 2010 by a number of Iranian revolutionary figures to honor film and art products promoting topics such as resistance and revolution. It was named after Ammar Yasir, a close companion of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Photo: Afghan artist and Defender of Shrine Seyed Mosafer (second left) and Nigerian scholar Shehu Abdolsalam (third left)

SAB/