Khamenei.ir

A comparison between the status of women in Western families and Muslim families

The situation of western families - in terms of oppression against women and in terms of violating women's rights - is definitely worse than Islamic, Iranian and eastern families. Their situation is not better than us and in certain cases, their situation is definitely worse. But we do not follow them. They are not our role model. We have a lot of shortcomings in our family environments. Addressing these shortcomings requires a legal guarantee for implementation and this is something that has to be done. This is one of the areas in which very little work has been done in the country and it is necessary to do something about it. There is no shortage of Islamic texts and sources in this area. Sometimes we see certain people criticizing Islamic thought and finding fault with Islamic rules such as those related to inheritance, blood money and other such things. This is while these criticisms are misplaced. There are logical and firm answers for these criticisms. However, we, unfortunately, fail to pay enough attention to behaviors in the family environment. This is while Islam has absolutely clear views in this regard. The family environment must be a safe, dignified and peaceful environment for women so that they can fulfill their essential duty of protecting the family in the best possible way.

Leader: Hijab Challenges Western Policy of Exploiting Women

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with hundreds of prominent Iranian women. Speaking at the meeting, which was held on the eve of the birthday anniversary of Hazrat Fatima al-Zahra (s.a.), Ayatollah Khamenei said that clear opposition to hijab in the west is one of the consequences of the western view of women, further adding: "Westerners claim that hijab is a religious issue and that it should not appear in secular communities, but the real reason behind the opposition of the west to hijab is that hijab challenges and thwarts the fundamental policy of the west regarding women - namely, exploiting women and promoting moral corruption among them."

The greatest insult the western culture made to the woman is sexualization and objectification

If a woman is determined to distinguish herself in western societies, she has no choice but to make use of her sexual appeal. Even in formal meetings women should dress in a way to appear pleasing to their beneficiaries - namely, men. I believe this is the greatest blow, the biggest insult and the greatest injustice as far as women are concerned. Unfortunately there is a cultural norm in western culture according to which women are considered the giver and men are considered the taker. Other societies followed the west and made efforts on its path. And this norm has been established in the world. If somebody says something that goes against this norm, they create uproar against him. For example, if in a society women are prohibited from wearing make-up in public places, they will create uproar. But there will be no uproar in the world if the opposite is done - that is to say, if immodesty is promoted among women in a society. When a society promotes modesty and discourages make-up among women, dominant propaganda machines of the world create uproar about it. This shows that there is a culture, a policy, a strategy that has been followed for many years in order to consolidate this wrong and insulting position for women. And unfortunately this has already happened.

What are the hidden reasons behind the western governments' opposition to hijab?

In the west they are gradually voicing their opposition to hijab in an open way. They say that hijab is the symbol of a religious movement and that they do not want religious symbols to be promoted in their secular societies. These are the reasons that they present for this opposition. I believe what their claims are a lie. It is not a matter of religion. The problem is that the fundamental policy of the west is to promote moral corruption among women and to exploit them, and hijab works against this policy. Even if hijab is not motivated by religious faith, they oppose it. This is the main problem. This issue has resulted in serious consequences for different communities: the break-up of the family and shocking statistics about women trafficking. According to a report that has been published globally - I think the report has been published by the UN - women trafficking is among the trades that are growing fastest in the world. There are a few countries which are worst in this regard and the Zionist regime is among them. Under the guise of labor, marriage and other such things, they collect women and girls from poor countries in Latin America, certain Asian countries and certain poor European countries and they deliver them to certain centers, centers whose names and activities would shock people. All of these things are the result of the misconception about women, the result of the oppressive inequation about women's position in society. The issue of illegitimate children - which is most common in America - and the issue of cohabitation are in fact destroying the warm family environment and its blessings. They are depriving humanity of these blessings. These issues are the consequences of the first problem that I spoke about. It is necessary to do something in this regard. It is necessary to define the position of women and to stand up against the propaganda of the west in a serious way.

Speeches

Leader’s Speech to Prominent Iranian Women

The following is the full text of the speech delivered on May 22, 2011 by Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution in a meeting with a group of prominent Iranian women in Tehran.

Leader’s View of Islamic Awakening

Leader Urges Development of Islamic Theory on Justice

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution attended the 2nd Forum on Strategic Thoughts this morning. Speaking at the meeting, which lasted for about four hours, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution stressed the need for serious efforts to formulate a pure Islamic theory on justice.

Leader’s Speech at "Strategic Thoughts" Forum

Leader: Even Enemies Acknowledge Iran’s Power

In a meeting with a group of ordinary citizens, families of martyrs, religious scholars and government officials of Kurdistan province, Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the enemies acknowledge the power and glory of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the region. He reiterated: "Since the first day after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the propaganda empire of the enemy broadcast as much propaganda against the Islamic Republic as it could, but the Islamic Republic foiled these plots by moving on the path of progress."

Leader’s Speech to Teachers

Leader: Awakening to Continue into Heart of Europe

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of Islamic Revolution met this morning with thousands of teachers from across the country. Speaking during the meeting, which was held in Tehran on the occasion of Teachers' Day, Ayatollah Khamenei said that the current wave of awakening in West Asia and North Africa is the continuation of the movement started by the Iranian nation. He stressed: "This wave of awakening will definitely continue into the heart of Europe, and European nations will rise up against their politicians and leaders who have totally subjugated them to cultural and economic policies of America and the Zionists."

Leader Warns Against Encouraging Enemies

In a meeting with mayors and a number of other government officials from across the country, Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that it is necessary to avoid any action which would upset friends and encourage enemies to cause uproar.

Leader: Progress Is Destiny of Iranian Nation

In a meeting with thousands of laborers from across the country on the eve of International Labor Day, Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said this morning that progress is the definite destiny of the Iranian nation.

Leader’s Speech to Laborers

Leader Meets Police Officials

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this afternoon with the Interior Minister and a group of police officials and commanders. Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence said that one of the most important duties of the police force is to establish moral and psychological security in society.

Leader: Leader Intervenes Only When Important National Interests Ignored

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with thousands of people from Fars province. Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence referred to the recent developments in the Ministry of Intelligence and reiterated: "The Leader will step in whenever he feels an important [national] interest has been ignored."

Leader’s Speech to People of Fars Province

The Leader’s View of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.)

Leader Meets Army Commanders

Ayatollah Khamenei the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces met today with a group of Army commanders. Speaking during the meeting, which had been arranged on the occasion of Army Day, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution expressed his gratitude for the efforts made by the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army.

The Leader’s View of Nuclear Energy

Leader’s Speech to Cultural and Political Figures

Leader's Speech in Meeting with President Ahmadinejad, Cabinet Members and Majlis Presiding

Leader: Regional Movement Inspired by Iranian Nation

Leader’s Speech in Asalouyeh

Leader Condemns Strike on Libya

Addressing a large gathering of people in the holy city of Mashhad on the first day of the Iranian new year, Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to the recent developments in Libya and said that Iran utterly condemns both the killings by the Libyan regime and the western strike on Libya.

Leader’s New Year Address

I would like to congratulate my dear countrymen across the country, all Iranians living in different parts of the world and all nations that value Norouz [Iranian New Year] on the auspicious occasion of Norouz and the beginning of spring and the new year.

Leader’s Public Address in Mashhad

Ethics and Man

The Leader’s View of Islamic Ethics

The Leader’s View of Self-Improvement