Khamenei.ir

Excerpts from the speech delivered in meeting with government officials

Excerpts from statements made in meeting with the commanders of Mobilized Forces

Excerpts from statements made in meeting with the commanders of Mobilized Forces (Basij), IRGC Marine force, and members of student Basidj from around the country

The crime committed by Europe and the US in Bosnia

Brothers and sisters! It’s a year now that a nation is being slaughtered. Is this a joke?! You and I just hear something [but we cannot truly understand such a situation]! For several days, different cities in our country were bombed by the enemy at intervals. You saw how difficult the situation was for people! People are being killed in a European country for a year now. It is not Africa this time. It is not in the depths of the Amazon rainforest. It is not East Asia. It is Europe, where its governments do not believe the rest of the world has the right to live. Because they say, "They are not civilized; we are civilized." There, a nation is being slaughtered for a year now. How can one express what has happened to the Muslims of Bosnia-Herzegovina?! Which pen can describe what is happening?! Which global media, which news agency of the world’s famous news agencies, were willing to go, write about and show the truth of what is happening there?! It is one year now that the old and young, men and women, the sick and healthy, individuals and people from all works of life are being killed there. They are being trampled on. Their women’s dignity is being violated. Their houses are being ruined. From the start of this until now - over a year now - the big governments, headed by the United States, have only turned their attention to them once in a while, uttered some word, and sometimes expressed regret [nothing more]! As one who knows the nature of this civilization that is based on materialism and who knows the nature of these lying, deceitful politicians in today's world, I did not expect them to support the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Even now when they say they support them, I know they are lying. When they said, "We are besieging the Serbs next to the sea," I knew they were lying. And they did not besiege them. We do not expect [to see any help from] them. They did not even permit a few young Muslims from other places in the world to go there to help those desperate people, or to give them a few weapons to protect their lives. Then, in a world where this tragedy is just one among many other similar ones, there is the issue of Palestine too. There are also other cases concerning different countries around the world. And there is the issue of decapitating democracy in Algeria. There is the repression of Muslims in different parts of the world. There is the deportation of the Palestinians... And all of these catastrophic events are being done by the world powers themselves, through their encouragement, or in front of their eyes while they show no reaction. Nonetheless, these lying politicians who felt no pity for thousands of Bosnian women and did not care about the genocide of a nation raise their voices and claim that, "We are against terrorism. We support human rights!" using their strong propaganda machine and communication tools. They make a list and include this country and that country in their list of terrorists, then they claim to be the ones who support human rights! What is this? This is the same old suffering, which has existed among humankind from the past.

An excerpt of statements made on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan

Diplomacy towards Israel has reached a dead end/ I was detained upon arriving in Israel

Former UN Special Rapporteur on Palestinian Human Rights exposed international diplomacy failure in confronting Israeli crimes and described isolating Israel internationally by launching anti-Israel boycott campaigns as the best solution.

Why does the whole of the mankind await the reappearance of the Savior?

Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is the key to justice and the symbol of divine justice on earth. As a result, all the humanity look forward to his Excellency’s reappearance, in one way or another. Well, Muslims have precisely identified this great awaiting, and the Shia have clear and detailed information about the redeemer. So the matter of awaiting Imam Mahdi, from this perspective, is not only specific to Shia, and not even only to Islam. Rather, it represents awaiting among people from all walks of life and all nations of the world. It represents hope in the hearts of humanity: history of humankind moves toward improvement. This hope gives power to bodies, light to the hearts, and determines that every move towards seeking justice is aligned with the natural direction and order of the world and human history. Consequently, before the revolution when our nation was fighting, they felt like they were advancing toward the ideal of humanity. Similarly, after the revolution, the Iranian nation feel like every move and action they take, every fight and hardship they endure, is directed towards a goal which is shared by all the humans and all the believers. The purpose is to establish justice and the goal is to achieve justice for all the humans. Islam will provide this justice.

