During Ali Khamenei funeral, the Iranian regime recited not-so-subtle verses from the Quran before each foreign delegation, carefully curated to signal how the regime feels about them exactly. Here is a sample:
Hamas: “Among the believers are men who have proven true to what they pledged to God. Some of them have fulfilled their pledge, others are waiting their turn. They have never changed their commitment in the least.”
Hezbollah: “Do not falter or grieve, for you will have the upper hand, if you are true believers. If you have suffered injuries, they suffered similarly. We alternate these days of victory and defeat among people so that God may reveal the true believers, choose martyrs from among you, and God does not like the wrongdoers.”
Palestinian Islamic Jihad: "So that God may forgive you for your past and future shortcomings, perfect His favor upon you, and guide you along the Straight Path, and so that God will help you with a mighty victory."
China: “God ordained this only as good news for you and reassurance for your hearts. And victory comes only from God.”
Iraq’s Hashd al-Shaabi PMUs: "Never say that those martyred in the cause of God are dead; in fact, they are alive! But you do not perceive it."
Saudi Arabia: “There was certainly a sign for you in the two armies that met in battle: one fighting in the cause of God and the other disbelieving. The believers saw their enemy twice their number. But God supports with His victory whoever He wills. Surely in this is a lesson for people of insight.”
Qatar: "So that God may forgive you for your past and future shortcomings, perfect His favor upon you, and guide you along the Straight Path, and so that God will help you with a mighty victory."
Turkey: “God has elevated in rank those who strive with their wealth and their lives above those who stay behind. God has promised each a fine reward, but those who strive will receive a far better reward than the others.”
Pakistan: "And say, 'My Lord! Grant me an honorable entrance and an honorable exit, and give me a supporting authority from Yourself.'"
Egypt: “Their reward with their Lord will be Gardens of Eternity, under which rivers flow, to stay there for ever and ever. God is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. This is only for those in awe of their Lord.”
It's a simple fact of life: if you want to do something incredible, something that makes you stand out above the rest, then you have to become comfortable being different—that means being misunderstood, criticized, even hated.