The following are the most important ways that the Leader of the Islamic Revolution has proposed to counter the evil chain of anti-Islam events...
Reviewing the Holy Prophet of Islam's (s.w.a.) sayings and practical lessons
Showing the true face of Islam
Forming a unified front centered on the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.w.a.)
Elements and motives behind desecration moves against Islam
Avoidance of Islam-Christianity conflict
American leaders are urged to punish those who insulted the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.)
The recent insult to the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.w.a.) has sparked widespread protests throughout the world of Islam. At different junctures, Ayatollah Khamenei has warned against the chain of anti-Islam events, analyzed the goals behind them and proposed ways of confronting this evil chain and putting an end to it. The following are the most important ways that the Leader of the Islamic Revolution has proposed to counter the evil chain of anti-Islam events.
Reviewing the Holy Prophet of Islam's (s.w.a.) sayings and practical lessons
The Zionists, governments that are under the influence of Zionism, and the arrogant powers – led by the criminal American government – focus their attacks on the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.w.a.) whenever they decide to confront the Islamic Ummah and fight Islam. What is the reason? The reason is that the memory of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.), his name, his birth, his migration, his 10-year rule in Medina and each and every one of his actions and teachings contains a lesson for Muslims if only they pay careful attention. Each of his actions and teachings opens a new door to life. The Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) is a source of inspiration for the Islamic Ummah. They deploy their forces against the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) because they know this, because they are afraid of the awakening of the Islamic Ummah, because they are afraid of the power of one and a half billion Muslims who live across the world. Through their mercenaries, they insult the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) – who is a blessing for all creation and the source of the greatest blessings for humankind – in their printed press, in the statements of their politicians and in their books. This should awaken Muslims. We should be aware of the great treasure that is hidden in the Holy Prophet's (s.w.a.) being, in his personality, in his memories, in his migration and jihad, in his lifestyle and in his sayings and practical teachings. If we make use of this treasure, the Islamic Ummah will achieve such a position that others will not be able to bully it. They will not be able to pressure it. They will not be able to threaten it. This is a lesson for us. [1]
Showing the true face of Islam
What is important that we should try to show the true face of Islam. Over several centuries, our enemies have tarnished the brilliant face of Islam and our ignorant and unaware friends have done the same. Out of malice or because of their tendencies which is rooted in their ignorance, they have added certain things to Islam and deleted certain other things. Although our friends' misinterpretations and their preoccupation with personal interests are tarnishing the image of Islam, the enemies' propaganda is much more important. The enemies are trying to tarnish the image of Islam in subtle and smart ways. Muslim brothers, for this reason our great responsibility is to understand and promote Islam and to move closer to each other. [2]
Forming a unified front centered on the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.w.a.)
The existence of the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.w.a.) is the most important factor which can create unity among Muslims. As I have pointed out previously, this is the point where different parts of the world of Islam can come together, the point where affections of all Muslims can focus. The Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) is the focal point of love and affection, the center of the world of Islam. You see that writers who have been bribed by the Zionists focus their attention on this focal point and they insult the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) in order to gradually make the Islamic Ummah and the world of Islam insensitive to insult and humiliation. The Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) is the focal point. Our politicians, our outstanding scientific and cultural personalities, our writers, our poets and our artists should rely on this focal point and with this slogan, all Muslims should move closer to each other. Do not focus on the differences. Do not level allegations against each other. Do not excommunicate each other. Do not drive each other out of religion. The memory of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) and Muslims' love for him revitalize all hearts throughout the world of Islam. All of us truly love the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). [3]
These irrational and malicious acts have provided ultimate proof for Muslim nations and contributed to Islamic Awakening. Today, whether they like it or not, a deep-rooted movement has begun in the Islamic world and this movement will result in the independence, dignity and revival of the Islamic Ummah in due course.
