Khamenei.ir

Leader Urges Government Officials to Avoid Pessimistic Evaluation

In a meeting with heads and members of Iran's chambers of commerce, Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution urged government officials to present an appropriate and promising evaluation of the country's conditions.

Leader Meets Experts on Mahdaviat

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with experts on Mahdaviat [faith in the re-appearance of the last Shia Imam, Imam Mahdi (a.s.)]. At the meeting, His Eminence highlighted the importance of Mahdaviat and described waiting for the re-appearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) as an integral part of Mahdaviat.

Self-edification is a prerequisite to awaiting

Awaiting requires that we prepare ourselves. We should know that a great event will take place and we should always expect it to happen. We can never say that the event will not happen in a few years nor can we say that the event will happen in the near future. We should always wait for it. Those who are waiting should develop characteristics and manners that are expected in the awaited era. This is the requirement for awaiting. If there is supposed to be justice, truth, monotheism, purity and submission to God in the awaited era, then as the people who are waiting, we should get closer to these qualities. We should become familiar with justice. We should prepare ourselves for justice. We should prepare ourselves for accepting the truth. These are the consequences of awaiting.

The issue of awaiting is an inseparable component of Mahdawiyyah

The issue of waiting [for the re-appearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.)] is an inseparable component of Mahdawiyyah. It is one of the key concepts for understanding religion and the general movement of the Islamic Ummah towards the lofty goals of Islam. Awaiting means expecting an event that will definitely happen. This is the meaning of awaiting. Awaiting means that this future is definite. This is especially true if we are awaiting a living and primed entity. This is a very important issue. We are not awaiting someone who has not been born yet. No, we are awaiting someone who exists and is present among us. There are certain narrations according to which people can see him, but they do not recognize him. In certain narrations, he has been likened to Prophet Joseph whose brothers used to see him. He was present among his brothers and he used to sit beside them, but they could not recognize him. It is such a clear and motivating truth. This facilitates awaiting. Humanity needs this awaiting and the Islamic Ummah needs it even more. This waiting puts responsibilities on the shoulders of human beings.

Without Mahdawiyyah, all efforts by the all prophets will turn futile

If Mahdawiyyah did not exist, it would mean that all the efforts by divine prophets, all prophetic missions, all the strenuous efforts of divine prophets were futile. Therefore, the issue of Mahdawiyyah is an essential issue. It is one of the central divine teachings. For this reason, as far as I know, in all divine religions, there are teachings which are essentially the equivalent to Mahdawiyyah. However, these teachings have been distorted and blurred over time and it is not clear what they are trying to say. The issue of Mahdawiyyah is among the undeniable Islamic realities. That is to say, Mahdawiyyah is not limited to Shia Islam. There is a consensus among all Islamic denominations on the end of the days-- which includes when Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his re-appearance) establishes ultimate justice in the world. There are valid narrations [confirming that] by the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) and Islamic luminaries from different denominations of Islam. Therefore, there is no doubt in this regard. However, Shia Islam has an advantage among other denominations; because the issue of Mahdawiyyah is not an ambiguous issue in Shia Islam. The issue of Mahdawiyyah is not a convoluted issue; it is not complicating to understand. It is clear. Mahdawiyyah has an epitome and we are familiar with this epitome. We know his characteristics. We know his ancestors. We know his family. We know when he was born. We know the details. And this familiarity is not based on Shia narrations alone. There are non-Shia narrations that clarify the details for us. Followers of other Islamic denominations should pay careful attention in order to understand this clear truth.

The time after the reappearance of Imam Mahdi is the time of the true rule of spirituality and religion over mankind’s life

The topic of Mahdawiyyah is among the main topics in the cycle and set of noble religious knowledges; such as the topic of Prophethood. That is, it is comparable to prophethood: this is the importance that we should attach to the issue of Mahdawiyyah. Why? Because Mahdawiyyah represents what all prophets were sent for - namely, building a monotheistic world on the basis of justice using all the capacities that Allah the Exalted has bestowed on humanity. This is the era that will come after the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (God's greetings be upon him and may God hasten his re-appearance): the era in which monotheism and genuine spirituality will be dominant over the entire life of human beings, the era in which justice will be established in the real sense of the word. Well, this was what prophets were sent for.