The Impact of Imam Hussein's Uprising on Justice and Freedom Movements

Hussein Ibn Ali (a.s.) awakened the conscience of the people. So you see, after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (a.s.), Islamic uprisings were launched one after another. Of course, they were suppressed, but it is not important if a movement is suppressed by the enemy. It is surely bitter, but more bitter than that, is when a society does not respond to the enemy. This is a great danger. With his uprising, Imam Hussein Ibn Ali (a.s.) inspired individuals in all eras of the rule of tyrannies, to fight against oppressive and corrupt establishments with a willpower stronger than those of the time of Imam Hassan al-Mujtaba (a.s.)—even though they lived farther from the early years of Islam. And they were all suppressed. From the case of the uprising of the people of Medina, known as "Harreh", to the subsequent cases of Tawabin and Mokhtar uprisings, to the time of Umayyad and Bani Abbas, there were repeatedly uprisings within the nations. Who inspired these uprisings?If Imam Hussein (a.s.) had not risen up, would the spirit of laziness and irresponsibility change into the spirit of oppression-countering and responsibility? Why do we say the spirit of responsibility had died? Because Imam Hussein went to Mecca from Medina, the center of the nobles of Islam. The son of Abbas, the son of Zubair, the son of Omar, the son of early caliphs of Islam, all gathered in Medina, and no one of them was willing to help Imam Hussein (a.s.) in that bloody and historic uprising. So, before the launching of Imam Hussein's uprising, even the elites were not ready to take a step. But after the uprising of Imam Hussein (a.s.), this spirit was aroused. This is a great lesson to be learned from the event of Ashura, along with other lessons.

An excerpt of statements made in meeting with women

Despite the efforts of the western culture for promoting among women engaging in unrestrained sexual relations, still a lot of the western women won't accept this

This is one of the battlefields where we have the upper hand against the imperialist world. I have repeatedly told the speakers and preachers talking about women: it is not us who have to defend our position. It is the corrupt Western culture that needs to defend itself. What we offer women is something that no thoughtful, honest person could deny that it is in the interest of women. We are inviting women to modesty, purity, Hijab, and avoiding unrestrained mingling among men and women, protecting human dignity, and restraining from putting on make-up for fulfilling the interests of men [other than their husbands] so that they would not be rendered into satisfying the lustful eyes. Is this something harmful? This is the dignity of a Muslim woman. This is the dignity of a woman. Those who encourage women to expose themselves to the men on the streets so that they can satisfy their sexual desires, must defend themselves as to why they have lowered women and subjected them to such shame. They have to answer. Our culture is such that dignified and thoughtful Westerners, too, prefer and act upon it. Even there, modest, dignified and virtuous women and women who value themselves would not accept to be used to satisfy sexual desires of men. The corrupt culture of the West has many examples like this.

How can a woman achieve perfection?

When a Muslim woman returns to her origin and nature, she can realize a great miracle; as it was seen in our revolution and in our Islamic establishment, thanks be to God, and is seen today. We had never seen such power and bravery in women as we witness in the mothers of the martyrs today. Have we ever seen such sacrifice as that made by young women, who sent their beloved husbands to the battlefields so that they could fight with peace of mind? This is the greatness of Islam which is visible in the faces of our revolutionary women during the revolution and today, thanks be to God. The propaganda that women cannot pursue their studies or carry out housework or raise children while keeping their hijab and chastity, is nonsensical. Today we have many female experts in different fields in our society: hard-working and talented university students, graduates of high levels, imminent doctors! Today, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, many of the leaders in various majors are women; women who have also safeguarded their chastity and womanly purity, and also their hijab in a complete manner; women who also raise their children in the appropriate manner as required by Islam, and they work on their relation with their husbands, the way Islam has asked, and engage in academic and political activities. Now among you- the ladies present in this meeting-- there are many who have social and political activities, prominent and important activities; either single women among you or married women, whose husbands are proud and should be proud of their wives’ leading involvement in different areas. With the Islamic spirit and in an Islamic environment, a woman can reach her true perfection; away from lavishness, humiliation and mortification induced by consumption.

From the beginning of the nineteenth century, women were regarded as cheap labor force.

