- 16 minutes ago
Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2026, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, the representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader in India, said that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had long aspired to attain martyrdom.
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00:00Good evening, everyone. We have a very special guest, someone who has worked very closely with Iran's late Supreme Leader,
00:10Ayatollah Khamenei, and is a good friend of the present Supreme Leader.
00:15In fact, a friendship which goes back for 30 years. We have the representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in India,
00:24Dr. Majid Hakeem Elai.
00:25Dr. Hilai, thank you for joining us here on India Today.
00:30You're welcome. Thank you very much.
00:37Dr. Hilai, let's begin with the concept of martyrdom in Islam.
00:44Ayatollah Khamenei was in his compound, in his office when he was assassinated, when the missiles from Israel and the
00:57United States struck the compound.
00:58How does the Shia theology interpret death and how should that be seen in this context?
01:07Yes.
01:09As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah. Everyone, good evening.
01:14It's my pleasure to be here, and I offer also my condolence to all of you for the martyrdom of
01:21Ayatollah Khamenei, and as well as martyrdom of justice.
01:25And I appreciate you and your solidarity, your sympathy with the justice, with the freedom, with Ayatollah Khamenei.
01:39As you know, Ayatollah Khamenei, he was for 37 years as the Supreme Leader of Islamic Republic of Iran.
01:47And during these times, he didn't have any special life for himself, and he didn't want to have any special
01:57life for himself.
02:01And several times, I asked his security that why you are not moving Ayatollah Khamenei to another city, because his
02:11office, his house, is well known.
02:14It's better you move Ayatollah to another city or any other village.
02:19They said to me that he refused, he never accepted to do that.
02:23He says always that if you could provide 90 million cities, safe places for 90 million Iranian, after that I'm
02:37ready to leave my house, my office to another place.
02:41This is the one.
02:43And the second thing, I asked his security that if he doesn't allow you to move him from his office
02:53to another city or town or village,
02:56at least you build one bunker for him on the basement to be safe.
03:02He said he doesn't allow us to do that.
03:04He says, if you could build 90 million bunker for 90 million Iranian, after that I will be ready to
03:15build for me as well.
03:18And it was a very big question for me why he insists that he has to stay at his office.
03:27Once I asked one of his relatives and one of his family that why Ayatollah doesn't allow the security to
03:38move him from his place or build for him the bunker.
03:42He said we could criticize him by the same question and he said that I am the leader of the
03:49country.
03:50And any leader or president of the country should be equal to the ordinary people, to the marginalized people, to
04:01the poor people.
04:02If I have a special life for myself that I cannot be more leader of the country.
04:10So, still I am the leader of the country, I have to paint the paint which my people paint it.
04:19And I have to be with them in the same level.
04:24I cannot have ordinary life for myself.
04:28Because of that, he didn't move his place.
04:32Although, they know that this place is well known and it will be, maybe it will be targeted by the
04:40enemies.
04:41But he didn't move from this place.
04:44This is one thing.
04:45The second thing is shahada with martyrdom.
04:49Because sake of Allah and to sacrifice for your people.
04:54I remember some months ago, repeatedly he was saying that I became an old man.
05:02I am 86 years old.
05:05And I'm scared that I die at hospital or in the accident or by the favor.
05:12And it's not good for me.
05:14I like to be martyred.
05:17Because the martyred is high position, which is an ultimate goal of every man who wants to reach to Almighty
05:27Allah.
05:28And he wants to be alive after his death.
05:32Because in the Holy Quran Almighty Allah says, don't think that those people who were killed in the way of
05:40Allah are dead.
05:42They are alive.
05:44So I want that one.
05:45Day and night he was praying to Almighty Allah to receive martyrdom.
05:51And during the month of Ramadan, which is holy month, month of Allah, he got the best gift from Allah,
06:01which is martyrdom.
06:03So this shahadat in the month of Ramadan becomes, it's like a double gift that one can get.
06:11Shahadat and then the month of Ramadan.
06:15It carries more, you know, much more meaning.
06:19It is of great significance for the believers, Dr. Elahi.
06:24And if I may tell you and perhaps you can explain better, this is about Hazrat Imam Ali, the first
06:33Imam of Shia Muslims who was assassinated in the mosque of Kufa on the 21st of Ramadan.
