On the auspicious Feast of Mab'ath, the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei received officials and executives of the Islamic Republic and a large group of people from different social strata on Friday, September 2.
The day marked the anniversary of the appointment of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his infallible household) as the messenger of Allah.
Speaking at the gathering, the Leader felicitated the honorable Iranian nation and other Islamic nations and governments on the propitious occasion and described the Feast of Mab'ath as a great feast for humanity.
He stated that in the light of rising Islamic awakening, especially among intellectuals and youngsters, Muslim nations will be able to tread their bright but difficult path with dignity and honor through unity, concord and standing firm against their common enemies.
"Today, Islamic awakening is an undeniable reality, so much so that even Western politicians have acknowledged that, if genuine elections are held in any Islamic country, those who are faithful and devoted to Islam will be elected by Muslim nations. This is the reason why Western countries, despite all their claims of supporting democracy, would not like genuine elections to be held in Islamic countries," the Leader pointed out.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the hostility of arrogant powers toward Islamic awakening as another reality of the present world.
"Islam rejects dependence, backwardness and submission to domination. This is why Western countries are using all their facilities and political, military, economic and propaganda tools to suppress Islamic awakening among Muslim nations," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic stated that the Islam that was introduced to nations by late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini gave rise to and nurtured Islamic awakening.
"Contrary to Western propaganda, those who are fomenting terrorism in the Islamic world, committing crimes in Iraq, grim-facedly excommunicating a part of the Muslim world, acting against Islam and Muslims in the name of Islam, promoting tribalism and instigating discord between the Shia and the Sunni are not symbolizing or advocating Islamic awakening. However, arrogant powers are trying to portray these terrorist groups to Western nations as Islamic groups," the Leader remarked.
Ayatollah Khamenei further stated, "We are deeply suspicious of those groups who are presenting a reactionary, narrow-minded and bigoted image of Islam to Muslim nations and to the whole world, and we wonder whether such groups really exist, or it is in fact the agents of Israeli, American and British intelligence services who are doing all this and who are also manipulating some ignorant individuals."
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader emphasized that Islamic awakening is symbolized by following the genuine Islam, which is based on wisdom, logic and reasoning, knowledge, humanity, broad-mindedness, kindness and benevolence and which respects and supports the rights of human beings. He stated that the Islamic Republic is seeking to accomplish the same objectives that are pursued by the Islamic awakening movement.
Ayatollah Khamenei further noted that the West's inability to suppress Islamic awakening is also a reality of the present world.
"Considering these realities, Muslim nations should try to secure and protect their interests through unity pivoting on Islam and by withstanding the expansionist goals and illegitimate demands of arrogant powers," Ayatollah Khamenei told the gathering.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic called on Islamic governments to consolidate their cordial ties, rely on their Islamic identity, defend the Palestinian people and other Muslim nations, support the full independence of Iraq and promote concord and cooperation among themselves.
He stressed that the deliverance of the Islamic Ummah and the bright future of Muslim nations are contingent on the Islamic governments' undertaking this momentous responsibility.
Ayatollah Khamenei also hinted at the Muslim nations' rising hatred of U.S. government.
"Because of its blind support for bloodthirsty Zionists, its crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan and its pressure on Muslim nations, the United States has an ugly and abominable face in the eyes of Muslims. The Islamic world is able to and should stand up to this covetous power," the Leader pointed out.