Directions to Dar al-Rahmah: A Story of Sacrifice and Memory
How a Joke in a Bunker Became a Lasting Address for a Martyr
Shaheed Farhad Shahcheraghi
We were sitting in the bunker—Farhad, a few others, and I—when a young soldier entered. He couldn’t have been more than fifteen or sixteen, his face still carrying the innocence of youth. Like many of the younger volunteers, he was drawn to Farhad, eager to connect with someone he admired. With a hopeful look, he asked Farhad for his home address.
Farhad paused, considering the boy’s request. Then, with a gentle smile, he replied,
“You’re very kind! We’re at your service. Do you know the streets of Shiraz?”
The boy nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes!”
Farhad continued,
“When you get in a taxi, just say Dar al-Rahmah, the new cemetery…”
The others in the bunker burst into laughter, leaving the young Basiji puzzled. Farhad, ever kind, kissed the boy’s forehead and clarified,
“Write it down, brother… I was joking. Write this instead: Dar al-Rahmah, Martyrs’ Section, Row… Plot…”
The soldier carefully noted the address and left, still a bit confused but determined to remember.
Days passed, and the war took its toll. One by one, the boys were martyred. Akbar left. Hosein left. And then, inevitably, Farhad. His body was brought back from Sardasht, and his passion and zeal were laid to rest in Dar al-Rahmah, just as he had said.
When I finally set out to visit Farhad’s grave, I found that someone had arrived before me. It was the same young soldier, who had followed Farhad’s directions to the letter. The address, once given in jest, had become a solemn reality—a lasting testament to sacrifice, memory, and the bonds formed in the most difficult of times.