Supreme Leader's Speech
in Meeting with Members of Supreme Council of Basij-e Mostazafin
(2014/11/27)
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on November 27,
2014 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution,
in a meeting with the members of the Supreme Council of Basij-e Mostazafin.
The meeting was held on the occasion of Basij Week.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and
greetings be upon our Master and Prophet, Ab-al-Qassem al-Mustafa
Muhammad, upon his chosen and pure household, upon his chosen companions
and upon those who follow them with righteousness until the Day of
Judgment.
First of all, I would like to welcome you dear brothers and sisters,
outstanding members of the Basij society of the country and chosen
personalities who accompanied intelligence, reason and knowledge with love
and enthusiasm and who stepped in an arena which will definitely result in
victory and satisfaction of God.
In one part of the Holy Quran, Allah the Exalted speaks about the
people "Whom He loves and who love Him" [The Holy Quran, 5: 54]. They love
God and God loves them. In another part of the Holy Quran, He says about
these people or a group of these people, "Truly Allah loves those who
fight in His Cause in battle array, as if they were a solid strengthened
structure" [The Holy Quran, 61: 4]. He speaks about those youth, men,
women, outstanding and knowledgeable personalities and believers who have
gathered all their power and entered the arena. This is our definition of
Basij. I hope that God rewards and bestows success on you. I hope that He
will not stop guiding you even for one single moment and I hope that He
increases your achievements on a daily basis.
The statements of these two dear brothers - the honorable Commander of
the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and the head of Basij Mostazafin
Organization - were reasonable and correct statements. They were strong
and calculated statements. I too would like to say a few things:
From the very first day until today, we have seen Basij in the arena of
action. We have seen it in different arenas, but all of these arenas were
arenas of action. We have seen it during the Sacred Defense Era - the
eight-year war - during the Construction era and in the course of
developing different technologies ranging from stem cells to the nuclear
energy. These are the achievements of Basij. We have witnessed the
presence of basiji physicians in the hospitals which were located near the
front lines. I myself saw those hospitals in those days. I saw that the
enemy could target those centers with short-range shells. Different
physicians had come from Tehran and provincial cities to offer help. As
soon as they were informed by the front that they should go, they packed
their bags and sacks and set out to go and work under those circumstances.
Basij has also been active and influential in the area of artistic
activities and outstanding artistic works. Thankfully, these activities
have continued until today. We have seen Basij in every arena of action.
Of course, the arena of action is very vast - later on, I will refer to
this issue - ranging from scientific, artistic, military and construction
to economic and other such actions.
In the opinion of this humble person, what has received less attention
is the issue of the intellectual front of Basij. Basij is a thought,
philosophy and logic. It is an intellectual system. The reason why
everyone sees that graduates, outstanding personalities and geniuses from
different fields of study are attracted to Basij is that Basij is not a
movement which is purely based on feelings and emotions. There is a strong
logic behind it. When this logic and knowledge is accompanied by action,
it will bring about astonishing phenomena and events. What is the basis of
this logic and philosophy?
I would like to say a few things about this philosophy which forms the
structure of Basij and which is its source of support. I will raise two
points in this regard and these points should be thought about, discussed
and worked on.
The basis of this philosophy is belief in the sense of responsibility
of human beings. Human beings are responsible creatures. The opposite of
this philosophy is irresponsibleness, "let it go", "go and have fun" and "think
of yourself". The intellectual basis of Basij is this divine sense of
responsibility which is based on firm religious principles. Later on, I
will expand on this issue. We are responsible not only towards ourselves,
our families and our friends, but also towards the events of our lives and
the fate of the world, our country and our society, whether our country
and society are Muslim or non-Muslim. Besides, this sense of
responsibility is not only towards the people who have the same beliefs as
we do or towards the people who are believers and Muslims. We are
responsible even towards non-Muslims and non-believers.
The opposite of this is self-indulgence, "let it go", laziness and
shirking our responsibilities. The main basis of Basij is this sense of
responsibility. The philosophy behind one's sense of responsibility is one
of the clear principles of Islam. No one can doubt that from the viewpoint
of Islam, human beings are responsible creatures. From the viewpoint of
Islam, human beings are creatures who have been asked to do something.
Take a look at different Islamic rules such as enjoining to do good and
advising against evil. Enjoining to do good means that all of you are
responsible for promoting and requesting good. Advising against evil means
denouncing evil, malevolence and indecent acts. It means preventing it
with different methods. What is the meaning of this? It means
responsibility towards the public health of society. Everyone is
responsible: I am responsible, you are responsible and other people are
responsible as well.
Another Islamic rule is jihad. In Islam, jihad is assistance to those
peoples who exist behind the scenes of colonialist, arrogant and despotic
policies so that they can not receive the light of Islam and guidance. The
purpose of jihad is destroying these barriers and veils. This is Islamic
jihad. The question whether jihad is defensive or offensive is a
peripheral issue. The main issue is this: "And what reason have you that
you should not fight in the way of Allah and of the weak among the men and
the women and the children?" [The Holy Quran, 4: 75]. Why do you not
engage in jihad and battle in the way of God?
Then, this ayah immediately says, "and of the weak". Why do you not
fight for the sake of saving the weak? This is a sense of responsibility.
It means that you should endanger your own life in arenas of danger for
the sake of saving the weak. This is the meaning of responsibility.
Another example is the well-known hadith, "Anyone who wakes up in the
morning without the intention of attending to the affairs of Muslims is
not a Muslim" [al-Kafi, Volume 2, page 163]. There are many other such
ayahs and hadiths in Islamic texts which are among the clear principles of
Islam.
Islam wants people to have a sense of responsibility towards themselves,
their relatives, their society and the entire humanity. If you pursue this
matter in Islamic texts, you will see many astonishing narrations about
this attention and sense of responsibility.
The Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) says to God in supplication, "Oh God, guide
my people" [Characteristics of Ali ibn Abi Talib's Household, Volume 1,
page 193]. His people were the ones who used to beat, disown and threaten
him. They used to cause serious trouble for him, but he says to Allah the
Exalted in supplication, "Oh God, save, cure and guide these people". This
is the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.).
When the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) hears that Muawiyah's army
went and looted a city, he says in a sorrowful manner, "I have come to
know that every one of them entered upon Muslim women and other women
under protection of Islam" [Nahjul Balaghah, Sermon 27]. The men of this
plundering army entered the houses of Muslims and muahids - muahids are
Christian, Jewish and other people who live under the protection of Islam
- and insulted women. They took away their bracelets and other ornaments.
Then Hazrat says, "If any Muslim dies of grief after all this, he is not
to blame". Notice that he felt responsible to such an extent. He does not
say, "If Muslims' ruler dies, he is not to blame". Rather, he says, if any
Muslim and other person dies of grief because this, he is not to blame.
This is sense of responsibility. The main basis of Basij's movement is
this: having a sense of divine responsibility.
The second basis which exists alongside this and which complements the
first basis is wisdom and foresight. What does it mean? It means knowing
the developments of the time, knowing needs and priorities, knowing the
enemy and the friend and knowing the instrument that should be used
against the enemy. These types of knowledge are foresight. We cannot
always fight with one weapon. We cannot move forward in all arenas with
only one weapon. So, which weapon should we use? Where is the enemy?
I have said many times that those people who lack foresight - like the
poor people who were entangled in fitna - are like the people who strike
an enemy and opponent in the dark and in a thick fog and haze. Well, they
do not know where the enemy is. One of the first requirements in wars is
having information. In a war, we should go and gather information to see
where the enemy is. If you go without having information, you may aim
where the friend is. You may target someone who is not the enemy. This
way, you help the enemy. Sometimes, this happens.
If foresight does not exist, this is the result. There is a hadith
which says, "A person who is up-to-date is not the target of mistakes" [Tohaf
al-Uqul, page 356]. Doubts, lack of knowledge and stupidity do not attack
a person who is familiar with the developments of his time because he
knows what he is doing. If this foresight does not exist, there will be
problems although we may be responsible people.
During the time of revolutionary activities, some people had a sense of
responsibility, but they did not know where to expend it. They expended it
in areas which were to the disadvantage of the great revolutionary
movement of our magnanimous Imam (r.a.). They acted in the same way after
the Revolution until today. Some people have a sense of responsibility and
motivation, but they expend them in the wrong way and in wrong places.
They do not aim the gun at the right place. This is because of lack of
foresight.
When the issue of fitna arose a few years ago, we spoke about foresight.
Some people jeered at this and said, "What is foresight?" Yes, we should
have foresight. If foresight does not exist, then the more we have a sense
of responsibility and motivation, the greater the danger will be. This is
because the person who has no wisdom and foresight, who does not know the
enemy and who does not understand where he should expend his sense of
responsibility, energy and motivation cannot be trusted. So, this is the
second basis which is very very necessary. If the second basis does not
exist, our enjoining to do good, our jihad and our tasks in general are
done in the wrong way and they deviate from the straight path.
May God's mercy and paradise be bestowed on our magnanimous Imam (r.a.)
who thought of all these things. Imam (r.a.) - who had sharp-sighted eyes
and who enjoyed divine foresight - derived inspiration from Allah the
Exalted. He took from God everything that was necessary without studying
politics anywhere or without learning it from anyone. These things were
inspired to his pure heart. He both created Basij and showed the way. Imam
(r.a.) did not only say to us to move forward, to have a sense of
responsibility and to be basijis. He also told us what to do. He said to
us, "Shower as many cries as you have on America". This means showing the
way and teaching what to do, where to go and where to aim. He taught these
things to us.
During the time of war and the eight-year Defense Era, he used to say,
"The war is at the top of the agenda". We had certain responsibilities in
those days. I was the president and other people had certain other
responsibilities. We had thousands of tasks to carry out. When many
executive tasks fall on the shoulders of officials, they sometimes show
negligence. But Imam (r.a.) showed everyone - officials, the people and
youth - the path by saying, "The war is at the top of the agenda". This
was the case. He guided everyone by saying that they should pursue this
task. This is important.
On the issue of participation in Syria for the sake of fighting against
the occupying Zionist regime, our youth were very happy because they were
supposed to go and fight. Two of them - who are among our great martyrs in
the present time - came to me and expressed their happiness. In the
beginning, Imam (r.a.) did not know about this. When he became aware, he
said, "The path of fighting against Israel goes through Iraq". This way,
he prevented everyone from going to Syria and those who had gone came
back. Notice that this is identifying and having an understanding of
priorities. Imam (r.a.) showed the path and the direction.
He said, "Preserving the Islamic Republic is one the most important
obligations or the most important one". That is to say, all other issues
are peripheral to this one. He showed us this direction. It is possible
that you have a difference of opinion with your friend over a small or big
issue, but when it comes to preserving the system, both of you are equally
responsible.
Those who did not understand this statement of Imam's (r.a.) made
egregious mistakes in some areas. Imam (r.a.) showed us the direction.
This great man used to move forward in this way.
Therefore, the intellectual basis means having a sense of
responsibility which is a firm intellectual framework for you who want to
move forward in the arena of Basij. And the necessary prerequisite for
this - which is the second basis - is foresight. You should not ignore
these two bases even for one single moment. Having a sense of
responsibility means working for the sake of satisfying God "by showing
patience and behaving in a decent way" [speaking in Arabic]. We should say,
"Oh God, I make this scientific breakthrough, I study this, I create this
artistic work, I engage in this jihad, I carry out this economic task, I
help Zaid [any person in general] and I fight against Amr for the sake of
You because You have made me responsible". This is the sense of
responsibility and divine commitment that you should have. After this, we
should have wisdom. We should know where we are, where our location is,
where the enemy's location is, who the enemy is and with what weapon we
should fight against him. This is the second basis. With this outlook,
both the circle of basijis and the arena of Basij's activities will become
clear.
As for the circle of basijis, who is a basiji? Anyone who is active in
this ideological and human framework is a basiji. Of course, the
resistance force of Basij is the manifestation of this great, public,
comprehensive and national movement. The resistance force of Basij is the
main piece, center and place in the great umbrella which has covered all
our people. It is a source of inspiration for discipline, presence and
movement in society, universities, schools and Islamic seminaries and
among people from different social backgrounds. It is a source of
inspiration in any area. The presence of the resistance force of Basij
means this. It means channeling, providing guidance, observing discipline
and order and identifying the different responsibilities of the members as
much as possible. As the brothers in this meeting explained, resources are
naturally limited. Of course, Basij has thankfully reached a position
where tens of million people have joined it. This was about the circle and
the scope of basijis' presence.
As for arenas, arenas are endless. They have no limits: the arena of
defense, the arena of policy, the arena of construction, the arena of
economy, the arena of art, the arena of knowledge and research, the arena
of religious committees and the arena of mourning ceremonies. These arenas
exist everywhere and they are of many different kinds. These are the
arenas of Basij's presence which exist everywhere.
We have role models in all these arenas. We have outstanding role
models all of whom have shown that they are outstanding and great. We had
great sardars and outstanding personalities in the war. Some of them were
scientific personalities. These people - such as Shahid Chamran - came to
the war and they became soldiers with a gun in hand. Chamran was a
scientific personality. He was also an artistic personality. He used to
say to me, "I am skilled at photography". But he had come to the war and
he was wearing military uniforms. He had become a soldier. But before
entering this arena, he was an outstanding personality.
Of course, some of these role models were not outstanding before they
entered the arena of war. It was this arena who helped them reach peaks.
An example is Avesta Abdol-Hossein, a construction worker. In fact, he was
a student of a construction worker, but he entered the arena of war and
reached the sun. In the war, he reached peaks and became an outstanding
personality, one who was very prominent. These are our outstanding
personalities. We have many outstanding personalities in the area of
knowledge and research. One of them was the late Kazemi Ashtiani who
developed stem cells research and these great technologies. He built many
people and his colleagues are like him as well. Thankfully today, this
movement is continuing.
Another personality was Shahid Shahriari. These days, we are mentioning
his name because it is his martyrdom anniversary. The rest are the same:
Rezainejad, Ali Mohammadi and Ahmadi Roshan. These were our outstanding
personalities in the area of knowledge and research. They used to work in
a basiji manner.
Shahid Shahriari used to work in a basiji manner as well. In those days,
they wanted to close the gates to the people of Iran with the methods that
many of the people saw on TV and heard in the news. Many of these methods
were adopted behind the scenes. In the future, it will come clear how
malevolent they were. They wanted to do something to prevent
radiopharmaceuticals from reaching the people's hands. They wanted to
create problems for the Islamic Republic. They used to say, "We will not
sell these radiopharmaceuticals". This was done with the purpose of
closing our center in Tehran, but people like Shahid Shahriari worked on
it in a diligent way. Then, they came to us and said, "We have managed to
produce 20 percent". After that, they informed us that they had built fuel
rods and fuel plates. The enemy was astonished. This was the work of
basijis and it was not an ordinary piece of work. In all the arenas that
we pointed out, there were and still are great individuals. They have made
great efforts some of which we mentioned.
Well, this philosophy - which is a basiji philosophy and which was
created by our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) in Islamic Iran - has been promoted.
Revolutionary and Islamic concepts are like the scent of spring flowers.
No one can prevent their scent from spreading. It goes everywhere. These
concepts are like an enlivening and revitalizing breeze which cover and
imbue everywhere. Now, they can create uproar and they can go on ranting
and raving. This philosophy has already been promoted and you can witness
it in different countries. This philosophy is active in Lebanon and Iraq.
Iraqi youth have joined their army and they have managed to achieve these
victories. The same is true of Syria, the same is true of Gaza, the same
is true of Palestine, the same is true of Yemen and by Allah's favor, the
same will happen in Holy Quds and in liberating al-Aqsa.
Well, this point became clear. Now, I want to say that Islamic Iran is
invincible because of this. Those who threaten the Islamic government and
the Islamic Republic to do such and such things should know that the
Islamic Republic is invincible thanks to this basiji philosophy, action
and movement. Any Iranian individual is potentially a basiji except for a
few people who are either suffering from egotism, lustfulness and
materialistic desires or who are working with the enemy. We exclude these
people who are few, not many. The majority of the people of Iran are
potentially basijis and this is the reason behind the invincibility of the
Islamic Republic. However, everyone should pay full attention. There are
always tests for everyone. The movement should not be undermined and the
direction of the movement should not change. The direction of the movement
is towards arrogance and fighting against it.
We - including our people and we ourselves - who mention the name of
America do this because of its arrogance. The issue of America is
arrogance. We mention its name because America is an arrogant government.
Its methods are based on arrogance. We have no problems with America as a
geographical entity, as a nation or as a group of people. In this sense,
it is like other countries. Our issue with America is the issue of
American arrogance. They are arrogant, conceited, thuggish and greedy. The
statements that they made recently on the issue of nuclear negotiations
prove this. Notice that they negotiated for several months and now, they
have extended them. After that, they began talking, just like always.
Now, I would like to say a few things about these matters. First of
all, I am not against extending negotiations as I was not against
beginning them in the first place. We did not oppose entering into
negotiations in the beginning and we explained to the people why we did
this. In a speech, I explained the reasons and now we are not opposed to
extending negotiations.
I should add that our negotiating team are really and truly diligent
and active. They show resistance and they speak with reason. They do not
give in to bullying and they are working hard. Everyone should pay
attention to this. Most people are not aware of the details of these
negotiations. They do not know what is happening in the process. They are
working in a serious, reasonable and diligent way and their actions are
based on reason. Unlike the other side - mainly America - which says
different things every day, our negotiating team behave towards them in a
rational and powerful way. In private meetings and in their correspondence,
the opposing parties say something, but in public meetings and in their
public speeches, they say another thing. One day, they say something,
another day they completely change it. When there is no straight path,
this is what happens.
In order to solve their domestic problems, they want to use the
negotiations. This is why they have to say different things here and there.
Of course, Iran is alone in the face of these negotiators and the people
who stand against Iran. They are an army. They are comprised of several
countries behind each of which there is an army of diplomats, people in
charge of public relations, photographers, analysts and other such people.
The Americans are the most ill-tempered people among them and the English
are the most devious ones. Now, they have extended the negotiations.
Everyone - both the other side and those people inside the country who
are concerned about this matter and who follow these negotiations - should
know that if negotiations fail, we are not the ones who suffer the most
loss. Rather, it is the Americans. We are honest with our people. We say
to our people what the truth of the issue is and they have already
understood what the truth is. With different reasons, we can prove that
the real goal of arrogance and the west in the face of Iran is to prevent
the people of Iran from achieving growth and power. Their real goal is to
prevent the increasing dignity of the people of Iran.
The nuclear issue is merely an excuse and of course, there are other
excuses as well. The main issue is that the talents of the people of Iran
are gradually being revealed, that they are making progress in all
dimensions - including political, scientific and social dimensions - and
that they are achieving power. This is why they are dissatisfied and
unhappy. This is what they want to prevent.
And the purpose of sanctions and pressures is this. The purpose of
sanctions and economic pressures is to prevent the developing efforts of
the people of Iran. This is why they impose sanctions and exert economic
pressures. Of course, economic pressures are an important factor. We speak
freely with our people, but they do not do so and they do not believe in
their people. The popularity of their president has dwindled on a daily
basis. I am saying this according to the statistics that they themselves
have released. The day that president was elected, he enjoyed great
popularity, but since then, his popularity has decreased on a daily basis.
This is because their people do not believe in their political system.
In the recent elections in America, the turnout was very low. They
themselves have acknowledged and mentioned this. This signifies that their
own people do not believe in their political system. They are not
optimistic about it. Compare this with the presence of 65, 70 percent of
our people in ballot boxes. But they have problems with all their people.
You have heard the news about Ferguson, the state of Missouri and other
such cities. They are fighting against their own people. Their own reports
say that America's police have killed more than 400 people with different
reasons in the course of one year. This has been done by the police, not
their judiciary system. They are not in good terms with their own people
and their people do not believe in them. So, they have problems. It is
they who need an achievement and a great victory, not us.
One of the members of our negotiating team said an interesting thing.
He said, "Even if we do not reach an agreement, it is not the end of the
world and it is not a catastrophe. Nothing happens if we do not reach an
agreement". This is true. We will not suffer the loss that they think we
will. They thought that if such and such things happen, we will suffer a
loss. This is not the case. There is a solution for this. The solution is
the economy of resistance which reduces the effects of the enemy's blows.
This is related to the short term. In the medium and long terms, it even
helps the great movement of the people to reach its peak. The economy of
resistance is like this. This was the judgment that experts in economic
areas made after we announced the policies on the economy of resistance.
We have certain solutions, but they do not.
Despite all this, they move in an arrogant way. You should listen to
the statements that they made a few days ago. They say, "Iran should earn
the global community's trust". They refer to themselves as the global
community. Now, America, England, France and a few arrogant countries have
become the global community. Is this the global community? Are the 150
non-aligned countries which held a congress in Tehran two years ago not
part of the global community? About 50 presidents and rulers participated
in an active way in Tehran's congress. Are they not the global community?
Are the billions of people who live in these countries not the global
community? Are these few countries, in which the people are mostly
separated from their rulers, the global community? "Earn the global
community's trust" means "Earn the trust of us Americans". We do not want
to earn the Americans' trust. We do not need thed Americans' trust at all.
We do not need you to trust us. Your trust in us has no significance for
us. We and your people do not trust you either.
Another thing that they say is that Israel's security should be
preserved. First of all, Israel will be more insecure on a daily basis
whether there will be a nuclear agreement or not. You should know that
Israel's security will not be ensured whether there will be a nuclear
agreement or not. But because you say, "Israel's security should be
preserved", I say in response that this is not a genuine statement either.
For America's politicians - whether male or female - the security of
Israel is not the main issue. The main issue is something else. The main
issue for these lords is satisfying the Zionist capitalist network which
has taken their lives in its hands. Their issue is this. Otherwise, what
do they care if Israel exists or not? What they care about is that they
have entrusted their lives to the network of Zionist capitalists.
These Zionist capitalists both bribe and threaten them. They bribe them
with money and they accept it. They also bribe them with positions and
political promotions and if the American politicians do not compromise
with these people who pull the strings of America's economy, then they
cannot achieve high positions such as presidency, ministerial positions
and other such advantages. This is the main issue for them. The Zionist
capitalists also issue threats. If they act against the wishes of that
dangerous network, they threaten to make them resign or create a scandal
for them. You have seen this in American life recently. They accuse
different individuals, they create scandals for them, they charge them
with sexual corruption, they make them resign and they murder them.
They have murdered some of their high-ranking and great officials.
Their hands are open. You are afraid of this. Your considerations are
because of this. The issue is not the security of Israel. Rather, the
issue is your own security. They are arrogant and they speak like this.
So, we do not get along with arrogant people. Well, if reasonable
statements are made, we will raise no objections. We accept reasonable
statements. We accept fair and reasonable deals, but we do not give in to
bullying and greed. The Islamic Republic - from its lowest to its highest
ranks - and the people of Iran will not accept this. They should know this.
Now, I would like to say a few things to you dear basijis and all the
basijis of the country. I invite the dear basijis to good behavior. What
does good behavior mean? It means patience, tolerance, resistance, honesty,
purity, courage, sacrifice and piety. Basijis need such things so that
this strong structure continues to prevail. If you want this lofty
structure to stand firm against the enemies like a strong and well-made
fort, you should observe these things. You should show tolerance and
patience. You should behave in a good way. You should show purity. Take a
look at great role models in the early Islamic era. We should avoid
arrogance and conceit.
Despite his great position and courage and despite the fact that he was
deeply respected by the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.), Malik al-Ashtar
was walking on the streets one day. A boy did not know him and he began to
make fun of him. Perhaps, he threw stones at him. This kid saw that
someone is going somewhere and he began to make fun of him. Then, Malik
al-Ashtar moved away. The people who saw this scene said to the boy, "Do
you know what you did? Do know whom you made fun of? But the boy did not
know him and he said, "No". They said, "He was Malik al-Ashtar". The boy
became agitated. He rushed after him either on his own or with his father
and friends to apologize in some way. They wanted to apologize so that
they will not be in trouble.
They went after Malik al-Ashtar and they found him in a mosque praying.
They moved forward and tried to apologize. Malik al-Ashtar said, "I have
come to mosque to pray to Allah the Exalted so that He forgives this young
person". Notice that this is forgiveness, sense of responsibility and
tolerance. You and I should learn such things.
Moreover, I strongly advise you to preserve your piety and your
ideological and religious beliefs. On the path of life, we slip up when we
are faced with different temptations such as the temptation of money, lust,
positions and friendship. You should not slip up in ideological areas. You
should influence your environment rather than allowing it - if it is bad -
to influence you.
All people from different social backgrounds should receive attention
by our great, national and divine Basij. I pointed out to basijis -
particularly Sardar Naqdi - that some people have been ignored by Basij.
