Khamenei.ir

Leader's Statements in a Meeting with Majlis Deputies

The following is an abstract of the statements made by Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, in a meeting with a group of Majlis deputies and staffers on May 31, 1999.

Leader's Speech on Anniversary of Liberation of Khorramshahr

The following is a summary of a speech delivered by Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, in a meeting with a group of military commanders and war veterans on May 24, 1999, the anniversary of the liberation of Khorramshahr from the Iraqi occupation. Most of the military commanders and war veterans who attended the meeting had taken part in the military operation code-named Bait-ul-Moqaddas that led to the liberation of the city.

Hijab is a value in accordance with human nature

Hijab is a value in accordance with the nature of human. Nudity and moving towards more mingling of the two sexes and exposing them to one another is a move against the human nature and volition. The holy Shariah of Islam has also set out certain restrictions and limits for it and those who are believers and religious cannot disapprove of hijab. Of course there might be people who are uninformed or ignorant. One should first familiarize them with hijab. During the early years after the revolution, I clearly realized that women who practice hijab, yet do not appreciate it well, do not have any information about the law, philosophy and benefits of hijab. That is to say, they have seldom been told about it.

An excerpt of statements made on the 20th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution

The Pahlavi regime was the worst among the corrupt regimes of this region in imprudence, corruption and dependency on foreign powers

The Pahlavi regime—which was the worst in terms of imprudence, corruption and dependency on foreign powers among the corrupt regimes of this region—brought about the severest harms to the people and the country during decades in power. The nation was kept out of the political scene of the country through violent dictatorship and ruthless repression. The interests of the country were sacrificed for compromise with intervening powers and pillaging corporations. The youth were dejected from reflecting on the fate of the country by widespread corruption and lewdness, and every rising voice complaining and seeking liberty was muffled. By ruining national agriculture and making the already defective and flawed industry dependent; by giving room to the greedy foreigners and the monarchy’s servants to plunder; by looting oil reserves and giving away national resources to American and European masters; by destroying rural areas and transforming Iran to a market for useless imported goods and leftover of U.S. agricultural products; and other such treasonous programs, the country's economy was in a constant tumble, and dependent on the will of foreign powers, and the nation's livelihood was in the hands of the enemies. The Iranian nation's faith, culture and beliefs were scorned, and the regime had embarked on a mission against this great nation's self-confidence, and self-esteem through defying these beliefs and encouraging imposed Western culture. Religion and the clergy—who had been the source of call for justice, liberty and equality for centuries and the main resistance front against invasion by the foreigners, the cruel, and the despots—were target of the harshest of revenges, and treated with all means of coercion, intimidation, accusation, and negative propaganda. While most people were suffering from poverty, famine, and low living standards, they were even more pressured on the one hand by the extravagant, luxurious, and wasteful fairytale-like lifestyle of the Shah, his family, friends and strongmen, and on the other hand by the pillaging of national resources by foreign companies and their domestic brokers.

How did the Pahlavis live in the country for fifty years?

That government was, firstly, corrupt: financially corrupt; ethically corrupt; and corrupt in administrative affairs. In the financial corruption, it suffices to remind that the Shah himself and his family were involved in most of the major economic transactions of the country. He and his brothers and sisters were among those who accumulated the most of personal wealth. In his sixteen or seventeen-year kingdom, Reza Khan accumulated important wealth. It is interesting to know that some of the cities of this country, in bill of sale, were wholly properties of Reza Khan! For example, the city of Fariman was Reza Khan's property! The best of estate and lands in this country belonged to him. He was interested in these things and in jewelry. Of course, his children had a wider taste; they loved and gathered every kind of capital! The best proof to that is that when they left the country, billions of dollars of their wealth were accumulated in foreign banks! A political system that was so financially corrupt at its head, look how military-oriented it was and what it did to the people! They were also morally corrupt. Trafficking gangs were under the control of his [Shah’s] brothers and sisters. In terms of ethical and sexual issues, there were cases that telling and hearing them will make a man sweat in shame. Of course, some of the memories of these type were written and published by their circle of friends, associates and relatives later. In terms of administrations, they were corrupts, too. While choosing leaders, they did not consider qualifications; they considered the individuals’ affiliations to themselves, as well as orders by foreign intelligence and security services and appointed individuals based on such criteria. You see; a government that does bribery at its head, makes a fortune, smuggles, and betrays the people: what sort of a government it would be. If anyone wants to describe these facts with proofs and documents, they would be compiled into books. They were dependent. Their dependence emerged from the fact that they were cut off from the people. In order to maintain their own regime, they felt obliged to rely on foreigners… They had no respect for people's opinions, for the people's wishes, for the people's faiths, for the religion of the people and for the culture of the people; they had no friendly relationship with the people. They had established a hostile relationship with the people: like the relationship between a lord and the peasants; like the relationship between a master and the servants; So, It had the qualities of a monarchy! Monarchy means this: an absolute rule that has no commitment to the people. The Pahlavis lived in our country for fifty years in such a manner.

