Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met today with a large group of ordinary civilians from across the country. Speaking at the meeting, which was held on the occasion of the 22nd demise anniversary of Imam Khomeini (r.a.), the Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to the issue of Palestine and stressed: "Palestine cannot be partitioned, and it entirely belongs to Muslims. Palestine will undoubtedly be restored to the world of Islam."Ayatollah Khamenei added: "The American solutions to the issue of Palestine will not produce any results. The solution to this problem is the suggestion offered by the Islamic Republic several years ago. According to the suggestion, the kind of government which will rule the entire Palestinian lands should be determined on the basis of a referendum among the people of Palestine."
His Eminence further added: "After the establishment of a government elected by the Palestinian people, the people of Palestine will make a decision about the Zionists who have immigrated to Palestine."
Elsewhere in his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei described the impressive wave of Islamic Awakening in the region as very important and historic, further adding: "The events in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen and Bahrain should be analyzed in different ways, but when a nation awakens and feels that it has the power to do something, nothing will stop it."
His Eminence stated: "The order of domination, the Great Satan and the blood-thirsty Zionists are trying to prevent nations from achieving ultimate victory, but if the nations that have awakened are steadfast and believe in divine promises, they will undoubtedly achieve victory."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that westerners are trying to turn Libya into a weak and helpless country and added: "Libya is an important oil-rich country and it is very close to Europe. The west wants to weaken Libya with a civil war so that it can, directly or indirectly, take control of the country later on."
His Eminence said that the situation of Yemen is similar to the situation of Libya. He also said: "The people of Bahrain are living under absolute oppression. The west and its allies are trying to present the movement of the Bahrain people as a tribal movement by calling it a Shia uprising. Of course in the history of Bahrain, the majority of the Bahraini population have been Shia Muslims. But the issue of Bahrain is not a Shia-Sunni issue, rather the oppressed Bahraini people are just claiming their basic rights - namely, the right to vote and play a role in the government of their country."
Ayatollah Khamenei added: "In spite of all their claims of support for human rights and democracy, the lying and deceitful Americans are playing an active role in suppressing the people of Bahrain. Of course they say that it was the Saudis who went to Bahrain, but everybody knows that the Saudis could not have done this without a green light from America. For this reason, the Americans are responsible for the events that have happened in Bahrain."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that being Islamic, popular, anti-America and anti-Zionist are the main characteristics of the popular movements in the region. "These characteristics were particularly clear in the case of the brilliant revolution of the Egyptian nation."
His Eminence stressed: "The Islamic Republic will support any movement that enjoys these characteristics, but if we notice that a movement has been provoked by America and the Zionists, we will not support that movement because we are sure that the Great Satan and its allies will not act in the interest of nations."
Ayatollah Khamenei urged nations of the region and North African nations to be vigilant against the activities of the west. He added: "Offering help which may seem friendly is one way in which America spreads its domination over nations. And the people of the region - especially the Egyptians who enjoy that rich Islamic and cultural legacy - should take care not to let the enemy enter their country again."
His Eminence said that the Egyptian people took very valuable actions regarding the issue of Palestine, Gaza and the Rafah crossing. "It is necessary to continue such actions so that, by Allah's favor, the Egyptian revolution can completely achieve its goals."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that it is necessary to prevent the order of domination from creating a rift between the regional nations and the Iranian nation. He added that in certain countries Wahhabis and others are trying to foment discord among ordinary civilians as well.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that spirituality, rationality and justice were the main dimensions of Imam Khomeini's school of thought.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that selecting religious democracy as the main foundation of Iran's political system was the most prominent manifestation of Imam Khomeini's rationality.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that being committed to Imam Khomeini's school of thought will bring about national glory and international honor for the Iranian nation. He added that turning one's back on the values in the name of rationality is an instance of deviation and treachery.
His Eminence said that ignoring the spiritual dimension of Imam Khomeini's personality under the guise of justice and revolutionary sentiments is another instance of deviation from the Imam's school of thought. He reiterated: "If we insult and persecute our faithful brothers and those who believe in the Islamic Republic and Islam but are intellectually opposed to us, we have strayed away from the Imam's path."
Ayatollah Khamenei further added: "If we destroy the security of a portion of our population in the name of revolutionary sentiments, it would be another example of deviation from the path of our magnanimous Imam."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described differences of opinion as natural and added that political opponents who are not after overthrowing the government and carrying out the enemy's orders must not be deprived of justice and security.
His Eminence said that those who try to distance Iranian youth from politics by recourse to religion and spirituality are making a mistake.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the Iranian nation has remained loyal to Imam Khomeini and added: "The enemies thought that the demise of the Imam would trigger the collapse of the Islamic Republic, but the unified presence of the people in the funeral ceremony of the Imam and the support of the Iranian nation for the decision of the Assembly of Experts disappointed the enemies and made them think of preparing ten-year plans."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that presence of the people will bring about security for Iran and will foil the enemies' plots.