It should not be the case that you ignore some people from a specific
social background. Besides, you should define the relationship between
basijis from different social backgrounds. You should develop a
relationship between them. Sometimes, student Basij is unaware of the
activities of, say, physicians, engineers and industrialists Basij. They
are not in touch with one another. This should not be the case. They
should be in touch because they may prove valuable to one another. Each
Basij organization, made up of people from different social backgrounds,
can help other organizations to make progress. You should define these
relationships. You should have such things in your organization.
You should ask basijis for great feats. Many of our talented people can
accomplish great feats. Of course, the administration should help Basij as
well. Executive organizations in different sectors should help Basij to
achieve growth and to develop. Also, they should pay attention to these
economic issues. As I said before, the basis of the economy of resistance
is strengthening domestic production and reducing the imports which are
either unnecessary or which already exist in the country. They can ask
Basij for help on these matters. Under these favorable circumstances, as I
have said many times, I have no doubts that - by Allah's favor - the
future belongs to the people of Iran.
May the blessed soul of our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) be happy. May the
pure souls of our dear martyrs be happy and may God help us join those
martyrs.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
Supreme Leader's Speech
in Meeting with Participants of International Congress on Takfirism
(2014/11/25)
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on November 25,
2014 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution,
in a meeting with participants of the International Congress on "Extremist
and Takfiri Orientations from the Viewpoint of Islamic Scholars".
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and
greetings be upon our Master and Prophet, al-Mustafa al-Amin, upon his
immaculate and pure household and upon his chosen companions. May goodness
be showered upon them until the Day of Judgment.
First of all, I would like to welcome the dear guests, the honorable
participants and you ulama who have participated in this meeting from
different Islamic denominations. I thank you for your active and valuable
presence in this important two-day congress.
I deem it necessary to thank the great ulama and scholars of Qom -
particularly Hazrat Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi and Hazrat Ayatollah Sobhani
- who put forward and implemented this idea. Thankfully, they prepared the
ground for this task. This movement should continue. I was briefed on the
statements of the honorable speakers who delivered speeches during the
past two days. I too would like to raise a few points:
First, the purpose of this congress is attending to the issue of
takfirism which is a harmful and dangerous orientation in the world of
Islam. Although this takfiri orientation is not new and although it has a
historical background, it is a few years now that it has been revived and
strengthened with the plots of arrogance, with the money of some regional
governments and with the schemes of the intelligence services of
colonialist countries such as America, England and the Zionist regime.
The purpose of your meeting, your congress and your movement is to
confront this orientation in a comprehensive way. The purpose is not to
confront what is known today as DAESH. The orientation which is known as
DAESH today is only one of the branches of the malevolent tree of
takfirism, not the whole of it. The corruption - this act of destroying
people and shedding the blood of innocent individuals - that this group of
people is involved in is only part of the crimes of takfirism in the world
of Islam. We should adopt this outlook towards the issue.
I am sorry from the bottom of my heart that today, we have to focus our
attention on the problems that arrogance has created in the world of
Islam. This is while we should focus all our energy on confronting the
plots of the Zionist regime and the move that they made against Holy Quds
and al-Aqsa Mosque. This should move and stimulate the entire world of
Islam. However, there is no other option. In fact, attending to the issue
of takfirism is something that has been imposed on the ulama, activists
and scholars of the world of Islam. The enemy has brought this to the
world of Islam as a custom-made product and problem. Therefore, we have to
attend to it. However, the main issue is the issue of the Zionist regime.
The main issue is the issue of Quds. The main issue is the issue of the
first qiblah for Muslims which is al-Aqsa Mosque. These are the main
issues.
There is an undeniable point which is the fact that the takfiri
orientation and the governments which support and advocate it move
completely in the direction of the goals of arrogance and Zionism. Their
work is in line with the goals of America, the colonialist governments in
Europe and the government of the usurping Zionist regime.
Certain signs confirm this claim. The takfiri orientation is Islamic on
the face of it, but in practice, it is at the service of the great
colonialist, arrogant and political orientations that are working against
the world of Islam. There are clear signs which cannot be ignored. I would
like to mention a few of these signs: one is that the takfiri orientation
managed to make the movement of Islamic Awakening deviate from its path.
The movement of Islamic Awakening was an anti-American and anti-arrogance
movement which was against the elements that America had installed in the
region.
It was a movement that had been launched by the masses of the people in
different countries of North Africa. These countries were against
arrogance and America. The takfiri orientation changed the direction of
this anti-arrogance, anti-American and anti-tyranny movement. It turned it
into a war between Muslims and into fratricide. The front line of fighting
in the region was the borders of occupied Palestine, but the takfiri
orientation came and changed this front line to the streets of Baghdad,
the Jameh Mosque of Syria and Damascus, the streets of Pakistan and
different cities of Syria. These places became the front line of fighting.
Take a look at the condition of today's Libya, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan
and see against whom the forces and swords of Muslims are being used.
These forces should have been used against the Zionist regime. The takfiri
orientation changed the direction of this fighting to our homes, our
cities and our Islamic countries. They cause explosions inside the Jameh
Mosque of Damascus. They kill people by causing explosions in Baghdad
while they are holding their ordinary rallies. In Pakistan, they fire a
volley of bullets on hundreds of people. As you can witness today, they
are creating such disastrous conditions in Libya. All of these are among
the unforgettable and historical crimes of the takfiri orientation.
It is this orientation that has brought about this situation. This
movement is at the service of arrogance. It is at the service of America
and England. What they do is at the service of the intelligence services
of America and England. It is at the service of Mossad and other such
intelligence services.
Another sign is that those who support the takfiri orientation
compromise with the Zionist regime so that it fights against Muslims. They
do not even frown at the Zionist regime, but they deliver all sorts of
blows to Islamic countries and nations and they hatch all sorts of plots
against them.
Another sign is that the seditious movement which the takfiri
orientation launched in Islamic countries - including Iraq, Syria, Libya,
Lebanon and other countries - has led to the destruction of the valuable
infrastructures of these countries. Notice how many roads, refineries,
mines, airports, streets, cities and houses have been destroyed in these
countries. Notice how long it takes and how much money is necessary for
these countries to go back to their prior conditions. This has happened as
a result of domestic wars and fratricide. These are the losses and the
blows that the takfiri orientation has delivered to the world of Islam
since a few years ago until today.
Another sign is that the takfiri orientation damaged the reputation of
Islam in the world and it painted an ugly picture of it. Everyone in the
world saw on TV that someone is made to sit on the ground and they behead
them with a sword without charging him with any crime: "Allah forbids you
not - with regard to those who fight you not for your faith nor drive you
out of your homes - from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah
loves those who are just. Allah only forbids you - with regard to those
who fight you for your faith, and drive you out of your homes, and support
others in driving you out - from turning to them for friendship and
protection. And whoever makes friends with them, these are the unjust" [The
Holy Quran, 60: 8-9].
These people did the exact opposite of this. They killed Muslims and
innocent non-Muslims and the pictures were broadcast all over the world.
The whole world saw this. These acts were done in the name of Islam. This
was the way they introduced Islam, which is known for its mercy, reason
and logic and for "Allah forbids you not - with regard to those who fight
you not for your faith nor drive you out of your homes - from dealing
kindly and justly with them". Is there any crime greater than this? Is
there any fitna which is more malevolent than this? This has been
committed by the takfiri orientation.
Another sign is that they left the axis of resistance alone. Gaza
fought alone for 50 days. They resisted on their own for 50 days. Islamic
governments did not help Gaza. Oil revenues and dollars were not put at
the service of Gaza although part of them was put at the service of the
Zionist regime. This is another sign.
Another sin and another sign was that the takfiri orientation changed
the direction of young Muslims' enthusiasm and valor which existed
throughout the world of Islam. Today, youth from throughout the world of
Islam enjoy a certain kind of enthusiasm and valor. Islamic Awakening has
influenced them. They are prepared to move forward at the service of the
great goals of Islam. The takfiri orientation changed the path of this
enthusiasm and valor. It drew some ill-informed and ignorant youth to
beheading Muslims and slaughtering women, children and infants of a
village. These are among the sins of the takfiri orientation.
We cannot ignore and forget about these signs and proofs easily. All
these signs show that the takfiri orientation is at the service of
arrogance, the enemies of Islam, America, England and the Zionist regime.
Of course, there are other signs and proofs as well. We have been informed
that an American transport plane dropped the ammunitions that this group,
known as DAESH, needed. This was done in order to help them. We said to
ourselves, "Perhaps, this was a mistake". Then, we saw that they kept
doing it. According to the reports that I have received, this was done
five times. Do they make a mistake five times?
This is while they have formed a so-called coalition against DAESH.
This is a downright lie. This coalition follows other malevolent goals.
They want to keep this fitna alive, pit the two sides against one another
and continue the domestic war between Muslims. This is their goal. Of
course, you should know that they will not manage to do this.
There are some great duties which need to be carried out. You honorable
gentlemen came up with some solutions and specified certain
responsibilities in this two-day congress. I too would like to mention two,
three tasks that cannot be ignored. One is the formation of a scholarly,
rational and comprehensive movement by ulama from all Islamic
denominations with the purpose of uprooting the takfiri orientation. This
movement should not be confined to certain denominations. All the Islamic
denominations which believe in and feel sympathetic towards Islam share
this responsibility. A great scholarly movement should be launched.
They entered the arena with the false slogan of following "the
righteous predecessors" [salafu saleh]. We should prove the righteous
predecessors' animosity towards the things that they are doing and the
movement that they are launching. This should be done with the language of
religion, knowledge and reason.
You should save youth. There are some people who are influenced by
these deviant thoughts. These poor individuals think that they are doing
good deeds. They are the manifestation of these holy ayahs: "Say: ‘Shall
we tell you of those who lose most in respect of their deeds? Those whose
efforts have been wasted in this life, while they thought that they were
acquiring good by their works?'" [The Holy Quran, 103-104]. They are the
manifestation of these ayahs. They vainly think that they are fighting in
the way of God. These are the same people who will say to God on Judgment
Day: "Our Lord, We obeyed our chiefs and our great ones, and they misled
us as to the right path. Our Lord, give them double penalty and curse them
with a very great curse" [The Holy Quran, 33: 67-68]. These are the same
poor people.
Those who murder a great scholar in the Damascus Mosque are among these
people. Those who behead Muslims with the excuse of apostasy are among
these people. Those who shed - by causing explosions - the blood of
innocent people in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Baghdad and in different cities
of Iraq, Syria and Lebanon are among the same people who will say on
Judgment Day: "Our Lord, We obeyed our chiefs and our great ones, and they
misled us as to the right path. Our Lord, give them double penalty".
In another part of the Holy Quran, God says, "For each one there is
double" [The Holy Quran, 7: 38]. Both of you leaders and followers will be
punished. "Truly that is just and fitting: the contending one with another
of the inmates of the fire" [The Holy Quran, 38: 64]. These people fight
against one another on that day. Therefore, they should be saved. These
youth should be saved and this falls on the shoulders of ulama because
they are in contact with both intellectuals and the masses of the people.
They should try to do this. Allah the Exalted will ask ulama on Judgment
Day: "What did you do?" They should take action. This is one task.
The second task which is really urgent is illustrating the role of the
arrogant policies of America and England. This should be illustrated and
explained. Everyone in the world of Islam should know what the role of
America's policies in this regard is. Everyone should know what the role
of the intelligence services of America, England and the Zionist regime on
this matter is. Everyone should know that they are working for them, that
the plot has been hatched by arrogance and that these takfiri orientations
receive support and money from them. They receive money by the regional
puppet regimes. It is these puppet regimes which give them money, but the
plot is hatched by arrogance and as a result, they ruin these poor takfiri
youth. They create such a problem for the world of Islam. This is another
necessary task that should be carried out.
The third task that should definitely be carried out is attending to
the issue of Palestine. You should not allow the issue of Palestine, Holy
Quds and al-Aqsa Mosque to be consigned to oblivion. This is what they
want. They want the world of Islam to ignore the issue of Palestine. You
can see that the Zionist regime cabinet has recently announced that
Palestine is a Jewish country. It announced that Palestine is a Jewish
country. They have been pursuing this issue from long ago. Now, they are
openly declaring it. By pursuing the ignorance of the world of Islam, the
masses of the people and Muslim nations, they are after occupying Holy
Quds and al-Aqsa Mosque, and weakening the Palestinians as much as they
can. We should pay attention to this.
All peoples should ask their governments to pursue the issue of
Palestine. Islamic ulama should ask their governments to pursue the issue
of Palestine. This is an important and major responsibility. We thank God
that in the Islamic Republic, the government and the people share this
belief. From the beginning, the Islamic Republic government and our
magnanimous Imam announced and raised the policy of supporting Palestine
and showing enmity towards the Zionist regime. This policy has continued
until today. It is 35 years now that we have not deviated from this line
and our people too are supportive with complete eagerness.
Sometimes, a number of those youth whose requests are not granted in
this regard write a letter to me and say in an insistent manner, "Allow us
to go and fight against the Zionist regime in the front lines". Our people
love fighting against the Zionists and the Islamic Republic has proved
this as well. By Allah's favor and grace, we have passed through the
barrier of denominational discord. We helped Hezbollah of Lebanon - which
is a Shia group - in the same way that we helped Hamas and Islamic Jihad
and we will continue to do that [audience shout "Allahu Akbar"]. We did
not become a prisoner of denominational limits. We did not differentiate
between Shia, Sunni, Hanafi, Hanbali, Shafi'i and Zaidi denominations. All
Palestinian areas have to become armed.
We looked at our main goal and we offered help. We managed to
strengthen the fists of our Palestinian brothers in Gaza and by Allah's
favor, we will continue to do that. I announced- and this will definitely
happen- that the West Bank should be armed like Gaza and be prepared for
defense [audience shout "Allahu Akbar"].
I will tell you dear brothers that America's splendor should not
intimidate you. The enemy has become weak. The enemy of Islam - which is
arrogance - is weaker now compared to all other eras during the past 100,
150 years. Take a look at colonialist governments in Europe. They are
faced with economic, political and security problems. Today, these
governments have all sorts of problems. America is worse than them. It is
faced with moral, political and serious financial and monetary problems.
It is faced with disgrace and damage to its superpower status everywhere
in the world, not just in the world of Islam.
Besides, the Zionist regime has become weaker compared to the past.
This is the same regime which used to chant the slogan of "from Nile to
Euphrates". They used to shout and say openly that the region from Nile to
Euphrates belongs to them. However, they could not conquer Palestinian
tunnels in Gaza for 50 days. This is the same regime. They used all their
power for 50 days so that they can sabotage, destroy and conquer the
underground tunnels of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Palestinians, but they
failed. This is the same regime which used to say, "The region from Nile
to Euphrates belongs to us". Notice how it has changed. Notice how weak it
has become.
The problems of the enemies of Islam are many. The enemies of Islam
were frustrated in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. They were frustrated in
different areas and their goals were not achieved. As you saw, in order to
confront the Islamic Republic on the nuclear issue, America and
colonialist countries in Europe gathered and used all their power so that
they could bring the Islamic Republic to its knees on this matter, but
they failed and they will continue to fail [audience shout "Allahu
Akbar"].
This is the weakness of the other side. But by Allah's favor, you will
become stronger on a daily basis. The future belongs to you and "Allah has
full power and control over His affairs" [The Holy Quran, 12: 21] [audience
shout "Allahu Akbar"].
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
Supreme Leader's Speech
at Eighth Graduation Ceremony of Army Cadets
(2014/11/17)
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on November 17,
2014 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution,
at the eighth graduation ceremony of army cadets held at Imam Ali (a.s.)
University.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I thank Allah the Exalted for the existence of religious youth and the
pure and virtuous soldiers who signify a bright future for the Islamic
Republic of Iran Army and for the defense of the country.
You dear youth - whether those of you who have completed your education
at this university and received your epaulets or those of you who have
entered the arena of knowledge and experience and who, by Allah's favor,
will produce many results - are my dear children and the dear and
outstanding children of our people. I congratulate all of you on your
achievements and I sincerely thank your commanders and the managers and
officials who have undertaken this heavy responsibility.
Today's program was a beautiful and meaningful one. I hope that Allah
the Exalted will keep these statements - on the basis of these slogans and
these methods - in your hearts and souls and in your thoughts and actions
for many years.
In any country, the armed forces are one of the bases of power. Without
a doubt, the military power of any country can represent the public and
international capabilities of that country. However, the armed forces
themselves should not look at the meaning of power in a shallow and
superficial way. Powerful armed forces are those forces whose motivation,
spirituality and firm determination can shape, channel and guide their
methods, behavior and moves.
If faith, foresight, firm determination and a long-term outlook towards
the goals of the enemy's lines do not exist, then even a large number of
military forces and military supplies will not be decisive and fateful.
The large number of military forces and the existence of advanced supplies
and up-to-date education alone are not enough. They alone cannot make the
armed forces of a country and a people the source of power for those
people. Faith, determination, sense of responsibility and understanding
about the truth of the responsibility of armed forces are necessary as
well.
It is these things that can make the armed forces a source of power for
a people in the real sense of the word. The Armed Forces of the Islamic
Republic - including the glorious Islamic Republic of Iran Army, the
Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Basij Force and the other
organizations which are present in the Armed Forces - have proved their
capabilities in the course of many years. They have shown in practice
their spiritual and scientific capabilities, their power of innovation and
their firm determination.
This is why the world counts on our Armed Forces and it takes them
seriously. It knows that in the Islamic Republic of Iran our Armed Forces
do their best in the arena of responsibility and warfare.
You dear youth and self-sacrificing children of the Iranian nation, you
- who have chosen this critical arena for your services - should prepare
yourselves for the increasing progress of the Armed Forces. When you study,
go to your classes, think, carry out research, learn discipline and other
military skills, you should accompany them with the intention, thought and
lofty goal of trying to be this important base of power for your country
in the real sense of the word.
This university, which has been ornamented with the blessed name of the
Commander of the Faithful (a.s.), has many achievements. All the martyrs
whose enlightened pictures we witness here emerged from this university.
They were built here and they managed to play their role from this
university. A number of young students from this university were present
among our soldiers and our dear martyrs.
This university is a blessed and auspicious place. This university is a
place for building and cultivating those individuals whom the people of
Iran are proud of and whom they consider as a source of their spiritual
power. You should appreciate the value of this and you should feel proud
of preparing yourselves in this center.
Today, the world of Islam or rather the entire world of humanity, needs
your Islamic message and the message of the people of Iran. Today, the
world is faced with many events which have taken place because of
selfishness and greed. With the existence of new, destructive and deadly
instruments, today the world is in the hands of those people who
understand nothing except for their personal and collective temptations.
They do not understand what virtue is and they know nothing about human
values and principles.
In such a world, when Islam's liberating call is let out and when Islam
raises its flag, its gravity attracts the world and today, Islam has done
this. Of course, the enemies react to this so that they can damage the
reputation of Islam. They use art, the military, politics and all possible
tools in order to achieve this goal.
Today, one of the important and fundamental tasks which is carried out
in well-known art and entertainment institutions in the world is
frightening people of Islam. Why is that? If Islam had not threatened the
interests of those who swallow the world, these reactions would not have
been produced. When you see that they create, sculpt, arm and support
certain groups in the name of Islam and the Islamic government and when
you see that they use them to kill people and create insecurity in
countries, this indicates the influence of Islam's message.
They are afraid of true and original Islam, one that your predecessors
introduced and showed to the world in the arenas of battle, politics and
the Revolution. As these dear youth pointed out, today you are the
inheritors of those great martyrs and those magnificent men.
Islam's message for humanity is the message of tranquility, dignity,
honor and a secure life. The enemies do not want this message to be
introduced in the world. They do not want nations to become familiar with
it.
My dear ones, study well and learn military skills and rules in a
complete way. You should accompany military skills with Islamic rules and
principles. You should engage in innovation. As our researchers and our
young scientists present new scientific achievements in different arenas,
you too should create military achievements, engage in military
organization and introduce those new phenomena that can help a military
organization to reach its peak. You should promote this among yourselves.
I ask Allah the Exalted to bestow success on you. By Allah's favor, you
dear youth will witness a better, brighter and more glorious future in
this country. I hope that you will fully participate in creating that
bright future.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
Supreme Leader's Speech
on the Occasion Eid al-Ghadir
(2014/10/13)
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on September 13,
2014 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution,
in a meeting with people from different social backgrounds. The meeting
was held in Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah on the occasion of Eid al-Ghadir.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I would like to congratulate all the dear audience, the dear brothers
and sisters, the dear people of Iran, all Shia Muslims and all those
people who feel proud of and who enjoy the truths of Islam and knowledge
about the content of this holy religion on the occasion of the auspicious
day of Eid al-Ghadir. And I welcome all the dear participants,
particularly the dear brothers and sisters who have come from distant
cities and who have ornamented this meeting with their presence.
I would like to say a few things about the issue of Ghadir and then I
will say a few things about the responsibilities that the issue of Ghadir
and awareness about the deep lessons of Ghadir entrusts to us. We should
pay attention to these responsibilities.
The issue of Ghadir is a very important issue in the history of Islam.
First, the essence of this astonishing and important event and this holy
statement - "Whomsoever's Moula [leader] I am, Ali is also his Moula" - is
not something that has been narrated by Shia only. This event is among
clear and absolute truths. Those who wanted to find faults with this event
did not cast doubts on the origin of this statement. Rather, they resorted
to ta'weel and interpretation of this sentence.
The issue of Ghadir is a clear historical and Islamic issue. The doubts
and questions - about the meaning of this sentence - that have come to the
minds of some intellectual and philosophical newcomers of today are the
same doubts and questions that have been raised since a thousand years ago.
And these questions have been answered by great ulama. Therefore, there is
not any room for raising doubts about the essence of this issue, this
event and what the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) said.
On that day, the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) asked the people, "Am I not
closer to you than your own selves?" This sentence was a reference to a
Quranic ayah which said, "The Prophet is closer to the believers than
their own selves" [The Holy Quran, 33: 6]. Then, the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.)
said, "Whomsoever's Moula I am, Ali is also his Moula". So, there is not
any room for doubt about the essence of this issue.
What should be said about the content of this historical, holy and
meaningful sentence - apart from the appointment of the Commander of the
Faithful (a.s.) as the caliph and Imam after the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.)
which is the common meaning of this sentence - is that there is another
important issue which should not be ignored. This issue is the attention
of Islam to the issue of government and politics and the significance of
this issue from the viewpoint of Islam.
The answer to those people who have tried to throw Islam out of the
arena of social and political issues, to confine it to personal and
individual affairs and to adopt a secular outlook towards Islam - the
hands of the enemies and their propaganda efforts have been promoting this
outlook among Muslims for many years - is the issue of Ghadir. At the
command of Allah the Exalted, the Holy Prophet (God's greetings be upon
him and his household) addressed an important and fundamental issue in
that sensitive condition and during the last months of his life. This
important issue was attending to the issue of government after the Holy
Prophet's (s.w.a.) time.
Here, the appointment of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) was not
confined to spiritual aspects. Rather, it can be said that spiritual
aspects are not things that someone can be appointed and elected for.
Those issues for which someone can be appointed are government, politics
and the management of the country and the Islamic society. The Holy
Prophet (s.w.a.) recommended this to the people. This is an important
point on the issue of Ghadir and it is a rejoinder to all those people who
think and promote the idea that Islam should be kept away from political
issues, issues related to the government and the like.
Therefore, these two truths - that is to say, the truth about the
appointment of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) as the Imam after the
Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) and the truth about attending to the issue of
government, politics, imamate and managing the Islamic Ummah after the
Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) - and these two very important and sensitive issues
exist in the event of Ghadir. They are among teachings that have been
guaranteed by Ghadir and they are a great lesson for all Muslims, whether
for their present time or for their future.
Today, what we should pay attention to is that the issue of Ghadir is
an ideological issue. Shia and the followers of the school of the Holy
Prophet's (s.w.a.) household and the school of imamate are committed to
the issue of Ghadir. Without a doubt, this is the base of Shia philosophy
and there is no room for any discussion on this issue. Those who doubt
this and those who have a question in this regard can take part in
scholarly and expert meetings and discuss it.
Shia's logic is strong. Its reasoning is decisive and impeccable.
However, this should not influence the public lives of Muslims, their
cooperation with and brotherhood towards one another. The issue of
differences between Muslim denominations - whether Shia and Sunni
denominations or the different denominations that exist inside these two
major denominations - has been one of the targets of the greed of the
enemies of Islam, not just the enemies of Shia Islam.
