The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei received a group of officials and executives in charge of the hajj pilgrimage on Wednesday, November 22.
In an address to the audience, the Leader stated that the hajj pilgrimage should reflect and contribute to the unity and solidarity among Muslims. He added that under the present circumstances in which the global arrogance is displaying its spite and malevolence against Muslims in various forms and even in violent and cruel ways, the disavowal of the infidels by Muslims and their taking a firm stance on this issue constitute a major part of the hajj rituals.
Ayatollah Khamenei further touched on the great potential of the hajj pilgrimage resulting from the massive and simultaneous presence of millions of Muslims of various nationalities at a certain place, and he also referred to the individual, social and global effects of this pilgrimage.
"The hajj pilgrimage provides the best opportunity for bringing about further harmony and solidarity among Muslims. But the enemies try to foment discord and schism among Muslims during the hajj pilgrimage and pit the Shia and the Sunni against one another," Ayatollah Khamenei noted.
He also stated, "Iranian pilgrims, including both Shia and Sunni Muslims, should be careful not to be caught in the enemies' trap, and we recommend the Saudi government to prevent the activities of divisive elements."
As regards the disavowal of the infidels, the Leader of the Islamic Republic stated that at a time when the enemies view Islam as a major obstacle to their domination of Islamic countries and their resources and to the dissemination of their own culture and treat Muslims in an arrogant manner, Muslims have a right to express their views in response to the hostile attitude of the arrogant powers. He added that the massive gathering of the Muslim Ummah during the hajj season provides the best venue for this purpose.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that the Saudi government, as the host to Muslims from various parts of the world during the hajj season, is expected to be the first to disavow the infidels.
"If, for whatever reasons, it is not possible for them to perform this duty, we will carry out our responsibility and express our views with reasoning and in a logical manner," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
The Leader further stated that, today in the Islamic world there is increasing inclination toward the pure Islam and there is also rising hatred toward the arrogant powers, especially the United States and the Zionist regime, some evident instances of which can be witnessed in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon.
"The increasing interest in the pure Islam and the rising Islamic awakening in the Islamic world are the results of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Some had wrongly assumed that the slogans of our revolution had lost their appeal. But today the slogans and values of the Islamic Revolution have become more prominent than in the past, and this flame will not die out in the course of time," the Leader observed.
Speaking at the meeting, the Leader's representative for the hajj affairs and caretaker of the Iranian hajj pilgrims, Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Mohammadi-Rayshahri, referred to the enthusiasm expressed by the Iranian people from various social strata, especially the youth and the intellectual and educated class, for the hajj pilgrimage.
Hojjatoleslam Mohammadi-Rayshahri further said that, considering the marvelous victory of the Lebanese Hezbollah against the Zionist regime and the positive effects of this victory on Muslim nations, it is hoped that during the hajj season this year the ceremony marking the disavowal of the infidels will be held in a more glorious manner.