On a September evening in 2021, the life of a 15‑year‑old boy from Izeh, Khuzestan province, transformed forever. That night, Ali Landi heard the cries of two elderly women trapped in a burning house. Without a moment’s hesitation, he rushed into the blaze — covering one of them with a blanket, attempting to move a gas cylinder to avert explosion, and striving to save their lives. The fire consumed him, leaving more than 90% of his body burned.
Over the following days, doctors fought to save him. He was first admitted to Taleghani Burn Hospital in Ahvaz, then transferred to the Imam Musa Kazim Burn Centre in Isfahan. Yet despite intensive care, Ali succumbed on September 24, 2021, from complications including severe burns, respiratory failure, and infection.
Across Iran and beyond, his story galvanised hearts. While he lay in hospital, social media flooded with prayers, messages of hope, and admiration. In a moment of humility amid suffering, Ali’s uncle recalled him saying:
“Anyone else in my place would have done the same. If this happens again, I would do it again.”
When news came of his passing, the leadership of the Islamic Republic recognised the deeper meaning of his act. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accepted a request from the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs to officially designate Ali Landi as a martyr, and offered his condolences to the family. The then‑President, Ebrahim Raisi, hailed Ali as a national hero whose name would be “recorded among the national heroes of this land,” and called for his story to be preserved through art, literature, and public memory.
In the years since, Ali’s legacy has been enshrined across the country: his name graces schools, streets, sports halls, and fire stations in cities such as Izeh, Karaj, Shahr‑e Kord, and Khuzestan. He has received numerous posthumous honours — the Supreme Civil Defence Medal, the Land Forces Sacrifice Medal, and the International Medal of Sacrifice and Bravery among them. Books like The Butterfly in the Fire and My Hero: Ali Landi recount his courage. Plans for a feature film and poetry initiatives carrying his name continue to amplify his story.
As each new school year begins in Iran, Ali’s memory lives on in classrooms, ethics lessons, civic discussions, and cultural events. Though his desk remains forever empty, the impact of his bravery endures — a flame that refuses to go out.
Source: PressTv