For many years, there has been an effort to create discord between
Muslims. This is because the existence of discord between Muslims will
make them spend their efforts, energy and motivation on domestic fights.
This makes them ignore foreign affairs and their great enemies. This has
been the major policy of colonialism for many years and after the victory
of the Islamic Revolution and the formation of the Islamic Republic.
Because they witnessed the development of the Islamic Republic's thoughts
in the world of Islam, they placed more emphasis on and showed more
persistence in creating discord. They invested in doing this in order to
separate the world of Islam from the Islamic Republic.
The Islamic Republic, our great Revolution and our great Imam (r.a.)
managed to attract the thoughts of the world of Islam and the hearts of
Muslims. They managed to channel their motivations and their moves. This
frightened the enemy. This frightened colonialism, arrogance and Zionism -
particularly American politicians. As a result of this, they resorted to
their old weapon which is the weapon of creating discord.
Since many years ago until today, they have been fueling the fire of
discord between Shia and Sunni so that they can divert the attention of
the two sides from the main enemy - who is the enemy of Islam, not the
enemy of Shia or Sunni in particular - and so that they can busy them with
each other. This is the policy of colonialism. And the experts on this
policy are the political and security hands of the vile English government
which has been active in this area since long ago. They have made many
efforts in this area and they know how to create discord between Muslim
denominations. They have experience in the ways for doing this. Therefore,
they know how to do it and they are extremely active in this arena.
This takfiri orientation - the thing that has emerged in Iraq, Syria
and some other regional countries today and that confronts all Muslims,
not just Shias - is the handicraft of colonialists themselves. They made
something called al-Qaida and DAESH in order to confront the Islamic
Republic and the movement of the Islamic Awakening. However, this product
has become a burden for themselves. Today, it has become a burden for
themselves.
Of course, if we take a careful and analytical look today, we see that
the unreal effort which America and its allies are making in the region
today under the name of confronting DAESH is, in fact, an effort for
channeling enmities among Muslims more than it is an effort for nipping
this evil movement in the bud. They try to pit Muslims against one another.
Today, they have chosen this ignorant, prejudiced, fossilized and
dependent group as the element for doing this. Otherwise, the goal is the
same old goal.
They are trying to divert Muslims' attention from the main enemy. We -
whether Shia and Sunni Muslims or anyone who is committed to Islam and who
believes in the authority of the Holy Quran - should know that America and
American, arrogant and Zionist policies are the enemy of Islam, Islamic
awareness and the rule of Islam. The effort that they are making today is
the continuation of the effort that they have been making for 35 years. It
is 35 years now that they have been making all sorts of efforts. However,
by God's permission and grace, they were defeated in all the efforts that
they made against the Islamic Republic. By Allah's favor, they will
definitely be defeated in this one as well.
What the responsibility of Muslims - whether Shia or Sunni Muslims - is,
is that they should not help the enemy by provoking the feelings of one
another. Shia should know that if there is a fight between Shia and Sunni
and if feelings are provoked, it is the common and the main enemy who will
benefit from this. Therefore, it should not let this happen. The same is
true of Sunni. The two sides should be careful. They should not provoke
each other's feelings, they should not insult each other's holy beliefs
and they should not fuel the fire of discord between Muslim tribes and
groups - particularly between Shia and Sunni - because this is what the
enemies of Islam want. Everyone should pay attention to this.
If someone does something to provoke the feelings of the other side and
to create enmity, they should certainly know that they are helping
America, vile England and Zionism. They should know that they are helping
those people who create DAESH, al-Qaida and the like and who create the
takfiri orientation in order to create discord between Shia and Sunni.
Today, Islamic unity, Islamic brotherhood and Islamic solidarity is one of
the most necessary and urgent responsibilities for all Islamic societies.
All of us should be committed to this responsibility.
Of course, the religious, wise and insightful Muslims who live in the
Islamic Republic are familiar with their responsibilities. I hope that
they show commitment to such responsibilities on this matter and all other
matters. I hope that God bestows success on all of you and I hope that He
will help all of you and the entire world of Islam to benefit from the
blessings of Eid al-Ghadir.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
(2014/10/03)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
And all praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and Allah's greetings upon
Muhammad and his pure Household.
Enthusiastic and respectful greetings and peace upon you, blessed ones,
who said "labbaik" to the Quranic invitation and hastened to the gathering
in God's House.
The first statement is that you should be grateful for this great
blessing and with cooperation on the personal, social, spiritual and
international level, seek help in your efforts from the Most Merciful and
Most Powerful in order to reach the goals of this unparalleled divine
command.
In my heart I join with you to plead in unison with you, from the
Forgiving and Most Kind Lord, that as He blessed you with this hajj
journey, He completes this blessing by permitting you the completion of
the hajj and then- with His generous acceptance- returns you to your lands
with full hands and complete salvation- insha'Allah.
On this valuable occasion, in addition to spiritual purification and
restoration- which is the highest and most fundamental gain of this
comprehensive and unique divine command- attention should be paid to the
issues of the world of Islam as a central duty and ritual of the hajj
participants- with a commanding and expansive view towards the priorities
and most important issues related to the Islamic Ummah.
Today in particular, unity among Muslims and untying the knots of
separation among some parts of the Islamic Ummah is a priority and
important matter. Hajj is the manifestation of unity and harmony and the
focal point of brotherhood and mutual help. During hajj, all have to learn
the lessons of focusing on commonalities and rejecting differences.
The filthy hands of imperialist politics have, for some time now,
placed division on the agenda in order to fulfill their sinister interests,
and today with the blessing of Islamic Awakening, Muslim peoples have
correctly recognized the enmity of the imperialist and Zionist front and
they have taken a stance against them while the policies of division
between Muslims have intensified.
The scheming enemy is aiming to stoke the fire of a domestic war among
the Muslims, to misdirect the motivation for resistance and jihad and to
secure the Zionist regime and the servants of arrogance- who are the real
enemies.
Instigating terrorist-takfiri and similar groups in the countries of
the region of West Asia is among these abhorrent policies. This is a
warning to all of us to count the issue of unity among Muslims as the
priority of our national and international duties.
The other important issue is the issue of Palestine. With the passing
of 65 years since the establishment of this murderous Zionist regime and
the various ups and downs in this important and sensitive issue, and
particularly with the bloody events of the past year, two realities have
become clear for all.
The first reality is that the Zionist regime and its criminal
supporters recognize no limit or boundaries regarding viciousness, cruelty
and trampling underfoot all human and ethical standards. Crimes, genocide,
mass destruction, the killing of children, women and the shelter-less and
any violation and oppression that they can commit, they not only make
permissible for themselves, but more so, they take pride in. The
tear-inducing scenes of the recent 50-Day War in Gaza are the latest
example of the historical crimes which have been repeated numerous times
in the last half century.
The second reality is that this disaster and calamity has not led to
the results that the leaders and supporters of that murderous regime
wanted. Contrary to the idiotic dreams of power and stability for this
regime that the filthy officials of the Zionist regime dream, day-by-day
this regime has moved closer to implosion and annihilation.
The 50-day resistance of besieged and shelterless people of Gaza in the
face of the full capabilities of the Zionist regime, and the resulting
incapability and retreat of that regime and its surrender to the
conditions of the resistance- is a clear example of that regime's weakness,
incapacity and hollowness.
All of this means: the people of Palestine have to be more hopeful than
ever before, the fighters of Jihad and Hamas have increase their efforts,
purpose and work, the West Bank has to intensify the continual path of
glory towards power and steadfastness, the Muslim peoples have to demand
real and serious support of Palestine from their governments and Muslim
governments have to take sincere steps in this path.
The third priority and important matter is the wise view that activists
who wish well for the world of Islam have to take, regarding the
difference between pure "Mohammadean Islam" and "American Islam". They
have to caution themselves and others from confusing these two with each
another. Our magnanimous Imam (ra) was the first to point out the
difference between these two and entered it into the political lexicon of
the Islamic world.
Pure Islam is the Islam of tolerance and spirituality, the Islam of
piety and democracy, the Islam of being "forceful against the unbelievers,
merciful towards the believers".
American Islam is putting the clothes of Islam on servitude to
foreigners and enmity with the Islamic Ummah, the Islam that stokes the
fire of division among Muslims, instead of trust in divine promises, it
trusts in the enemies of God, instead of fighting with the Zionists and
arrogance it fights with its Muslim brothers, it unites with arrogant
America against its own people or other peoples. It is not Islam, it is a
dangerous and deadly hypocrisy which every sincere Muslim has to fight
against.
Viewing matters with insight and penetration makes these realities and
important issues regarding the world of Islam clear for any truth seeker,
and determines- without any doubt- the current duties and obligations.
Hajj and its rituals are a valuable opportunity to gain this insight and
our hope is that you blessed hajj participants can make complete use of
this divine kindness.
I entrust all of you to Almighty God and ask that He accepts your
efforts.
والسلام علیکم و رحمة الله
سیّدعلی خامنهای
ذيالحجه 1435
(2014/07/29)
The following is the full text of the sermons delivered on July 29,
2014 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution,
at the Eid ul-Fitr prayers in Tehran.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. "All Praise is due
to Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and made the darkness and
the light. Yet those who reject faith hold others as equal, with their
Guardian-Lord" [The Holy Quran, 6: 1]. And peace and greetings be upon our
Master and Prophet, the friend of our hearts and the interceder with our
sins, Ab-al-Qassem al-Mustafa Muhammad, upon his immaculate, pure and
chosen household, and upon those who guide the guided. All praise is due
to Allah, from Whom I seek help, to Whom I repent and Whom I rely on.
I would like to tell all you dear brothers and sisters about divine
mercy and forgiveness on this holy and auspicious day and I congratulate
you on Eid ul-Fitr. I hope that God bestows His blessings on you and
accepts your good deeds and your jihad of worship - those you fulfilled on
the warm days and in the blessed nights of the auspicious month of
Ramadan.
Thankfully, our people benefitted from the auspicious month of Raman.
They benefitted from Quranic, dua and dhikr meetings, from iftar meals,
from the enthusiastic Nights of Qadr and from the different prayers and
supplications that were thankfully said throughout our Islamic country.
These prayers, supplications and the like prepare the ground for divine
mercy and they are a source of divine blessings.
Moreover, at the end of the month, the great movement of the people of
Iran was launched on Quds Day. This movement announced to the world the
lively, vigilant and loud cry of our people. These were the events of this
great month out of which our people emerged glorious and finally they
reached Eid ul-Fitr.
Dear brothers and sisters, each religious practice that you did in the
month of Ramadan was a good deed and a piece of paradise. When you ask
Allah the Exalted - in a prayer of the auspicious month of Ramadan - to
help you achieve paradise, this means that you want to achieve the
practices whose manifestation is divine paradise, as promised by God. And
thankfully this happened. You should appreciate the value of what you
achieved in the month of Ramadan and you should preserve it.
In the month of Ramadan, what we witnessed in personal, public, popular
and social practices was that the people organized public and simple iftar
meals. Thankfully, this has become common. Last year, our dear people were
asked to organize iftar meals in a less extravagant way and to increase
the number of those people who benefit from these meals. This year, the
news that we received showed that the people made an effort and developed
this in public and holy centers, on the streets, in hussainiyahs and in
each and every part of the country. The piece of advice that this humble
person wants to offer is that you should promote and develop such
practices as much as you can because it influences our Islamic lifestyle.
Quds Day was really and truly a great day. While the weather was very
hot and our people were fasting, men and women - particularly those women
wearing hijab and who had their children in their arms - participated in
the rallies. When a people want to show that they are alive and when they
want to show their communal determination, they show it on such occasions.
This communal determination is not particular to a specific group of
people. Rather, it involves all individuals. Our dear people thankfully
showed this communal determination. I hope that God bestows His blessings
on you dear people. I hope that He increases your dignity and achievements
on a daily basis and I hope that He bestows upon the officials of the
country the blessing to render services to you on a daily basis.
"In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Say: He, Allah, is One.
Allah is He on Whom all depend.
He begets not, nor is He begotten.
And none is like Him." [The Holy Quran, 112]
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and
greetings be upon our Master and Prophet, Ab-al-Qassem al-Mustafa Muhammad
and upon his immaculate, pure and chosen household, especially the one
remaining with Allah on earth. And greetings be upon the Commander of the
Faithful, Siddiqat at-Tahirah, the mistress of all women, Hassan, Hussein
- the children of mercy and the Imams of guidance - Ali ibn al-Hussein,
Muhammad ibn Ali, Ja'far ibn Muhammad, Musa ibn Ja'far, Ali ibn Musa,
Muhammad ibn Ali, Ali ibn Muhammad, Hassan ibn Ali and Hujjat al-Qaem.
I advise the dear brothers and sisters - who say prayers - all the
people of Iran and myself to observe divine piety. This piety is a source
of influence in all areas including the area of making judgments and
taking action on all important social and international issues and issues
related to the world of Islam and humanity.
Today, the first issue of the world of Islam is the issue of Gaza.
Perhaps, it can be said that this issue is the first issue of humanity. A
rabid dog and a marauding wolf has attacked innocent people. Who is more
innocent than the innocent children who lost their lives in an oppressive
way during these attacks? Who is more innocent than the mothers who held
their children in their arms and who witnessed their death and pains?
Today, the usurping and kafer Zionist regime has committed these crimes in
front of the eyes of all human beings. Therefore, humanity should react.
Three points need to be said about the issue of Gaza: The first point
is that what the leaders of the Zionist regime are doing today is genocide
and a great historical catastrophe. The perpetrators and supporters of
these crimes should be put on trial and punished on an international level.
Their punishment is what people's representatives and righteous and
sympathetic personalities in the world should request.
And they should not escape punishment with the passage of time. They
should be punished, whether they are in power or when they lose their
power and are overthrown. Both the perpetrators of these crimes and those
who are openly supporting them - you have heard and seen the news about
their support - should be punished. This was the first point.
The second point is that we should see the power of endurance and
resistance of a people who have stood up for their legitimate claims. They
are a people who have been surrounded by all sides and who live in a small
and confined area. The sea is closed to them, the land is closed to them
and all borders are closed to them. Their drinking water, their
electricity and their basic amenities are not usable. All these disasters
have befallen them because of the enmity and invasion of the enemy and
there is no one to help them.
All these disasters have befallen them because of the enmity and
invasion of the enemy and there is no one to help them. These people are
faced with an armed, malevolent and merciless regime such as the Zionist
regime and its evil, malevolent and najis leaders who are striking them
day and night without any consideration. Despite such crimes, these people
have stood firm and they are resisting. This is a lesson. This shows that
one's power of resistance - the power of resistance of a mother who sees
her child dead in front of her and the power of resistance of a woman who
sees her husband, brother and father under pressure - is beyond what we
can imagine in our minds.
We should know our inner power. Human beings can be powerful and show
resistance like this. These people - whose population is about 1,800,000
persons - are standing firm despite the fact that they live in an enclosed
and surrounded land that is about 400, 500 square kilometers. They are
standing firm despite the fact that their gardens, shops and houses are
the target of the enemy's attack. Besides, the path of business and
finance is closed to them and they are under such attack.
This shows the level and amount of a people's resistance. And I will
tell you that by Allah's favor and permission, these people will finally
achieve victory over the enemy. Of course, even in the present time, the
transgressing enemy is regretful like a dog which has done something wrong.
He has gotten stuck and he does not know what to do. If he turns back, he
will be disgraced. If he continues, it will be more difficult for him on a
daily basis.
That is why you see that America, Europe and all global criminals have
joined hands to force an imposed truce on the people of Gaza. They want to
do this in order to save the Zionist regime. The Zionist regime has gotten
stuck and it will continue to get stuck from now on. This was the second
point.
And the third point is that the political leaders of arrogance say, "We
should disarm Hamas and Jihad". What does it mean to disarm these groups?
It means that these groups have a number of missiles with which they can
somehow defend themselves in the face of the incessant attacks of the
enemy. They say, "We should even take away these few missiles from them".
From their viewpoint, Palestine - including Gaza - should be in such a
condition that the enemy can attack and fire on it whenever it wants. And
Palestine should not be able to defend itself at all. This is what they
want.
The President of America has issued a "fatwa" saying that the
resistance should be disarmed. Of course, it is clear that you want it to
be disarmed so that it cannot deliver any blow against these crimes. But
we say that the opposite should happen. The entire world - particularly
the world of Islam - should provide the people of Palestine with as many
weapons as they can.
God, help Islam and the Muslims. Help the armies of the Muslims.
Abandon the kufar, the enemies and the hypocrites. And I ask Allah for
forgiveness for myself and you.
"In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Say: He, Allah, is One.
Allah is He on Whom all depend.
He begets not, nor is He begotten.
And none is like Him." [The Holy Quran, 112]
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
Supreme Leader's Speech
in Meeting with Government Officials
(2014/07/07)
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on July 7, 2014
by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a
meeting with government officials. The meeting was held in the Imam
Khomeini (r.a.) Hussainiyah on the ninth day of the holy month of Ramadan.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and
greetings be upon our Master and Prophet, Muhammad, and upon his
immaculate household
First of all, I would like to welcome each and every one of you
brothers and sisters and the dear and committed officials of the Islamic
Republic. It is a very good meeting and by Allah's favor, it will be full
of divine blessings and guidance and the light of this month. The
statements of Mr. President were good and complete statements. I hope that
by the blessedness of this month and the pure prayers of righteous people,
believers and those who fast, what the officials of the country intend to
do will produce the desired results.
The month of Ramadan has been described as "auspicious". The reason why
this month is auspicious is that it is a way to liberate oneself from the
fire of hell and to achieve paradise. As we read in the prayers of the
month of Ramadan, "This is the month of liberation from hell and achieving
paradise" [Iqbal al-A'mal, Volume 1, page 90]. Divine paradise and the
fire of divine hell exist in this world as well. What happens in the
hereafter is the manifestation of this world: "Indeed, hell surrounds the
unbelievers on all sides" [The Holy Quran, 9: 49]. Hell has surrounded
unbelievers, oppressors, enemies and opponents, in this world and in this
life. The same is true of paradise.
It is in our own hands to go from hell to paradise. This happens in
this world and its concrete, hidden and real manifestation will be
witnessed in the hereafter. We can take this trip and this path from the
hell of misconduct, misgivings and doubts - which belongs to this world -
to the paradise of good deeds, good thoughts, good behavior and good
conduct. This path and movement is called "penitence" and "repentance". It
has been said in a prayer that "[T]his is the month of penitence and this
is the month of repentance" [Iqbal al-A'mal, Volume 1, page 25]. It is
with penitence and repentance that one is liberated from hell and that one
achieves paradise.
One of the blessings of the auspicious month of Ramadan is the prayers
of this month. These prayers teach us how to speak to God, how to ask Him
for help and how to pay attention to Him. Moreover, they teach us many
lessons for which we cannot find an equal even in common moral narrations.
I have chosen two prayers from this month which I would like to narrate in
the beginning of my speech. The selection of these two prayers is because
of our needs today.
Today, we - as officials of our dear country and the Islamic Republic -
urgently need serious and diligent work which is accompanied by purity and
sincerity. These two prayers help us move toward this path. One prayer is
the prayer of the first day of the auspicious month of Ramadan. I have
chosen this part from this prayer: "Oh God, place us among those who do
something while they have willed it. Do not place us among those poor
people who suffer from indolence and among those who rely on things other
than action" [Iqbal al-A'mal, Volume 1, page 23].
The first sentence says, "Oh God, place us among those who do something
while they have willed it". This action should be purposeful, one that
enjoys intention and one that is clear in advance where it is leading to.
The second sentence is "Do not place us among those poor people who suffer
from indolence". "Kisalat" means laziness and idleness. It says, "God, do
not place us among these people". This is what the prayer teaches us. The
third sentence is: "And among those who rely on things other than action".
It says, "Do not place us among those who day dream, rant and fabricate
issues in a meeting without taking any action". Notice that this is the
lesson of this prayer. In the first day of the month of Ramadan, believers
enter the divine feast with this spirit. This is one of the great servings
of this feast. This is one prayer.
The second prayer is one that is said on each day of this auspicious
month. It says, "And save me from drowsiness, laziness, exhaustion,
carelessness, inflexibility, ignorance and deception" [Iqbal al-A'mal,
Volume 1, page 26]. It asks God to save us from these characteristics: the
first is drowsiness. The second is laziness. The third is exhaustion. It
means getting sick and tired of something. The next one is carelessness.
It means doing things in a careless way and ignoring precision. The next
one is hardness of heart, fossilization and inflexibility. The next one is
ignorance and confusion about our position and about what is happening and
what is ahead of us. And the last one is deception and arrogance.
It asks God to save us from these characteristics. Notice what lessons
these prayers are. Well, the function of these concepts - which are lofty
and outstanding concepts - is much more important for officials in charge
of public affairs than for ordinary individuals. When we say, "Oh God, do
not make us suffer from laziness, inflexibility and ignorance", we are
making this request from two perspectives: one is from a personal
perspective. We make this personal request so that we do not make a
mistake and so that we do not face problems.
Another is from the perspective of our responsibilities. You are like a
captain who is steering a ship. You are like a pilot who is flying a
plane. The issue is not only the issue of your lives. You are different
from a person who is driving his car on a road alone. His responsibility
is to protect his own life. But you are not like him. A group of people
are with you. These are the things that make your responsibilities and
commitment - on the issues that were discussed - heavier.
In our religious literature, the month of Ramadan is the month of
confronting shaitan and satanic behavior on the one hand and behaving in a
kind way, obeying God and worshiping Him on the other hand. On the one
hand, it is said that shaitan is tethered in the month of Ramadan and on
the other hand, it is said that the month of Ramadan is the month of
obeying and worshiping God. The shortest and most meaningful word to
describe this month is the word "piety": "Fasting is prescribed to you as
it was prescribed to those before you, that you may show piety" [The Holy
Quran, 2: 183].
The issue is the issue of confrontation between shaitan and piety.
Shaitan's job is to tempt. What does tempting mean? It means creating
disruption in your calculation system. This is shaitan. The opposite point
is piety's role. Shaitan's effort is to tempt you. That is to say, he
tries to make our minds, our nature and our calculation system - which has
been installed inside man - stop working. He wants to make us make a
mistake in calculation.
Piety's job is the opposite of this: "If you fear Allah, He will grant
you a criterion to judge between right and wrong" [The Holy Quran, 8: 29].
Piety gives you a criterion. That is to say, it gives you the awareness to
separate truth from falsehood. In another holy ayah, God says, "So, fear
Allah for it is God that teaches you" [The Holy Quran, 2: 282]. With piety,
Allah the Exalted opens the gates of knowledge, awareness and wisdom to
you.
Shaitan influences our calculation system with threats and temptations.
On the one hand, he frightens us. A holy ayah from Sura Aal-e Imran says,
"It is only shaitan that suggests to you the fear of his disciples: Be not
afraid of them, but fear Me if you have faith" [The Holy Quran, 3: 175].
On the issue of the battle that happened after the Battle of Uhud - there
was a rumor saying that the enemy is coming to destroy Muslims and that
Muslims are going to lose everything - the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) said, "Those
of you who became wounded in the Battle of Uhud today should carry their
swords and accompany me. If none of you comes, I will go alone".
The Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) set out to go. Those who had been wounded in
Uhud on that day took their swords and accompanied the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.).
With a surprise attack, they went and destroyed the enemy who had lain in
ambush near Madina, who had started these rumors and who had decided to
attack. And then they returned: "And they returned with grace and bounty
from Allah and no harm ever touched them" [The Holy Quran, 3: 174]. Then
the Holy Quran says, "It is only shaitan that suggests to you the fear of
his disciples".
So, one of the things that shaitan does is to cause fear. "Shaitan
threatens you with poverty" [The Holy Quran, 2: 268]. He frightens us with
poverty. According to an interpretation of this holy ayah, this was a
threat. On the other hand, one of the things that he does is to tempt.
Shaitan gives certain promises which are deceitful: "Shaitan makes them
promises, and creates in them false desires, but shaitan's promises are
nothing but deception" [The Holy Quran, 4: 120].
He gives promises and awakens desires in people's hearts. He paints a
colorful, fake and imaginary future - like a mirage - for the eyes of
believers. "But shaitan's promises are nothing but deception". His
promises are hollow. On the one hand, he makes threats and on the other
hand, he tempts. This is like America's behavior in the present time. This
is like the behavior that arrogant powers always show. On the one hand,
they make threats and on the other hand, they tempt. These temptations are
not only personal. They temp in general ways. They say, "We do this, we do
that". But they do not and they lie. This is what shaitan does.
