TEHRAN -- Following the tragic passing of Iranian president, foreign minister and their accompanying delegation, several Iranian artists have expressed their condolences.
Davoud Mir-Baqeri, director of ‘Salman, the Persian’, offered condolences and noted that President Ebrahim Raisi’s cultural outlook and governmental support greatly impacted the progress of his epic series.
2. Film director Ebrahim Hatamikia, working on ‘Prophet Moses’, described the president’s passing as one of the most bitter events in Iran’s history, saying “Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we return.”
Muhammad Khazaee, director of the Cinema Organization of Iran and the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival, commended President Raisi’s unwavering commitment to God, the Islamic Revolution, and the Iranian nation throughout his service.
Pouran Derakhshandeh, screenwriter, director, and producer, expressed shock and sorrow over the president’s tragic death, emphasizing its profound psychological impact on the populace.
Director and actor Seyyed Javad Hashemi conveyed his grief and wished the tragedy had not occurred, acknowledging that destiny is in God’s hands.
Mehran Rajabi, known for his comedy roles, lamented that President Raisi’s absence would be deeply felt in the future.
Muhammad Askari, director of the Fajr contender ‘The West Sky’, praised the president as a passionate leader dedicated to the peace and well-being of his people, willing to sacrifice his life for the country.
The expression of condolences is not limited to the mentioned artists. Many popular filmmakers, actors and actresses, including Behrouz Afkhami, Mahya Dehghani, Reza Mirkarimi, Azita Torkashvand, Jahanbakhsh Soltani, Jalil Saman, Shahriar Bahrani, Jafar Dehghan, Mahmoud Pakniyat, and Farhad Ghaemian have also expressed their condolences on the tragic loss.
Meanwhile, Iranian visual artists have created works in honor of Iran’s President Raisi and his companions.
In a message, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Muhammad-Mehdi Esmaili said: “For years, I had the honor of learning from and collaborating wholeheartedly with President Raisi across various domains. I witnessed his practical and theoretical efforts, and sincere service to the beloved people of Iran. His integrity in action, honesty in speech, wisdom in planning, and commitment to the people, even in challenging circumstances, are just a few remarkable qualities of Ayatollah Raisi’s exemplary character. His absence is deeply felt by all enlightened thinkers and justice advocates.” 
Head of Iran’s Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO) Muhammad-Mehdi Imanipour said president Raisi “selflessly dedicated himself to serving the people, remaining steadfast in this noble mission until his last moments”.
Director of the National Library and Archives of Iran Alireza Mokhtarpour said, “The heartfelt concern and prayers that emerged from the depths of our souls during the challenging hours that befell the Iranian nation reflect the recognition, appreciation, and gratitude of all honorable citizens for their genuine service. 
“A servant who dedicated every moment to selfless duty passed away on the night of the birth anniversary of Imam Reza (AS). May his memory be revered, and may his path forever inspire all the servants of this country.”