Khamenei.ir

Belief in Mahdi (a.s.) opposes the false and oppressive propaganda by arrogant powers

Humans can make an effort to raise the flag of justice –even if only in a certain area. If the nations living under pressures of oppression today can develop the hope that it is possible to fight against oppression, what will happen in the world and how the nations will awaken! The Iranian nation was once under the tyrannical [Pahlavi] regime's claws of despotism and had no hope. However, our magnanimous Imam Khomeini cleared the hearts from disappointment and inspired the people with hope and bravery via Islamic teachings. As a result, the people rose up and brought about a revolution. They underwent hardships; they fought; they sacrificed their lives, and they managed to fight against, uproot and overthrow the agents of oppression and the oppressive system in this part of the world. Today, the propaganda centers of the Arrogant Powers in the world and the illuminati affiliated with them, promote around the world the belief that no movement can counter the current oppressive order. They fight against the notions of revolution and idealism and want to convince the nations to tolerate the actual oppressive situation of the world and avoid reacting to it. The belief in reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.j.) opposes the false and oppressive propaganda. Believing in reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.j.), our youth, intellectuals and nation nurture in their hearts the strong belief that the global oppressive order is going to perish; it is not permanent. It is possible to fight and resist against it.

The first practical lesson from the belief in Savior: Elimination of Oppression from the world is definite

The first lesson we can learn from believing in the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.j.) is that eliminating oppression from the world is not only possible, but it is definite. This is extremely important for the young generations not to believe that it is impossible to counter the global oppression. Today, when we speak with world-renowned political intellectuals about oppression exercised by the international powers and the global system of oppression—which is headed by the Arrogant Power [U.S.] around the world today—they say they agree that there is oppression, but there is no possible way to oppose the oppressive powers! That is, a great number of the elites who lead the world are afflicted with disappointment and they transfer this feeling of disappointment to their nations, and dishearten them about overturning the oppressive and devilish plots in today’s world. Evidently, hopeless individuals can never take action against oppression. What will make people act and move is the beacon and power of hope. Believing in the promised Mahdi (a.j.) will fill the hearts with the beacon of hope. For us, who believe in the definite reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.j.), the hopelessness that has afflicted many intellectuals around the world makes no sense. We hold that it is possible to change the oppressive systems of the world, that it is possible to encounter oppression and oppressive powers, and that in the future this is not only possible but it will definitely happen.

Believing in Mahdawiyyah is not exclusive to Shi’ism

Believing in the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) at one time in history is not specific to Shia Muslims. Rather, all Muslims—including Shias and Sunnis—believe in this notion. However, the Shias are privileged in that they know this Savior by name and features, and believes that he is always ready and prepared to receive the divine order. Any time God the Almighty commands him [to reappear], he is ready to initiate the great movement, which is supposed to revolutionize humanity and history. The lesson and the pragmatic and cognitive teaching we need to learn from this notion is significant.

Speech on Birth Anniversary of Imam Mahdi (greetings be upon him)

The following is an abridgement of the statements made by Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, at a gathering held on Sha'ban 15, 1423 (October 22, 2002). The gathering was held on the occasion of birth anniversary of the Savior of mankind, Imam Mahdi (greetings be upon him and may Almighty Allah hasten his reappearance).

The IRGC represents a culture

Being a guardian of the Revolution represents a culture; a culture of dignity and pride. Guarding the faith and the Revolution—which is embodied in the IRGC today—is not merely a military action; rather, it also represents a culture. It includes aspects of religion, politics, self-sacrifice and selfless endeavor aspects. Obviously, it also has a military aspect. That is, it has been, and will be the military arm of the Revolution. The Revolution needs this protection as much as before. This is a permanent necessity. Out of ignorance—we would like to hope that it is out of ignorance—some attack the foundations of selfless endeavor and martyrdom for the sake of Allah. They do not understand what they are doing. What they do is like sitting on a branch and cutting down the tree. They do not comprehend what miracles can be brought about, and what great achievements can be accomplished by a nation equipped with the tremendous instruments of Jihad (selfless endeavor) and martyrdom for the sake of Allah. They want to leave the Revolution and the Islamic government defenseless against world powers so that they can devour and decimate it. Obviously, when coming from enemies, these suggestions are completely calculated, and purposeful. But some, apparently without knowing what they are doing, repeat the same remarks by the enemies.

Leader's Statements on IRGC Day

The following is an excerpt from the statements made by Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, on October 9, 2002 on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Imam Hussain (greetings be upon him).The day has also been named the IRGC (Islamic Revolution Guard Corps) Day.

Leader's Speech on Feast of Mab'ath

The following is the abridged text of a speech made by Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, at a gathering held on Rajab 27, 1423 (October 5, 2002). The gathering was held on the occasion of the feast of Mab'ath, or the day marking the appointment of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his household) as the messenger of Allah.