06:41And then that legacy has been taken forward by Hazrat Husain.
06:47Yes.
06:47And now we are seeing this.
06:49So what is this legacy of martyrdom in Islam and particularly among the Shia Muslims?
06:56Yes.
06:56As you know, there are a lot of vertices in which is mentioned in our books from the Quran and
07:08from traditions and hadith.
07:10And among these vertices is kindness to other people.
07:16It's one of the most important things everyone can do.
07:21And telling truth to the other people.
07:24And helping, supporting poor people.
07:27Supporting your community.
07:29But among all of this is martyrdom.
07:34Among all of this, the best one and the high level of the virtues is martyrdom.
07:40To sacrifice yourself for the human being.
07:45To sacrifice yourself for your idea.
07:49To sacrifice yourself for defending your people, your country.
07:54Because of that, the level of martyrdom.
07:59It's high level in Islam.
08:01And even it's not in Islam.
08:03In all religion, they respect their martyrdom.
08:07Even in India, there are a lot and in any other country.
08:11There are a lot of people have been killed because of the independence of their country.
08:17Because of the justice of their country.
08:23And because they defend their country.
08:25So we call them martyrs.
08:27So, and this is the one.
08:30The second thing which is very important.
08:32We have some times which are blessed according to our ideas.
08:40According to our concept.
08:42One of this blessed time is Ramadan.
08:45In Ramadan, it's called the month of Allah.
08:49Belongs to Allah tabarak wa ta'ala.
08:51He invited the people and his servant to worship him.
08:55And he rewards him double time than other month.
09:00Because of that we have in hadith.
09:02If you recite one verse of Holy Quran.
09:05It's equal to recite one Quran fully in other month.
09:11And also, if you are kind to your people.
09:16Your family.
09:16Your parents.
09:18Your wife.
09:18Your husband.
09:19It will be more be rewarded if you are kind to another month.
09:24So, because of his sincerity of Ayatollah Khamini.
09:29Because he devoted himself all his life to Allah.
09:33To his people.
09:35And he was worshiping Allah tabarak wa ta'ala.
09:38Allah also granted him.
09:41Accepted him.
09:43By best wishes.
09:44With his matidum.
09:47And in the month of Allah.
09:49But Dr. Ilahi.
09:52Ayatollah Khamenei.
09:53Late Ayatollah Khamenei.
09:54Wanted to serve his people.
09:56He was the leader of a nation.
09:59But still he did not take shelter.
10:02He could have taken shelter.
10:04And he understood the security situation.
10:06He understood the threat that was there from United States and Israel.
10:11And still he chose not to take shelter.
10:14How is this really martyrdom?
10:17Actually, sometimes you have to discover yourself.
10:22To protect others.
10:25To bring justice for others.
10:28And to be alive.
10:29Yes, true.
10:32If Imam Hussain alayhi salam in the day of Ashura.
10:36He got refused in other places.
10:40Never he could bring such emotional issues towards him.
10:47And never he could revive Islam at that time.
10:51And this time also.
10:53If we see that the matidum of Ayatollah Khamenei.
10:58And the blood of him.
11:01Is more valuable.
11:04Even than his existence.
11:06During his life.
11:08He brought the first thing.
11:10He brought it.
11:11The unity between all Muslim Shia and Sunni.
11:14This is the one.
11:16The second thing.
11:18The second thing.
11:18Which his martyrdom.
11:20Gifted and brought it to the society.
11:24Discovered the injustice.
11:27Within some countries.
11:30Which they are attacking other countries.
11:33Without any reason.
11:35Even at the moment.
11:36You witness.
11:38A lot of demonstration.
11:41In European countries.
11:43In Canada.
11:44Toronto.
11:45I saw.
11:45Even in.
11:46United States of America.
11:48There are a lot of demonstration.
11:50Against this war.
11:52And against the killing.
11:53The innocent people.
11:56So.
11:56This is.
11:57A lot of interest.
11:59And benefit.
11:59And achievements.
12:01Of his matidum.
12:02Okay.
12:02So let's talk about.
12:04Mostaba Khamenei.
12:05Yes.
12:05You have known.
12:06Mostaba Khamenei.
12:07For 30 years.
12:08In his.
12:09The statement.