All the things that shaitan does - including tempting and making
threats - are for the sake of making our calculation system stop working
so that we make wrong calculations. When one's calculation system stops
working, things go out of order. Making wrong calculations is one of the
greatest dangers. It sometimes threatens man's life and it sometimes
threatens his fate. This is because man's power and capabilities are under
the domination of his will and his will is under the influence of his
calculation system. If his calculation system does not work properly, his
will makes a decision and moves towards the direction which is wrong.
In such circumstances, all his power and capabilities move in this
wrong direction. This is what we should be careful about. As I said, for a
person who does not have a responsibility, taking care has a certain
meaning and for you and I who have a responsibility, it has a different
meaning. We should take care not to let our calculation system witness a
disruption by human and jinn shaitans. We should take care not to
misunderstand issues. Shaitan is not only from among jinns. He is not only
iblis: "Likewise, did We make for every messenger an enemy - shaitans
among men and jinns, inspiring each other with flowery discourses by way
of deception" [The Holy Quran, 6: 112].
Shaitans among men and jinns help one another. I would like to stress
that one of the mistakes in the area of calculation is that we remain
confined to visible and purely materialistic factors. One of the mistakes
is to ignore spiritual factors, divine traditions - those which God has
informed us about and those that are invisible. This is one of the great
mistakes in the area of calculation. God has said, "If you help the cause
of Allah, He will help you and make firm your stance" [The Holy Quran, 47:
7].
Can this be said in a clearer way? If you move on the path of God and
if you help God's religion, God will help you. This is unchangeable: "You
shall not find any change in the course of Allah" [The Holy Quran, 33:
62]. If you move on the path of reviving the divine religion and if you
preserve this path, God will help you. This has been said by the Holy
Quran with such clarity. This is the divine promise. We have experienced
this in practice.
You should know that this era of the history of the Revolution will be
one of the most prominent historical eras in the history that will be
discussed by future generations. In this materialistic world, in the world
of the domination of superpowers and in the world of widespread hostility
towards Islam and towards Islamic teachings and values, a system has been
created based on Islam and in an area where the agents of deviating powers
had exerted more influence than any other area in the world.
This is a strange event. You and I have gotten used to it. This is the
same as "If you help the cause of Allah, He will help you and make firm
your feet". You will not falter, as we did not. The people of Iran did not
falter. There have been so many pressures, so many plots, so many
cruelties and so much unfairness, but the people of Iran did not change
their minds. This is one of the divine traditions.
A holy ayah in the Holy Quran says, "Have you not considered how Allah
sets forth a parable of a good word being like a good tree, whose root is
firm and whose branches are in heaven, yielding its fruit in every season
by the permission of its Lord? [The Holy Quran, 14: 24-25]. A good word, a
good action and a pure deed - one that is for God - prevails. It will grow
roots, it will become strong and it will yield fruits. The Islamic
Republic is that good word. It has been preserved like the good tree and
it has become stronger. Today, the Islamic Republic - as a system,
government and a political entity - is not comparable with 30 years ago.
In the second ayah after these ayahs, God says, "Allah will establish
in strength those who believe, with the word that stands firm, in this
world and in the hereafter" [The Holy Quran, 14: 27]. He will re-establish
the same strength. These factors should be seen and they should be counted
in our calculations. Not all the factors in achieving happiness, sinking
into misery, making progress, suffering from backwardness, achieving
success and witnessing defeat are confined to the common worldly factors
that materialistic people rely on. These spiritual factors exist alongside
worldly factors as well.
What I want to say in this part of my speech - which is the main part -
is that today, we should not make a mistake in our calculations. You
should not let the enemy influence your calculation system. You should not
let him tempt you. You should not let him influence you with his
temptations or threats.
Today, the battle between the Islamic Republic - which began with the
victory of the Revolution and which is continuing with the same strength -
is the same battle that existed between the prophets and the shaitans of
the time, who were from among men and jinns. We are after lofty ideals. We
are after forming an Islamic community, an Islamic government, an Islamic
country and an Islamic ummah. We are after achieving the goals that great
prophets, saints and martyrs pursued.
And the satanic regimes of the time have formed one front and they are
naturally opposed to such a movement. This is why they create obstacles
and make threats. Despite the glamour of this front and its superficial
and material splendor, this divine and prophet-like movement is taking its
path and moving forward. It is exerting influence and it is expanding and
developing on a daily basis.
Today, what we witness in the behavior of global arrogance is this. Its
goal is to create disruption in our calculation system. In other arenas,
arrogance has failed. It has failed to do anything. In real arenas, only
two material factors have been available to the camp of arrogance: one is
military threats and another is sanctions. Arrogance has nothing except
for these two things. The hands of arrogance are tied in terms of the
power of reason and logic and the capability to prove its legitimacy. It
can only carry out two tasks: one is to issue military threats - this is a
task that it constantly carries out - and another is to impose sanctions.
And there are two cures for these. Sanctions can be counteracted with
diligence in the area of the economy of resistance. The points that the
honorable President raised today had been raised by him before and they
are completely true. Economic plans should be prepared, pursued and
implemented with the assumption that sanctions will remain there.
Imagine that sanctions will not be lifted at all. Well, this is what
they themselves are saying as well. They too say that sanctions will not
be touched. Even from this moment, they have begun saying, "Even if we
reach a deal on the nuclear issue, it does not mean that all sanctions
will be lifted. There are still other issues to be resolved".
This is what we have always said. I have repeatedly said in this
meeting and different other meetings that the nuclear issue is an excuse.
Even if the nuclear issue did not exist, they would make other excuses.
For example, there is the issue of human rights and the issue of women.
They fabricate many different issues. Fabricating and making excuses is
not a demanding job. Moreover, the propaganda apparatus and empire is in
their hands. Therefore, the cure for the issue of sanctions is the economy
of resistance. Later on, I will discuss a few points in this regard.
As for the issue of military threats, there are very few people in
today's world who take these military threats seriously. Of course, the
Americans say, "The Iranians do not take it seriously". But it is not only
us who do not take it seriously. There are many people in the world who do
not take this threat seriously. Global spectators do not believe that this
threat is a serious one because the opinion of global spectators and those
who have a political awareness is that if it were economical for America
to launch an attack, it would not hesitate even for one moment.
Will these people be sad if some people are killed and if a crisis
arises somewhere? Are these people - who wholeheartedly supported a wolf
named "Saddam" for eight years, who hit a passenger plane while it was on
air and while they had no excuse, and who destroyed and shed the blood of
several hundred people including innocent and uninformed women, men and
children - afraid of killing people? Which of those people who created
crises wherever they could and who staged color uprisings - as they say,
color revolutions - are not led by arrogant powers? And these arrogant
powers are headed by America.
They create crises inside countries and it does not matter to them
whether these crises lead to murder and domestic wars or not. Are those
who attacked Afghanistan and Iraq, those who killed hundreds of thousands
of people in Iraq and those who killed people one by one in Iraq and other
cities of Iraq under the command of intelligence services and mercenary
and terrorist companies - such as Blackwater which we spoke about once -
afraid of killing people? Are they afraid that other people may be killed?
Do they care about such things?
The issue is not that they make military threats because they do not
want to [attack]. They constantly say, "Israel issues military threats,
but America prevents them from waging a war". Well why does America
prevent it from doing so? If this claim is true, what is the reason? Is
their conscience pricked if a country is attacked and a number of people
are killed? The answer is no. The reason is that they do not consider
waging a war to be economical. I firmly say that launching a military
attack against the Islamic Republic of Iran is not economical for any
country.
Today, the Americans themselves criticize their attack on Iraq. The
important and noteworthy point is that they do not criticize it because it
was a crime. Rather, they say that it was not to the advantage of America.
That is to say, if it had been to the advantage of America, it would have
been alright. They do not say, "We made a mistake by killing people. We
made a mistake by attacking innocent people. We made a mistake by letting
our soldiers kick people's doors in. We made a mistake by letting them
kill women and children in front of the eyes of people". They do not say
such things.
In the present time, their soldiers suffer from psychological problems
because of the crimes that were committed there, but they do not
acknowledge this officially. Rather, they say that the attack was not
economical. So, the enemy is empty-handed both in the area of sanctions
and in the area of military threats: "So, lose not heart, nor fall into
despair for you must gain mastery if you are true in faith" [The Holy
Quran, 3: 139]. If we believe in God, the enemy cannot do anything in real
and practical arenas.
Now that it cannot do anything in real arenas and now that his hands
are empty in the area of influence, what is the enemy's cure? The cure is
that it creates disruption in the calculation system of the other side -
our calculation system. They are pursuing this task through propaganda,
political work and different contacts. They know that the Islamic Republic
is capable of achieving its goals. From their viewpoint, the Islamic
Republic must not want this. If it wants it, it can achieve it. They want
to do something to make us stop wanting. Today, this is the effort of the
world of arrogance which is headed by America. This is the same soft war
that we have been speaking about since a few years ago. Other people have
spoken about, written and discussed it as well.
They cannot change our calculations. From the first day, the
calculations of the Islamic Republic have been based on reason and logic.
The elements that have formed these calculations are these: the first one
is trust in God and the traditions of creation. The second one is
distrusting the enemy and knowing him. One of the factors in reliance on
God and the traditions of creation is trust in the people and their faith,
trust in affection and kindness, trust in pure motives, trust in the
people's honesty - our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) was the manifestation of
this kind of trust - belief in self-confidence and the fact that we can,
reliance on action, avoidance of idleness, trust in divine assistance,
reliance on responsibility and effort on the path of responsibility.
From the first day until today, these have been the things that have
formed the basis and the infrastructure of the elements of the reasonable
Islamic Republic. You should refer to Imam's (r.a.) statements. His
statements are imbued with these concepts and teachings: benefitting from
experience - including the way arrogant powers have behaved towards weak
nations - and diligence for the sake of independence, remaining
independent and living in an independent way.
What does independence mean? Some people find faults with the essence
and meaning of independence? They ask, "What does such independence mean?"
Independence means freedom from the will of foreigners and other people.
This is the meaning of independence. Can any reasonable mind deny this?
The meaning of independence is that a people should be able to determine
their own fate.
This country did not enjoy independence for many years. The
quasi-independence that existed was political. But the key of the
government and the country was in the hands of other people. It was they
who made the decisions. It was they who did everything. There were some
people inside the country some of whom were attached to them and some of
whom were not very attached to them, but they had to follow them.
Independence is resistance against such a condition.
Well, arrogance is opposed to this reason. If someone thinks that the
name of Islam makes them oppose the Islamic Republic, they should know
that this is not the case. The name of Islam and Islamic practices and
obligations do not make anyone show opposition.
Once, Imam (r.a.) said in one of his speeches, "When the English
entered and occupied Iraq in the second decade of the 20th century, an
English commander saw someone shouting and raising his voice. He became
nervous. Someone was saying adhan from a minaret. He asked, "What is this
noise?" They said, "He is saying adhan". Then he asked, "Is it against us?"
someone replied, "No, it is not". He said, "OK, let him say whatever he
wants". He did not care for the kind of adhan which was not against him
and the kind of "Allahu Akbar" which did not humiliate him.
So, the issue is not the issue of Islam and Islamic obligations. Today,
some countries carry the name of Islam and they observe Islamic
obligations more or less, but their oil, their supplies and their vital
resources are in the hands of arrogance. And the enemies do not show any
opposition to such countries. On the contrary, they have friendly
relations with them.
Recently, I read something interesting somewhere. An American expert
has said, "Reconciliation between Iran and America is possible, but it is
not possible between the Islamic Republic and America". He is right. Not
only is reconciliation with the kind of Iran that is led by the Pahlavi
family - which makes everything available to the Americans - possible, but
it is also necessary. It is even necessary to do something beyond
reconciliation for this kind of Iran. The issue is the issue of the
Islamic Republic. The Islamic Republic means independence, freedom,
commitment to Islamic faith, movement on the path of Islam, refusal to
give in to the enemies' impositions and invitation to the unity of the
Islamic Ummah.
This is the exact opposite of what they want. Of course, they are
unfriendly towards this kind of Iran. Well, this was the main issue that I
wanted to discuss: we should not forget about self-confidence, faith and
action. We should not forget about resistance against laziness,
carelessness, idleness and exhaustion. These are the lessons of the month
of Ramadan.
I would like to offer some pieces of advice. One piece of advice is
addressed to all officials. Taking a look at the political conditions of
the world and the region shows us that we are at a sensitive point. You
should know that today, there is a historical turn in the real sense of
the word. If you are not strong, you will be bullied not only by America
and the west but also by a creature named Saddam. If you are not strong,
you will be bullied and you will suffer from their impositions. You should
be strong.
What are the elements of strength? How can we understand and accept
that we are strong? These are the elements of strength: High morale,
hopefulness, hard work and diligence, identifying economic, cultural and
security rifts - you should identify and see these rifts - cooperation
between different organizations in charge of affairs and cooperation
between these organizations and the people. This is one piece of advice
which is addressed to everyone.
The second piece of advice is that you should work as hard as you can
and as long as you have opportunities. Opportunities are limited. All of
us are individuals who are moving towards death. We have limited time. We
should work as hard as we can and as long as we are alive. You should not
say, "They do not allow us to do things". This "they do not allow us" is
not an acceptable statement. Many people used to say, "They do not allow
us". Now too, some people say this. What does "they do not allow us" mean?
You have certain capabilities and resources in the Majlis, in the
administration, in the judiciary branch, in the Armed Forces and in the
different sectors which are affiliated with the administration. You should
benefit from these resources and work as hard as you can. You should not
even allow one single moment to be wasted.
The third piece of advice is that you should coordinate your moves with
the principles of the Revolution. You should avoid creating uproar and you
should attend to solving the problems of the people. The fourth piece of
advice is that you should consider departmental convergence and
convergence with other branches to be important.
I always advise the honorable officials in charge of the three branches
of government to hold meetings with one another. Many issues are resolved
in these joint meetings such as meetings between the administration and
the Majlis, meetings between the judiciary branch and the administration
and meetings between the judiciary branch and the Majlis. These meetings
and these exchanges of opinion lead to convergence. Another issue is the
issue of jihadi management. This piece of advice is related to everyone.
I would like to offer a piece of advice to the administration and the
executive branch in particular. First, everyone should know that I support
the administration, as I supported all previous administrations. I trust
the high-ranking executive officials. All the administrations that held
office after the Revolution have been elected by the people and since I
have been entrusted with the task of Leadership, I have supported all
these administrations.
All administrations have certain strong points and certain weak points.
There is no administration that says, "I have only strong points and I do
not have any weak point". And there is no one who says, "All its
activities are negative". This is not the case. All administrations have a
combination of strong and weak points.
Of course, compared to previous administrations, it is better to make
criticisms in a well-informed way. It is not appropriate to make
criticisms in public. The criticisms that we level at the administration
should be fair, respectful and sympathetic. Criticism should not mean
catching someone red-handed and creating obstacles for them.
Second, I would like to say to executive officials that they should
take the economy of resistance seriously. Well, the honorable President
said that he will do this. Other officials too have said this more or less,
but it there should be action: "And among those who rely on things other
than action". It should not be the case that we say, "we will do this",
but we act slowly. The focus of the economy of resistance is on increasing
domestic production and strengthening the domestic economy. This leads to
economic progress. Economic progress is achieved with production. It is
achieved by activating the domestic capacities of the country. It is not
achieved with anything else.
An important piece of advice on the issue of the economy of resistance
is addressed to banks. Banks should play their roles. They should
coordinate their activities with the policies on the economy of resistance
and with the administration's plans in this area. They can play their
roles - positive roles. Of course, they can play a negative role as well.
I would like to offer a very important piece of advice to the
industrial sector. The officials in charge of this sector should make
efforts. They should increase their efforts and they should identify the
capacities. There are many capacities in the country and they should
activate them.
As for the agricultural sector, agriculture has a vital significance.
It is necessary for the administration and governmental policies to adopt
a supportive outlook towards the agricultural sector. This supportive
outlook exists all over the world. The agricultural sector is supported by
governments. Therefore, the existing problems in the area of agriculture
should be removed. The problems of farmers and stockbreeders should be
resolved. Sometimes, we receive certain complaints in this regard. One
becomes upset and sad about the problems that they have.
The third piece of advice for the administration: the administration's
slogan is moderation. Moderation is a very good slogan. We too stress
moderation. Extremism is condemned by us and it is bad. The piece of
advice that I would like to offer is that you should take care not to let
certain people sideline religious orientations with the slogan of
moderation. Some people are doing this and I see it on the political scene
of the country. Some people are trying to sideline those religious
orientations that are prepared to face danger sooner than everyone else.
They are doing this with the slogan of moderation and avoidance of
extremism. It is these religious orientations that support administrations
- in the real sense of the word - during problems.
Islam is the manifestation of moderation: "And those who are with him
are strong against unbelievers, but compassionate amongst each other" [The
Holy Quran, 48: 29]. This is moderation. "Fight the unbelievers who gird
you about" [The Holy Quran, 9: 123]. This is moderation. Enjoining to do
good and forbiudding evil is moderation as well. Moderation is comprised
of such things. The meaning of moderation is not that we prevent religious
individuals, orientations and groups from doing things that they are
responsible for.
Another piece of advice is addressed to political orientations and the
press. I have a piece of advice for the brothers and officials in charge
of political organizations and the press. You should be careful. A
tumultuous environment is not to the advantage of the country. Some
individuals should not get on the people's nerves. One witnesses that
these people do such things. Psychological security is important for the
people. They should not reinforce the environment of quarrels and
differences. They should not repeat the enemies' statements either.
I read many newspapers every day, as I read many other things.
Sometimes, there are certain statements and headlines in newspapers that
are perfect for such and such an American newspaper. Surprisingly, such
statements exist in American and non-American newspapers as well and these
newspapers are sent for us. You should be careful. Such statements and
headlines are not appropriate.
A sensitive issue that exists in the present time is the nuclear issue.
The statements that the honorable President made today were very good and
correct. The other side has offered us two options: death or fever. It
wants to force us into accepting the latter. For example, on the issue of
enrichment, their goal is to make the Islamic Republic satisfied with
10,000 SWUs. But they have begun from 500, 1000. Approximately, 10,000
SWUs are the product of 10,000 centrifuges - the ones that we already have.
This is their goal. Officials tell us that we need about 190,000 SWUs. It
is possible that we will not need this number of SWUs this year and in two,
five years from now, but this is the definite need of the country. And the
needs of the country should be met.
The statements that the Americans make on this issue are untruthfull. A
country needs nuclear energy. It has managed to achieve this science and
technology on its own, with its own efforts and follow-up, without
stealing it from others and without colluding with other people. Now, they
are persisting that we should not have it. Well, why? What are the reasons
behind this "we should not".
They say that they are afraid of a nuclear bomb. First,
non-proliferation has its own ways and this is alright. Second, if someone
is supposed to be concerned about the issue of nuclear weapons, that
someone is not America. America itself has several thousand nuclear
warheads and nuclear bombs and it has used them. Well, what is it to you?
Who are you to be concerned whether a country will have access to a
nuclear weapon or not? However, we can give guarantees to those
organizations that are in charge of such affairs. Of course, these
guarantees have already been given. That is to say, it is clear that we
are not after nuclear weapons. Perhaps, they themselves know this as well.
So, the essence of what they are saying is untruthfull.
Of course, we believe in our negotiating team. We are sure that they
will not be satisfied with transgression against the rights and dignity of
the country and the people. We are sure that they will not allow this to
happen. The issue of enrichment is an important issue. Moreover, the issue
of research and development should definitely receive attention. Another
issue is preserving the organizations and sites that the enemy cannot
destroy. They place emphasis on Fordo because it is not accessible to
them. They say, "You should not have a site that we cannot destroy and
harm". Is this not ridiculous?
The last issue is the issue of the region and Iraq which is, in fact, a
fitna. By Allah's favor, the religious people of Iraq will manage to
extinguish and destroy this fitna. By Allah's favor, regional nations will
move towards growth and material and spiritual transcendence on a daily
basis.
Dear God, by the blessedness of Muhammad (s.w.a.) and his household (a.s.),
make what we said and heard serve You and Your path. Accept from us what
we said and heard. Dear God, help us succeed in making efforts, showing
diligence and doing sincere work.
Dear God, by the blessedness of Muhammad (s.w.a.) and his household (a.s.),
bestow on us the requirements for satisfying You. Do not deprive us of
Your mercy and forgiveness in this auspicious month. Associate the pure
souls of martyrs and the immaculate soul of our magnanimous Imam (r.a.)
with Your saints.
Dear God, by the blessedness of Muhammad (s.w.a.) and his household (a.s.),
make us be among Your thankful and patient servants.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
Supreme Leader's Speech
at Annual Ramadan Quranic Meeting
(2014/06/29)
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on June 29, 2014
by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, at
the annual Ramadan Quranic meeting. The meeting was held on the first day
of the holy month of Ramadan.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and
greetings be upon His Messenger and his blessed household
I thank Allah the Exalted for giving us the opportunity to live long
enough so that we can begin this year's auspicious month of Ramadan in
this enlightened meeting. I would like to welcome all you honorable qurra,
esteemed memorizers of the Holy Quran and dear Quranic personalities -
particularly the brothers who performed a program - and the honorable host.
I hope that by Allah's favor, all of you will be among the companions of
the Holy Quran in this world and in the hereafter.
In my opinion, what Quranic personalities do in our country today is a
strategic and important task. Although it is true that familiarity with
the Holy Quran will raise the position and deepen the understanding of
those who read it and who are familiar with it - this is important in
itself and the blessing that you reciters and qurra receive from the Holy
Quran is an important achievement in itself - there is another achievement
beyond this, whose scope is broader. This achievement is helping the
Islamic community get close to understanding and becoming familiar with
the Holy Quran. This is very important.
Today, our Quranic society, qurra, memorizers and reciters of the Holy
Quran and those who are making efforts on this path are - in fact - making
this strategic move and this is very important. The value of this should
be appreciated.
The truth is that our Quranic society has thankfully made great
progress in recent years. We have been holding this annual meeting for
many years and I am witnessing the visible progress of familiarity with
and recitation of the Holy Quran among our people, our youth and those who
are interested in the Holy Quran. I am witnessing the increasing progress
of this issue. This requires thanking God.
However, we are far away from the ideal. This does not mean that the
level of our qurra is personally or generally lower than the ideal level.
This is not what I mean. Thankfully, we have good qurra who are at a high
level in terms of recitation, tartil, voice, meaning and quality of
recitation in a way that they revive Quranic meanings for the audience.
Thankfully, our progress is very good in this regard.
But we have not reached the ideal point on a public level and the gap
is wide. We should act in a way that all the people in our country and
society become familiar with the Holy Quran in some ways, that they
understand Quranic meanings and that they refer to the Holy Quran even if
they gain a limited understanding of Quranic meanings. We should reach
such a point.
The countries who speak Arabic pass through this stage more easily. But
in our country, we who do not speak Arabic pass through this stage with
more difficulty. Despite this, as I have said many times, Quranic words
are thankfully familiar words for us. Understanding Quranic words are not
difficult for our people. By Allah's favor, more familiarity and practice
can help our society reach the ideal point.
And you dear brothers should pay attention that the Islamic government
and the Islamic community become strong from the inside through
familiarity with the Holy Quran on a daily basis. Becoming strong from the
inside is what enables societies to take their ideal paths and it gives
them the power to face challenges. We should be strong from the inside.
This is achieved in the shade of familiarity with the Holy Quran.
Familiarity with the Holy Quran strengthens faith, it increases reliance
on God, it increases reliance on divine promises, it reduces one's fear of
material problems, it gives people spiritual strength and self-confidence
and it shows them the paths to getting close to God. These are the
advantages and benefits of familiarity with the Holy Quran.
The Holy Quran is the book of understanding and light: "No one will sit
beside this Quran but that when he rises he will achieve one addition or
one diminution - addition in his guidance or elimination in his spiritual
blindness" [Nahjul Balaghah, Sermon 176]. This narration is attributed to
the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.). He said that anyone who sits beside
the Holy Quran will achieve one addition or one diminution when he rises.
When he rises, he will achieve either an addition or a diminution:
addition in guidance and diminution in blindness - that is to say, one's
ignorance decreases. When one reads the Holy Quran, one's insight and
wisdom increase. Sitting beside the Holy Quran is like this.
Of course, this is achieved through attention and deliberation. The
Holy Quran should be read by paying careful attention. We should pay
attention that a mere formation of sounds is not enough. We should read
the Holy Quran by paying attention to the meaning and to Quranic requests.
If this is done, then the Islamic community will find its path: "Allah is
the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will
lead them forth into light" [The Holy Quran, 2: 257].
If we read the Holy Quran, we will get out of the darkness of
superstitions, fear and illusions and we will be guided towards light: the
light of guidance, understanding and closeness to God. These are the
characteristics that one achieves through sitting beside the Holy Quran
and becoming familiar with it.
