In Dearborn, Michigan, a memorial event was held at the Hadi Youth Community Center, commemorating the first anniversary of the death of Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
The event, which was attended by a diverse crowd, including families with young children, paid tribute to the man who was described as a "martyr" by the organizers. The U.S. State Department has classified Hezbollah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Usama Abdulghani, identified as the Hadi Institute's "spiritual leader" and associated with the K-5 Hadi Montessori School, addressed the attendees during a live-streamed program. Standing next to a framed portrait of Nasrallah, Abdulghani said, "This is an occasion that many of us probably never thought we would live to see."
He continued, "We never imagined that our Seyyed would be martyred in our lifetime, and that one year would have passed since his martyrdom."
As reported by Breitbart, Abdulghani praised Nasrallah's virtues, stating that attendees were "blessed to be in the presence of one of the greatest allies of Allah." He highlighted Nasrallah's bravery, love for humanity, and his ability to communicate the truth.
Abdulghani also emphasized the Iranian influence on the movement, stating, "This camp, the camp of divine resistance, the camp of Hussein, is now led by our leader Imam Khamenei." He encouraged the crowd to use Nasrallah's death as a catalyst for action, hoping that his martyrdom would inspire them to emulate his virtues.
The program included video compilations of Nasrallah denouncing Israel and America, clips of allegiance to Khamenei, and a eulogy from the Iranian leader portraying Nasrallah as a martyred hero. The event concluded with a musical tribute to the slain Hezbollah chief, with the performer and some attendees expressing their longing for Nasrallah's return and their commitment to his cause.
The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) reported that the event materials referred to Nasrallah as "The Great Martyr" and called for prayers for "the ultimate victory of The Resistance." The commemoration was streamed on the "Light of Guidance" YouTube channel, which was later taken down by YouTube.
MEMRI has previously documented Hadi Institute programs venerating other Iran-aligned figures, including Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and the late IRGC-Qods Force commander Qasem Soleimani.
Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for over three decades, was a key player in Tehran's regional strategy until his death at the hands of Israel on September 27, 2024. Lebanon held an official funeral for him in February 2025. President Donald Trump has condemned Hezbollah, stating that "no terrorist group other than al-Qaeda has more American blood on its hands."
The Hadi Institute hosted a similar memorial last year, shortly after Nasrallah's death, where speakers mourned the "perfect" Hezbollah chief and accused the United States of terrorism. This event, along with a viral video from Dearborn showing protesters chanting "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" during an International Al-Quds Day rally, has drawn national attention and sparked renewed scrutiny of such events in the United States.
While these events may be seen as expressions of free speech, they also raise questions about the promotion of extremist ideologies on American soil. The challenge for authorities is to strike a balance between upholding the principles of free speech and ensuring national security.
As the debate continues, it is clear that the legacy of figures like Nasrallah continues to resonate with some segments of the population, underscoring the complexities of the ideological landscape in the United States.
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