Prayers, verses and holy books: How have religious symbols been used in the ongoing war in the Middle East? | Euronews

## Summary
Religious rhetoric is being employed in an uncommon and increasing way, with symbols of the three major monotheistic religions overlapping: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in the middle of war. In the midst of the ongoing war in the Middle East, religious symbols have emerged as a component of the discourse and practice of the parties involved in the conflict. Statements, political messages, and even the nature of some operations make frequent references to religious symbols and meanings that are invoked in the context of military confrontation. Prayers at the White House On the other hand, from the very first moment of the war, the front of the confrontation bore a clear religious imprint, represented by the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, a position that - according to the nature of the "Islamic Republic" system - combines spiritual and political powers - combines spiritual and political powers, and for millions of Shiite Muslims represents a religious leader.

## Article Content
By&nbsp
Clara Nabaa
&nbsp&&nbsp
يورونيوز
Published on
04/04/2026 - 19:31 GMT+2
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The messages exchanged in the Middle East reflect a different face of warfare. Religious rhetoric is being employed in an uncommon and increasing way, with symbols of the three major monotheistic religions overlapping: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in the middle of war.
In the midst of the ongoing war in the Middle East, religious symbols have emerged as a component of the discourse and practice of the parties involved in the conflict. Statements, political messages, and even the nature of some operations make frequent references to religious symbols and meanings that are invoked in the context of military confrontation.
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In this report, we review how these symbols have been used and how they have been employed within the narratives of the war, beyond the direct military dimension to broader symbolic levels.
Religious symbolism in Iranian discourse
The use of religious symbols is clearly visible in Tehran's discourse, for example in official statements or in the naming of the weapons used and others.
Iranian officials frequently invoke religious texts in the context of the war, in an attempt to frame the confrontation within a narrative that goes beyond the political dimension to a broader ideological horizon to appeal to Muslim sentiments.
For example, Ali Larijani, the former head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, who was killed during this war by a US-Israeli strike, circulated leaflets with religious quotes, including one attributed to Imam Hussein: "I do not see death as anything but happiness, and life with the oppressors as nothing but misery," in the context of a post attached to a propaganda poster about rewards for information on prominent Iranian figures.
Among the Quranic verses that Larijani published before his assassination: "And we will reward those who have patience with the best reward for what they have done."
For his part, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has stepped up his posting of Quranic verses on the X platform, including: "How many small groups have defeated many groups with God's permission, and God is with the patient" and "If God helps you, you will have no victor", in addition to other verses and religious prayers in which he invoked pivotal figures in the Islamic heritage, calling for "fixing hearts" and "strengthening resolve", in a discourse that links military steadfastness to religious faith.
This is not limited to the level of rhetoric, but extends to the naming of the weapons themselves. On 2 March, the Revolutionary Guards announced the introduction of the Khyber Shiken missile to the battlefield, a name that carries a significant symbolic meaning, as it refers to the "Breaker of Khyber", recalling the historical battle of Khyber and the role of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib in Shiite Islamic consciousness. This name is used in Iranian political discourse to link the current confrontation to a historical context with religious dimensions, giving the weapon a symbolic dimension beyond its military function.
During the month of Ramadan, and before the Nights of Destiny, calls for prayers and supplications to "hasten the appearance of the Mahdi" emerged, referring to the twelfth Shiite Imam, Muhammad bin al-Hasan al-Mahdi, who was born in 868 in Samarra and is believed to have disappeared only ten years later and to be still alive according to these accounts. These calls are linked to the belief that the current war may pave the way for his appearance.
Prayers at the White House
On the other hand, from the very first moment of the war, the front of the confrontation bore a clear religious imprint, represented by the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, a position that - according to the nature of the "Islamic Republic" system - combines spiritual and political powers - combines spiritual and political powers, and for millions of Shiite Muslims represents a religious leader.
The assassination took place during the month of Ramadan, making the event all the more extraordinary and sparking outrage among the leader's supporters. Thus, the war appeared to be more than just a confrontation over the missile system or the nuclear file, but began with the killing of a religious and political figure at a sensitive time: the month of fasting.
In a remarkable scene that accompanied the escalation, US President Donald Trump was surrounded by a number of religious leaders, some of whom appeared to place their hands on his shoulder on public occasions, while prayers were intensified inside the White House.
During Holy Week - which recalls the last days of Christ before his crucifixion, according to Christian belief, the White House received religious delegations in a celebration of a spiritual nature. Digital platforms circulated a video clip posted on the Tr

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- On 2 March, the Revolutionary Guards announced the introduction of the Khyber Shiken missile to the battlefield, a name that carries a significant symbolic meaning, as it refers to the "Breaker of Khyber", recalling the historical battle of Khyber and the role of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib in Shiite Islamic consciousness.
- In another notable scene, Mike Huckabee, Washington's ambassador to Tel Aviv, told conservative American commentator Tucker Carlson during an interview in February that it was "okay" for Israel to take over "most of the Middle East" because it was promised to it in the Bible.

### Areas for Consideration
- Digital platforms circulated a video clip posted on the Trump administration's YouTube channel before it was later deleted, showing an evangelical pastor reciting a prayer that read: "Father, you have raised Donald Trump, you have prepared him for a moment like this, and we pray, Father, to give him victory." The clip, before it was deleted, sparked widespread criticism on social media.
- During a press conference, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth called for prayers for US soldiers deployed to the Gulf "in the name of Jesus Christ," prompting criticism that the secretary ignored the religious diversity within the military.

### Implications
- Among the Quranic verses that Larijani published before his assassination: "And we will reward those who have patience with the best reward for what they have done." For his part, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has stepped up his posting of Quranic verses on the X platform, including: "How many small groups have defeated many groups with God's permission, and God is with the patient" and "If God helps you, you will have no victor", in addition to other verses and religious prayers in which he invoked pivotal figures in the Islamic heritage, calling for "fixing hearts" and "strengthening resolve", in a discourse that links military steadfastness to religious faith.
- These calls are linked to the belief that the current war may pave the way for his appearance.
- They argue that this competition may see the emergence of religion as a catalyst, used to sacralise geopolitical interests.
- While analysts believe that framing the conflict in this religious form may aim to mobilise public opinion, gain support, and demonise the other, the regional war - in its essence - is not a religious conflict, but rather a competition between regional and global powers.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers religious, war, iran topics. Notable strengths include discussion of religious. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 1560.