12:10That he released.
12:11As the supreme leader.
12:13There was.
12:14This particular mention.
12:15About.
12:16What he found.
12:17About his father.
12:18That even.
12:19In the last.
12:20Few minutes.
12:21He had.
12:22His hand.
12:23The fist.
12:24That was tied.
12:25Yes.
12:25What does it actually signify?
12:29Actually.
12:32Ayatollah.
12:33Sayyid.
12:34Mujtaba.
12:34Khamenei.
12:35Is a second one.
12:37Ayatollah.
12:38Late.
12:38Ayatollah.
12:40Sayyid.
12:40Ali Khamenei.
12:42And.
12:43He.
12:45In the.
12:47Scientific.
12:49And.
12:49Intellectual.
12:50Perspective.
12:51He's.
12:52Very.
12:53Very.
12:54Intellectual.
12:55Man.
12:58He's.
13:00Very.
13:01Very.
13:09Smart.
13:11He.
13:12He.
13:12He.
13:12He.
13:15Raising.
13:16A lot.
13:16Of.
13:17Ideas.
13:18And.
13:18Always.
13:19He.
13:19Was.
13:20Criticizing.
13:21The.
13:21Lecturers.
13:22Professors.
13:23And.
13:23Bringing.
13:23New.
13:24Idea.
13:25So.
13:25He's.
13:26Very.
13:27Intellectual.
13:28Man.
13:28I.
13:29Can.
13:29Say.
13:29He's.
13:29Really.
13:31Elite.
13:33And.
13:33In.
13:34His.
13:35Personal.
13:35Life.
13:37He.
13:40Has.
13:41Very.
13:42Very.
13:42Simple.
13:43Life.
13:44Even.
13:45Less.
13:45Than.
13:46Ordinary.
13:47People.
13:47I.
13:48Was.
13:48With.
13:48Him.
13:49He.
13:50Every.
13:51Month.
13:51After.
13:59Money.
13:59For.
14:00Managing.
14:01Life.
14:02Buying.
14:03Bread.
14:03Buying.
14:04Meat.
14:05Buying.
14:05Milk.
14:06For.
14:06House.
14:08Ayatollah.
14:09Khomeini.
14:10For.
14:1047.
14:11Years.
14:12Was.
14:12In.
14:13High.
14:13Ranking.
14:14Of.
14:14Iran.
14:16Ayatollah.
14:16Khomeini.
14:19Was.
14:19For.
14:2047.
14:21Years.
14:22In.
14:22High.
14:22Ranking.
14:23Of.
14:23Iran.
14:24Two.
14:25Terms.
14:25He.
14:25Was.
14:25Presidents.
14:27A.
14:27President.
14:28Iran.
14:29Some.
14:29Years.
14:29He.
14:30Was.
14:30Supreme.
14:35Leader.
14:35Of.
14:35Iran.
14:36And.
14:36Iran.
14:36Is.
14:37Very.
14:37Very.
14:38French.
14:39But.
14:40Police.
14:41He.
14:41Doesn't.
14:42Have.
14:43His.
14:43Own.
14:44House.
14:45He.
14:46Four.
14:46Sons.
14:48None.
14:48Of.
14:49Them.
14:49Has.
14:50Their.
14:55His.
15:00Sons.
15:01And.
15:01Himself.
15:02I'm.
15:02Coming.
15:03None.
15:04Of.
15:04His.
15:04Son.
15:05Has.
15:05His.
15:06Own.
15:06House.
15:07Four.
15:08Are.
15:09Living.
15:10In.
15:10The.
15:10Rented.
15:11House.
15:14I'm.
15:14Not.
15:15Talking.
15:15About.
15:15What.
15:16Read.
15:19On.
15:20The.
15:21Social.
15:23Media.
15:24I'm.
15:24Talking.
15:25About.
15:25What.
15:26I.
15:26Witness.
15:27What.
15:27I.
15:28Saw.
15:28And.
15:29What.
15:29I.
15:29Know.
15:30During.
15:31Maybe.
15:31More.
15:32Than.
15:32Two.
15:32Decades.
15:34It.
15:34Tullah.
15:35Khamenei.
15:36Very.
15:36Small.
15:37House.
15:37That.
15:38Before.
15:39Islamic.
