Khamenei.ir

A selected collection of statements made during a meeting with artists and cinema experts

Jesus Christ called on people to follow the path of God and Prosperity

Jesus Christ called on people to follow the path of God which is the path of prosperity for human beings. And he warned people against pursuing carnal desires and undermining their spiritual purity through engaging in evil deeds and oppressing others. The corrupt and bullying powers that are dependent on wealth and power persecuted that divine prophet and leveled insults against him. They even tried to take his life. And when God saved the life of Jesus Christ, these powers inflicted several years of horrible torture on the disciples and followers of Jesus Christ. They were trying to put an end to the teachings of Jesus Christ which were against corruption, oppression, polytheism, causing war, deceiving people, and pursuing carnal desires. Those corrupt and oppressive powers who pursued carnal desires, caused wars against people, and deceived them could not tolerate the existence of divine faiths and prophets and those who followed the path of God. Today, too, those kinds of powers would not tolerate the servants of God and the followers of the divine religions or truth seekers. Following Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) requires supporting the truth and abhorring the powers against the truth; hopefully Christians and Muslims anywhere in the world, will keep alive in their life and deeds this great lesson taught by Jesus Christ.

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

The greatest work of creation is designated to women

Women and their treatment in societies have always been important issues in different societies and civilizations. Half of the world population are women. Life in this universe is as much dependent on women as on men. Women, naturally are responsible for the biggest works in the universe. The main responsibilities in the universe, such as procreation and education of children are taken by women. So the issue of women is an important issue and has always been in societies, among thinkers, and in nations' different customs and habits. Islam has chosen a bold issue here. It has prevented from excess and cautioned everyone in the world. Islam totally confronted men who employed men and women out of physical power or wealth, and treated women with cruelty or contempt, and put women in their true place, and in some ways put them on a par with men: "truly Muslim men and women, and pious men and women ... ". Muslim men, Muslim women, praiseful men, praiseful women, worshipful men, worshipful women. So, in Islam, all these moral ranks, and human degrees have been equally divided between men and women. In this regard, men and women are equal. Anyone who endeavors for God, "man or woman", be it a man or a woman, "we will grant them a blessed life". Sometimes, Islam has even given preference to women over men. For example, when it comes to a man and a woman who are father and mother to a child. The child belongs to both of them, but being at the service of the mother is more necessary for the child. Mother's rights over the child are more, and the child's responsibility towards the mother is greater.

The Argentinian people believe the AMIA incident was caused by the U.S & Zionist regime

On the anniversary of the July 18, 1994 bombing of the Israeli-Argentine Mutual Association, Khamenei.ir is publishing an excerpt from the remarks made by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution about the efforts of the US and Zionist regime to accuse Iran of involvement in this incident. These remarks were made on August 26, 1994.

Imam Khamenei's question from some of the world’s crude oil producers

Statements made in meeting with a group of clergy

Why did the Pahlavi and Qajar regimes confront the clergy?

The Pahlavi regime was spreading propaganda against the clergy in this country for 50 years. Of course, it was not just the Pahlavi regime. But they did the worst, the most abhorrent. If you study the history of the recent century or so, you will understand that the war on the clergy started during the rule of the Qajar, especially with the reign of Nasser al-Din Shah. When they saw that the clergy opposed granting concessions to foreigners-- including the Reuter concession and the tobacco concession; the widespread and increasing corruption; the oppression by the monarchy, especially during the rule of Nasser al-Din Shah; and the entering of Europeans to Iran who were considered above the law, they began to realize themselves—were also trained as such by those Europeans—that if they wanted enjoy freedom of action, they would have to get rid of the clergy. But it was not possible to get rid of the clergy. They could not simply murder so many clergymen and scholars or make them disappear. They did do that on some occasions. They killed Ayatollah Nouri, Sayyed Abdullah Behbahani, and many other great men around the country; however, when they could not physically remove them all from the scene, they began to apply different means. The best way for them was propaganda. They spread all sorts of propaganda against religious leaders. We were studying in the madrasa, and did not get involved in anything else. We did not realize that the entire hegemonic front of the world of was trying to annihilate religious study and religious scholars through propaganda. Do not think that they did not succeed. They did a lot of damage. For 50 years, during the reign of Reza Shah and his son, they spread a lot of propaganda against the clergy. What was the result? The result was pessimism towards the clergy among a group of people. Of course the majority of the people, the working-class people, still like the clergy and support them. They are deeply passionate about the religious studies community, and are emotionally and rationally dependent on them. Nonetheless, they could make a group of people pessimistic about the clergy. Religious scholars, and students who have spent their life studying and have not thought about anything else may not believe this.

Excerpts from the speech delivered in meeting with members of IRGC

Jesus never hesitated to fight evil and call people to piety

Jesus Christ was equipped with the power of performing miracles and carried a divine message for humanity which saved them from the darkness of polytheism, atheism, ignorance, and oppression and guided them towards justice, knowledge, and worshiping God. He never hesitated to fight evil and call people to piety throughout his life. And this is the lesson which all Christians and Muslims who believe in the prophethood of Jesus Christ should learn. Today humanity is in need of these teachings more than ever before. And Islam which is a complement to real Christianity has put calling humanity to piety and moral perfection high on its priority list. Making use of the great powers of nature through their God-given knowledge, misguided humans tend to tread a different path, and this makes the duty of the followers of divine faiths even heavier. The domineering powers and governments of the world have made life difficult for nations and individuals and do not refrain from inflicting any type of oppression on them. They do these things in the name of Christianity. These powers are in fact totally unaware of the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Hijab will give merit and respect to a woman

In the Islamic society, Muslim women have a special status and character and Hijab represents a symbol of her character and status. Hijab is a sign of reverence for women and Islam reveres all women who observe the modest clothing (Hijab). In Islamic establishment, women need to have political awareness, develop the skill of managing a household, and be symbols of integrity, purity, and self-esteem at the forefront of social, political, and scientific activities and services. They need to pay attention to the fact that Hijab is the primary condition [to get involved in those activities]. Because without it, women will not find the liberty and the space to pursue high ranks.

Love for the Prophet (pbuh) is the solution to the problems of the Islamic nation

It is easier for the Muslims of the world to unite under the name of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) than anything else. This is a characteristic of that great personage. I have said this several times, “He is the focal point of the Muslims' emotions. A Muslim loves his/her Prophet.” O God! Bear witness that our hearts are filled with love for the Prophet. This love should be used. This love can solve problems. Today, Muslims need brotherhood. Today, the words "Believers are indeed brothers, therefore make things right among your two brothers” [Qur’an, 49:10], are more crucial than any other time. Today, the weakness and lack of dignity that Muslims suffer from in some countries of the world, is a result of disagreement and division. If Muslims had been united, Palestine would not be like this, Bosnia too. Kashmir would be in a different situation too. Tajikistan's condition would be different. The Muslims in Europe would not have to live with so much difficulty. The Muslims in the United States would not have to endure so much oppression. The reason for all these is the division between us.

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.