Leader's Speech on Birth Anniversary of Commander of the Faithful

The following is an excerpt from a speech delivered by Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, at a gathering held on Rajab 13, 1423 (September 21, 2002). The gathering was held on the occasion of birth anniversary of Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (greetings be upon him).

Women's nature is delicate

God has created a delicate nature for women. Some fingers are big and unwieldy and thus good for digging a stone out of the ground, but if a tiny gem is to be touched, it is unlikely that they could pick it. But there are delicate and thin fingers which cannot pick that stone but can pick off the ground the tiny gem or piece of gold. That is the story of man and woman. Each have their own responsibilities. One cannot say whose responsibility is greater. Both have great responsibilities. Both are essential. Since a woman’s spirit is more delicate, it needs more peace and tranquility. She needs comfort and a secure source to rely on. Who is this source of reliance? It is the husband. That is how God has placed them next to one another.

Both men and women have important but different tasks

Some fingers are big and unwieldy and thus good for digging a stone out of the ground, but if a tiny gem is to be touched, it is unlikely that they could pick it. But there are delicate and thin fingers which cannot pick that stone but can pick off the ground the tiny gem or piece of gold. That is the story of man and woman. Each have their own responsibilities. One cannot say whose responsibility is greater. Both have great responsibilities. Both are essential. Since a woman’s spirit is more delicate, it needs more peace and tranquility. She needs comfort and a secure source to rely on. Who is this source of reliance? It is the husband. That is how God has placed them next to one another.

Leader's Statements in a Meeting with Cabinet Members

The following is the abridged text of the statements made by Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, on August 26, 2002 in a meeting with Cabinet members on the occasion of Government Week.

Leader's Address to Directors of Friday Prayers Headquarters

The following is the abridged text of a speech delivered by Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, to directors of Friday Prayers Headquarters throughout the country on July 27, 2002. In this speech, the Leader elaborated on the role of Friday prayers in society. He also referred to the hostile attitude of the U.S. and Zionist-controlled media toward the Islamic Republic.

Leader's Address to Education Ministry Officials

The following is an excerpt from a speech delivered by Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, to the Education Ministry officials on July 17, 2002. This excerpt deals with the domineering and interfering attitude of the United States toward the Islamic Republic, especially the remarks made by U.S. President George W. Bush abut Iran.

Leader's Message to Intl. Conference on Imam Khomeini and Support of Palestine

The following is the text of a message from Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, to the participants in the International Conference on Imam Khomeini and Support of Palestine, held in Tehran from June 2-3, 2002.

The following is the text of a message from Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, to the participants in the International Conference on Imam Khomeini and Support of Palestine, held in Tehran from June 2-3, 2002.

Leader's Statements in a Meeting with Haidar Aliyev

What follows is a summary of the statements made by Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, in a meeting with the visiting Azerbaijani President, Haidar Aliyev, on May 19, 2002.

Leader's Statements in a Meeting with Chinese President

The following is a summary of the statements made by Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, in a meeting with the visiting Chinese President, Jiang Zemin, on April 21, 2002.

Excerpts from the speech delivered in meeting with government officials

The Pahlavi sultans were the executives of UK and US policies

Despite claiming modernity and pretending to be familiar with the emerging concepts of the world, Pahlavi sultans were limited to this; there was nothing else in their minds: they regarded themselves as the owners of the country and owners of the destiny of this nation. In the latest period, another aspect was added, which was foreign influence; it began toward the end of the Qajar era and peaked in the Pahlavi period, as Reza Khan was brought to power by the British and they provided the prerequisites for him [to become the king]; they supported him by preparing the grounds and dictated him how to move. After him, his son was also appointed by the British, which is part of the documented history rather than just a claim. Sometimes, in the past, we mentioned these as analysis and speculations, but later, documents and evidence were revealed that proved they were brought to power by foreigners. They were the executors of foreigners’ policies; they were mostly the policy enforcers of Britain, then, after the Mossadeq period, the executors of U.S. policies. Sometimes, for personal motives and interests—not national concerns—it might have occurred to them that they were upset (deep down) that they had to obey what the United States dictated to them, but they were ultimately the guarantors of their policies; they could not disobey. The foreigners appointed the government and they had to approve the prime ministers… The country was, thus, controlled by foreigners and in line with U.S. policies, in such manner. This was not restricted to oil-related policies; in all dimensions of the country, their policies dominated and were implemented: in matters on petroleum, industrialization of the country, foreign policy, or taking stances against other countries.

By distracting global opinion towards terrorist attacks,they swept under the carpet the Israeli crimes in Palestine

The Zionists took advantage of the September 11 incidents in New York and Washington, which sidelined the issue of Palestine, and escalated their crimes and brutalities against the Palestinian people with full support from the United States. The Zionist regime even barred foreign reporters from entering the occupied territories in order to prevent the disclosure of the crimes committed by the Israeli soldiers against the innocent Palestinians, especially those living in the refugee camps

Leader's Statements in a Meeting with Participants in IWMC

The following is an abridged text of the statements made by Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, in a meeting with participants in the Islamic World Media conference (IWMC), held in Tehran on January 31, 2002 in support of the Palestinian Intifada.

