Imam Khamenei

Hatred and fear of the “other” are tools of the oppressive profiteers: Ayatollah Khamenei

You know well that humiliation and spreading hatred and illusionary fear of the “other” have been the common base of all those oppressive profiteers. Now, I would like you to ask yourself why the old policy of spreading “phobia” and hatred has targeted Islam and Muslims with an unprecedented intensity.

In my opinion, we should not at all adopt a passive outlook towards the phenomenon of Islamophobia. Islamophobia exists.Some individuals are frightening peoples, societies, youth and minds of Islam. Who are these individuals? When we delve deeply into this matter and when we think carefully about it, we see that they are the same minority of bullies and greedy individuals who are afraid of the rule of Islam. They are afraid of political Islam. They are afraid of Islam's presence in the heart of societies. The reason for their fear is that Islam harms their interests. As a matter of fact, Islamophobia is a translation of powers' fear and anxiety in the face of Islam. This is the truth of the matter.

You members of this Assembly really made efforts. The people of Iran made efforts as well. They showed diligence and they established and brought to power the Islamic government. They strengthened its foundations and they immunized and secured it against different matters. They strengthened it on a daily basis. This frightens global bullies. The Islamophobia that exists today is, in fact, a reflection of their anxiety and nervousness. It shows that you have managed to move forward. It shows that Islam has been able to successfully launch its movement until today. Mar 12, 2015 

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. Nov 17, 2014

You know well that humiliation and spreading hatred and illusionary fear of the “other” have been the common base of all those oppressive profiteers. Now, I would like you to ask yourself why the old policy of spreading “phobia” and hatred has targeted Islam and Muslims with an unprecedented intensity. Why does the power structure in the world want Islamic thought to be marginalized and remain latent? What concepts and values in Islam disturb the programs of the super powers and what interests are safeguarded in the shadow of distorting the image of Islam? Hence, my first request is: Study and research the incentives behind this widespread tarnishing of the image of Islam.

My second request is that in reaction to the flood of prejudgments and disinformation campaigns, try to gain a direct and firsthand knowledge of this religion. The right logic requires that you understand the nature and essence of what they are frightening you about and want you to keep away from.

I don’t insist that you accept my reading or any other reading of Islam. What I want to say is: Don’t allow this dynamic and effective reality in today’s world to be introduced to you through resentments and prejudices. Don’t allow them to hypocritically introduce their own recruited terrorists as representatives of Islam.

Receive knowledge of Islam from its primary and original sources. Gain information about Islam through the Qur’an and the life of its great Prophet. I would like to ask you whether you have directly read the Qur’an of the Muslims. Have you studied the teachings of the Prophet of Islam and his humane, ethical doctrines? Have you ever received the message of Islam from any sources other than the media? 

Nov 15, 2015