We need this. The Islamic Ummah needs this today. The Islamic community
is faced with serious challenges today. I have said many times that paying
attention to challenges does not mean that we should feel the enemy is
stronger than us. It does not mean that he will defeat us. This is not the
case. The Islamic community is faced with certain challenges. Being faced
with challenges is an opportunity for Islam to - by Allah's favor - take
one more rung, make one more move and pass through one more stage in the
movement of history to the desired transcendence. Today, we are in such
conditions.
During the pre-revolutionary era and before the emergence of Islamic
Awakening, we used to see that the world of Islam was ignorant. Today, the
world of Islam is achieving wisdom. And the events that are taking place
in the world of Islam will help the Islamic Ummah to achieve wisdom. These
events make us wiser and they will clarify our responsibilities. The
enemies of Islam are afraid of the existence of this foresight in
believers and the Islamic Ummah. We should strengthen this foresight on a
daily basis. The first stage is to know these challenges.
What is witnessed in the world of Islam is that the enemies of Islam
are confronting Islam in the name of Islam and in Islam's clothing. This
is the same thing that our magnanimous Imam (may God bestow paradise on
him) said: American Islam versus the original Islam introduced by the Holy
Prophet (s.w.a.).
American Islam is the kind of Islam that compromises with taghut and
Zionism and that it is at the service of America's goals. It is Islam on
the face of it and it is referred to as Islam. They may observe a number
of Islamic obligations. Of course, according to what we have heard, those
who have emerged in some countries - recently in Iraq and before that in
other countries - in the name of Islam and by behaving in a biased way are
not completely committed to religious obligations and practices. But we do
not have precise information in this regard. What is clear is that they
definitely move in the opposite direction of Islam.
From the viewpoint of Islam, following and accepting the wilayat of the
enemies of religion and arrogant powers are among the things that
believers should avoid: "Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah,
and those who reject faith fight in the cause of taghut" [The Holy Quran,
4: 76]. If you move on the path of taghut in the name of Islam, you should
know that this kind of Islam is fake, that it is not real and that there
is a problem. Today, the situation is like this.
Of course, we can see the enemy's hand. We should understand that the
evil hand of the intelligence services of the enemies of Islam, play a
definite role - either directly or indirectly - in creating these events
and uproars for Muslims. As we can see, it is they who are directing the
scene. And the signs and reasons for this are clear. If the Islamic Ummah
becomes close to Quranic concepts and if it gains a deeper familiarity
with it, such events occur less. The relationship of hearts with God and
their connection to Him prevents them from betraying the path of God. I
hope that this will happen.
You Quranic youth and you who spend your life, your youth and your
energy on the path of the Holy Quran should thank Allah the Exalted. If
Allah the Exalted helps youth and teenagers to get close to the Holy Quran
and to choose the path of the Holy Quran, this is a great blessing. Such a
thing did not exist in previous eras. In the past, the Holy Quran was not
popular among youth and it was not promoted. Today, the Holy Quran is
thankfully being promoted among youth. And you are among the influential
elements behind this promotion. You should appreciate the value of this.
The brothers who are active in Quranic areas should try to "Invite
people to religion with means other than your [their] tongues" [Bihar
al-Anwar, Volume 67, page 309]. They should show that they are among
outstanding personalities in terms of commitment to religious obligations
and tasks. They should show this so that the influence of the Holy Quran
shows itself in their actions, in their public behavior, in their conduct,
in those Islamic aspects which are visible or hidden, and in Islamic
quality.
They should observe these things: "Believers are those who, when Allah
is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts, and when they hear His signs
rehearsed, find their faith strengthened" [The Holy Quran, 8: 2]. The
brothers who are close to the Holy Quran more than other people should
show a sign of enjoying these characteristics. What you are doing today -
thankfully today, a Quranic sign is a glorious sign - can be a good model
for youth, teenagers and your audience. They can learn from you. You
should act in a way that they learn those things from you which help them
get close to God.
Dear God, by the blessedness of Muhammad (s.w.a.) and his household,
keep us alive with the Holy Quran and on the path of the Holy Quran. Make
us be the companions of the Holy Quran. Make us die on the path of the
Holy Quran. Associate us with the Holy Quran. Make the Holy Quran
satisfied and pleased with us.
Dear God, by the blessedness of Muhammad (s.w.a.) and his household and
by the blessedness of the immaculate soul of our magnanimous Imam (r.a.)
and the pure souls of martyrs, bestow on us today's precious gift from
this meeting, these programs and these recitations.
Dear God, by the blessedness of Muhammad (s.w.a.) and his household,
make us steadfast on the path of Islam, the Holy Quran, martyrs and
soldiers of the path of truth.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
Supreme Leader's Speech
on 25th Demise Anniversary of Imam Khomeini (r.a.)
(2014/06/04)
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on June 4, 2014
by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, on
the occasion of the demise anniversary of Imam Khomeini (r.a.). The speech
was delivered at Imam Khomeini's shrine.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and
greetings upon our Master and Prophet, Muhammad, and upon his immaculate
household, especially the one remaining with Allah on earth.
"Our Lord, forgive us and those of our brethren who had precedence of
us in faith, and do not allow any spite to remain in our hearts towards
those who believe. Our Lord, surely You are Kind, Merciful" [The Holy
Quran, 59: 10]. "Our Lord, surely You have given to Pharaoh and his chiefs
finery and riches in this world's life. To this end, our Lord, that they
lead people astray from Your way. Our Lord, destroy their riches and
harden their hearts so that they believe not until they see the painful
punishment" [The Holy Quran, 10: 88].
Allah the Omniscient said in His book: "Have you not considered how
Allah sets forth a parable of a good word being like a good tree, whose
root is firm and whose branches are in heaven, yielding its fruit in every
season by the permission of its Lord?" [The Holy Quran, 14: 24-25]
On this unforgettable and important day, I would like to divide my
statements to you dear brothers and sisters into three parts. In the first
part, I will speak about an important reality which exists about the
Islamic Republic. Today, paying attention to this reality is very
important. In the second part, I will provide a brief explanation of our
magnanimous Imam's (r.a.) permanent and eternal school of thought.
Although we have said and heard many things about Imam's (r.a.) school of
thought, it is necessary to provide a brief explanation at this point in
time. I will provide a short portrayal of all the things that our
magnanimous Imam (r.a.) created as a unique phenomenon in the contemporary
world. The third part is about two important challenges which lie ahead of
the people of Iran and the Islamic Republic. It is important for us to pay
attention to these two challenges in order to move forward in the right
way and on the right path.
As for the first part, the reality that I referred to is that 25 years
have passed from the demise of our great Imam (r.a.), but people's
enthusiasm and excitement to hear and know about him has not diminished.
And this is not particular to our country. Rather, this reality exists in
the world of Islam and even beyond that.
Not only in our country - where the third generation of the Revolution
is growing and blossoming - but also in the entire world of Islam, the
youth of the age of communications and Internet are after gaining more
information about the issues of the Revolution, about the Islamic Republic
and about the architect of this great structure. And these youth can
easily familiarize themselves with the issues which occur far away from
their own environment. The phenomenon of religious democracy and the
theory of Wilayat-e Faqih are issues which are significant and attractive
for the intellectual environments of the world of Islam.
From the first days, our enemies began making a comprehensive effort
and the more we moved forward, the more comprehensive this effort became.
They used hundreds and thousands of television, radio stations and
Internet sites to abuse the Islamic Republic, its great founder and its
supporters. Of course, this issue has been helpful to us because it has
aroused the curiosity of listeners and viewers throughout the world.
These listeners and viewers want to know the reason behind all these
enmities, hostilities and mudslinging. They want to know the nature of the
truth which has been the target of these enmities. So, our enemies
mentioned our names and they spoke about our Imam (r.a.) and our system
with the purpose of showing their enmity, but "...surely they will scheme,
and I too will scheme" [The Holy Quran, 86: 15-16].
This is what Allah the Exalted says. They started this widespread
movement with such an intention, but it eventually created an opportunity
for us because the sense of curiosity of the listeners to these stations
was aroused throughout the world. Islamic Awakening - in which
anti-arrogant feelings were dominant more than any other phenomenon - in
Islamic countries and our region is the sign of this curiosity and search
for the truth and it continues to exist.
It is possible that western and American intelligence services report
to their seniors that they have managed to suppress Islamic Awakening in
our region. If they have such a notion, then this will be another
strategic mistake and another wrong interpretation on the part of our
enemies. Islamic Awakening might be suppressed for a while in part of the
world of Islam, but it will undoubtedly not be uprooted. On the contrary,
it will develop.
This understanding, this perception and this awareness in all countries
and among Muslim youth in the region is not something that can be
destroyed easily. Of course, they will make certain efforts in order to
destroy it and these efforts may seem to be successful in some areas in
the short run, but in the end, they will prove to be fruitless.
The curiosity that exists in today's young generation all over the
world - particularly in the world of Islam - about the phenomenon of
religious democracy is rooted in the fact that the Islamic Republic is a
phenomenon from whose birth 35 years have passed. And during all these 35
years, it has faced the violent and hostile reactions of the dominant
powers in the world. They showed military reactions, they showed
propaganda reactions, they showed economic reactions - which began from
the beginning of the Revolution and which have been reinforced on a daily
basis - and they showed political reactions.
It is 35 years now that this powerful western camp has been doing
whatever it could against the Islamic Republic. It has made military
efforts, it has helped the aggressors who attacked our country, it has
supported the enemies of the Islamic Republic in any area, it has used
widespread propaganda and it has made perfect and unprecedented efforts in
the area of sanctions and economic siege. But in the face of all these
invasions and all these violent and unscrupulous hostilities, the Islamic
Republic was not destroyed, it did not adopt a conservative outlook, it
was not blackmailed by the west and it made progress on a daily basis.
This is what forms the essence of this curiosity.
Despite the fact that the primary military, political and economic
powers of the world joined hands against a country and a government and
despite the fact that they made efforts for 35 years, not only was this
government not destroyed, but it also became stronger on a daily basis.
This government was not blackmailed by them and it did not pay any
attention to them at all. The Islamic Republic showed its power and
capability to survive in different arenas.
Today, when they look at the Islamic Republic, they see that the second
and third generations of the Revolution in the country are comprised of
several million students, several thousand knowledgeable clergy, several
thousand researchers, several thousand university and seminary professors,
thousands of scientific and intellectual personalities - some of whom are
well-known on an international level - and thousands of activists and
producers and thousands of political, cultural and economic personalities.
This is the reality about our today's society.
In the arena of science and technology, the Islamic Republic launches
satellites into space despite all sanctions. It sends living creatures
into space and it brings them back. It produces nuclear energy. It is
ranked among the first ten countries in the world in many new sciences.
The centers in charge of releasing statistics have announced that the rate
of scientific progress in the Islamic Republic is 13 times faster than the
global average. It gives scientific and technological services to
different countries. Despite unprecedented sanctions, it manages a
75-million-strong country. It has the final word on regional policies. It
shows resistance against the usurping Zionist regime, which is supported
by global bullies, and it does this on its own. It does not compromise
with oppressors and it defends the oppressed.
Any well-informed individual becomes curious to know what this organism
and phenomenon is and how it benefits from all these innate capabilities
and this potential to survive despite all the enmities. This is the nature
of this curiosity. This was about the issues related to scientific,
technological and other such areas.
As for political and social issues, the higher aspect of this religious
democracy is that we have had 32 elections during the 35 years from the
beginning of our Revolution. Thirty two public elections have been held in
this country. Is this a minor achievement? This is an exceptional
phenomenon. Elections in the Islamic Republic are held with a high turnout
- higher than the global average and in some cases, it is much higher. Our
elections witness a turnout of 70, 72 percent. Our elections are like this.
These elections are the manifestation of democracy.
Another exceptional example is the two phenomena which we people have
gotten used to, but which are extraordinarily exciting and important for
global inspectors and witnesses. These two phenomena are the 22nd of
Bahman rallies and Quds Day Rallies in the month of Ramadan. During the
past 35 years, the people have held the Revolution celebration each year
with a great, exciting and glorious rally on the cold days of late Bahman.
We have gotten used to this and we do not truly see the significance and
greatness of this issue, but global witnesses see these things and they
are very astonishing to them.
These are the factors behind the element which arouses people's
curiosity and which presents a new path to the minds of enthusiastic,
inquisitive and research-oriented individuals. This is the important
reality of our time which can be described as the general curiosity of
youth, intellectuals, well-informed personalities and analysts throughout
the world of Islam about the phenomenon which has emerged and grown on a
daily basis in Islamic Iran. This is the first issue.
This reality has been built by the hands of our great architect. We
have said many things about Imam (r.a.). Perhaps some people think that we
have spoken about Imam in an exaggerated way. But this is not the case.
What we have said about our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) is neither
exaggeration nor magnification of the truth. Rather, it is the truth. Our
magnanimous and dear Imam (r.a.) was more complex and meaningful than what
we managed to say and reflect about him.
What is available to the people of Iran and what is in front of the
eyes of people throughout the world has been built by those powerful hands.
We should know about the architect's plan in order to take the path in the
right way. If developers and builders do not have access to a plan in
order to build an ordinary building and if it is not clear what the main
plan is, then they may make a mistake no matter how skilled they are. We
should know the main plan so that we can use our expertise in building on
the basis of this plan.
Imam's (r.a.) plan was not one that could be designed by a human being.
It was definitely God's work. Our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) himself knew and
acknowledged this. He himself used to say, "What has occurred is a
handicraft of divine power". He had understood this correctly and his
insightful and vigilant eyes had seen this correctly.
We should be careful. We should know the plan so that we can continue
the path. If we do not know the plan, we will deviate from the right path.
And when we deviate, we will drift away from the main and the straight
path on a daily basis. When we drift away from the straight path, we will
drift away from goals and we will fail to reach them.
In order to reach the goals, we should take care not to lose the path
and in order to avoid losing the path, we should have the main plan in
front of our eyes. We should know and identify this plan. Imam's (r.a.)
plan and main task was to create a civil-political system on the basis of
Islamic reason. The prerequisite for carrying out this task was to uproot
the monarchic regime which was corrupt, dependent and dictatorial.
The monarchic regime had these three characteristics: it was corrupt -
different moral, financial and other such corruptions. It was dependent on
powers. One day, it was dependent on England and another day, it was
dependent on America. It was prepared to abandon its own interests and the
interests of the people for the sake of the interests of foreigners. And
it was dictatorial and oppressive. For the monarchic regime, the people's
votes and requests counted for nothing. Each of these characteristics
forms a long chapter. Each of them forms a long book.
The prerequisite for the great task that Imam (r.a.) wanted to carry
out was to uproot this corrupt, dependent and dictatorial regime. He
focused his efforts on doing this and consequently, the regime was
uprooted. In our country, the issue was not replacing a monarchic regime
with another monarchic or semi-monarchic regime. The issue was uprooting
the characteristics that the monarchic regime had and this was done by our
magnanimous Imam (r.a.). Imam's (r.a.) statements, guidelines and behavior
were oriented towards this goal.
There are two fundamental points in building this civil-political
system and these two points are interconnected. In one sense, these two
points are two sides of the coin of truth. One is entrusting the affairs
of the country to the people through democracy and elections and another
is launching this movement - which originated from Islam - and any
movement which originates from democracy and entrusting tasks to people,
within the framework of Islamic sharia. These are two parts. In other
words, these are two sides of the same truth.
Some people should not think that our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) derived
elections from the western culture and then mixed it with Islamic thoughts
and Islamic sharia. This was not the case. If elections, democracy and
reliance on the votes of people had not been part of religion and Islamic
sharia, then Imam (r.a.) would have told us. If this had been the case, he
would have announced it in an outspoken and decisive way. Democracy is
part of religion. Therefore, Islamic sharia is the framework.
When passing and implementing laws, when assigning individuals
different tasks and discharging them from their service and during all
tasks that follow this political-civil system, Islamic sharia should be
observed. All tasks in this system revolve around democracy. All the
people elect the members of the Majlis and the president, they elect
ministers indirectly, they elect the members of the Assembly of Experts
and they elect the Leader indirectly. All tasks are in the hands of the
people. This was the main base of our magnanimous Imam's (r.a.) movement.
The great structure that this great personality built was founded on these
two bases.
Commitment to Islamic sharia is the soul and truth of the Islamic
government. Everyone should pay attention to this issue. If Islamic sharia
is completely observed in society, this will ensure both civil and
individual freedom - the freedom of individuals - and collective freedom
which is called independence. Independence means freedom of a people. It
means that a people are not dependent on anyone and any place.
"A free people" means a people who are not under the influence and
domination of their opponents, their enemies and foreigners in any way. If
Islamic sharia is observed, it will ensure both justice and spirituality
in society. These are the four main elements: freedom, independence,
justice and spirituality. If Islamic sharia dominates society, these main
phenomena in the order of Islamic society will show themselves. Therefore,
our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) stressed the necessity of Islamic sharia which
is the soul of the Islamic Republic. He also stressed the necessity of
religious democracy which is a means and a tool and which is derived from
sharia.
According to Imam's (r.a.) school of thought, any power and force which
has come into being through deception and oppression is unacceptable. In
the Islamic government, oppression and subjugation are meaningless. Power
and authority are meaningful, but only the one that originates from
people's free will and choice. The kind of power which originates from
bullying, subjugation and weapons is meaningless from the viewpoint of
Islam, Islamic sharia and Imam's (r.a.) school of thought.
The kind of power which emerges on the basis of people's choice is
respectable. No one should confront this power. No one should try to
suppress and subjugate this power. If they do so, this is called fitna.
This is the new prescription that our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) introduced
to the world. He added this important chapter to the political literature
of the world. As we pointed out, one of the main elements in this new
version is rushing to help the oppressed and confronting the oppressor. We
should help the oppressed and in the present time, the concrete
manifestation of being oppressed is the people of Palestine.
As you witnessed, from the first day until the end of his life, our
magnanimous Imam (r.a.) stressed the issue of Palestine. He supported the
issue of Palestine and stated in his testament that the people of Iran and
the officials of the country should not forget about this issue. Helping
the oppressed, showing resistance against the oppressor, condemning his
transgressions, rejecting his power and grandeur in an outspoken way and
shattering this grandeur are among the parts of this system and this new
version presented by our magnanimous Imam (r.a.).
This is a short summary, portrayal and description of the political
order and the foundation that our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) introduced to
society after overthrowing the monarchic regime in the country. This
matter was completely accepted by the people and it was put into practice.
Unlike many political slogans, this matter was not confined to books.
Rather, it was realized, put into practice and reflected in reality. And
the people of Iran showed their determination, loyalty and self-sacrifice
by preserving this matter and strengthening it on a daily basis until
today.
So, Imam (r.a.) succeeded. He achieved complete success in what he
wanted to do. Will this great task continue? Will the empty boxes of this
table - naturally, there are some empty boxes in social and historical
tables - be filled in? This depends on how determined and aware you and I
are and to what extent we observe and move in the direction of that clear
line. It is completely possible to do this.
Considering the people that we see, considering the experience that
they have gained and considering the successful and continuous movement
that they have launched in the past 35 years - and in the past 25 years
since Imam's (r.a.) demise - it is possible to continue this path. The
empty boxes will be filled in, great feats will be accomplished and by
Allah's favor and grace, our people will reach the peaks.
Like all the important paths which have been delineated for reaching
great goals, this path involves certain challenges and obstacles. We
should identify these obstacles so that we can pass through them. If we do
not identify obstacles, overcoming them will be either difficult or
impossible. I am saying these things to you honorable participants of this
great and magnificent meeting and, in fact, to the people of Iran who will
hear these statements. But it is our youth, our scholars and our
intellectuals who should think about, work on and study each of these
chapters and parts.
They should work on not only semi-intellectual and theoretical
discussions but also on practical and functional discussions which reflect
the truth. What we are saying is some chapters for carrying out
intellectual tasks. By Allah's favor, these chapters will be followed up
by our youth who are much better and prepared than we are.
I would like to refer to two challenges: one is an external challenge
and another is an internal challenge. Our external challenge is the
interferences of global arrogance. I would like to speak without any
consideration. The external challenge is the interferences of America.
They engage in mudslinging.
Although some of their thinkers say in their analyses that it is
useless or impossible to confront this great movement, they engage in
mudslinging.
We should know their plan. This is America's plan which has been
revealed through their discussions, reports, statements and behavior:
America divides all countries, orientations and people throughout the
world into three groups: the first group is made up of the submissive
including submissive countries, submissive political and social
orientations and submissive individuals. The first group is comprised of
these people. The second group is comprised of countries which are not
submissive and which should be tolerated. From the viewpoint of America, a
number of countries, personalities and orientations should be tolerated.
They believe that they should define common interests with these countries
and that they should get along with them somehow. Later on, I will explain
this more. The third group is made up of disobedient countries, those
which do not give in to America and which refuse to be blackmailed by it.
The third group is comprised of these countries.
From the viewpoint of the Americans, no country, no political, social,
civil and economic orientation and no individual in the world is out of
these three groups. Everyone is either submissive and docile or
independent - and you should get along with them - or disobedient, bold
and courageous. One should behave in a different way towards the third
group.
America's policy towards the first group is complete support. Of course,
they do not provide this support for free. They support them, but they
also milk them. In fact, they use their capabilities and resources to the
advantage of their own interests and for safeguarding their own interests.
The Americans ride roughshod over these people and they make them render
all kinds of services to them. As I said, they milk them and they do not
care at all.
Of course, if these people and countries behave in a way that is
considered to be indecent according to global conventions, the Americans
do not condemn it. On the contrary, they defend and justify it. For
example, there are some dictatorial countries which are managed by biased,
reactionary and completely dictatorial regimes, but they have friendly
relations with the Americans. These countries give in to the Americans and
they are prepared to serve and obey them. They are members of the first
group.
When the Americans want to describe them, they do not refer to them as
dictatorial countries. Rather, they say that they are patriarchal
countries and thus they cover up their dictatorship. They say, "They are
not dictators. Rather, they are patriarchal countries". What is the
meaning of patriarchal in political systems? What does it mean? Is a
patriarchal country a country in which there is no parliament, no
elections, no power to speak freely, no freedom of speech and no freedom
of expression? Is a patriarchal country a country in which the slightest
disobedience to the wishes of the rulers is suppressed in a very serious
and severe way?
In one part of his life, Saddam Hussein was one of these obedient and
submissive individuals. In that stage of his life, they gave him all kinds
of support and they rendered some services to him. They gave him chemical
weapons and they provided him with the plans of our military movement
which had been discovered via satellite. They gave him military plans
because he was at their service and because he was against the disobedient
Islamic Republic which was a member of the third group. So, these people
represent the first group.
As I said, the second group is made up of the countries which America
gets along with. The policy and plan of America is to get along with these
countries. What does getting along mean? It means defining common
interests and establishing friendly relations with someone. But when
America has the opportunity, it will stab them in the back and tear their
hearts open and it will not show any consideration for them.
Which countries represent the second group? European countries
represent the second group. Today, European countries are in such
conditions. America gets along with them, but this does not mean that it
defends their interests. This is not the case. It will kick them as much
as it can. For example, it spies - Internet espionage - on the number one
in its allied country. It also spies on him by tapping his cell phone. The
Americans even keep watch on his personal life and they have no scruples
whatsoever. When it comes out, they say, "Sorry, it happened because we
had no choice".
They are not even willing to apologize in a sincere way. My
understanding of political issues tells me that the Europeans are making a
great strategic mistake by serving America. They promote the interests of
America, but America does not and will not do so and it will be the same
until the end. This was about the second group.
The third group is made up of countries which do not give in to
America. America's policy towards this group is to use each and every tool
they find against these disobedient countries. They use any tool they find
and they do not have any limits for that. If you see that there is a
country which is disobedient to America and that America does not attack
or impose sanctions on it, then you should know that there is a problem -
that is to say, there is an obstacle in their way. To put it simply, they
cannot do it. If they can, they will definitely do it.
The only crime that this disobedient country has committed is that it
is not willing to give in to America, to be blackmailed by it and to let
the interests of America have priority over its own interests. This is the
definition of a disobedient country. In order to bring this country to its
knees, the Americans do everything that they can. They do whatever is
possible for them. If they do not do something, it is because they cannot.
Well, what are the things that the Americans do? Today, launching a
military attack is not a priority from the viewpoint of the Americans.
They have understood that they suffered a loss on the issue of Iraq and
Afghanistan where they launched military attacks. They have understood
that launching a military attack is as dangerous for the aggressor as it
is for the defender and sometimes, it is even more dangerous for the
aggressor. They have understood this correctly. Therefore, it can be said
that they have changed their mind about launching a military attack.
