In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is due to God, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and greetings be upon our Master Muhammad, and upon his pure progeny, and may God curse all their enemies.
First of all, I would like to congratulate the entire Iranian nation and all those who hear these statements on the birth anniversary Imam Hussain (pbuh). The holy existence of Hussain ibn Ali (pbuh) is the center of love for the Iranian nation and all Muslim nations, including Shias and non-Shias.
I hope that this day will be a blessed day for the Iranian nation and that the Holy Prophet of Islam, the Commander of the Faithful, and Siddiqat al-Tahirah (greetings be upon them) will give a gift to the Iranian nation and all Muslim nations today.
Well, today is tree planting day. Thankfully, I planted two saplings like previous years and I did what I could do in this regard. All our dear brothers and sisters should know that planting trees is a religious and revolutionary move. It is an action that originates in religion and the Revolution. Today, everyone who is active in this regard should know that they are doing a revolutionary and religious task. Of course, planting is the first step and preservation is the next one. In other words, preserving trees is also very important and it should receive due attention.
God the Exalted has made plants the source of life for all people. Plants are a source of food, medicine, breathing and natural beauty. They are interesting to watch, soothe the heart and soul and protect the human body. Plants are like this.
Therefore, planting and preserving plants is a public duty for all humans because humans are dependent on them. That is why I stress, as I have always done so, that the destruction of forests, the natural environment, vegetation and trees is the destruction and jeopardization of national interests. Everyone should know that if they destroy part of a forest in order to put up a building, this is surely to the disadvantage of national interests. Of course, this could be done in certain emergency cases, but generally speaking, this is undoubtedly to the disadvantage of the nation and of national interests.
Everyone should know that environmental protection is not a formal, ceremonial issue. Some people think that the issue of the environment has a ceremonial and peripheral status in the country. This is not the case. Protecting the environment is one of the most fundamental and essential tasks in the country and for the organizations of the country.
A serious issue in protecting the environment is the issue of water and soil. Many people are unaware of the fact that water and soil are two great sources of national wealth and two vital provisions for all nations and in all countries in the globe. These sources should not be used extravagantly. Soil should not be destroyed. Therefore, treating water and soil in a wasteful manner would surely work to the disadvantage of national interests. There are many policies and methods for optimal use of water and soil. Experts are aware of these methods. Those who are specialists in these areas should guide and help officials and officials should pay attention to this matter.
Another issue concerning the protection of the environment is the preservation of wildlife. If we are indifferent towards wildlife and the animals which exist throughout country–in forests, deserts and plains–this will certainly jeopardize national interests. Illegal hunting should be taken seriously as well. In the holy Islamic sharia law, hunting is only allowed when it is done with the purpose of providing food. Otherwise, it is not allowed in any way. Islamic law has not given permission for other kinds of hunting. When you take a look at Islamic law books, they mention that daily prayers conducted on a hunting trip have to be done completely [not done in abbreviated form as on normal trips]. In other words, such trips are haraam. This is what it means. It signifies that this is a wrong task. This point should receive attention. The issue of wildlife is very important.
Another point that is also related to the Environment Protection Organization is preventing the utilization of agricultural lands for other purposes. We have heard that in many cases, agricultural lands in the vicinity of cities and in some plains are used for other purposes. This should be stopped because it is surely to the disadvantage of national interests. Agricultural lands should be expanded. Of course, this is not only the responsibility of the Environment Protection Organization. The Ministry of Agriculture and some other organizations are all influential in this regard.
Another issue which is also related to the environment is the development of non-fossil energies: the energies which are not reliant on oil, energies such as the nuclear energy which is increasingly being used in the world. In our region, many different countries are moving towards the nuclear energy. Solar, wind and other such energies are essential. The Environment Protection Organization is responsible in this regard, but other organizations, such as the Energy Ministry and others, have a very important role in this regard as well. All of them must carry out their duty.
Therefore, work in environmental areas is fundamental work at a national level. This is something that concerns national interests and therefore, it is everyone’s responsibility. Executive officials should pay attention to this matter as well and by God’s favor, they will do so.
Of course, all big endeavors are carried out with the public’s backing. Today is tree planting day and all the people can be influential in this regard in the true sense of the word. They should plant and preserve trees and prevent the disappearance of trees and gardens that exist in and out of cities. They should help expand plants and good and beneficial vegetation on a daily basis. This is the people’s work. They can completely participate in it and help the administration and officials. By God’s favor, they will accomplish this.
Once more, I wish to congratulate all our dear people, and all the addressees of these statements on this Eid and I ask God the Exalted to bestow health on everyone.
Greetings be upon you and God’s mercy and blessings
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