An excerpt of statements made in a Q&A session with the youth on the second day of Fajr 10-day celebration (National Day of Islamic Revolution and the Youth)

How can enduring the sufferings of this world be made easier

An excerpt of statements made during a Friday prayer sermon

The Muslim world needs to revive the memory of the Prophet (pbuh) to solve its problems

Commemorating the Prophet is not just ceremonial. Although, such ceremonies among the Muslim nations are useful and even necessary. However, the ultimate goal is more than this. Today, the Muslim world needs to revive the memory of the great Prophet of Islam more than ever. Humanity too needs this holy name, remembering him, and his precious teachings. But, before we want to spread this to all of humanity, the Muslim world needs to rediscover this tremendous, spiritual resource. In the same way that nations lived on areas with undiscovered, precious, material resources with empty stomachs for centuries until others came and took away their resources, the Muslim world today is struggling with many problems while they have tremendous, spiritual reserves at their disposal. These vast reserves and great resources can save and help them. Several decades ago, a great man said, “Islam was founded on two principles: monotheism (towhid), the oneness of God, and unity among Muslims." These are the two foundations of Islam. The first is the principle of one God, and the second is unity among those who believe in God. The second one relies on the first, that is unity around the principle of monotheism. Today, we need this slogan more than ever. We need to return to the word of monotheism, and to unity in words.

Imam Hussein's uprising was for the sake of God and a lesson of love and compassion

It is the lessons of Ashura which always live on as eternal, and permanent debates, not confined to a specific time. The lesson we learn from Ashura is the lesson of sacrifice and religiosity, the lesson of courage, justice and the lesson of rising up for God’s cause, and the lesson of love and compassion.

Leader's Statements in a Meeting with Workers and Teachers

The following text is a summary of the statements made by Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, in a meeting with a group of workers and teachers on April 29, 1998. The meeting was held on the eve of the Workers Day, May 1, and the Teachers Day, May 2.

Mohammad Reza did not know whether he was the king

Read the memoirs of Pahlavi personalities. When in 1941 Reza Khan was dismissed, his son, Mohammad Reza, did not know for a few days whether he would be the king or not! He sent someone to the British Embassy, they said he could be the king, provided that he does not do certain things and does some other things! He was happy. These are the facts of this country. For fifty years, the regime ruling over Iran—which was a dictatorial, monarchical, tyrannical, corrupt regime—was ruled by two individuals who were brought to power by foreigners and people did not have any role in appointing them. Before that, it was the Qajar dynasty and the rule of the Sultans. Read the history of these sultans! People were nothing to them. They regarded government officials, from the prime minister to the lowest levels, as their servants, and they told them ‘you are this and that among our servants’! Such regimes ruled over this country!

An excerpt of statements made in a meeting with the clergy

Excerpts from the speech delivered in meeting with government officials

Which society can receive the Promised Mahdi (a.s.)?