15:40Of.
15:41Iran.
15:41He.
15:42Had.
15:42Bought.
15:43That.
15:43House.
15:44In.
15:44Mashhad.
15:44Still.
15:45He.
15:45Had.
15:45It.
15:46Okay.
15:47So.
15:48This.
16:00Entire.
16:00Is.
16:01Idea.
16:02Stood.
16:03For.
16:04Isn't.
16:05The.
16:06Islamic.
16:06Republic.
16:08Now.
16:08Appearing.
16:11Resembling.
16:12Head.
16:13The.
16:13Leadership.
16:18In.
16:19Iran.
16:20Is.
16:22And.
16:22Personal.
16:23Issue.
16:24But.
16:25Is.
16:26Constitutional.
16:27System.
16:29According.
16:30To.
16:30Our.
16:31Constitution.
16:32There.
16:32Are.
16:33A.
16:33Lot.
16:34Of.
16:34Condition.
16:35For.
16:36Supreme.
16:36Leader.
16:37The.
16:37One.
16:38Who.
16:38Wants.
16:38To.
16:38To.
16:39Our.
16:41Constitution.
16:50There.
16:50Is.
16:50This.
16:52Which.
16:53Formed.
16:54By.
16:5488.
16:56Experts.
16:58And.
17:00Of.
17:01Should.
17:02Be.
17:02Elected.
17:03By.
17:03The.
17:04In.
17:05Iran.
17:05All.
17:06Parts.
17:06Of.
17:07Iran.
17:08And.
17:09They.
17:09Have.
17:09Also.
17:10They.
17:10Should.
17:10Have.
17:11A.
17:11Of.
17:12Qualification.
17:13According.
17:13To.
17:13Constitution.
17:15This.
17:16Council.
17:17Is.
17:18Duty.
17:19And.
17:19Responsibility.
17:21One.
17:22Is.
17:23Appointing.
17:24Nominating.
17:25Choosing.
17:26New.
17:28Supreme.
17:28Leader.
17:29In.
17:29Any.
17:30Circumstances.
17:31Another.
17:32Their.
17:33Deut.
17:34And.
17:34Responsibility.
17:35Removal.
17:37Current.
17:38Supreme.
17:39Leader.
17:39Maybe.
17:41Leader.
17:41Under.
17:42Some.
17:43Circumstances.
17:44Is.
17:44Not.
17:45Qualified.
17:46For.
17:47This.
17:48Position.
17:50Because.
17:50A.
17:50Seek.
17:51Or.
17:51Any.
17:51Other.
17:52Thing.
17:53So.
17:53They.
17:54Will.
17:54Choose.
17:54New.
17:55After.
17:57Of.
17:57Supreme.
17:58Leader.
17:58They.
17:59Responsibility.
18:00Choose.
18:04Ayatollah.
18:05Khamenei.
18:07After.
18:08Imam.
18:08Khomeini.
18:09They.
18:09Choose.
18:10Him.
18:10He.
18:11Accepted.
18:12He.
18:12Was.
18:13Refusing.
18:14For.
18:15Time.
18:16But.
18:16They.
18:17Imposed.
18:17That.
18:18You.
18:18Are.
18:18The.
18:18Qualified.
18:19Person.
18:20And.
18:20Are.
18:20Person.
18:21For.
18:21This.
18:22Position.
18:23Now.
18:24The.
18:24Same.
18:24Council.
18:25But.
18:25The.
18:25Is.
18:26Actually.
18:26Changed.
18:26Because.
18:27Every.
18:27Eight.
18:27Hours.
18:28They.
18:28Have.
18:28To.
18:30Choosing.
18:30The.
18:31People.
18:33So.
18:34They.
18:35Gathered.
18:36And.
18:37They.
18:38Started.
18:39Looking.
18:40For.
18:40The.
18:41Qualified.
18:41Person.
18:42For.
18:43This.
18:44Position.
18:45And.
18:46I.
18:46Know.
18:46They.
18:47Choose.
18:47Some.
18:48Dignity.
18:49Some.
18:49Figures.
18:50And.
18:50They.
18:50Started.
18:51To.
18:52Assessment.
18:53They.
18:53Started.
18:54To.
18:54Evaluate.
18:55Them.
18:55Which.