Leader’s Speech to Teachers and Graduates of Mahdaviat

The following is the full text of the speech delivered on July 9, 2011 by Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution in a meeting with teachers and graduates of Mahdaviat [faith in the re-appearance of the last Shia Imam, Imam Mahdi (a.s.)].

Leader's Speech to Participants of 20th International Quran Competitions

Leader Meets Participants of 28th International Quran Competitions

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with the participants of the 28th International Quran Competitions. During the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei said that the Holy Quran is the most important factor that can bring about unity, dignity and glory for the Islamic Ummah.

Leader Warns Against Domestic Disputes

Ayatollah Khamenei the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces met today with commanders of the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps (IRGC). Speaking at the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei criticized those who fuel disputes in the country and added: "Do they not see the joy of foreign propaganda organizations and their analyses? The joy of the enemies shows that this is a weakness. Therefore, it is necessary to put an end to these disputes."

IRGC seeks to achieve divine and humane values in the world

the identity of the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps as the guardian of the Revolution should not be interpreted as conservative. Guardianship means preserving and safeguarding. In one analysis, this guardianship can be interpreted as conservative. That is to say, we can say the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps is responsible to preserve the current situation of the Revolution. I do not agree with this interpretation. Preserving and safeguarding the Revolution does not mean preserving its current situation. Why? Because the Revolution is by nature a progressive movement, and an accelerated movement at that. What is the direction? The Revolution is moving towards the goals that have been delineated. The goals will not change. The principles and values which we should insist on and for which we should lay down our life, are the kind of principles and values that have been specified in our goals. The ultimate goal is transcendence, perfection and closeness to God. A less important goal is self-education. A less important goal is to establish an Islamic society in which all the characteristics of an Islamic society are present, including justice, monotheism and spirituality. These are the goals. These goals cannot be changed. That is to say, we cannot afford to give up some of our goals. For instance, we should not say, "Alright, there was a day when we wanted to establish justice, but we realized that we cannot establish justice, so let us just settle for something that looks like justice." No, the goal is to establish justice. Monotheism and establishment of perfect sharia and justice - these are the goals and they cannot be changed. However, we can move towards these goals slowly or fast. The methods can be changed. Different measures may be adopted. The Revolution is moving in this direction. Preserving and safeguarding the Revolution means maintaining this progressive movement. This is the duty of the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps. If we adopt this perspective and interpret guardianship in this way, then the dynamism and enthusiasm that is embodied by the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps will be intensified.

Leader’s Speech to Members of IRGC

Leader’s Speech to Government Officials on Mab’ath

Leader Meets Government Officials

In a meeting with government officials and ordinary citizens, Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the Iranian nation and other Muslim nations will not allow the Americans and the Zionists to derail or hijack the movement of the regional nations.

Leader Slams Efforts to Undermine Public Trust

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with the head and high-ranking officials of the judiciary. Speaking at the meeting, which was arranged to mark the martyrdom anniversary of more than 70 senior government officials who were assassinated on 28 June 1981, Ayatollah Khamenei criticized the efforts to undermine public trust in government officials and added: "It is wrong to undermine public trust by questioning the efforts and official reports of our high-ranking officials working for the three branches of the government, and all government officials and owners of media should pay attention to this important point."

Leader’s Speech to Judiciary Officials

Leader Meets Sudanese President

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his accompanying delegation. Speaking during the meeting, which was also attended by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the recent popular movements in the region are the beginning of an essential transformation in Islamic and regional countries. He also expressed hope that in the near future a powerful Islamic alliance will be formed in North Africa.

Leader Meets Pakistani President

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this evening with the Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. At the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei said that the historical, cultural and religious bonds between Iran and Pakistan will prepare the way for further expansion of the relations between the two countries. He also stressed the need to strengthen Tehran-Islamabad relations in all areas.

Leader Meets Iraqi President

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this evening with Jalal Talabani the President of Iraq. Speaking during the meeting, which was also attended by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to the presence of the Americans in the region as the source of the problems of Iraq and the region. He reiterated: "In spite of this arrogant presence, current regional events and developments show that the Middle East policy of the US is in decline, and nations should take advantage of this reality."

Leader Meets Afghan President

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with the Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his accompanying delegation. Speaking at the meeting, the Leader said that withdrawal of foreign military forces from Afghanistan is the wish of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He further stressed that the people of Afghanistan deserve to take their destiny into their own hands.