Leader's Statements in a Meeting with UN Secretary General

What follows is an abstract of the statements made by Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, in a meeting with the visiting United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, on January 26, 2002.

Mobilized Resistance Forces’ success relies on the depth of its popularity among Iranian people

The reach of Basij goes afar. Basij is not limited to the Mobilized Resistance Forces. The resistance forces of Basij is like a locomotive driving the great train of mobilization of the Iranian nation forward with its activity, ingenuity, and readiness. As such, the reach of Basij is far wider than just Mobilized Resistance Forces. The country needs Basij’s resistance forces. However, it also needs popular mobilization in every cultural, political, economic, social, and when necessary, military field. It is the duty of Basij’s resistance forces to be the role model for all Basiji young individuals among the nation. A young person who considers himself/herself to be serving the goals and ideals of the Revolution as a member of Basij’s resistance forces must make himself/herself to motivate and attract others and be an engine for scientific, ethical, spiritual, intellectual and political construction.

Without the Mobilized Resistance Forces and the IRGC, Iran would have failed the war with Saddam

One of the great achievements of Basij [Mobilized Forces] is that through it, the IRGC was transformed from a small, limited organization to an effective and massive military force and managed to come out victoriously from the imposed war, in the view of the Iranian nation. If it was not for this fruitful and rich tree in this land, the outcome of the war would have surely been different than what came about. The war was imposed on us to humiliate the Iranian nation. But Basij proved them wrong with its strong presence, which was a sign of the dignity of the Iranian nation. The war was imposed on us to accuse the blessed Islamic Republic of Iran of being weak in defending the country’s borders. However, with a presence among the armed forces and through self-sacrifice, Basij made the foundations of the Islamic Republic evermore stronger. It was proven that defending the frontiers in the Islamic government is not simply a task relying on the regular forces—that may or may not be ready—rather, it relies on the will of the Iranian nation.

Reza Khan and Mohammed Reza were appointed to power by the UK

The British appointed Reza Khan as a puppet to obey their orders… but the moment when they felt Reza khan had started to disobey them and had developed an interest in independence—not real independence, rather obsession with the Nazi Germany under Hitler (as, when Reza Khan looked at Hitler, he was excited and pleased)—they put him aside and brought his son to power… For fifty-sixty years, those who ruled over us were not only not chosen by the people—because in Iran there was no such thing as the rule of the people previously—they had not even come to power due to their own grit. I wish that if they were a dictator, at least, they would have come to power with their own power, like Nader Shah, or with their own cunningness, like Agha-Mohammad-Khan, but it was not the case. Others came and put them in power to dominate the nation and looted all the material and spiritual resources of this nation.

Leader's Speech to Organizers of Intl. Conference on Environment

The following is the abridged text of a speech delivered by the Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic Of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, on June 19, 2001 in a meeting with the participants and organizers of the International Conference on Environment, Religion and Culture.

Photos

Imam Khamenei met with Fidel Castro

Imam Khamenei met with the president of Cuba, Mr. Fidel Castro, and his accompanying delegation on May 9, 2001.

News

It is possible to crush US dominance

Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khamenei met with Fidel Castro, the president of the Republic of Cuba on Wednesday, May 9, 2001.

Excerpts from statements made in meeting with the youth and the education experts in Rasht

The souvenir Reza Khan brought from the west to Iran

When Reza Khan, the domineering bully, wanted to introduce us to western traditions, the first thing he brought over was the style of clothing and the removal of the veil: that was accomplished by use of force through his style of bullying! Dresses needed to be short; hats needed to be a special model--they even changed the name, hats became chapeaux! If anyone dared to wear a hat different from the "Pahlavi hat," which was the name given to the style worn at the time, or wore a long dress, they were beaten and repelled. They adopted these traditions from western culture. Women were not allowed to keep their veils. Their chadors (the Iranian hijab) were already forbidden. If they covered their hair and neck, they were beaten! Why? Because, in the West women did not wear head scarves. These styles were adopted from the West. They didn’t bring what was really needed for our nation. No knowledge, no experience, assiduousness and hard-working or risk taking habits--which were the good aspects of the western culture--none, were ever introduced to us. On the other hand, the things that were brought to our nation were accepted systematically. They brought ideas, but they accepted them with no analysis. They said we had to follow them because it came from the West. The clothing, eating, speaking, and even their style of walking were like that of westerners, so they were supposed to be accepted. There was no way out of it. For a country, this is the worst kind of poison.

Imam Khamenei's commentary on a narration from Jesus Christ

The following is an excerpt from an analysis of a tradition as presented in the beginning of a Dars-Kharij-Fiqh (Higher Islamic Studies) Lecture on April 30, 2001, by Imam Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution. In this tradition, Jesus (pbuh) teaches important lessons to his apostles.