The Iran Resistance Museum is a priceless tribute to the history of the Iranian people’s resistance. Its roots trace back to the 1980s when a dedicated department within the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) began collecting items left behind by martyrs of the resistance. These items included personal belongings such as watches, shirts, handcrafted items made in prison, and gifts sent by martyrs or their families to the organization. Additionally, handwritten notes and other keepsakes were carefully preserved.
In 2004, the first Iran Resistance Museum was established in Ashraf 1, Iraq. The museum became a space to display the collected artifacts and quickly evolved into a destination for families of martyrs visiting from Iran, as well as other guests. It served as a center for honoring the memory of the martyrs and educating visitors about the history of the Iranian people’s fight for freedom.
Following the relocation of Ashraf residents to Camp Liberty in Iraq, and despite the severe logistical blockade and limited resources imposed on the residents, the PMOI/MEK took the remarkable step of reestablishing the Resistance Museum in Camp Liberty. This was a testament to their unwavering determination to preserve the memory of the martyrs under even the harshest circumstances.
In 2018, after the relocation of PMOI/MEK members from Iraq to Albania, the Iran Resistance Museum was reopened in Ashraf 3. Although many artifacts were lost during the bombings of Ashraf and Liberty or due to the Iraqi forces’ refusal to allow the transfer of all belongings, the museum was revived through immense effort and dedication.
Today, the Iran Resistance Museum in Ashraf 3 not only showcases the preserved artifacts of the martyrs but also stands as a living testament to the resilience and steadfastness of a movement that has endured against all odds. It is a space for storytelling, for bearing witness to the sacrifices of the past, and for inspiring future generations to continue the fight for a free and democratic Iran.