Ever since the Europeans created new industries—in the early nineteenth century, when Western capitalists invented large factories and hence, needed a cheap and undemanding workforce—they began advocating for "women's freedom" to make women leave their families behind in order to work hard for the factories; and they could be exploited as a cheap workforce, to fill their pockets and take dignity and merit away from women. Today, what is referred to as "women's freedom" in the West is the sequel of that historical fact. Therefore, the oppression of women in Western culture and the misconception of women in the works of Western culture and literature are unprecedented throughout history. In the past, women had been oppressed everywhere; but this pervasive, universal and all-inclusive oppression is particular of the recent time and was caused by Western civilization. They introduced the woman as a means for satisfying men’s sexual desires, and called it "women's freedom"! Although, it was in fact, the freedom of the dissipated men to take advantage of women; it was not the freedom of women. Not only in occupations, industry and similar activities, but also in arts and literature they were cruel to women. Look at written stories, novels, paintings, and other different artistic works and see the view on women. Are the positive aspects and high values in women observed? Is it the fine emotions, kindness, and tender nature that God Almighty has created in women— temperament for motherhood, compassion for caring for children and bringing them up—which are considered or the sexual aspects which they call love? (And this is a wrong phrasing. This is sexual desire, not love). They wanted to form and make women this way: as a consumer. A spendthrift and a cheap worker who doesn't ask for much. Islam does not consider such things values for women. Islam allows women to work. Not only it allows them to, but Islam even deems it probably essential for women to work as long as their occupation does not interfere with their main responsibilities and most important occupation; that is, educating children and protecting the family. A country cannot forego the workforce of women in different fields. But this work must not contradict a woman's dignity and moral and human values. Women must not be looked down on and made to submit to pressure and bow down. Arrogance is unpleasant from anyone, unless from women against unfamiliar men. Women must stay proud against unfamiliar men. They must not be humble when talking to men. This is to protect the dignity of women. This is what Islam wants and this sets the role model for a Muslim woman.

Regard a woman as a lofty human, to realize what represents her perfection, rights and freedom

The world of Arrogance, [the front] which is filled with arrogance, is at fault for thinking that a woman's value and merit relies on her physical attraction to men. So the perverted eyes look at her and indulge in [gazing at] her, and admire her. The trend which has been spread in the world by the perverted Western culture under the name of freedom of women is based on exposing women to men's eyes so they take sexual indulgence. Men take indulgence in them and women become means of sexual desire for men. Is this freedom of women? Those who claim they support human rights in the perverted, ignorant and negligent western civilization, are indeed oppressing women. Regard women as lofty humans, in order to realize what represents their perfection, rights and freedom. Look at the woman as someone who can help the society advance by raising noble people, to realize what her true right and freedom are. Regard the woman as the main constituent of the family; because even though a family is made up of a man and a woman, and they are both essential for the formation of a family, the peaceful and soothing environment of the home is accomplished thanks to the women's nature and kindness. Look at the woman through such a viewpoint, and you will know where her perfection and rights rely on.

An excerpt of statements made in meeting with liberated war captives

Iranian woman took to the battlefield in hijab

On the bogus pretext of improving women’s status, the Pahlavi regime took the national and traditional Iranian dress away from the women The one who took the biggest step in favor of the Western culture—that is, in reality the West’s hegemony over Iran—and in favor of the British colonization, was Reza-Khan. You see, this kind of action is perceived so disgraceful today, if a king completely changes the national dressing culture of a country. For instance, if you travel to India, or different parts of the world, nations have their proper forms of dress; and they are proud of it, and they don’t feel ashamed of it. But in Iran they suddenly banned the [national] costumes! Why? Because, they said, it was not possible to become an academic with this type of clothing. Amazing! Our most prominent scientists -- Iranian scientists whose work is still being taught in Europe-- grew under the same culture and in the same environment. How can the clothing tradition have an impact [on their scholarly work]? This is a nonsensical remark! They suggested such a nonsensical reason, and changed the clothing tradition of a nation, removing women’s chadors. They argued that “a woman cannot become an academic, or a scientist, and take part in social activities while wearing chador.” My question is: “By removing the chador, in our country, what percentage of women took part in social activities?” Were women given opportunities to take part in social activities during the reign of Reza Khan and his son?! Men were not given opportunities either, nor would women be given opportunities. When women of Iran entered the arena of social activity, powerfully raising the country in their vigorous hands, and encouraging men to follow them into the arenas of fighting, they did so while wearing chadors. What negative effect can chador have?! How can clothing prevent a woman’s or a man’s activity? The important thing is how a person’s heart is; how their mind is, how their faith is, how their personality is, what motivations are created for their social or scientific activity. This ignorant bully --Reza Khan-- came to power and yielded to the enemies. He suddenly changed the dressing culture of the country, he changed many of the traditions, and he banned the religion! He did actions that we all have heard--which took place during the Pahlavi regime, through coercion and bullying. He became popular in the eyes of the Westerners—that is the colonizers.

