On the auspicious occasion of the Eid al-Ghadir, thousands of residents of the holy city of Qom from various social strata called on the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Monday, January 8.
Speaking at the meeting, the Leader congratulated the audience on the auspicious occasion and described the event as indicative of the grandeur, inclusiveness and foresightedness of Islam. He stated that the most significant duty of Muslims, in particular the Islamic intellectuals and scholars and statesmen, at the present age is to make every effort to promote Islamic unity and prevent discord and division in the Islamic world.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the divine appointment of a successor who was prominent and unique in terms of his noble qualities to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his household) as a prudent measure that brought the religion of Islam to perfection.
"His Holiness Imam Ali (greetings be upon him) was the paragon of piety, absolute adherence to religion, treading the path of truth and obeying Allah, and he was characterized by knowledge, wisdom, prudence, strong will and firm determination," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
He added that the appointment of His Holiness Imam Ali (greetings be upon him) as the successor to the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him and his household) laid the foundations of the leadership of the Islamic Ummah in the course of time.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic, however, stated that this significant event should not be used as a pretext for fomenting discord and schism among Muslims and as a pretext for undermining Islam.
"The enemy is trying to turn the al-Ghadir issue into a pretext for fomenting a fratricidal conflict and bloodshed among Muslims and would not settle for anything less. Therefore, the Shia Muslims should not say or do anything that would be conducive to this plot. Besides, our Sunni brethren also should remain vigilant and be alert to the enemy's exploiting religious inclinations and sentiments," the Leader pointed out.
Further in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the failure of U.S. policies on Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Palestine and to the American officials' admission of their failure.
"In view of their failure, the arrogant powers headed by the United States are now inciting division and discord between the Shia and the Sunni in order to confront the growing tide of Islamic awakening caused by the hoisting of the flag of Islamic Republic in Iran. Therefore, Islamic intellectuals and ulema should try to promote unity and solidarity among Muslims and imbue them with further awareness and vigilance," Ayatollah Khamenei noted.
The Leader also hinted at the negative propaganda that has been disseminated by the enemies ever since the victory of the Islamic Revolution with the intention of making regional countries afraid of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He stated that the officials and statesmen of Islamic countries, especially regional countries, should know that the grandeur of Islam and the power of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be to their benefit and helpful to them as well.
Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that the main reason for the U.S. bullying and intimidation of Islamic countries is the weakness of Islamic governments itself.
"The United States, while being submissive to the usurper Zionist regime at all times, is bullying and blackmailing certain Arab governments. Thus, if those governments rely on a great power, they will never be forced to submit to the United States," Ayatollah Khamenei observed.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic touched on certain analyses to the effect that the United States is seeking to forge an alliance with Britain and some Arab countries against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
"This alliance involves cooperation with two evil and iniquitous governments against a nation which has greatly contributed to the grandeur of Islam and which has made every sacrifice for this purpose," the Leader noted. He called on Arab governments to be careful not to get caught in this dangerous trap.
Ayatollah Khamenei further stated, "Even if this alliance is formed, it will be of no use, since at the time of the Iraqi imposed war a greater and more powerful alliance had been made in order to occupy a part of Iran through the agency of the wicked and ill-fated Saddam Hussein, and they made every effort for some eight years to achieve this goal; but ultimately they could not do anything."
He added that this time also their plot against the Islamic system will get them nowhere.
The Leader also referred to the achievements of the Islamic Republic of Iran in various fields, including the fields of science and technology, as belonging to the Islamic world.
"The utilization of nuclear energy, as a national achievement, is a source of honor for the Iranian nation and the Islamic world, and if certain Arab and Islamic governments are assuming that by forming an alliance with the United States and Britain and enforcing sanctions they can please the Zionist regime and impart peace of mind to this usurper regime, they are making a political mistake," the Leader told the audience.
Ayatollah Khamenei further stated, "Undoubtedly the Iranian people would not forego their right, and the Iranian officials also are not entitled to renounce this great achievement."