It is nonsensical to say Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will come and do the work. What is your duty today then? What should you do today? You should prepare the grounds so his excellency can come and act in the prepared grounds. It is impossible to start from scratch. A society can receive the Promised Mahdi (Our souls be sacrificed for him) that is prepared and has the potentials; otherwise, it will end in the same way as the efforts of prophets and Imams throughout history did. Why did many of the messengers of God come but couldn't rid the world of evil? Because they lacked prepared grounds... Then, if Imam Mahdi (a.s.) reappears in an unprepared society, the result will be the same! Preparation is needed. How does the preparation happen? It can happen in the forms you already see in your own society. Today, in the Islamic Iran, there are cases of spiritual accomplishments, which are unparalleled in the world, as far as we know and are informed – and we are not unaware of the world.

The Global Arrogance seeks to inject despair among Muslim nations

There are a number of features in the belief in Mahdawiyyah which work like blood in the vessels, and soul in the body. One of them is hope. Sometimes, powerful and vulgar hands bring weak nations to the point where they completely lose hope. When they lose hope, they won’t make a move. They think it is useless, and it is too late. They think they cannot confront the powers, because they won’t succeed. This is the spirit of despair. This is what colonialism seeks. Today, the global Arrogant power wants Muslim nations, including the dear Iranian nation, to get afflicted with the spirit of despair, so they say ‘we cannot do anything, it is useless!’. The Arrogance wants to inject this among the people by force. What for? So they can take enthusiasm and hope away from the human community who advances with hope, and turn the people into dead or dead-looking beings. So they can do whatever they want! They cannot do whatever they want with a living and enthusiastic nation. To an unconscious, dazed being who is left inert in a corner, anyone can inject anything they want; they can do anything they want to them. Whereas, with a vital, enthusiastic, intelligent, active nation they cannot do whatever they want.

Arrogant powers’ effort to obliterate the belief in Mahdawiyyah among the people

I saw a document that dated back to decades ago; that is, to the time when colonialism had just entered Northern Africa. The countries in Northern Africa are strongly interested in Ahlulbait. Regardless of the Islamic denomination they believe in, they like the Ahlulbait (a.s.). In countries like Sudan, in Maghreb, and other countries of that region the belief in Mahdawiyyah is pronounced. When colonialism entered the mentioned region, during the past century, one of the matters that troubled colonialism was the belief in Mahdawiyyah! In the document I saw, the heads and commanders of colonialism suggested they needed to do something so the belief in Mahdawiyyah would gradually disappear from among the people. At that time, the French and English colonizers were present in some of the African countries. No matter where the colonizers came from, they judged that until the belief in Mahdawiyyah existed among these people, they would not be able to completely control these countries! Now you see how important the belief in Mahdawiyyah is! What a big mistake is made by those who, in the name of intellectualism and seeking new approaches, question and raise objections to Islamic beliefs, without any prior investigation and information; without knowing what they are actually doing! They do what the enemies seek to do! Islamic beliefs are like that.

Leader's OIC Inaugural Address

Leader's Speech at Inaugural Ceremony of 8th Summit of OIC

The following is the abridged text of a speech delivered by Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, at the inaugural ceremony of the 8th Summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), held in Tehran on December 9, 1997.

Excerpts from a speech in a meeting with Basij forces

An excerpt of statements made in meeting with women

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

What is women’s main problem in the Western society?

In a society, there may be different sorts of injustice, and they must be eliminated. But at the same time, the woman's responsibilities, and the man's responsibilities—while they are mutually responsible when founding a family—must be regarded as important; because the happiness of the woman and the happiness of the man is tied to it. Some individuals think that women are in need of big and important jobs and positions. No, this is not the problem of women. Even women who hold important positions need a safe family environment, a kind and tender husband, and a secure emotional and moral support—that is, their husbands—to lean on. This is the nature, the emotional and moral need of women. This need has to be fulfilled ... But the main problem of women is not having or not having a job. The main problem which has unfortunately gone [unnoticed] in the West today, is the [need for] feeling tranquility, safety, and being able to flourish without being subjected to injustice in the society, family, marital or parental home.