Leader’s Message to International Conference on Global Fight Against Terrorism

The following is the full text of the message issued on June 25, 2011 by Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution to the participants of the International Conference on Global Fight Against Terrorism. The message was read out at the beginning of this conference by Dr. Ali Akbar Velayati.

Leader: Goal of Producing Weapons Is to Defend Iran

Ayatollah Khamenei the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces visited an exhibition arranged to display research achievements of the Armed Forces in the area of defense. During the visit, which lasted more than six hours, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed: "The main purpose of producing weapons in the Islamic Republic of Iran is to defend Iran and to counter the bullying enemies. This is while the main goal of producing weapons in the west is trade and increasing the wealth of the owners of arms factories and companies."

Leader’s Recent Warnings to Leaders of Arab Countries

Leader Meets Members of High Council of Cultural Revolution

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met with the head and members of the High Council of Cultural Revolution. Speaking at the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted the importance of culture and added that the High Council of Cultural Revolution should act against the cultural invasion of the arrogant powers.

Leader’s Speech to Members of Council of Cultural Revolution

Nasrallah’s Speech Regarding Ayatollah Khamenei + Video

The following is a translation of the speech delivered by Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah in a conference on the intellectual dimensions of Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei's character. The conference, which was attended by several intellectuals from different parts of the world of Islam, started in Beirut on June 6, 2011.

Palestine belongs to Palestinians

We believe that all Palestinian lands belong to the Palestinians. Those who tried to wipe Palestine off the map of the world made a mistake. Such a thing will not happen. Palestine will survive. The usurpers have occupied Palestine for a few decades, but there is no doubt that Palestinian lands will be restored to the people of Palestine and to the world of Islam. And this will happen. The people of Palestine are vigilant. Palestine cannot be partitioned. Palestine belongs to the Palestinians entirely. The Islamic Republic presented the solution to the Palestinian issue several years ago. The solution to the issue of Palestine is not the kind of solutions that America and other such countries present. Such solutions will prove ineffective. The solution is to hold a referendum among the people of Palestine. Any government that receives the majority of the votes in the referendum will rule the entire Palestinian lands. Then that government will decide what to do with the Zionists who immigrated to Palestine. And this depends on the decision of the government that will be elected by the people of Palestine.

Leader: “Palestine Cannot Be Partitioned” + Video

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met today with a large group of ordinary civilians from across the country. Speaking at the meeting, which was held on the occasion of the 22nd demise anniversary of Imam Khomeini (r.a.), the Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to the issue of Palestine and stressed: "Palestine cannot be partitioned, and it entirely belongs to Muslims. Palestine will undoubtedly be restored to the world of Islam."

Having friendly ties with the people, one of recommendations by Imam Khamenei for authorities

The Imam wanted government officials like myself to have a close relationship with the people. The Imam used to stress that facilities and services had to be available in every part of the country. He used to stress that services had to be made available to the people living in remote places. These things point to the justice of our magnanimous Imam. He used to stress that government officials had to be elected from among the people. He used to stress that government officials had to be from among the people and that being well-connected was not a good criterion for appointing people to different positions. The prevalent favoritism during the time of Qajar and Pahlavi dynasties had made the Imam sensitive to this issue. Sometimes he used to praise certain government officials by saying, "He is from among the people." This was the standard for the Imam. He believed that taking wealth and power into consideration when appointing people to different positions was one of the greatest threats to the country and to the Revolution.

Imam Khomeini opposed officials’ wastefulness and luxury lifestyle

The dimension of justice is also very important in the Imam's school of thought. Although in a sense justice originates from rationality and spirituality, the prominence of justice from the Imam's perspective makes justice especially outstanding. Since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the Imam used to emphasize the needs of underprivileged social classes in his statements. He used to emphatically advise our government officials to cater to the needs of underprivileged social classes. He used to emphatically advise our government officials to avoid aristocratic lifestyles. This was one of the most important recommendations of our magnanimous Imam. We must not forget these things. In a government which relies on the votes and religious faith of the people, a serious problem will occur if the officials start to think about their own welfare, if they start to think of accumulating wealth for themselves, if they do everything to satisfy their aristocratic passions. This is a very serious problem for such a government. The Imam completely avoided this problem, and he used to repeatedly advise our government officials to avoid developing a tendency towards aristocratic lifestyles and accumulating wealth. He used to advise our government officials to develop a close relationship with the people. The Imam wanted government officials like myself to have a close relationship with the people.