They have other ways ahead of them. One of these ways is entrusting the
task of furthering their goals in the target country - which is the target
of their attacks - to the elements inside this country. The issue is not
only about Islamic Iran and the Islamic Republic. They are doing these
things all over the world and we are witnessing some instances of their
effort in the present time.
Another way is launching a coup d'état. They empower some people inside
the target country so that they can launch a coup d'état and overthrow
those governments and political systems which do not give in to them. One
of the ways that they use is this.
Another way is drawing part of the people to the streets. An example is
the color revolutions which were carried out in each and every part of the
region in recent years. Take the case of a government which comes to power
in a country. After all, if the government that comes to power holds 60
percent of the votes, it means that 40 percent of the people did not vote
for it. The Americans go to that 40 percent, choose certain elements and
leaders among them and make them - either by bribing or by threatening
them - draw that 40 percent or part of it to the streets. America's hands
were behind the color revolutions - for example, such and such an orange
revolution and other revolutions in different countries - that were
carried out in recent years.
We do not make any judgment about the events which are taking place in
an area in Europe. But when one takes a look, one sees what a role an
American senator and official can play - by showing his presence - in the
demonstrations of a minority against a country. They showed their presence
in such areas. One of the measures that they adopt is that they draw part
of the people to the streets and make them break the law, thereby
overthrowing the government which they do not approve of and which is not
blackmailed.
Another measure that they adopt is empowering and forming terrorist
groups. They did this in Iraq, Afghanistan and some Arab countries in the
region. They did it in our country as well. They form terrorist groups in
order to kill well-known personalities. In our country, they struck and
martyred scientists and experts on atomic energy. Before that too, they
struck political, cultural, scientific and seminary personalities. These
terrorists grew with the help of the Americans. Some of them were accepted
into America by the Americans for the services that they rendered.
Today, munafeqeen are in America's arms. They take part in different
meetings and commissions of the U.S. Congress. The same munafeqeen who
killed people from different social backgrounds - including great
personalities, ulama, scientists and political personalities - and who
carried out explosions are with the Americans today. So, this is another
way they use.
Another way is creating discord among decision-makers of countries. One
of the measures that they adopt is this: they try to create a rift in the
highest levels of the government and system that is not with them. They
try to establish a dual government. Of course, they do not succeed in many
countries. But unfortunately, they succeed in some areas. This is one of
their ways.
Another way is that they discourage - with their propaganda - the
hearts and minds of people from following their ideological and religious
principles. They try such measures. The regime of the United States of
America has done all these things to our dear and Islamic Iran and by
Allah's favor, it has failed in all of them.
Launching military coups d'état, supporting those who instigate fitna,
drawing some people to the streets, confronting elections and creating
rifts were some of the measures that they either adopted or tried to adopt
and thankfully, they failed in all of them. Why did they fail? It was
because the people were vigilant and religious. It is here that I want to
speak about the second challenge which is the internal challenge.
Dear brothers and sisters, the internal challenge for our people is the
risk of ignoring, forgetting about and losing the spirit and orientation
of our magnanimous Imam (r.a). This is the greatest danger. The internal
challenge is making a mistake in knowing our enemies and our friends and
confusing the camp of our enemies and friends so much so that we do not
know who our enemies and friends are.
Another mistake is failing to know our major and minor enemies. This is
another danger. You dear brothers and sisters and all the people of Iran
should pay attention that sometimes, someone shows enmity towards you. But
if you pay careful attention, you will see that his enmity is not the main
one. It is a function of another factor and another person. You should
find the main enemy. Otherwise, if one confronts the lesser enemy, one's
energy is sapped and the result will not be good.
Today, some people in different parts of the world of Islam - which go
by the name of takfiri, Wahhabi and Salafi groups - are adopting bad and
inappropriate measures against Iran, Shia Muslims and Shia Islam. But
everyone should know that they are not the main enemies. They show enmity
and they adopt foolish measures, but the main enemy is the person who
provokes them, who gives them money and who motivates them with different
means when their motivation is weakened to some extent.
The main enemy is the person who sows the seeds of rupture and discord
between that foolish and ignorant group and the oppressed people of Iran.
These measures are adopted by the hidden hands of intelligence and
security services. That is why we have constantly said that we do not
consider these foolish groups - who confront the Islamic Republic in the
name of Salafism, takfiri and Islam - to be our main enemy.
We consider you to be the deceived. We have said to these people: "If
you stretch your hand against me to slay me, it is not for me to stretch
my hand against you to slay you: for I fear Allah, the Cherisher of the
worlds" [The Holy Quran, 5: 28]. If you make a mistake and if you prepare
yourself to kill your Muslim brothers, we do not consider you to be so
important that we try to kill you.
Of course, we defend ourselves. Anyone who attacks us will face our
firm fist. This is natural, but we believe that these people are not our
main enemies. They have been deceived. The main enemy is the person who
acts behind the scenes. The main enemy is the visible hand that comes out
of the sleeve of intelligence services, that confronts Muslims and that
pits them against one another.
This is our internal challenge: becoming busy with domestic differences
- those which are trivial and unimportant. Such differences make us busy,
pit us against one another, create tension and make us forget about the
main issues and guidelines. This is one of the manifestations of the main
challenge which was referred to. Losing national solidarity is one of our
challenges. Suffering from laziness, lack of confidence, idleness,
desperation and hopelessness and thinking that we cannot succeed and that
we have not succeeded until today are among the internal challenges we
should confront.
As Imam (r.a.) said, we can. We should show determination. National
determination and jihadi management can untie all the knots. As we said,
our dear youth, our outstanding personalities and our scholars should sit
and study these issues. These are our main points. The auspicious name of
our magnanimous Imam (r.a.), the remembrance of that great man and the
plan of that great architect can help us in all these chapters. It can
give us hope, enthusiasm and morale, as it has done this until today and
by Allah's favor, it will continue to do this in the future.
Dear God, bestow your blessings on our dear people. Dear God, help our
dear youth on the path of building an ideal Islamic structure. Dear God,
protect us from deviations and digressions. Dear God, make the hands of
the people of Iran stronger than the hands of their enemies. Help them
achieve victory over their enemies. Make the holy heart of the Imam of the
Age (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake) kind to us. Help us benefit
from the prayers of that great Imam (a.s.). Associate the pure souls of
Imam (r.a.) and our dear martyrs with the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.).
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
Supreme Leader's Speech
in Meeting with Participants of 31st International Quran Competitions
(2014/06/03)
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on June 3, 2014
by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a
meeting with participants of the 31st International Quran Competitions.
The meeting was held on the occasion of the birthday anniversary of Imam
Sajjad (a.s.) in Imam Khomeini (r) Hussainiyah.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and
greetings be upon His messenger and upon his immaculate household.
I would like to welcome all the dear participants, the dear brothers
and sisters - particularly the guests of the Islamic Republic - the
honorable ulama and qurra and the esteemed hafiz of the Holy Quran who
have come from Islamic countries. I would also like to thank those people
who have organized this magnificent, meaningful and blessed ceremony -
whether the managers and officials in charge of charitable work or those
brothers, ulama and great personalities who held the Quran competitions in
the best way possible during the past few days - and I hope that all of
you will benefit from the blessings of the Holy Quran.
Words fail to describe our appreciation of the blessing of people's
interest in the Holy Quran. Whenever I listen to the news or see on TV
that our youth throughout the country are interested in the Holy Quran, I
begin to thank Allah the Exalted from the bottom of my heart. This is a
great blessing. I understand this blessing and its greatness.
At some point in time, we witnessed that memorizing and reciting the
Holy Quran was not common in our country. When we take a look today, we
see that our youth, our men, our women and our teenagers show interest in
the Holy Quran thanks to the Islamic Republic. They learn Quranic
teachings, they try to read the Holy Quran and they memorize it.
Of course, these are not primary and ultimate goals. The ultimate goal
is understanding and acting on the Holy Quran. However, these initial
steps are necessary. If the Holy Quran becomes common in society, if it is
promoted, if memorizing the Holy Quran becomes common and if people from
different social backgrounds establish a close relationship with the Holy
Quran, then society will get close to acting on the Holy Quran. This is
what we want.
The Holy Quran is enlightenment, guidance, eloquence and clarity. The
Holy Quran speaks to us. It speaks to our hearts and our souls. We should
establish a close relationship with the Holy Quran. It is one's prepared
heart that gains the first benefit from the Holy Quran. If you see that
your hearts are close to the Holy Quran, you should thank God. If you see
that you easily accept and believe in Quranic teachings, then you should
know that Allah the Exalted has decided to guide you: "Those whom Allah in
His plan wills to guide, He opens their breast to Islam. Those whom He
wills to leave straying, He makes their breast close and constricted, as
if they had to climb up to the skies. Thus does Allah heap the penalty on
those who refuse to believe" [The Holy Quran, 6: 125].
This is the characteristic of the Holy Quran. If your hearts get close
to the Holy Quran and if you establish a close relationship with the Holy
Quran, you should know that Allah the Exalted has willed to guide you and
this is the greatest divine blessing.
My dear ones, today the world of Islam is faced with great problems.
You know, you have heard and you are aware that the greatest problem of
the world of Islam is its ignorance about the plots and the malevolent
hands of its enemies. This is one of the greatest or the greatest problem
of the world of Islam. Those who dislike Islam, those who bolt when they
hear the name of Islam and those who are prepared to confront and fight
against every truthful invitation - and Islam is a truthful invitation
which invites to truth and justice - are not idle in the world of Islam.
They have not been idle particularly since the emergence of the Islamic
Republic.
After the formation of a system on the basis of Islam in this sensitive
geographical area in the world, their plots increased in number and became
more complicated. Today, their plots are more complicated than they were
in the past. Everyone in the world of Islam should understand this. They
make us kill one another and they pit brothers against one another. The
policy of the enemies of Islam is to promote fratricide and wage domestic
wars by their agents. Their policy is to sit aside and watch us kill one
another. Well, this is the reason why we should know the enemy and
understand his plots. This is the shortcoming of the world of Islam.
There are some people among the Islamic Ummah who join hands with the
enemies of Islam in order to confront their Muslim brothers. Today, we
have such people. They approach shaitan in order to oppose, fight against
and confront their Muslim brothers. Today, there are some people who are
prepared to cooperate with the Zionist regime in order to destroy their
Muslim brothers: "They took the shaitans for guardians beside Allah, and
they think that they are followers of the right" [The Holy Quran, 7: 30].
They befriend and join hands with the shaitan and they vainly think
that they are stepping on the path of guidance. These are Quranic
standards. These are clear standards that the Holy Quran has offered to
us. We should understand these standards. When can we understand them? We
can understand them when we establish a close relationship with the Holy
Quran and when we open our hearts to it. The whole of this ceremony is an
introduction to this.
I advise you dear youth to get closer to the Holy Quran. Those who have
established a close relationship with the Holy Quran should appreciate the
value of this relationship. Those who have memorized the Holy Quran should
appreciate the value of this memorization. They should preserve this
precious jewel for themselves. Those who constantly recite the Holy Quran
should take care not to lose and let go of this blessed rope. Those people
who are close to the Holy Quran should consider their goal to be thinking
deeply about Quranic meanings and concepts.
These are things which help us get close to the Holy Quran step by step.
If we become attached and get close to the Holy Quran and if Quranic
concepts influence our hearts, then we can hope that the Islamic Ummah
will achieve the dignity which has been promised by Allah the Exalted: "Honor
belongs to Allah and His Messenger and to the believers" [The Holy Quran,
63: 8]. If we do this, God will offer this dignity to the Islamic Ummah.
If we get close to the Holy Quran, these are its fruits and blessings.
Once again, I would like to express my gratitude to all the officials
in charge of this ceremony. I thank the ulama, the participants of these
competitions, the dear youth, the managers in charge of this beautiful and
magnificent ceremony and the people who welcomed it. I hope that Allah the
Exalted will protect and preserve all of you. I would also like to thank
the honorable and eloquent host who beautifully managed the meeting both
in this place and in the place where the ceremony was held.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
Supreme Leader's Speech
in Meeting with Outstanding Women
(2014/04/19)
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on April 19,
2014 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution,
in a meeting with outstanding women. The meeting was held on the occasion
of the auspicious birthday anniversary of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (God's
greetings be upon her).
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
First of all, I would like to welcome the ladies in this meeting and I
congratulate you on the occasion of the auspicious birthday anniversary of
Fatima Zahra (God's greetings be upon her) and Women's Day and Mother's
Day. As was pointed out in this meeting, the coincidence of this important
social occasion of the country with the birthday anniversary of Fatima
Zahra (God's greetings be upon her) - particularly this year when our
people remembered that great personality and held ceremonies for her two
times in the beginning and at the end of the year - is an opportunity for
understanding and learning lessons from the life of that great person.
First, the spiritual positions of Fatima Zahra (God's greetings be upon
her) are among the best spiritual positions which belong only to a few
individuals. She was infallible. Infallibility is particular to a few
individuals who are chosen by God and that great Hazrat - Fatima Zahra (God's
greetings be upon her) - is one of these few individuals. We should
consider the fact that that Muslim woman and that mujahide in the way of
God lived only to the age of 20. Of course, different narrations say that
her age was from 18 to 25 years at the time of her martyrdom.
She was a young woman who enjoyed such a lofty position of spirituality
which was equal to saints, prophets and the like and she was called the
mistress of all women by divine messengers. Besides this spiritual
position, each outstanding characteristic and each important role in the
personal life of this great lady is a lesson.
Her piety, her modesty and purity, her jihad, her care for her husband,
her way of raising children, her understanding of politics and her
presence in the most important arenas of the life of an individual of
those times - whether during her childhood and teenage years or after her
marriage - are each a lesson. They are a lesson not only for you ladies
but also for the entire humanity.
Therefore, this coincidence is a lesson for us. We should pay careful
attention to the life of Fatima Zahra (s.a.), we should understand her
life with a new outlook and we should make it a model for ourselves in the
real sense of the word.
As for the issue of women in the Islamic Republic and in our country
and society, first I would tell you that whenever I meet with Muslim,
religious and educated women on such occasions, I deeply thank God. The
fact that there are so many knowledgeable, educated, broad-minded and
outstanding women - in intellectual and practical areas - in our society
is really one of the greatest glories of the Islamic Republic. This is a
very great blessing and a source of honor.
Today, only one honorable lady delivered a speech, but we have had
numerous meetings with ladies in which many of them delivered a speech.
When each of them made certain statements, this opened the door in our
minds to new outlooks and new thoughts. Building such a large number of
lofty, outstanding and broad-minded individuals is one of the greatest
glories of the Islamic Republic. Today, when we take a look, we see that
the name of our women have been written on many books including scientific,
research-based, historical, literature, political and artistic books. The
writings of our women - whether articles or books - are among the best
writings in the Islamic Republic today. This is really a source of honor
and it is unprecedented in our history.
We have witnessed previous eras and we have been familiar with the
cultural environment of the country. We had never had such a large number
of outstanding individuals in different areas, whether in seminary or
academic areas. Besides, the emergence of the completely outstanding
identity and the independent character of Iranian women in the arena of
jihadi activities - such as the Sacred Defense Era and its aftermath until
today - makes everyone humble. We have had so many wives of martyrs and
disabled war veterans, so many mothers of martyrs and so many relatives of
those people who laid down their lives in the way of God.
The strong willpower, firm determination and patience of these women
make everyone humble. I really have a sense of humility whenever I meet
with these outstanding women. I have many meetings with the mothers and
wives of martyrs and disabled war veterans. When a self-sacrificing lady
spends her entire life managing and improving the life of a disabled war
veteran for the sake of God, this is not a minor achievement.
It is easy to say this, but it is very difficult to do it. A mother who
has offered two, three, four martyrs in the way of God and who has stood
firm despite this, advises us to stand firm as well. One really feels
humility in the face of such greatness. These are the realities about the
women of our society which are very glorious and important realities.
Well, this is thankfully the bright and shining part of the issue of women
in our country.
As for the issue of women in today's world and in our country, this is
one of the issues which requires follow-up, deliberation and deep thinking
because of different reasons. First, women form half the population of
countries. How can countries - including ours - benefit from this capacity
and this great resource in a healthy way? Second, how can the issue of
gender - which is one of the most sensitive and delicate issues in
creation - be at the service of the transcendence of humanity, not at the
service of its moral decadence? Third, considering the natural differences
between women and men, how can we establish and institute an unchanging
pattern of behavior - whether in social environments or inside the family
- through which women cannot be oppressed? These are very important issues.
If we make these two, three issues the pivot of thought, discussion and
research, this will bring about a set of research-based and practical
efforts. No one should think that the issue of oppressing women is
particular to backward or, say, savage societies. This is not the case. If
today's so-called civilized societies do not oppress women more than other
societies, they do not definitely oppress them less. Well, these are
important issues which should be attended to and worked on.
There were good points in the statements of the lady who delivered a
speech. She pointed out the main issues that exist in our minds about this
matter. Quoting from what I said before, she said that the country needs a
supreme supra-governmental center for discussing and working on this
important issue. These issues are our main issues.
The issue of women and the issue of family are our main issues. Of
course, the issue of women is not separable from the issue of family. I
would like to add that if someone wants to discuss the issue of women by
separating it from the issue of family, they will face certain problems in
understanding and finding the cure. These two issues should be studied
together although they are two single issues.
Well, such a center is necessary. Of course, it has not been formed
until now although we brought it up. We do not have a center which can
study, follow up and implement a proper and comprehensive plan about the
issue of women - all those issues which were pointed out in this meeting
and a number of other issues. This center should be formed. Of course,
this has certain requirements.
What I would like to discuss with you today is two, three points. One
is that if we want to think and act in the right way about the issue of
women - whether in the center which was pointed out or in any other center
and organization - and if we do not want to make a mistake in this regard,
we should completely clear our minds of the clichés of western products.
Westerners misunderstood the issue of women. They acted in the wrong
way and they promoted this misunderstanding and these wrong, deviant and
deadly actions throughout the world like common currency in a country.
Besides, their propaganda apparatus, which is very broad in scope, does
not allow those individuals who have different opinions from theirs to
express them. If you want to find a correct solution on the issue of women
and accompany it with its major requirements and if you want to move
forward and achieve results in the long run, you should clear your minds
of western thoughts about the issue of women.
I am not saying that we should be uninformed about their ideas. This is
not what I am saying. We are not advocates of ignorance. I myself am an
advocate of knowledge and familiarity, but we should completely reject the
authority of these thoughts and ideas. Western thoughts and opinions on
the issue of women cannot be a source of happiness and guidance for human
societies at all.
First, their thoughts are based on materialistic and non-divine
epistemology. Well, this is wrong. Any knowledge-based and intellectual
school of thought which is based on materialistic understanding and belief
is naturally wrong. The outlook towards the truths of creation should be
known, understood and followed up together with the outlook towards divine
epistemology, belief in the existence and power of God and divine presence
and authority. Therefore, because the basis and root of western thoughts
are materialistic, they are wrong. This is the first reason.
The second reason is that a businesslike, profit-based and economic
view has influenced the western outlook on the issue of women. This can
clearly be seen in the history of the industrial revolution. In Europe,
women did not have the right to own something. Women's property belonged
to men and their husbands. They did not have the right to possess
something in their name. And when democracy was promoted in the west,
women did not have suffrage.
In such a world, investors suddenly thought of the issue of the
industrial revolution, factories and the efficient presence of women in
factories with low costs. Then, they granted women suffrage so that they
could draw them to factories and give them lower wages. Naturally, the
entrance of women to the arena of employment had its own requirements and
results which have continued until today. Therefore, besides the fact that
the western outlook towards women is a non-divine and materialistic
outlook, the policies which have brought about the current conditions in
the western world - particularly in Europe - have been accompanied by a
businesslike, profit-based and economic outlook.
Another reason why we should avoid the western outlook on the issue of
women is that in this outlook, women are a means for satisfying lust. This
is undeniable. If someone makes this claim, some people may create uproar.
They may say, "No, this is not the case". However, when one takes a look
at their lives, one sees that this is the dominant outlook. In social
environments, the more women appear in an immodest way, the more
appropriate it will be.
They do not have the same opinion about men. In official meetings, men
should dress up. They should wear ties and suits. They should dress
formally on such occasions. But in these formal meetings, women should
appear in a different way. This has no other philosophy and reason except
that women should entertain men's lustful eyes. Today, the western world
is like this. It is practically the greatest oppression which the western
world shows towards women.
I am not after finding newspaper clippings. But it was yesterday or the
day before yesterday that I found something in a newspaper. I found it to
be a very important writing. I have brought it to this meeting to read it
for you. A book written by Jimmy Carter - the former president of America
- has been published which is named "A Call to Action: Women, Religion,
Violence, And Power". Jimmy Carter says in this book, "Every year, 100,000
girls are sold as slaves in America where the owner of a brothel can buy
girls - who are usually Latin American or African - at only 1000 dollars".
He also refers to the rapes which occur in colleges where only one case
out of 25 cases is reported. He goes on to say that only one percent of
rapists are put to trial in the army. One cries when one reads such things.
We can see many such writings in newspapers. I see such writings as well,
but I never base my opinions on them. However, these are realities.
Jimmy Carter is a well-known personality after all and this is his book.
What kind of situation is this? What kind of respect - towards women - is
this? A well-known and famous western writer writes a novel for dignifying
prostitution. This novel has been translated in Persian as well. This book
points out how sex dealers go to Latin-American countries and take girls
with them to sell them in such centers. They do this by giving the girls
empty promises. Of course, this is related to Europe, not America. This
book and this novel tries to pretend that prostitution is a dignified job.
This is the western culture towards women. This is their respect towards
women.
If we want our outlook towards the issue of women to be healthy,
reasonable and precise, the first condition is that we should completely
clear our minds of the statements that westerners make about women - about
their employment, management and sexual equality.
One of the greatest mistakes of western thoughts about the issues of
women is this sexual equality. Justice is a legitimate concept, but
equality is sometimes legitimate and sometimes illegitimate. Why should we
separate an individual who has been built for a particular domain - in
terms of one's natural make up, whether physical or emotional - from that
particular domain and drag her towards another domain which Allah the
Exalted has built for another make-up? Why should we do this? What reason
do we have for doing so? What kind of sympathy is this? Why should women
be entrusted with carrying out male tasks? What kind of honor is to have
women carry out male tasks?
I am sorry that sometimes women and ladies themselves show sensitivity
over this issue. They ask, "What is our difference with men?" Well, there
is no difference between men and women on many issues. Islam looks at men
and women as human beings. There is no difference between men and women on
the issue of humanity, spiritual positions and the many intellectual and
scientific talents that they have. But they have two different molds. Each
of these molds is shaped for a particular task. Of course, there are
certain common tasks among them. Is it a service if we separate either of
these two molds from their domain and put it in another domain? This is
what westerners are doing. Many of their international conventions result
from this outlook.
They have destroyed their own lives because of this wrong thought. They
want to destroy other people's lives as well. Thankfully, you ladies are
knowledgeable, well-informed and outstanding and I respect you. Whenever
ladies deliver a speech in our meetings, I benefit from what they say.
There was a meeting of strategic thoughts about the issue of women in this
place. In that meeting, a number of ladies delivered a speech and I tell
you honestly that I really benefitted from what they said.
In my opinion, if you want to think about the major issues and problems
that the community of women everywhere in the world - including our
country - is faced with, the first condition is that you should free
yourselves and your minds of western thoughts which are a set of clichéd,
wrong, fossilized and pseudo-progressive thoughts. On the face of it,
these thoughts are new, but they are fossilized in actuality. On the face
of it, they are helpful, but they are treacherous in actuality. You should
think independently of western thoughts.
The second requirement is that you should refer to Islamic texts. You
should derive the main principles and bases from the Holy Quran, the
Sunnah, hadith, duas, Islamic texts and the words and behavior of the
Imams (a.s.). This is revelation and revelation belongs to God. God is the
Creator of you and me.
I am not saying that we should accept whatever people say in the name
of religion. This is not what I want to say. Rather, we should benefit
from proper religion. This can be done by employing proper methods of
deduction and this is a task which can only be carried out by experts in
this area. We should really benefit from God's book, the Holy Prophet's (s.w.a.)
Sunnah and the infallible Imam's (a.s.) methods and words so that we can
see what outlook we should adopt on the issue of women. We should derive
the main guidelines from these sources.
In my opinion, these are the two main tasks. There is a third task as
well which is: we should really attend to the main issues, not those
issues which are of secondary importance, when working on the issues of
women. Paying attention to the issue of family - particularly the issue of
women's health, security, tranquility and respect in the family
environment - is one of the main issues. We have a number of main issues.