Depriving women from education is an act of oppression

The inherent nature of the man and the woman in the family environment is a one that creates a relationship between the man and the woman: a relation of love and affection. If this relation changes, if the man takes himself as the owner at home, if he sees the woman as an employee or wants to exploit her, this is an act of oppression. Unfortunately, many men commit this act of oppression. Outside the family environment, the same applies. If the woman does not have a safe and secure environment to study, work, earn money, and rest, she is oppressed. The law and the Islamic society should confront anyone who manifests this oppressive behavior. If a woman is not allowed to access proper education, science and knowledge, she is oppressed. If she is overwhelmed with work and different tasks, to the point that she cannot attend to her ethics, her religion, her wisdom, she is oppressed. If the woman is not allowed to use her property independently and with her own willpower, she is oppressed. If at the time of marriage, a husband is imposed on the woman—that is, she plays no role in choosing her husband and her desires and wants are not considered—she is oppressed. If the woman cannot take emotional advantage of her children, either when she lives with her husband, or when she is divorced, she is oppressed. If a woman has some talents, for example in science, invention, in politics, or social activities, she is not allowed to develop her talents, she is oppressed.

Western thinkers cannot prevent the damage done to Western women

When in Europe, women were given the right to property - according to meticulous studies by sociologists in Europe - it was because factories that had just expanded modern technologies and industry in the West needed workers. But there was a shortage of workers, and the need for an abundance of workers was felt. In order to recruit women in factories, and use their workforce - and of course they were always paid less -, it was announced that women had a right to property. It was at the beginning of the 20th century that the Europeans gave the right to property to women. This is the excessive, wrong and cruel view of women in the West and Europe. Such an extreme view goes in the other direction as well. When a movement for women was born under such circumstances, naturally it suffered from the other extreme. As a result, you can observe, during several decades, there was such corruption, and sexual unrestrainedness in the West, instigated and propagated, that even Western thinkers feared the outcomes. Today, the compassionate, those who want to make things right, the wise and motivated people in the West, are worried and saddened by what has happened, and of course, cannot do anything about it. In the name of helping women, the biggest blow was landed on their life. Why? Because, with sexual unrestrainedness, and the spread of moral corruption, and with absolute freedom in relationships between man and woman, the foundations of family life were shattered. A man who can fulfill his sexual desires freely in the society, and a woman who can have free relationships with different men without any problem in the society, would never be worthy and fine spouses in the family. As a result, the family was broken.

Global recognition of the power of the IRGC

The IRGC is a valuable organization. I do not want to talk further about the IRGC after all that was said by Imam Khomeini, I have humbly talked about, too. But you should know that the IRGC plays a crucial role. It has a spiritual and revolutionary status. It is the offspring of the Revolution. It is nurtured by the revolution and the revolution owes to it, too. It is a bilateral relation. The IRGC is an armed force. But it relies on spirituality, knowledge, and sense of responsibility with no mundane or worldly motivations. These are important points. You may see political analysts or famous figures around the world exaggerate about the IRGC. It is in fact no exaggeration. Their audience may regard their views as exaggerated. But we are familiar with the facts, and we know that their claims are not out of exaggeration. They are part of the reality. Sometimes they cannot see the spirituality or understand the spiritual values, yet they observe the resulting greatness of the IRGC. This is because this organization has been so brilliant and has undertaken many responsibilities and tasks. Do not take these for granted or regard them as insignificant.

Leader Asks for Unification of Tax System

Absolute injustice topped Pahlavi regime’s power

The Qajar kings, the Pahlavi kings - we do not know well about the previous ones, and we have nothing to do with them - those who were at the top of the government, and those who lived as kings in this country and at the head of the country were richer than all the people of the nation. How is this possible? Is this possible except through oppression? They took possessions of the people away from them. Wherever there was a good property, an attractive estate or a beautiful mansion, Reza Khan took it for himself and made a tremendous fortune. He even took possession of some areas of the country as a whole! His successors were the same. Their power was headed with absolute injustice. As one moved down the pyramid of power, this injustice continued to persist and spread. In that system, if possible, anyone would practice oppression on others. It was not hindered. There were no impeders in place. Those systems were like that.

An excerpt of the statements made during a meeting with the pilgrims of the holy shrine of Imam Reza (a.s.)