Khamenei.ir

The Leader’s View of Democracy and Religious Democracy

Leader Visits Technology Exhibition

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution toured an exhibition of strategic technologies this morning. The visit lasted more than 5 hours.

Leader’s Speech to Assembly of Experts

Leader Meets Members of Assembly of Experts

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with the members and presiding board of the Assembly of Experts. Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence described Islamic Awakening among the regional nations as an extraordinary event and added that it has been inspired by the continued progress of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Natural resources are considered national wealth

The environment is very important. The matter of natural resources is very important. Natural resources are national wealth; they are not the property of one or another government, this minister or that minister; they belong to the people; and not to one generation of the people. Rather, they belong to nations over the course of their history; they need to use them. Be sensitive to the issue of deforestation. The pressure on the forests is intense. Forests must be preserved. Natural resources and pastures must be preserved.

The issue of environment is more important than any political and economic issues

The matters of greeneries, gardens and trees are among the principle matters. We should not regard them as secondary. It is true that in evaluating essential matters of the country, we tend to focus on economy, culture, financial and political matters; but if we look deeply, we will notice that nature and humans’ environment is more important. What is politics for? What is economy for? What are various urban and national services for? What is the country's development for? Development is to bring a healthy and comfortable life for the population. If the environment is devastated, all the rest will become useless. The importance of the environment lies there. Indeed, if we do not attend to water, soil, weather, and other matters that affect them-- like pastures, natural resources, jungles, or urban development-- the life of the people will not be sweet. Industries, and industrial developments, increased revenues of the country, and different scientific advances do not actually improve the reality of life. They all serve as prerequisites for a healthy, sweet and comfortable life for the people. Instead, one of the factors that play a direct role here is the environment: the habitat of the humans, and the issue of weather conditions. Then, its roots, its basis-- which is the soil, the trees and the jungles-- will find primary importance.

The Leader's View of Women's Role and Rights in Society

One should have a high regard for women in order to understand their rights and freedoms.

In order to understand women's rights and freedoms, one should look at them as human beings who can be a resource for society by helping to educate moral humans. Women should be looked upon as the main element in the formation of a family. Although families are made up of both men and women, and both men and women play a role in the formation of a family, the peaceful atmosphere inside a family is due to the existence of women and their womanly nature. One should have such a view of women in order to understand how women can move towards perfection and what their rights are.

Leader Visits Ministry of Intelligence

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution visited the Ministry of Intelligence this morning. During the visit, which lasted about six hours, Ayatollah Khamenei said that the Ministry of Intelligence is among the few organizations which originated from the Islamic Revolution. "Through the efforts of its faithful, committed, qualified, caring and revolutionary employees, the Ministry of Intelligence has rendered great services to the Revolution, and today it is an impressive base of jihad in the arena of intelligence war in the world."

If humanity knew Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) better...

The Holy Quran says, "And We have not sent you but as a mercy to the Worlds." [The Holy Quran, 21: 107] The entire world has benefited from his holy existence, and it will do so in the future as well. The advances made by humanity, the scientific advances, the different areas of knowledge and the great discoveries that have been made in the world are all because of the emergence of the light of Islam in that amazing historical era. And this blessing was made available to people. If humanity had more knowledge, if humanity enjoyed a deeper understanding, if humanity knew the Prophet (s.w.a.), if humanity was familiar with Islam, if humanity knew the message of Islam, today the scene of history would be a different scene. The ignorance of human beings and their short-sightedness have made them fall behind. Definitely the more time passes and the more human beings increase their capacity for understanding, the more this brilliant sun will reveal itself. Then human beings will benefit more from this light of life. And today we can see the signs.

Leader Calls on Muslim Nations to End America’s Interference

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with government officials of the Islamic Republic, ambassadors of Islamic countries and ordinary citizens from various social backgrounds. Speaking at the meeting, which was also attended by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that the problems of the region will only be solved by putting an end to America's interference in the destiny of the nations of the region.

