Iran's FM confers with Nelson Mandela’s grandson in Tehran

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian held talks Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela in Tehran. During the meeting , Amir Abdollahian praised Nelson Mandela for his work to advance Iran-South Africa relations as well as his unwavering support for the Palestinian people, who are subject to oppression.

Nelson Mandela's positions and the South African Congress Party's policy for the Palestinians' values are notable, the senior Iranian diplomat remarked.

In his talks with Mandela’s grandson, Amir Abdollahian also said it is necessary to create parliamentary friendship group between the legislatures of the two countries.

For his part, Mandla Mandela who was in Iran to to receive the Islamic Human Rights Award said Iranians remind him of his beloved grandfather. He also appreciated the cordial and personal hospitality of the Iranian authorities.

He stated that the Islamic Revolution was highly motivating for South Africa.

Mandla Mandela also said at the African National Congress (ANC) party’s 52nd general assembly, representatives unanimously requested that South Africa reduce relations with Israel, and that the ANC along with Algeria and a number of other African countries opposed Israel's membership in the African Union.

He added Palestinians’ protest against the Zionist regime, which is a symbol of apartheid, is extremely important. Mandela's grandson also stressed the importance of increasing mutual collaboration with Iran.

The 7th Islamic Human Rights and Human Dignity Award announced Shireen Abu Akleh, a veteran Palestinian journalist, and Mandla Mandela, the grandson of icon Nelson Mandela, as the winners during a ceremony in Tehran on Tuesday.

The Award is granted to a scholar with outstanding works and a martyr for explaining Islamic human rights.

Shireen Abu Akleh worked as a reporter for the Arabic-language channel Al Jazeera for 25 years and was one of the most prominent names across West Asia, she was shot and killed on May 11 while covering a raid by Israeli defense forces.

Mandla Mandela, one of the pioneers of the new anti-apartheid wave of the Zionist regime, won the Award for his support for the Palestinian people.

The Islamic Human Rights and Human Dignity Award is an honorary award that the High Council for Human Rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran grants to human rights activists or victims of human rights violations (either natural or legal persons) effectively and prominently involved in Islamic human rights issues, notwithstanding religion, race, color, gender and nationality, the website of Iran's high council for human rights reported.

Winners of the Islamic Human Rights and Human Dignity Committee will receive a plaque of honor and a certificate of merit as well as 10 full-size gold coins.