This is one of them.
You should see what factors take away women's tranquility and peace of
mind inside the family. You should try to remove these factors with legal
ways and with promotional and different other methods. This is the basis
of the issue. Women are a source of tranquility at home. They are a source
of tranquility for men and children including girls and boys. If women
themselves do not enjoy psychological tranquility, they cannot share their
tranquility with their family. A woman who is humiliated, insulted and
pressured because of her job cannot be the lady of the house. She cannot
be the manager of the family. This is while women are, in fact, managers
of the family. This is the main issue. This is one of the main issues
which has not received enough attention in our living environments -
whether in the past or in the present time. This issue should receive
enough attention.
The typical image of women at home is the image of a creature of
secondary importance who is responsible for rendering services to others.
This image is shared by many people. Some people openly express it and
some people do not, although they believe it in their hearts. This is the
exact opposite of what Islam has mentioned.
I have repeatedly quoted this well-known hadith: "Women are like
flowers. They are not servants" [Nahjul Balaghah, Letter 31]. The Arabic
word "ghahraman" means one's employee or servant. One example is: "He said
to his ghahraman to do such and such a task" [Speaking in Arabic]. Another
example is that a person who has many properties and lands orders his
ghahraman to carry out such and such a task. This is the meaning of
ghahraman. This hadith says that we should not think women are the
servants of the house and that they should only do household chores. This
is not the case.
Well, notice that this is one of the several chapters about women: the
issue of respecting women's work at home. They are not obligated to do
household chores and their work can be bought. That is to say, they can
receive money for the work that they do at home. These are the things
which exist in Islam and Islamic fiqh. As the lady who delivered a speech
in this meeting pointed out, our fiqh is really advanced and outstanding.
Some people highlight some aspects of it and forget about the rest.
Besides, they completely distort certain aspects of it in order to make it
compatible with western deceitful and fallacious thoughts. We have
witnessed this as well.
Some people distort a number of Islamic obligations and truths so that
westerners do not become annoyed. The Holy Quran says, "And if you obey
most of those in the earth, they will lead you astray from Allah's way.
They follow nothing but conjecture. They do nothing but lie" [The Holy
Quran, 6: 116]. We should not be the followers of common thoughts in the
world of ignorance and superstition. Rather, we should find and follow
Islamic thoughts although some people speak ill of us. This is another
issue.
Therefore, we should find the main issue. In my opinion, the main issue
- or let us say, one of the main issues - is the issue of home and family.
The basis of the issue is women's security and opportunities in the family
environment and their home-making is for cultivating their talents.
Nothing should prevent them from studying, reading, learning and writing.
Of course, this is related to those women who are interested in such
things. The ground should be prepared for them to carry out these tasks.
The issue of women's employment is not among the main issues. Of course,
we are not at all opposed to women's employment. I myself am not at all
opposed to their employment and their management as long as it does not
clash with these main issues. If there is a clash, then the main issues
have a priority. Naturally, one of the tasks that should be carried out in
this third area is that we should see what jobs are suitable for women's
characteristics. There are some jobs which are not suitable for women's
make-up. Therefore, women should not pursue such jobs.
One of the tasks is that we should not impose on women those fields of
study which lead to these jobs. Some people want to create uproar by
saying that there is discrimination against women over the issue of
universities, education and other such issues. Well, such discrimination
is not bad in some areas. Discrimination is bad when it is against justice.
Imagine that in a football team, you tell one player to play in attack,
you tell another to play in defense and another to keep goal. Well, this
is discrimination. If the player whose duty is to defend plays in attack,
the team will naturally lose. If the forward is entrusted with goalkeeping
- which is a task he does not know how to carry out - then, the team will
naturally lose.
This is discrimination, but it is justice-based. In such discrimination,
you entrust different tasks to individuals. Therefore, we should see what
fields of study are suitable for women by paying attention to the lofty
goals that have been specified for them. We should prepare the ground for
women to study such fields. We should not force them to study certain
fields just because of their performance and their grade in the entrance
exam. Such fields may neither be compatible with their womanly nature nor
with their lofty goals. Besides, the job that is given to them with
respect to their field of study may not be compatible with their make-up.
In my opinion, these things should receive attention when it comes to the
issue of women's employment.
In sum, the fact that women cannot do all the jobs which men do should
not be considered to be a disgrace or a flaw because this is not the case.
Only those things which are not compatible with the divine nature are bad.
This was what I wanted to discuss. Of course, I have written down some
other points as well, but I think that this is enough.
The issue of women is an important issue. The best people who can
follow up and solve this issue are women themselves. We do not suffer from
a lack of educated, broad-minded, talented, literary and artistic women.
Thankfully today, there are many such women in our country. As I mentioned
before, we had never had such a large number of educated, knowledgeable
and outstanding women in the history of our country, neither in seminary
nor in academic environments. We had never had so many woman writers,
poets and researchers in different fields of study.
Fortunately today, we have such women thanks to the Islamic Republic.
These things have been achieved in the shade of Islam, the Islamic
Republic and Imam's (r.a.) enlightening outlook towards the issue of women.
This was pointed out in the statements of the lady who delivered a speech
as well. We had never enjoyed such a condition in our country.
We should thank God for His blessings and we should ask Him to increase
these blessings. We should thank Him for these blessings and the way to
thank Him is what I pointed out in this meeting. We should look at the
divine guidance and forget about the materialistic views which are
promoted today by westerners and the Americans. They are very vile and
they make extravagant claims. Besides, they have a propagandist outlook.
If someone speaks against them, they launch a propagandist attack. But you
should not pay attention to their propaganda and, by Allah's favor, you
should move forward.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
Supreme Leader’s Norouz
Message 1393
(2014/03/20)
The following is the full text of the message issued on March 20, 2014
by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, on
the occasion of Norouz.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Conqueror of hearts and sight,
Planner of night and day,
Transformer of power and circumstances,
Change our condition to the best of conditions.
Allah, Your blessings be upon Fatimah, her father, her husband and her
children.
Allah, be for Your representative, the Hujjat, son of al-Hasan, Your
blessings be on him and his forefathers, in this hour and in every hour, a
guardian, a protector, a leader, a helper, a proof, and a watchful eye
until you make him reside on the earth, in obedience (to You), and cause
him to live in it for a long time.
Allah, hasten his re-appearance and place us among his companions, his
supporters and his Shia.
I would like to offer my congratulations to all my dear fellow
countrymen throughout Iran and to all the Iranians who live in different
parts of the world – particularly to the esteemed families of martyrs, to
disabled war veterans, to their spouses and to all those people who have
made and continue to make efforts on the path of Islam and Iran and who
have shouldered and continue to shoulder different responsibilities – on
the occasion of the arrival of the new year. I would like to extend my
congratulations to all the nations who honor Norouz and who hold it in
high esteem.
This year, the arrival of the new year coincides with the two
narrations of the Fatemiyyahs and the martyrdom anniversary of the great
lady of the world of Islam, Saddiqat al-Kubra (s.a.). By Allah’s favor,
this coincidence will help our people to benefit from the blessings of
Fatemi enlightenment, to place themselves in the radius of the teachings
of that great personality and to enlighten themselves with the light of
divine guidance which has been bestowed upon all the people throughout the
world through Fatimah Zahra- Allah’s greetings upon her- and the Holy
Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.s.) household.
The passage of different years should both be an experience and a
source of foresight for us. We should learn from the past and we should
look to the future and make decisions for it with open eyes and with wise
hearts. I ask Allah the Exalted to bestow health, enthusiasm,
psychological security, peace of mind, progress, transcendence and
happiness on our dear Iranians in this new year. I hope that He bestows
enthusiasm and dynamism on our youth. I hope that He bestows firm
determination and willpower on our men and women so that they can take
glorious paths. I hope that He bestows happiness and health on our
children and I hope that He bestows security, kindness and compassion on
our families.
Our responsibility is to look to the past in order to learn a lesson
and to look to the future for making plans and taking decisions. It was
announced that last year was “The Year of Political and Economic Valor”.
Thankfully, political valor was achieved – in the best way possible - in
different arenas including the arena of elections, great rallies, the
presence of the people in different areas and the efforts that were made
by both officials and the people throughout the year.
Last year was the year of the transfer of administrations and the
transfer of power. This was done with tranquility and utmost security in
the country and thankfully a new link in the long chain of the management
of the country was created.
But on the issue of economic valor, what should have been done and what
was expected to be done was not done. Certain efforts were made which are
appreciated, but the great task that should be carried out in the arena of
economic valor is still ahead of us. We are responsible for achieving this
epic. The issue of economy is an important issue for our country and our
people. Thankfully, a theoretical infrastructure was designed for economic
valor and the policies on the economy of resistance were announced at the
end of the year 1392. By Allah’s favor, the ground is prepared to make the
necessary efforts in this regard.
From the viewpoint of this humble person, there are two issues which
are more important than anything else in our outlook towards the year
1393. One is the issue of economy and the other is the issue of culture.
What is expected in both arenas and areas is a collaborative effort by the
officials of the country and the people. What is expected to be done in
order to build life and the future cannot be done without the people’s
cooperation. Therefore, in addition to the officials’ management, the
presence of the people in both arenas – the arena of economy and the arena
of culture - is necessary and fundamental. Without the presence of the
people, the task at hand will not be carried out and the goal will not be
achieved.
The people in various public groupings can play a role with firm
determination and with national willpower. Officials too need popular
support in order to move the task forward in the right way. They too
should enter the arena by relying on Allah the Exalted and by benefiting
from divine blessings, divine approval and the people’s assistance. They
should do this both in the arena of the economy and culture.
God willing, I will explain all these issues to the people of Iran in
the speech that I will deliver next Friday. So, I think what is ahead of
us in this new year is an economy that will blossom with the help of
officials and the people and a culture that can determine the direction of
the great movement of our country and our people with the determination of
officials and the people.
This is why I have named this year “The Year of Economy and Culture
with National Determination and Jihadi Management”. I hope that Allah the
Exalted will help both the people and the honorable officials to carry out
their responsibilities in this area. I hope that He will make the holy
heart of the Imam of the Age- may our souls be sacrificed for his sake-
pleased with us and I hope that He will make the immaculate soul of our
magnanimous Imam (r.a.) and the pure souls of our dear martyrs satisfied
and pleased with us.
Greetings be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings
Supreme Leader's Speech
in Meeting with Air Force Commanders and Personnel
(2014/02/08)
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on February 8,
2014 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution,
in a meeting with commanders and personnel of the Air Force of the Islamic
Republic of Iran Army. The meeting was held on the occasion of the
historic pledge of allegiance of Air Force officers to Imam Khomeini (r.a.)
on the 19th of Bahman of 1357.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I would like to welcome you dear brothers, commanders and personnel of
the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army. I congratulate you on
this auspicious day and this great memory. I would like to express my
gratitude to those people who created the event of the 19th of Bahman.
This event was very sensitive and important. I thank the honorable
commander in this meeting for his report and I express my sincere
gratitude for the meaningful and expressive song which was performed in
this meeting.
A number of events are greater than what they seem to be. Sometimes, an
event develops to such an extent that even those who created it do not
expect this development. In the Holy Quran, God says, "Like a seed which
sends forth its blade, then makes it strong, it then becomes thick, and it
stands on its own stem, filling the sowers with wonder and delight" [The
Holy Quran, 48: 29]. God mentions certain characteristics when portraying
the companions of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) and the believers during the
early Islamic era. He likens them to a seed which sprouts, gradually gains
strength and grows in such a way that even the farmers - those who sow the
seeds - become astonished.
The event of the 19th of Bahman was like this. On that day, one could
not see the many dimensions of this event. These dimensions became clear
gradually. On a larger scale, the Revolution itself was like this. The day
our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) began the movement in the year 1341, no one
could think of this great scope and this astonishing product, but this
event happened. Of course, there are certain reasons why an event becomes
blessed, whose discussion is beyond the scope of our meeting.
In any case, the event of the 19th of Bahman was a blessed event. One
of the things which the analysts of this event have ignored is the role of
this event in bringing about independence. Where did it exert such
influence? It exerted such influence in the army - that is to say, part of
the social class which endured the most sufferings because of the
domination and interference of foreigners during the time of taghut. The
event of the 19th of Bahman awakened the feeling of independence in this
organization. It awakened this feeling in the entire army - first in the
air force and later on in other branches of the army.
This event showed soldiers that one can free oneself from the influence
of interfering and transgressing foreigners. This was the reason why I was
saying to the friends in this meeting that the first place the
self-sufficiency jihad emerged in, was the air force. It developed later
on in the entire army. This spirit of independence and self-confidence was
important for the army and the armed forces. It continued to be important
until today and it will be important in the future as well.
I would like to say this in parentheses - the main point that I want to
discuss is something else. In order to be able to show your competence in
confronting threats against your position, which is the position of
preserving the aerial security of the country, you should have a feeling
of independence from others and reliance on your own capacities.
If you have such a feeling, talents begin to emerge. Of course, they
have emerged until today and they will continue to emerge in the future as
well. The issue of independence is an important issue for the entire
country and the Revolution. Independence was one of the bases of the
Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic. The slogan of "independence",
together with the slogan of "freedom" was, is and will be one of the most
important slogans of the Revolution.
Notice that after the defeat of the method of direct colonialism -
which was common in the past and through which they colonized countries in
a direct way - it became obsolete and it was replaced with neocolonialism.
In neocolonialism, interfering powers did not directly involve themselves
in controlling colonized countries. Rather, their agents and those who
listened to these powers and who were dependent on them were brought to
power. Because governments which rely on the outside cannot rule without
dictatorship, they ruled in a dictatorial way and they safeguarded the
interests of foreign powers.
This was neocolonialism. Fighting against dictatorship will get nowhere
without fighting against those foreign powers which are behind domestic
dictators. The same is true of today. If a people who are exhausted with
the dictatorship of their rulers spark an uprising and fight with domestic
dictators, but compromise with the foreign imperialists who are behind
these dictators, the fate of this revolution and its officials and
managers is either failure or treachery. Their fate will be limited to
either of these two things. They, their revolution and their country will
either be betrayed or if they will not be betrayed, they will be defeated
and they will be deleted from the scene.
As we witnessed in a number of the revolutions which were conducted in
recent years, people fought with domestic dictators, but they showed
negligence in confronting the force which was supporting the dictators or
they thought of compromising with this force. The result of this is what
you see today. If you fight with dictators, but you compromise with
arrogant powers, this will get you nowhere. Those revolutions will succeed
and achieve victory which see and fight against the interfering power
behind the dictators.
When our youth went and captured the Den of Espionage and when they
dealt a humiliating blow to America, Imam said, "This is a revolution
which is greater than the first one". This is the reason why he said this.
The first Revolution was a great and unique revolution, but in the second
revolution, the people of Iran showed that they know the next layer of
domination, calamity and disaster and that they can confront and fight
against it.
One can understand the issue of independence from this movement of the
people. Independence means that a country knows the interfering power and
that it confronts and stands up to it. Independence does not mean behaving
in a wrong and harsh way towards the entire world. Rather, it means
confronting a power which wants to interfere, command and take away the
dignity and honor of a people for the sake of its interests. This is the
meaning of independence.
Who is the enemy of the independence of a people? Foreign and
interfering powers are the enemy of this independence. It is they who are
afraid of the feeling of independence in a country. They are afraid of
this feeling and they try to weaken it in people, in their leaders and
those who guide them.
This is the reason why their propaganda networks engage in discouraging
nations from pursuing independence. They say in their propaganda that the
political, cultural and economic independence of countries contradicts
their progress. You have heard what they say. Those who are familiar with
global propaganda have heard these things as well. They promote these
ideas in think tanks as philosophical ideas and some people inside
different countries - including ours - promote these ideas on their
behalf.
These people say, "If a country wants to be among advanced countries in
the world, it has no option other than suppressing the feeling of
independence in itself because if a country wants to be independent and
completely rely on its own interests, this contradicts their desire to be
among global advanced countries". Well, this is completely wrong and it
has been fabricated by those who are opposed to the independence of
peoples.
The hope and goal of interfering powers is to safeguard their own
interests by interfering in the affairs of all countries. They do not care
if the interests of countries are jeopardized and trampled upon. They
persist in interfering the way they used to persist in interfering in the
affairs of our country during the time of taghut. They used to determine
who we should and should not establish relations with, who we should sell
our oil to, how much we should sell, how we should consume it and who
should and should not undertake a sensitive responsibility. They directly
interfered in such affairs.
In such conditions, a country becomes an instrument and a tool for
safeguarding their interests and its own interests will be completely
forgotten. When this happens, the goal of leaders and rulers of this
country will no longer be to defend national interests. Rather, their goal
will be to further the interests of interfering powers. Independence halts
and prevents this wrong and treacherous trend. This is the meaning of
independence for a country.
Independence does not mean breaking off one's relations with other
countries. Rather, it means building a dam against the influence of other
countries so that they cannot overshadow the interests of our country and
our people by their own interests. This is the meaning of independence and
this is the most important goal for any country.
What can bring about independence for our Islamic Revolution is
highlighting the principles of the Revolution in a forthright and clear
way. The principles and values of the Revolution should be highlighted in
a forthright and clear way, as our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) did this. From
the beginning of the revolutionary movement, Imam expressed his viewpoints
in an outspoken and unambiguous way. From the beginning, he rejected the
taghuti, hereditary, oppressive and monarchic regime and he did not give
it any consideration.
It was clear from the beginning that Imam was after forming a popular
government. Imam used to say in an outspoken way that hereditary
monarchies, dictatorial regimes and those individual regimes which rely on
the will of a single individual are condemned. Imam used to say these
things in an outspoken way and he did not veil his viewpoints. Imam openly
said that an Islamic government, one that is based on Islamic thoughts and
values, should handle affairs and he did not draw a veil over this. Imam
did not show any consideration on the issue of confronting the dangerous
Zionist network which wants to rule over the entire world. He did not hide
anything on this issue and he openly adopted an anti-Zionist position.
Imam openly adopted a position against the Zionist regime which is a
fake and usurping regime and which wants to rule over the oppressed people
of Palestine. He did not show any consideration and he did not draw a veil
over any of these. Notice that these are the principles and the
foundations. Imam did not conceal the fact that we are opposed to
arrogance. Arrogance means the international system which is reliant on
dividing the world into the oppressed and the oppressor. Imam decisively
rejected this.
This arrogant system is completely manifested and represented by the
current regime and government of the United States of America. Imam openly
adopted a position against America. Our position against America is not
based on the people of America or on racist outlooks. The issue is not
this. The issue is that the behavior, nature and conduct of the government
of the United States of America is based on interference and imperialism.
Imam adopted an open and clear position against this. This is the
reason why the Revolution continues to move forward on its true rail of
principles and guidelines even after the passage of 35 years. The
Revolution did not change, it did not change its principles, it did not
change its path and it did not change its slogans. This is very important.
The resistance of other revolutions crumbles in the face of the storms
which strikes them. Many of these revolutions either change their
principles and path or they will be completely destroyed and annihilated.
From the first day it emerged, the Islamic Revolution has preserved and
moved towards its goals, it has made astonishing achievements in different
areas and it is changing [Iran] from being an abandoned and ineffectual
country in the world to becoming a great and influential regional power in
international policies. It is showing this to the entire world.
All nations throughout the world know the people of Iran to be a brave,
honest, intelligent and resisting people despite the fact that many
efforts have been made and many propaganda tools have been used against
the Islamic Republic. For a while, the propaganda and political networks
of the enemies of the people of Iran focused all their efforts on creating
Iranophobia. Some of them focused their efforts on creating Islamophobia
and some of them on Iranophobia. Nevertheless, the popularity of the
people of Iran increased among nations throughout the world.
Today, not only the masses of the people but also those outstanding
personalities who do not have malicious motives have such a viewpoint
about the people of Iran. If you take a look at their statements, you will
see that this is their opinion about the people of Iran: a resisting,
intelligent and patient people. This is the way they look at the people of
Iran. This is the result of their Iranophobia policies.
Nations are not anxious about the Islamic Republic and the people of
Iran. Rather, they are anxious about the domination of America. It is
America that is known for bullying, interfering in the affairs of other
countries and waging wars. Peoples throughout the world know America to be
a warmongering and belligerent government which interferes in the affairs
of other countries. It is America which nations are intimidated by and
which they hate.
By Allah's favor, the Islamic Republic has become more enlightened and
the people of Iran have become more dignified on a daily basis. And this
will continue in the future. The secret to the survival of the Islamic
Republic on the rail of the Revolution and the guidelines of our
magnanimous Imam, has been this outspokenness.
This candor and outspokenness should not be lost at all. The positions
of the Islamic Republic in the face of its opponents, friends and enemies
should be clear positions. Tactics can be changed, methods can be changed,
but principles should remain strong and solid. This is the secret to the
solidity of the Revolution and the progress of the country.
Who are the enemies of our Revolution today? The enemies of the
Revolution are a few corrupt powers which are notorious in the world.
These powers are the enemies of the people of Iran. And the friends of the
people of Iran are those nations who have heard the message of the
Revolution and the Islamic Republic.
Of course, it is possible that some people have not heard these
messages, but anyone who has heard the slogans of the Islamic Republic,
who has witnessed its resistance and who has experienced and understood
the issue of showing resistance and being oppressed, is the supporter of
the Islamic Republic. The Islamic Republic means the people of Iran and
the Iranian nation. The people are not separate from the Islamic Republic.
This is the secret to the solidity and power of the Islamic Republic.
One of the things which American politicians say in their speeches to
our officials is that they do not intend to change the regime of Iran.
First, they are lying. If they could, they would not hesitate even for a
moment to destroy the foundation of the Islamic Republic. Second, they
cannot. Arrogant regimes can only topple those governments which are not
reliant on the masses of the people.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is reliant on the faith, kindness and
willpower of the people. Which country do you know that holds
commemoration ceremonies for its revolution with the presence of the
people on the streets and with powerful slogans even after the passage of
tens of years? By Allah's favor, you will witness that on the 22nd of
Bahman, the people of Iran will once more show their presence, their great
strength and national power in all cities.
What is important is that the people of Iran know the secret to their
success is resistance, and thankfully, they know this. What is important
is that they know the way to achieve security is showing national power
and national strength. National power is manifested by certain things and
the people will show this power in their great demonstrations, their
orientations and their rallies such as the 22nd of Bahman rallies and
other such rallies in different elections. They will show this presence
through scientific achievements and through their support of the Islamic
Republic. This is the important point. What preserves the security of the
country is showing national power. When the people show off their national
power to the enemy, he cannot do anything.
Unfortunately, today the enemies make certain statements at different
stages. This is a lesson for our people. The people of Iran should follow
up the negotiations which are conducted in these days. They should listen
to and follow up the rude statements of American politicians and they
should know these politicians.
Some individuals want to change the people's opinion about the enmity
of the enemy. The people should not listen to these individuals and they
should see the enmity and hypocritical behavior of the enemy. In private
meetings with the officials of the country, the American officials say
certain things, but as soon as they leave, they say certain other things.
The people of Iran should see and pay attention to the hypocritical
behavior of our enemy and his evil and malevolent motives. They should
realize that a country should always preserve its domestic power.
This is a piece of advice which we have always offered to officials.
Only one thing can solve the problems of the country which is paying
attention to domestic capacities - thankfully, these capacities are many
and countless - and utilizing these capacities in a wise way. Fortunately,
the executive officials in charge of economic issues have paid attention
to this issue and they have reached the conclusion that this is the only
way.
The way to solve the economic problems of the country - this set of
problems - is not to turn our attention to the outside, to do something to
make sanctions be lifted and to adopt other such measures. Fortunately,
the officials in charge of economic affairs of the country have paid
attention to this issue. The way to solve problems is to turn our
attention to the inside and to strengthen the domestic infrastructures of
the economy. Our officials want to do this and by Allah's favor, they will
move forward and achieve success on this path.
Our hopes cannot be pinned on the enemy. The enemy cannot be expected
to help us. The Americans say in some of their statements and sophistries
that they are the friends of the people of Iran. They are lying and this
can be understood from their actions. They threaten Iran and then they
expect the Islamic Republic to decrease its defense capabilities. Is this
not ridiculous? Is this not silly? While they issue threats, they say that
we should decrease our defense capabilities. But this is not what we will
do. By Allah's favor, different officials, different sectors and the armed
forces will increase their defense capabilities on a daily basis.
What saves the country is reliance on domestic power and attention to
the inside both in economical areas and in different social, political and
cultural areas. By Allah's favor, the policies on economy of resistance
will be announced in the near future. By Allah's favor, when this is done,
the necessary infrastructures will be built and the necessary tasks and
efforts for creating an economy of resistance - which is based on the
resistance of the people - will be carried out and the people will
continue their path.