Excerpts from statements made in meeting with a group of cultural administrators

Excerpts of the Imam Khamenei's Friday Prayer sermon

By acting according to Islamic laws, we should prepare the ground for the reappearance

We will be considered as truly awaiting the Savior only when we prepare the ground for it. For the reappearance of the promised Imam Mahdi (may our spirits be sacrificed for him) the ground needs to be prepared. And that is achievable by acting upon Islamic laws and the rule of Qur'an and Islam. As I said, it is narrated that: by God, you will be tested, and by God you will be sifted. This great trial which faces the followers and the Shia of Imam Mahdi (may our spirits be sacrificed for him) is a test of making efforts for fulfilling the rule of Islam. You must endeavor for the fulfillment of the rule of Islam. Our great nation made this one step. I must say, in this city of Qom-- which is the birthplace of resistance and revolution, and in this holy place which has witnessed long devoted efforts and endeavors for God, during the movement, before and after the revolution-- that the first step for the rule of Islam and for Muslim nations to get nearer to the time of reappearance of Imam Mahdi (may our spirits be sacrificed for him and may God hasten his reappearance) was taken by the Iranian nation. And that is, establishing the rule of Qur'an. This is what the materialistic world would not want to believe. After centuries of trying to outdo religion, and especially the holy religion of Islam, they would not want to see that this religion has appeared on the world scene, governing a country, attracting and pulling nations towards itself. That is why the animosity of imperialism, enemies of religion, and the fronts of Arrogance, heresy and paganism started to counter the Islamic Republic.

While awaiting the Promised Mahdi (a.s.) indolence should not be sought

You dear youth who are starting your life and work, should try to prepare the grounds for the promised era, when there is no trace of oppression; when human mind and intellects are more active and flourishing that ever before; when nations do not fight, when the warmongering agents of the world-- who caused and continue to cause regional and global fights-- can no longer stage any war; when all across the world, there will be peace and security. We should endeavor to achieve that era. Before the era of Promised Mahdi (a.s.) comfort and peace do not exist. In narrations we have expressions such as, “the people will be put on the hardest trials” or “the people will undergo the harshest pressures.” When and where is the trial? When there is a field of combating. Before the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.), pure individuals are put on trial in combating fields; they are put on trial, and they pass the trials successfully; and the world approaches day after day the ideal and aspired era of Promised Mahdi (a.s.). This is the great hope. So the day of Sha’ban 15 [birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi (a.s.)] is an important Eid.

Why do the youth in Western countries succumb to ennui and despair?

The overwhelming oppression that dominates the world, the unrighteous rulings, the bullying of nations around the world, the unjust bloodshed, disregarding the most honorable and important human values, the lies and tricks that the leaders of global arrogant powers deliver to humans every day-- all this malevolence, exploitation and oppression, naturally disappoints a person who does not have a source of hope in their heart. As a result, you see the youth in Western countries succumb to ennui and despair. The young generation who is not accustomed to the traditions and has not learned to rely on the traditions—when encountered with the chaos in human life-- becomes desperate, and turns to ennui. Many of the boys and girls in Western countries incline to nihilism, ignore expressions of life and sink in instant desires. This is caused by hopelessness. Many of the world renowned scientists, authors and orators fall for the same predicament. But this is not the case for a nation who has hope in the future; who knows that the days of oppression, invasion, domination and arrogance will—despite its massiveness that has overwhelmed the world today—come to an end one day; that a time will come when the great power of Truth will obliterate all the peaks of corruption and oppression and it will illuminate the landscape of human life with the beacon of justice. This is the significance of awaiting Imam Mahdi's era.

If Jesus Christ were among us today

If Christ were among us today, he would not spare even a single moment to fight the leaders of despotism and global arrogance; nor would he tolerate hunger and wandering of millions of people, degenerated by the hegemonic and colonialist powers into war, corruption, and violence. Jesus Christ, who is the manifestation of divine attributes, raised the flag of guiding and saving humans at a time when ignorance, injustice, and inattention to human values were prevalent. He stood up to oppressing powers – which were dependent on their wealth and power – and he promoted justice, mercy, and monotheism. Today those who believe in that great prophet – Muslims and Christians – should follow the teachings and the path of divine prophets and try to promote human virtues on the basis of the teachings of these prophets.

By introducing hijab, which ranks does God want to assist women to achieve?