This is a decisive historical juncture. Opinion leaders, religious scholars and intellectuals are shouldering a heavy responsibility at this stage. Any weakness, malice and neglect of duty on their part may lead to a tragedy. Religious scholars should not remain silent in the face of efforts to foment discord. Intellectuals should not neglect their duty of instilling hope into young people. Politicians and leaders should keep the people on the scene and to rely on them. Islamic governments should strengthen their solidarity with one another and utilize this genuine power in the face of the threats by the hegemons. [4]
Elements and motives behind desecration moves against Islam
Who and what is behind these evil moves? Analyzing the chain of these evil events – which was accompanied during the recent years by criminal operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon and Pakistan – leaves no doubt about the fact that this chain of evil events is planned and controlled by the heads of the domineering powers and Zionist think tanks which wield the greatest influence on the American government, its military and security organizations, the English government and certain European governments. [5]
What lies behind this wicked move is the hostile policies of Zionism, America and other leaders of the arrogant powers, who are vainly trying to make young generations in the Islamic world lose respect for what is held sacred and to extinguish their religious sentiments. If they had refused to support the previous links in this evil chain - namely, Salman Rushdie, the Danish cartoonist and Quran-burning American pastors - and if they had not ordered tens of anti-Islam films from the companies affiliated with Zionist capitalists, today this great and unforgivable sin would not have been committed. [6]
Avoidance of Islam-Christianity conflict
The September 11 attacks provided the criminal American President with a pretext to attack Iraq and Afghanistan. He declared a crusade. The same person reportedly announced yesterday that with the involvement of the church, this crusade has now become complete. On the one hand, the purpose of the recent disgusting action [burning the Holy Quran] is to extend opposition against Islam and Muslims to all levels of Christian communities, to put a religious façade on such opposition and to attract support of religious prejudices and beliefs through the involvement of churches and pastors. On the other hand, they intend to divert the attention of Muslim peoples – who are enraged and offended by this extremely insolent act – from the issues and developments of the Muslim world and the Middle East. [7]
All of us should know that the recent event has nothing to do with Christianity and the church. And the puppet-like moves of some stupid and mercenary pastors should not be written down in the record of Christians and their religious men. We Muslims will never carry out similar actions against what is held sacred in other religions. Conflict between Muslims and Christians on a public level is exactly what the enemies and the plotters of this insane act desire. What the Holy Quran teaches us is the opposite of what they did. [8]
American leaders are urged to punish those who insulted the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.)
It is the American government and its politicians that all Muslims hold responsible. If they are honest about not being involved in the events, they should properly punish the main elements behind this great crime and the perpetrators who filled the hearts of one and a half billion Muslims with pain. [9]
We do not insist on proving that certain people or government officials were involved in this crime, but the behavior and methods of the leaders of the arrogant powers, American politicians and certain European countries have caused peoples of the world to point the finger of blame at them. They should prove that they were not an accomplice in this great crime and they cannot do so by simply denying their involvement. They should prove their innocence with actions. They should prevent such transgressions. Of course, they will not do so. [10]
The number one culprit in this crime is Zionism and the American government. If American politicians are sincere that they are not involved, they should duly punish the perpetrators and the financial backers of this hideous crime, who have filled the hearts of Muslim peoples with pain. [11]
[1] Part of the Leader's address delivered on March 12, 2008 on the occasion of the Holy Prophet's (s.w.a.) birthday anniversary
[2] Part of the Leader's inaugural address delivered on December 9, 1997 at the OIC summit
[3] Part of the Leader's speech delivered on April 16, 2006 on the occasion of the Holy Prophet's (s.w.a.) birthday anniversary and Unity Week
[4] Part of the Leader's hajj message issued on December 29, 2006
[5] Part of the Leader's message issued on September 13, 2010 to condemn burning of the Holy Quran
[6] Part of the Leader's message issued on September 13, 2012 to condemn the American-made Anti-Islam film
[7] Part of the Leader's message issued on September 13, 2010 to condemn burning of the Holy Quran
[8] Part of the Leader's message issued on September 13, 2010 to condemn burning of the Holy Quran
[9] Part of the Leader's message issued on September 13, 2010 to condemn burning of the Holy Quran
[10] Part of the Leader's speech delivered on September 16, 2012 at Imam Khomeini Naval Academy in Noshahr
[11] Part of the Leader's message issued on September 13, 2012 to condemn the American-made Anti-Islam film