What is important is that all of our people should preserve their unity
and that officials and outstanding personalities should not let different
peripheral issues sideline the main goal. Today, the main goal of the
movement of the people of Iran is achieving inborn power and resistance in
the face of opposing and hostile storms. During the past 35 years, there
have been many storms, but thankfully, the people have stood firm and have
counteracted the moves of the enemies over the course of these many years.
From now on too, the people should and will be able to - by Allah's favor
- counteract these moves.
All the people should preserve their unity. Unity, unanimity and
solidarity should increase among the people and officials. All the
officials and managers of the country should trust the people and the
people should trust the officials.
A number of people may like to make criticisms. Well, they can make
criticisms, but their criticisms should be fair. Considering the fact that
it is only a few months the administration has taken charge of the country,
we should give executive officials time so that, by Allah's favor, they
can move things forward in a firm and powerful way. Critics should pay
attention to this point and they should behave towards the administration
with equanimity and executive officials should do the same. Everyone
should respect one another and everyone should behave in a polite way
towards one another.
We have certain enemies and these enemies have certain agents inside
the country. This should not be ignored. We should not allow the enemies'
agents inside the country to take advantage of weak points and to create
disorder. By Allah's favor, all of us together should move forward on the
path of our magnanimous Imam and on the path of the power of our country.
Allah the Exalted will bestow success on our people. By Allah's favor,
things will move forward in the best way possible. By Allah's favor and
grace, the people of Iran will achieve victory over their enemies whether
on the nuclear issue or on different other issues.
I hope that Allah the Exalted bestows success on all of you so that you
can carry out your responsibilities wherever you are - whether in the Air
Force, in the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, in the Armed Forces in
general or among the masses of the people. I hope that, God willing, all
of us can carry out our responsibilities and build a desirable future for
the country, the Islamic Republic and our dear people.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
Supreme Leader's Speech
in Meeting with Government Officials and Participants of Conference on
Islam
(2014/01/19)
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on January 19,
2014 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution,
in a meeting with government officials and foreign participants of the
27th Conference on Islamic Unity. The meeting was held in Imam Khomeini
Hussainiyah on the occasion of the birthday anniversaries of the Holy
Prophet (s.w.a.) and Imam Sadiq (a.s.).
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I would like to congratulate all of you dear audience who are present
in this meeting, the dear guests of Unity Week, the ambassadors of Islamic
countries and all the honorable officials who have accepted heavy
responsibilities in the country, on the occasion of the auspicious
birthday anniversaries of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) and his outstanding
grandson - Imam Sadiq (a.s.). I would like to extend my congratulations to
all the people of Iran, all Muslims and all liberated peo ple throughout
the world.
This auspicious birthday is the source of many blessings which have
been bestowed on the lives of human beings over the course of many
centuries. It has helped nations, peoples and humanity in general to
achieve the best human, intellectual and mental qualities. It has helped
them to create a lofty civilization and to achieve bright prospects for a
better life. On this birthday anniversary, what is important for the world
of Islam and the Islamic community is to pay attention to the Holy
Prophet's (s.w.a.) expectations of the Islamic community and to try hard
to meet these expectations.
The happiness of the world of Islam lies in this and nothing else.
Islam emerged for the liberation of humanity- both liberation from the
suppression and pressures of oppressive and dictatorial regimes which have
ruled over all people and in order to form a just government for the
entire humanity, and liberation from deceptive thoughts and illusions
which do minate the lives of people and which make their lives deviate
from the right path.
At a time when Islam was about to emerge, the Commander of the Faithful
(peace and greetings be upon him) described the environment in which
people were living as an environment of "fitna":
"At that time, people had fallen into fitna, whereby the rope of
religion had been broken" [Nahjul Balaghah, Sermon 2]. Fitna means a dusty
climate in which one cannot see anything. In such a climate, one cannot
see the path and he does not know what to do. This was the conditions of
the people who lived in that difficult area.
The same conditions dominated - in a different way - the lives of the
people in great countries and civilizations which existed at that time. It
is not the case that we can think the people who were living in the
Arabian Peninsula at a time when Islamic was about to emerge had terrible
conditions while other people living in other areas were happy. The
domination of crue l and oppressive regimes, their indifference towards
the position of human beings and human principles and the outbreak of
disastrous wars which were waged by powers for the sake of power had
destroyed the lives of people. History shows that the two well-known
civilizations of those days - that is to say, the Persian Sassanid
civilization and the Roman civilization - were in such terrible conditions
that it makes one pity the masses of the people who were living in those
societies. The living conditions of those people were terrible and they
were living in captivity.
In such conditions, Islam came and freed people. This freedom first
manifests itself in the hearts and souls of people. When one feels that he
is free and when he feels the need to break chains, the forces inside him
will be influenced by this feeling and then he can achieve social freedom
if he shows determination and if he moves forward. Islam did this for
people. The same message that Islam delivered at that time exists today in
the world of Islam and in other parts of the world. The enemies of freedom
kill the thought of freedom in people. When there is no thought of freedom,
the movement towards freedom will either slow down or stop.
Today, what we Muslims should do is to try to achieve the kind of
freedom that Islam wants. The independence of Muslim nations, the
establishment of popular governments throughout the world of Islam, the
participation of all people in making decisions and determining fates and
their movement on the basis of Islamic sharia are things which liberate
nations. Of course, Muslim nations feel that they need this movement today.
This feeling exists throughout the world of Islam and without a doubt, it
will finally achieve results.
If outstanding personalities - whether political, scientific and
religious personalities - in Muslim countries carry out their
responsibilities in the proper way, then the future of the world of Islam
will be a bright o ne. Muslims are hopeful about this future. Today, the
world of Islam feels that it is awake. It is exactly at this point that
the enemies of Islam - those people who are opposed to Islamic Awakening,
independence of nations and the domination of God's religion in all
countries - enter the arena. It is exactly at this point that all kinds of
tricks are used for creating obstacles in the way of Islamic societies.
And the most important trick that they use is creating discord.
It is 65 years now that the world of arrogance has been trying with all
its power to impose the existence of the Zionist regime on Muslim nations
and to make them accept this regime. But it has failed. We should not look
at some countries and governments which are willing to act against their
national interests in order to safeguard the interests of their foreign
friends - who are the enemies of Islam - and to consign Islamic interests
to oblivion. Peoples are opposed to the presence of the Zionists.
It is 65 years now that they have been trying to erase the memory of
Palestine, but they have failed. During the 33-day war in Lebanon and
during the 22-day war and - for the second time - the eight-day war in
Gaza which were waged in recent years, Muslim nations and the Islamic
Ummah showed that they are alive. The Islamic Ummah showed that despite
the investment of America and other western powers, it has managed to
preserve its identity, to slap the fake and imposed Zionist regime across
the face and to frustrate the allies of oppressive Zionists who did their
best during this time to preserve this imposed, oppressive and criminal
regime. The Islamic Ummah showed that it has not forgotten about Palestine.
This is a very important issue.
It is in such conditions that the enemy is focusing all its efforts on
making the Islamic Ummah forget about Palestine. How do they want to do
this? They want to do this by creating discord, waging domestic wars,
promoting deviant extre mism in the name of Islam, religion and Islamic
sharia. They want a group of people to say takfiri things against Muslims.
The existence of these takfiri orientations which have emerged in the
world of Islam is good news for arrogance and the enemies of the world of
Islam. It is these takfiri orientations that attract the attention of
Muslims towards insignificant issues instead of letting them pay attention
to the truth about the existence of the malevolent Zionist regime.
This is the exact opposite of what Islam wants. Islam has asked Muslims
to be "strong against unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other"
[The Holy Quran, 48, 29]. Muslims should be strong against the enemies of
religion. They should stand firm and they should not be influenced by the
enemies. Being "strong against unbelievers" is the clear message of this
ayah. Muslims should be compassionate towards one another, they should
stay together and join hands and they should hold fast to the rope which
Allah stretches out for them. This is the command of Islam.
Now what happens if an orientation emerges which divides Muslims into
believers and unbelievers, which targets a group of people as unbelievers
and which pits Muslims against one another? Who can doubt the role of
arrogance and the security services of arrogant and malevolent governments
in creating, supporting and enriching these orientations and in equipping
them with weapons? These arrogant powers sit and plan for this. The world
of Islam should attend to this issue because it is a grave danger.
Unfortunately, a number of Muslim governments unwittingly add fuel to
the fire of this discord. They do not understand that fueling this discord
will kindle a fire which will burn them as well. This is what arrogance
wants: they want a group of Muslims to wage a war against another group of
Muslims.
Those who give rise to this war are people who benefit from the money
provided by puppet rulers. These puppet rulers give them money and weapons
in order to pit people in such and such a country against one another.
This move has been reinforced by arrogance in the past three, four years
during which a wave of Islamic Awakening has emerged in a number of
Islamic and Arabic countries. They want to do this in order to overshadow
Islamic Awakening. By making this move, they are pitting Muslims against
one another.
Moreover, the propaganda networks of the enemies are projecting an ugly
image of Islam for public opinion throughout the world. They are doing
this by magnifying events. What do people think of Islam when media
networks show a person who is devouring the liver of another person in the
name of Islam? The enemies of Islam have planned this.
These are not things that happen all of a sudden and out of the blue.
These are things for which many plans have been devised over a long period
of time. There are different policies and spy rings behind these moves.
There is big money behind these moves. Muslims should confront any
phenomenon which is against their unity. This is a great responsibility
for all of us. Both Shia and Sunni Muslims, and different groups which
exist among Shia and Sunni Muslims should shoulder this responsibility.
Unity means reliance on common points. We have many common points.
Muslims' common points are more than their disagreements and therefore,
they should rely on them. The main responsibility in this regard falls on
the shoulders of outstanding personalities - whether political, scientific
or religious personalities. Religious scholars in the world of Islam
should prevent Muslims from creating sectarian and religious discord.
Academic scholars should help students understand that today, unity is the
most important issue in the world of Islam. The most important issue is
unity for the sake of reaching goals. These goals are achieving political
independence, establishing religious democracy and observing divine rules
in Is lamic societies.
Islam invites people to freedom, dignity and honor. This is an
obligation and responsibility today. Political personalities too should
know that their dignity and honor lies in their reliance on Muslim peoples,
not on foreigners and those who are arch enemies of Islamic societies.
One day, arrogant powers dominated people everywhere in Islamic regions.
One day, policies carried out by America and before that England and other
countries, dominated the lives of people in Islamic regions. Nations
gradually managed to liberate themselves from this direct domination. In
the present time, the enemies want to replace this direct domination,
which they imposed during the era of imperialism, with indirect domination
- that is to say, political, economic and cultural domination. Of course,
in some areas they are imposing this direct domination again. As you see,
a number of European countries want to create the same situation which
existed in the past in Africa.
The path is Islamic Awakening. The path is awareness about the position
of Muslim nations. Muslim nations have many resources, they have sensitive
geographical locations, they have a very valuable historical legacy and
they have unique economic resources. If Muslims collect themselves, find
their true identity, rely on themselves and extend the hand of friendship,
then this region will be an outstanding and enlightened region and the
world of Islam will witness dignity, greatness and honor.
By Allah's favor, this is what will happen in the future. One can see
the signs of this future such as the victory of the Islamic Revolution in
Iran and the establishment and stability of the Islamic Republic in this
sensitive region.
It is 35 years now that arrogant regimes - including America and other
powers - have been doing their best to work against the Islamic Republic
and the people of Iran. Despite this, the people of Iran and the Islamic
Republic are becoming stronger, more rooted, more powerful and more
influential on a daily basis. By Allah's favor, this strength, this
stability and this power will increase in the future.
In the world of Islam too, one sees that the awareness of people and
youth about Islam and the future of Islam has increased compared to the
past. In some countries, people are much more aware than they were in the
past. Of course, the enemy is making some efforts, but if we look
carefully and vigilantly, we will see that - by Allah's favor - this wave
of Islamic movement is going forward.
God's mercy be upon our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) who opened up this path
for us. He taught us that we should rely on God, ask Him alone for help
and be hopeful about the future. Then, we moved forward on this path and
by Allah's favor, we will continue to do this. I hope that Islam and
Muslims achieve victory and I ask God to bestow His mercy and forgiveness
on the martyrs of this bright path.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
Supreme Leader's Speech
in Meeting with People from the Holy City of Qom
(2014/01/09)
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on January 9,
2014 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution,
in a meeting with peoplefrom the Holy City of Qom. The meeting was held on
the occasion of the anniversary of the uprising 19th of Dey by the people
of Qom.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Supreme Leader's Speech in Meeting with People from the Holy City of
QomI welcome all of you dear brothers and sisters, outstanding ulama,
honorable scholars, enthusiastic youth and all the people of Qom who
showed their prominence, enthusiasm, understanding, courage and diligence
during the great and determining events in recent years. The events in
contemporary history are evidence of this prominence and courage. Although
the 19th of Dey is a prominent and unique day because of different reasons,
what the people of Qom did on the 19th of Dey is not - without a doubt -
th e only prominent action that they have taken. Whenever we analyze the
positions that you people of Qom adopted during the post-revolutionary
events, during the Sacred Defense Era, during the important and
determining events that took place in recent decades and during many other
different events, we always see outstanding and prominent positions.
Thankfully, you are such a people.
These events have made Qom the center of Shia and Islamic clergy and
the symbol of the greatness of the Islamic Republic in the present time.
One of the things that analysts and experts - from among our enemies or
friends -on issues related to Iran and the Islamic Republic focus on is
the city of Qom, Qom Islamic Seminary, the people of Qom and the events of
Qom. As Allah the Exalted has bestowed success on you dear, brave, active
and diligent people until today, I hope that He will help and guide you in
the future as well. In the future, our country will definitely need people
who have strong willp ower and firm determination and who take dynamic
steps.
It is thirty-plus years now that different thinkers and experts and
those who have a minbar [pulpit] have spoken about the 19th of Dey. They
have studied, analyzed and explained the different aspects of this event
and they have spoken about its role and influence. Nonetheless, I think
that the important event of the 19th of Dey still requires more analysis
and research. This event has a number of features which are instructive
and which can be expanded on.
One of these features is that the event of the 19th of Dey, which took
place in Qom, is the manifestation of this holy ayah: "Then We gave the
punishment to those who were guilty, and helping the believers is ever
incumbent on Us". In this ayah of the holy sura ar-Room, Allah the Exalted
says that helping believers is a responsibility which is incumbent on Him.
There are several other ayahs like this in the Holy Quran such as this
ayah: "A promise which is bin ding on Him in the Taurat and the Injeel and
the Quran" [The Holy Quran, 9: 111]. There are other such ayahs in this
regard as well.
Allah the Exalted says that this is a responsibility which is incumbent
on Him. That is to say, this is the responsibility of the God of the world
to help believers achieve victory. Well, under what circumstances does
this happen? Under what circumstances do believers achieve victory? This
happens when there is seemingly no hope of victory. As you can see in
these ayahs, this happens when the enemies of faith stand up against
believers with their outward power and strong fists and when there is a
great battle between the two camps of truth and evil. In such
circumstances, God says, "And helping the believers is ever incumbent on
Us".
The day when the youth of Qom - including clerics and other religious
people from different social backgrounds - came to the streets of Qom and
defended Imam, truth and the hoisted flag of fighting against tag hut and
the day when they were faced with the bullets of the mercenaries of the
taghuti regime and their blood was shed on the asphalt- no one among the
people would have believed what great influence this event would exert.
These people had a sense of responsibility. Therefore, they utilized their
forces and what was available to them and they entered the arena.
Would the people of Qom have believed that the 19th of Dey would give
rise to this great development - that is to say, this chain of
revolutionary activities and uprisings - and that it would lead to a great
public uprising which would overthrow the taghuti regime? Would the people
of Qom have believed that what they were doing would bring about many
blessings? They would not have believed that such a thing would happen,
but for "...and helping the believers is ever incumbent on Us" is a source
of victory. When a group of individuals and - on a large scale - a people
in a country have true faith, when their faith is enormous, when this
faith is accompanied by insight and when this insight is accompanied by
action, then victory will be certain.
Whenever believers fail to achieve victory, this is either because
their faith is weak and false - they believe in something which they
should not - or because their faith is not accompanied by insight about
global issues and issues related to their own environment. Lack of insight
is like blindness. If one does not have eyes, he cannot see where he is
going. Without insight, even if you have strong determination and
willpower, you do not know where you should go. This is the reason why we
placed great emphasis on insight on the issue of the 9th of Dey. Of course,
some people did not like it. If there is no insight, our faith may make us
deviate from the right path. Sometimes, a person who does not have
knowledge and insight about the events that are happening around him takes
the wrong path. Not only does lack of insight waste all his energ y, but
it will also drag him towards deviant paths. Therefore, insight is
necessary.
If one's righteous deeds are accompanied by strong, true, insightful
and steadfast faith, then victory will be definite. Those who do not
achieve victory do not have either of these things: true faith, resistance
or insight. This is like dropping the load on the ground in the middle of
the way. Without these elements, one will naturally not achieve any result.
The people of Iran have provided themselves with these elements. Their
faith was true because their leader was an honest, competent and
knowledgeable leader. He was a faqih who was well-informed about global
issues, who was not after personal and materialistic interests and who was
well-versed in the Book and the Sunnah. He showed the right path to the
people and the people moved forward with insight. They knew what they
should do and they did it: "And helping the believers is ever incumbent on
Us". They are the same people today.
What is important for us is to think carefully about our behavior in
the past and to learn a lesson from our weak and strong points. Today, we
are in the same situation as we were in the past. No one should have the
illusion that those who confronted the Islamic Republic with all their
power in the past have changed their mind today. Today, they are
confronting the Islamic Republic as well, but any enemy retreats if he is
forced to. If you force him to retreat, he will retreat, but he does not
change his mind about his enmity towards us. This is the way of the world
today. The enemy and his camp should be known and the enemy's smile should
not be taken seriously and it should not deceive us.
We should not forget about our goal either. The goal of the Islamic
Republic is to attain the ideals of Islam which are the worldly and
otherworldly happiness of all human beings and progress in material and
spiritual arenas. This goal should not be forgotten. We should pursue this
goal and be sure that victory is certain with faith, steadfastness and
insight about the events around us, about current issues, about the enemy
and about the arena of action and fighting. This issue should receive
attention.
This is the reason why I repeatedly say that the prospects which lie
ahead for the Islamic Republic are bright prospects. This is because our
people, our youth, our men and women are - thankfully - pious and
perceptive. They know the enemy and they are diligent and innovative.
Which issue did our youth fail to resolve? We managed to move forward
whenever there were necessary infrastructures. This is in the shade of
those talents and capabilities which Allah the Exalted bestowed on our
religious people.
This is the nature of the task: we should move forward in practical,
social and political areas, areas related to construction and other
different areas. Whenever we trusted our capabilities, we managed to move
forward. Today, we can do the same thing. I have always recommended that
the honorable officials should pay attention to the domestic capabilities
of our country in order to solve the problems. We should not pin our hopes
on the outside. Of course, issues related to the area of foreign policy
should be solved. There is no doubt about this. An active people, an
active administration and an active government should be active in all
arenas. Therefore, it is necessary to be active in international, regional
and diplomatic areas as well as other areas. However, our hopes should be
pinned on divine assistance and guidance and on the domestic capabilities
of our people and our country. This is what insures the country.
Today, you see that the enemies of Iran do not know our people and our
country. Of course, they have always failed to know the people of Iran or
they have always failed to know them in the proper way. They have always
made this mistake and today, they are making the same mistake. They think
that our people ha ve held their hands up to surrender under pressure from
their sanctions and economic siege. But this is not the case. You enemies
are making a mistake. The people of Iran are not a people who hold their
hands up as a sign of surrender. Our people did not surrender even when
they were in more difficult conditions.
One clear, definite and undeniable example of this is the eight-year
imposed war. Is eight years of resistance a minor achievement? Is it a
minor achievement to defeat all the global powers that helped a criminal
to work against our country and our people? Is this a minor feat? In this
case too, there was "...and helping the believers is ever incumbent on Us".
In this case too, showing firm determination and willpower and bringing
God-given capabilities to the arena of action solved the problems one by
one.
Was our first day of battle equal to the following one, two, three
years? During the war, victories came one by one. The entire world saw
that America, the Soviet Union of those days, Europe, NATO, England and
other people supported the Ba'ath regime and criminal Saddam so that he
could occupy our dear country forever. However, he was frustrated after
eight years, without being able to get close to achieving even one
fraction of his goals. After eight years, he had to retreat with a great
loss, with so many dead soldiers and with great humiliation on an
international level.
Today, the same conditions exist. Today too, confronting the enmity of
the enemies and overcoming all the current problems is possible by showing
resistance, by relying on the domestic capabilities of the country and by
trusting God who has prepared hearts in such a way and who has guided them
towards this path. When the enemy sees that our people are determined,
that they are standing firm and that they have decided to move things
forward, he will have to retreat. This is possible. The people of Iran
will shatter their illusions.
They think that becau se they imposed sanctions on Iran, it was forced
to come to the negotiating table. But this was not the case. Before they
said such things, we had announced that the Islamic Republic would
negotiate - whenever it thinks it is expedient - with this Satan on
specific issues in order to eradicate its evil deeds and solve the
problems. This does not mean that the Iranian nation has become desperate.
This has never been the case.
One of the blessings of the recent negotiations was that the enmity of
the Americans and the officials of the government of the United States of
America towards Iran and the Iranians, and towards Islam and Muslims
became clear to everyone. Everyone realized this. Whenever they fail to
take any action, they say, "We cannot". They are right. They really cannot.
They say, "If we could, we would disintegrate the nuclear industry of
Iran, but we cannot". Of course, they cannot. Why can they not do this? It
is because our people decided to stand on their own fee t and show
resistance on this issue and on all other issues. They decided to bring
their innovation to the arena and they did it. Therefore, the enemy cannot
do anything. This is true on all issues.
Their enmity and incapability has become clear and they are desperately
trying to do this and that in the present time. Their political
personalities, their newspapers and their political parties are showing
their personal and old grudges, as they have shown it over the last 30
years with different words and statements. The issue of human rights, the
issue of Islam and the issue of our commitment to religious principles are
issues which they always complain about. Everyone has the right to speak
about human rights except for the Americans because they have been the
greatest violators of human rights not only in the past, but also in the
present time.
It is with the support and assistance of the Americans that the
usurping Zionist regime is doing all these evil acts in the region. What
situation is Palestine in? What situation are the Palestinians in? What
situation is Gaza in? Do people in the world not know in what situation
the people of Gaza are? In that oppressed land, a patient who is in urgent
need of treatment is bedridden and he does not have access to basic
medications. Why is that? It is because America is behind the usurping
Zionist regime.
If a country and an innocent people are surrounded by the enemy, if
they have no way out, if they do not have any resources, if the patients
in this country do not receive basic treatment, if the hungry continue to
starve, if they are deprived of basic requirements for living, then are
these things not oppression? Are these acts not a violation of human
rights? Are they not ashamed of speaking about human rights?
In the beginning, when this person decided to run for elections, one of
the promises that he gave to the people of America in his election
campaign was to close the Guantanamo pris on. Six, seven years have passed
now. Was the Guantanamo prison closed? The Americans are such people. They
oppress and attack people, they bring their drones to Afghanistan and
Pakistan, they kill innocent people and they commit thousands of crimes
against civilians in different areas by adopting methods which are unknown
to people - in the present time, they commit crimes with methods which are
unknown to people throughout the world, but they will be known in the
future. This is while they speak about human rights.
It is we who claim the government of the United States of America and
many western governments are violating human rights. It is we who claim
this and who question them. It is we who make a complaint against these
people to public opinion throughout the world. But they will not have any
answer for what they have done.
If the people of Iran want to liberate themselves from their material
and spiritual problems - including moral and economic problems - th ey
should rely on themselves, their thoughts, their determination, their
faith, their youth and their outstanding personalities. They should know
that it is God who provides the cure. Dear brothers, dear sisters, dear
people of Qom and Iran, you should know that the people of Iran have shown
they can overcome all these obstacles and achieve their goals by relying
on Allah the Exalted.
May Allah the Exalted bestow His mercy on our magnanimous Imam who rose
up from Qom, who showed this path to us and the people of Iran, who
continued this path with his determination, faith, resistance and reliance
on God and who helped us moved forward on this path. By Allah's favor, all
of us are committed to continuing this path until the end. May God bestow
His mercy on the dear martyrs of the revolutionary era, on all the martyrs
from the Sacred Defense Era until today, on the dear martyrs of Qom and on
all of you dear brothers and sisters.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