The matter of hijab is a matter of values. The matter of hijab— though a prerequisite for achieving higher positions— is in itself a value. If we insist on hijab, it is because practicing hijab helps the woman reach the high spiritual position she deserves, and avoid the very slithery slips on her path toward exaltation. The binary opposite of this view is the Byzantine culture that reigns over Europe today. They tolerate everything except for a couple of matters; one of which, and maybe the most important, being setting a protective space between the two genders; that is self-control as opposed to sexual freedom. They strongly oppose this; whereas they are tolerant of all other matters. They believe those who emphasize on separating men and women are reactionary. They assume if the women are separated from men in a country by placing some sorts of restrictions, this is against civilization! They are right: their own civilization which was built on the ruins of the Byzantine civilization is not different. However, this belief is against values: the opposite [of the belief in the mingling of the sexes] is appropriate.

Excerpts from statements made during a meeting with a group of nurses

IRGC is a unique phenomenon in the world that can be a model for revolutionary nations

The IRGC is a unique, and probably matchless phenomenon in our known history. Its birth and growth happened during the revolution and the consequent difficult challenges. At the start of the war, the IRGC was a small entity. It was like a newborn child. But this child born from the revolution was nourished correctly and incessantly by the flow of the revolution to become strong, powerful and ever growing until the day revolutionary truths unfolded the first miracles by the young IRGC members on the battlefields: unorganized masses became organized military units. Unrestrained love and excitement were set to work within a professional military framework. With their experience growing, those passionate about making self-sacrifice and Jihad found the reasonable way for successful Jihad that is designated by God. Each one of these events was a stage in your progress forward.

The key to the success of the IRGC

In the light of the revolutionary and spiritual morale that emanated from the enlightening heart and the sincere spirit of the Imam of the mystics and the leader of the pious, thus satisfying the spiritual quest of the young and sincere IRGC and Basij fighters more than anyone else, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards managed to play an important role in repelling the imperialist agents’ aggression on the Islamic Republic. Alongside the army, and by employing the popular Basij movement, the IRGC managed to give a hard lesson to the enemies of Islam and guarantee the protection and continuation of the Islamic Republic. It was also evidence for our nation, the armed forces, and the officials of the country of the influence of relying on God, revolutionary spirit, and courage in the field of action, and it removed from their hearts the temptation to turn towards foreigners and seek help from the unworthy. Thank God, the Islamic Republic has achieved great victories in different fields by relying on our human resources nurtured by the revolution.

A mistaken interpretation of awaiting reappearance

There existed a deviated concept with regard to awaiting the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.j.), and fortunately, today there is little trace of that wrong interpretation. Some ignorant or malignant people had promoted the view that awaiting meant avoiding any positive action or fights against evil; that it meant waiting till Imam Mahdi (a.j.) would come and amend the world, and obliterates corruptions! Thanks to the revolution, this false interpretation was obliterated or, at least, it lost popularity. Thanks be to God, this concept no longer exists in our society. The appropriate sense of awaiting constitutes of some dimensions and heeding these dimensions are extremely important for anyone who understands how much significance is given to awaiting in the culture of Islam and Shia.

Leader's Speech in a Meeting with Foreign Participants of Ten-Day Fajr Ceremonies

The biggest oppression against women is preoccupying her with consumerism and show-off

After all the calamities that were inflicted on women in the past, in Eastern, Western, Iranian and non-Iranian cultures, (I don’t need to mention them, you all know) Islam gave a new life to women. In our Iranian society, the woman is not still at the level that Islam requires, neither in social rights, nor in the individual rights to property, or the related laws. In some parts of our society women are badly treated, which is not something that happens only in Iran. Unfortunately, throughout history, women have been under oppression, which is mainly due to the fact that the status and value of woman is not accurately understood. Of course, this has existed in different parts of the world, in different forms and continues to exist; it does not only happen in our society. However, in our society it should be as Islam requires. The woman should find her true position; she must not be oppressed simply for being a woman. It is heartbreaking to see so much oppression is put on women—oppressions we do recognize as oppressions; and there are so many forms of oppression that are not even recognized as oppression, while they are indeed acts of oppression; such as, leading women to ostentation, show-off, consumerism and flamboyant adornments, extravagant expenses and changing into a consumer good. This is a major oppression to women. We can say that no other oppression is worse, because it will make her completely negligent about her ideals and purposes toward perfection, and will make her busy with trivial matters. This was done during the oppressive monarchical regime, which was put an end to.

Excerpts from statements made in meeting with members of Women's Council of Cultural and Social Affairs

Ayatollah Khamenei's commentary on the Sha'baniyah Invocation

Excerpt of statements made during a meeting with the officials of the courts for the clergy