A century of humanitarian service
For more than a century, distinguished men and women with an exceptional vision and a
humanitarian purpose — dedicated to relieving human suffering and providing services for
the public good — came together entirely as volunteers to found and lead the largest
humanitarian institution in Iran. These men and women had the Iranian Red Lion and Sun
Society registered in international forums as one of the three official emblems
recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Through the dedication and efforts of Abdolsamad Momtaz al-Saltaneh,
Dr. Amir A'lam, Dr. Hossein Khatibi, and
Shahdokht Shams Pahlavi, the Society was — until the Islamic Revolution —
recognized both in Iran and around the world as one of the most successful humanitarian
organizations anywhere. Unfortunately, on 10 Amordad 1359 (early August 1980), following
the renaming of the Iranian Red Lion and Sun Society to the Red Crescent Society of the
Islamic Republic, the institution underwent major changes: it drifted away from its noble
humanitarian mission and was brought into the service of the dictatorship ruling Iran.
However, through the vision and leadership of Afshin Abdollahi, the
Iranian Red Lion and Sun Society was officially re-registered in Germany on
10 November 2023, under registration number 5749.
Through his efforts and the support of patriotic compatriots, the name, emblem, and flag
of the Society are once again flying high, in Iran and around the world. Today, the
Society has returned to its founding path, working toward the freedom and prosperity of
our beloved homeland, Iran.
The Red Lion and Sun is one of three protective emblems — alongside the Red Cross and
Red Crescent — historically recognized under the Geneva Conventions, together with the
more recent Red Crystal.