Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with the staff of the headquarters in charge of holding the memorial ceremony marking the 20th demise anniversary of Imam Khomeini (r.a.). Speaking at the meeting, he described Imam Khomeini as ‘the symbol of Islam' and as ‘the secret behind national independence, grandeur, and unity'.
Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated that the Iranian people should make wholehearted efforts to keep Imam Khomeini's memory alive.
His Eminence outlined Imam Khomeini's characteristics and said: "Our magnanimous Imam was the focal point of the nation's unity. Even his opponents respected him at heart, and they used to acknowledge and praise his greatness."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to Imam Khomeini's reliance on pure Islam as the secret behind his becoming ‘the symbol of Islam' in Iran and the world of Islam. "Even after the passage of 20 years since his demise, the Iranian nation and other Muslim nations consider Imam as the symbol of Islam, and that is an undeniable fact," he added.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the Iranian nation's deep love for Imam Khomeini was the reason behind the constant dominance of his discourse. He added: "The Imam's memory, with its refreshing and sublime qualities, is prevalent in our society. All political movements, even the ones that do not accept the foundations of Imam Khomeini's ideology, claim that they follow and support him. This is because they know that supporting him is a value for the Iranian people whose votes form the foundation of the Islamic Republic. That is a thought-provoking reality."
The Leader referred to Imam Khomeini's principles as the secret behind the support of Muslim nations and intellectuals for the founder of the Islamic Revolution, further reiterating: "Our magnanimous Imam did not stand on ceremony with anyone when delineating pure Islam, and he paid no attention to western or eastern terminology and intellectual concepts. He felt proud of Islam, and that is why the nations and intellectuals from across the world of Islam have been attracted to his great personality."
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the continuous efforts of the enemies during the past hundred years to instill a sense of humility into the Iranian nation and said: "Imam Khomeini turned the Iranian nation into a proud and honorable nation against the global bullying powers. And the Iranian nation, by appreciating this reality, considers Imam Khomeini (r.a.) as the symbol of and the secret behind its independence."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the unity of the followers of different religions as well as different ethnicities and political groups is the result of the great ability of Imam Khomeini to create unity and added: "There are some people who are making efforts to undermine our national unity. Therefore, wherever they see manifestations of national unity, they stir narrow-minded people and guide those who are acting behind the scenes to undermine our national unity."
Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to the recent terrorist event which happened in Zahedan and added: "After this event, the enemies were trying to cause disorder in the country. But everyone should stay vigilant and not let those who are opposed to the independence and progress of the country achieve their goals."
He further added: "Of course, the people are thankfully vigilant and always act on the basis of their broad understanding."
His Eminence also called upon all the Iranian people, including Shia and Sunni Muslims as well as different social and political groups, to preserve and strengthen national unity and said that such unity is a valuable legacy of Imam Khomeini for the Iranian nation.
He further reiterated: "In all cases, including the elections, the people should act on the basis of the common principles accepted by the nation, such as the principles of the Constitution. And people should respect each other and the accepted principles and not let differences of opinion undermine the Iranian nation's national unity."