18:56Of.
18:56Them.
18:56Has.
18:57More.
18:59Is.
18:59More.
19:00Qualified.
19:00For.
19:00This.
19:01Position.
19:02Finally.
19:03Realize.
19:03That.
19:04The.
19:04Ayatollah.
19:05Muchtaba.
19:06Khamenei.
19:06Is.
19:07More.
19:07Qualified.
19:08Person.
19:09For.
19:09This.
19:10Position.
19:10He.
19:11Was.
19:20Opposite.
19:21To.
19:21Yes.
19:22That.
19:22Brings.
19:22Me.
19:23To.
19:23My.
19:23Next.
19:24Late.
19:25Ayatollah.
19:25Khamenei.
19:27Named.
19:28Three.
19:28People.
19:28As.
19:29His.
19:29Successor.
19:30He.
19:31Wanted.
19:31Any.
19:31Of.
19:32Them.
19:32To.
19:32Yes.
19:36Because.
19:37He.
19:38That.
19:40He.
19:41Didn't.
19:41Want.
19:42Anyone.
19:42Think.
19:43And.
19:45Kingdom.
19:46He.
19:46Didn't.
19:46Want.
19:47That.
19:50Ayatollah.
19:51Khamenei.
19:51He.
19:52Didn't.
19:55Choose.
19:56His.
19:56Son.
19:57As.
19:57Successor.
19:58But.
19:59Council.
20:00Realized.
20:00That.
20:03Ayatollah.
20:03Muchtaba.
20:04Khamenei.
20:05He.
20:05Is.
20:05The.
20:06Right.
20:06Person.
20:06For.
20:06His.
20:07Knowledge.
20:11Because.
20:12Of.
20:12His.
20:12Purity.
20:19Can.
20:20Muchtaba.
20:21Then.
20:21Bridge.
20:22The.
20:22Sunni.
20:23Shia.
20:24Gap.
20:25The.
20:25World.
20:26The.
20:26Reason.
20:27Why.
20:27I'm.
20:27Saying.
20:27Is.
20:28That.
20:28Never.
20:29Before.
20:29Have.
20:30We.
20:30Seen.
20:30This.
20:31Kind.
20:32Of.
20:33Sentiment.
20:34In.
20:34Which.
20:35The.
20:35Muslims.
20:36Seen.
20:36As.
20:36Under.
20:37Larger.
20:38Umbrella.
20:38Of.
20:39The.
20:40Rather.
20:40Than.
20:40Divisions.
20:41That.
20:41Existed.
20:42So.
20:43Far.
20:45Much.
20:45Very.
20:45Good.
20:46Question.
20:47Yes.
20:48Actually.
20:49The.
20:50Ultimate.
20:50Goal.
20:52Late.
20:53Ayatollah.
20:54Usma.
20:54Said.
20:54Ali.
20:55Khamini.
20:56Unity.
20:57Between.
20:57Muslim.
20:58And.
20:59Also.
21:00Awareness.
21:01In.
21:01The.
21:03Between.
21:03All.
21:03People.
21:04People.
21:06Several.
21:07Times.
21:07Because.
21:07I met.
21:07Him.
21:08A lot.
21:08Several.
21:09He.
21:10Was.
21:11In.
21:12In.
21:12In.
21:13In.
21:14In.
21:17In.
21:18In.
21:19In.
21:19In.
21:20In.
21:20In.
21:23In.
21:24In.
21:24In.
21:26In.
21:27The.
21:28Have.
21:29A lot.
21:30religions.
21:31Different.
21:32Sections.
21:32But.
21:33They are living together.
21:35Never.
21:38I.
21:39Can say.
21:40Please.
21:41The.
21:42Book.
21:42Which.
21:42He.
21:43Wrote.
21:45About.
21:48India.
21:50He.
21:50Wrote.
21:50The.
21:51First.
21:51Book.
