Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, on Monday, December 20, received the officials and executives in charge of the hajj pilgrimage...
Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, on Monday, December 20, received the officials and executives in charge of the hajj pilgrimage.
Speaking at the meeting, the Leader considered the hajj pilgrimage an exceptional opportunity for Muslims to achieve self-awareness and return to their true nature and also a favorable time for the promotion of unity among Muslim nations.
Referring to the efforts being made by the arrogant powers, especially the United States, to instigate discord in the Islamic world, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that the Muslim Ummah should act very vigilantly at the present sensitive juncture and it should try to foil the plots and machinations of the arrogant powers through unity and solidarity.
He further hinted at the present situation in Iraq, particularly the bitter and bloody incidents that recently took place in the holy cities of Karbala and Najaf. "Undoubtedly, the intelligence agencies of the United States and the Zionist regime were behind these incidents. Such incidents are aimed at preoccupying Iraqi people on the verge of the upcoming elections in that country," he noted.
The Leader pointed out that despite their words and claims, the United States and Britain are not in favor of real elections in Iraq.
"These countries aim to install their own agents in Iraq by holding sham elections in that country. Therefore, the Iraqi people should be alert and act very vigilantly," he added.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the recent incidents in Najafi and Karbala should draw the attention of Muslims to malicious plots that are being hatched against them. He added that fomenting discord between the Shia and the Sunni is the main goal of the United States.
"Certain remarks that have been made by some puppets of the colonial powers in Iraq over the recent days have been intended to create division between the Shia and the Sunni, but this plot will be thwarted by the alertness of the Iraqi people," he noted.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic considered the hajj season a favorable occasion for informing Muslims from different countries about the U.S. plots and machinations against Muslim nations, especially about the U.S. "Great Middle East" plan that is aimed at preparing the ground for U.S. domination of the region and plunder of the regional countries' national wealth and natural resources.
Ayatollah Khamenei called on the hajj pilgrims to benefit spiritually from their pilgrimage by trying to attain proximity to Almighty Allah and achieve self-awareness. He emphasized that besides performing the hajj rituals, pilgrims should also observe the hajj courtesy, which includes humility toward and remembrance of the Almighty as well as tolerance, kindness and benevolence toward other Muslims, so that they may benefit spiritually form their pilgrimage.
The Leader also stated that Muslims should pay greater attention to the holy Qur'an. He stressed that this holy book is the key to the progress and prosperity of the Islamic Ummah and should be the pivot of the Muslims' everyday life.