Leader’s Speech to Government Officials

Leader: World of Islam at Sensitive Stage

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met today with a group of Muslim intellectuals and foreign guests attending the 24th International Islamic Unity Conference. Speaking at the meeting, the Leader said that the world of Islam is going through a historic and very sensitive stage. He reiterated that appropriate familiarity with this sensitive stage, strengthening religious faith of the people, preserving unity, refusing to be intimidated by America's power and trusting the divine promise of assistance will prepare the way for the victory of the massive popular movement in the world of Islam.

Leader’s Address to Participants of International Islamic Unity Conference

The effects of Islamic unity on Muslim nations

It is necessary to eliminate discord among Muslim nations. The first effect of Islamic unity is that Muslim nations should sympathize with each other. When a Muslim nation is happy, other Muslim nations should also feel happy. When a Muslim nation is sad, other Muslim nations should feel sad. When a Muslim nation is in trouble, other Muslim nations should share in their trouble. When a Muslim nation asks for help, other Muslim nations should rush to its aid. This is our duty. We believe in this divine promise. We believe that "those who strive hard for Us, We will most certainly guide them to Our paths." [The Holy Quran, 29: 69] And Allah the Exalted will undoubtedly help faithful people.

Leader Meets People of Tabriz

US levels allegations of violation of human rights to mislead global public opinion

Maybe the main reason behind the pressure that they have exerted on Islamic Iran and the Islamic Republic throughout the past 33 years is that they wanted to prevent the formation of a model for the Muslim population of the region. This is because it is difficult to start a movement without having a role model. They impose sanctions in order to make the country economically weak, hoping that others will look at our country and think that Islam brings about economic backwardness. They assassinate our scientists in order to thwart the scientific movement and prevent the Iranian nation from showing its impressive and advanced scientific movement to the world and the Islamic Ummah. And this scientific movement was inspired by Islam and the Islamic Revolution. They level allegations of political suppression, violation of human rights and other such things in order to mislead global public opinion. However, the Revolution has been shining brightly in spite of all this propaganda.

Leader’s Speech to People of East Azerbaijan Province

Leader Meets with Turkish President

Leader’s View of Islamic Awakening

Leader Meets Air Force Staff

Leader’s Address to Air Force Commanders and Pilots

Leader’s Friday Prayer Address

Techniques Used by Arrogant Powers Against Islamic Movement

Leader Leads Tehran Friday Prayers

To appoint the prime minister, the Shah needed the consent and agreement of the United States

The country was politically dependent before the Revolution. That is to say, the government - both Mohammad Reza Shah and different governmental organizations - obeyed America. They were just waiting for America to make a move. Again, there is overwhelming evidence in this regard. Dr. Amini traveled from Iran to America in order to convince the Americans to let him be the prime minister of Iran. When he came back, he became prime minister! After a couple of years the Shah - who was opposed to Dr. Amini - made a trip to America and convinced the Americans to remove him. The Shah came back and removed him! This was the situation of our country. In order to install a prime minister, the Shah who was the head of the country needed the agreement and approval of America. In the case of many issues the Shah used to invite the American and English ambassadors to his palace in order to discuss his decision with them. If they did not agree, the decision was not implemented. This is what political dependence means. They obeyed America, and before America they obeyed England. It was the English who brought Reza Khan to power. When they realized that he was no longer useful to them, they fired him. They forced him out of the country and put his son in power. This was our situation before the Revolution.

People had no role or place in Pahlavi regime

Monarchy was the system of government before the Revolution. Democracy is the opposite of monarchy. In a monarchy the people do not have any role in government. In a democracy the people are in charge of everything. Government was hereditary before the Revolution. Rulers used to determine their successors before they died. That is to say, the people had no role in government. Whether they liked it or not, they had no choice but to accept their government. Thanks to the Revolution, the people can now choose their government. The taste and will of the people play a determining role. Before the Revolution the system of government was security-based dictatorship - harsh and dark dictatorship… The Revolution came and created a free atmosphere for criticism and reform. Feb 5, 2011

Tehran's Friday prayers led today by Grand Ayatollah Khamenei

Leader Visits Imam Khomeini's Shrine

Leader's View of Egypt

Leader Meets with People of Qom