21:51which he wrote it then it was in Persian in Persian two volumes two volumes and in Persian
22:00he wrote about India independence of India in actually in Persian we try to translate it in
22:08English and once the former prime minister of India met him and the meeting supposed to be
22:17between 15 to 20 minutes which former prime minister is this because we have some images
22:23which will be put out on the screen right here I don't know exactly maybe they know then I forget
22:35yes he said it took more than one and a half hour and started talking about
22:47my life talking about India about talking about the civilization of India culture of India philosophy
22:57of India finally he said the prime minister said he's more knowledgeable than for a first professors
23:09of history of India himself really even when he came here and he visited Haydarabad one of my
23:19friends he said I was as a tour leader and I said this Charmonar and this Jame masjid so and
23:26so the one
23:27who built it he was correcting me say no this is not true other man he could build this one
23:33other man
23:33build this one every year Juno is a poet he has a lot of poets he loves poem and every
23:43year he was insisting
23:45that the poem of India is very spiritual poem and mysticism of the poem of India is very very nice
23:56very
23:56beautiful and he was inviting the poets of India and they were participating to his meeting and reciting
24:06point for him always he was insisting of having good relationship having very strong relationship and
24:18collaboration with India even if up to end always he was asking is there any problem it should be solved
24:25and he was saying that the people of India are very loyal the people of India are very kind this
24:35is
24:35his statement in fact there is a hospital we'll be putting out that image again in name of late
24:45Ayatollah Khamenei this is Alipura village in Karnataka and he had visited it yes I visited that one yes do
24:55you know
24:55that hospital even in Iran we have a lot of high road by the name Gandhi we have also the
25:04biggest
25:05and more expensive hospital more advanced hospital in Tehran is Gandhi hospital which is specialist in the
25:15hospital in the hospital unfortunately unfortunately last week it was attacked by air forces and a lot of
25:26children have been killed at that hospital however he came here and visited Alipur unfortunately a certain lady
25:35passed away and they asked him please come and pray for her and he asked the people in
25:44hey there of Alipur why he passed away she passed away they said she was pregnant and it wasn't here
25:51hospital because of that she passed away because they wanted to take her to Bangalore and it was far
26:01she passed away she was very very angry and he said he was very angry and he said I pay
26:08for building one
26:09hospital and he paid for that and the hospital is there this is one the second thing during his visiting
26:18in Hyderabad he saw that the people don't allow ladies to come in the mosque yes and he said this
26:26is not
26:26acceptable by Islam the ladies have has more role in the society and they have they should have more room
26:35in
26:36the mosque and more place in the mosque increasingly in India we are seeing a number of mosques where women
26:44can offer namaz and they participate in all the prayers within inside the mosque that is something
26:51which is seen we have seen within the country so that's a very very positive development but because
26:55you're observing Rosa I will not take much time Dr. Eli that brings me to my last question about the
27:03clash of
27:04civilization as this war is being seen but I want to talk about it from a different context Iran
27:14is one of the oldest civilizations in the world yet it doesn't have its fellow brother nations the Muslim
27:25brother nations with it in this war the way it is panning out given the reaction which has come in
27:34from Iran where it is bombing Muslim countries in the GCC how will that be seen in the context of
27:44Shia
27:44theology again actually according to Islam the holy quran even is not Islam according to international law
27:56according to humanity no one has right to kill innocent people even if you beat your son
28:08your daughter and it became black you have to pay for that we don't have to do that to anyone
28:17if you bring out you injured anyone just only one drop of blood come out you have to pay for
28:25that
28:26and you will be punished for that and you will be punished for that so we don't have right to
28:32do anything
28:33against the life of human being and this is not only for any country any section or any religion
28:45all human being lives are saved according to the Islam according to humanity so we don't want to do any
28:55bad to
28:56anyone but we were attacked by some other countries and it is compulsory for us to defend our people to
29:07defend our people
29:08and for defending our people our country we have to because actually our technology is not some other
29:18like other people countries but we have to defend and we attack and we targeted the basis of those people
29:27who attack us
29:29because of that now even now we are not happy for these circumstances for these conditions
29:39and for the suffering of the people in different countries but this is not something if created or initiated by
29:48us
29:48this initiated by other people and created by other people and we didn't have any other choice
29:56but we say and frankly that never we wanted such war never we wanted crisis never we wanted conflict
30:10and we know and we believe that war never bring peace in the world and now we are facing global
30:20crisis
30:21which we have to be avoided from it dr. Hakeem illahi thank you for joining us and thank you for
30:28explaining
30:28the concept of shahadat in Islam in particular thank you so much you're welcome thank you very much
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