Khamenei.ir

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

The Holy Prophet (pbuh) is the axis for the unity of the Muslims and their unity in practice.

The holy name of the Prophet (pbuh) is one of the most attractive Islamic phenomenon for all Muslims in the world, because it is about emotion and faith at the same time. Thus, the power of remembering this name, in different matters concerning Muslims, is much more than many other Islamic phenomena which rely solely on faith but do not arouse emotions. As a result, many of the previous, great, Muslim intellectuals have said that the holy name of this superior personage, having faith in him, and keeping his memory alive can be the axis for the unity of the Muslims and their unity in practice.

Statements made in meeting with a group of liberated war captives

A selection of statements made in meeting with outstanding children of martyrs and disabled war veterans from Mashhad, Tehran and Kurdistan Province

Excerpt of a speech in meeting with liberated captives of war

Excerpts from the speech delivered in meeting with government officials

An excerpt of a message issued on the first anniversary of the passing of Imam Khomeini (r.a.)

Within 200 years, Pahlavi and Qajar regimes made Iran a wreck needy of the foreigners

Our nation missed the best historical opportunities because—at a time when the world had just taken the route to knowledge and industry and while, with vigilance and dynamism, Iran could have played its part in the scientific and industrial progress of humanity and benefit from its fruits—it was left behind the world, thanks to its captivity in the hands of tyrannical, ignorant, and dependent rulers. Instead of building the country and reviving its human and natural potentials, Pahlavi and Qajar kings sold Iran to predators and plunderers [the foreigners], either letting the foreigners exploit the resources or stalling the resources, thus ruining human talents; in place of the well-being of the nation, they aimed at the interests of the regime and of the foreign corporations. This proceeded to the point that, when the railway entered our country—with a hundred years of delay—rather than national interests and commercial requirements of the nation, it was the military interests of the enemies that determined the passage of the railroad. In the course of two hundred years, Iran which was once the flagship of the world of knowledge thanks to Islam, was transformed to a wreck needy of and dominated by foreigners as a result of the dependent political system, imprudent management, lack of self-confidence, and despotism in the Pahlavi and Qajar regimes. As a result, the villages became deserted, the urban areas became consumerists, the farms became fruitless, the industry became assembly lines and brains were left unused.

Leader’s Address to Government Officials

Leader’s Speech to Seminarians

The blessings of the Belief in Mahdawiyyah for societies

Heartfelt relation between each and every believing man and woman with his eminence-- the greatest Wali of Allah-- is one of the blessings resulting from our people’s belief in the promised Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance). In addition to believing in Mahdi-- the fact that someone will come and spread justice all around the world-- we know the personality of Mahdi; his name and his cognomen; his father and mother; his birth date; how he disappeared; his close companions, and even some incidents that are to unfold around the time of his appearance. Even though we do not meet this great personality—this brilliant individual and glowing sun around us—by recognizing him, we are aware of his status. The relation between the Shia with this belief and their Wali, the promised Mahdi, is a permanent relation, and it would be great, even necessary, that each and every one of us keep this heartfelt relation with attention to, appealing to, and talking to him. According to the Ziarats (supplications) that are available to us, narrated by most probably an infallible imam, this heartfelt and spiritual relation between individuals and Imam Mahdi, is recommended, even necessary and effective; because that it keeps hope and prospect constantly alive in one's heart.

Women were oppressed in the monarchical society

Women were truly and in all dimensions underprivileged in the society of the self-surrendered evil monarchical regime. If a woman wanted to enter the academia, she was obliged to relinquish her religion, piety and decency. A Muslim woman could not easily retain her hijab, decency and dignity in the universities, academia, scientific and cultural centers. It was impossible! A Muslim woman could not, in the streets of Tehran and some other cities, walk with Islamic dignity and decency, even with a partial hijab, without being harassed and molested by some vulgar people obsessed with the corruption and immorality brought to us from the West. They had created a situation in which it was generally impossible for women to acquire knowledge. There existed some exceptions. But generally speaking, women could not enter the academia, except by removing their veil and relinquishing Islamic piety and dignity! The same was true in the social sphere. If a woman wanted to acquire a position in the society or politics during monarchical Iran, she had to relinquish hijab, dignity, decency and grace of a Muslim woman. Yet, it also depended on her innate qualities and essence. If she was very weak-spirited, she would slide down to the depth [of indecency]. If she was self-restraint, she could preserve herself to some degrees, but she was constantly facing increased pressures from the social environment. Our society was like that.

Falsely characterizing women by forcing them into flaunting themselves to men

In the previous regime, a great number of women were illiterate and ignorant of social affairs—that is, they would not be allowed to obtain information. Women had grown indifferent toward the fate of the country, as they didn’t even know that women could play a role in the future of the country. Nevertheless, they looked like European women in their appearances and some had even surpassed European standards [in dressing revealingly]. When you saw them you would think they had just entered Iran from a European country and a Western environment. However, if you started to speak with them, you could readily notice they were not very educated if literate at all. They forced women to create a false identity for themselves by attracting eyes toward themselves and flaunting. This was a deviation for a woman; not an advancement. Is there a bigger crime against a woman, than to make her preoccupied with makeup, fashion, clothes, gold and other accessories and take advantage of her as a means for achieving various goals, not letting her enter arenas of politics, ethics, and education? This is what was being done in the previous regime with precise planning.

Excerpts from statements made in meeting with a large group of women

Women's rights in the West is profit-based

A businesslike, profit-based and economic view has influenced the western outlook on the issue of women. This can clearly be seen in the history of the industrial revolution. In Europe, women did not have the right to own something. Women's property belonged to men and their husbands. They did not have the right to possess something in their name. And when democracy was promoted in the west, women did not have suffrage. In such a world, investors suddenly thought of the issue of the industrial revolution, factories and the efficient presence of women in factories with low costs. Then, they granted women suffrage so that they could draw them to factories and give them lower wages. Naturally, the entrance of women to the arena of employment had its own requirements and results which have continued until today. Therefore, besides the fact that the western outlook towards women is a non-divine and materialistic outlook, the policies which have brought about the current conditions in the western world - particularly in Europe - have been accompanied by a businesslike, profit-based and economic outlook.

Pahlavi regime forced women to fake an identity for themselves by self- exhibition

In the previous regime—even though many women were illiterate and did not understand, fact they were not allowed to understand social affairs, and they were uninterested in the fate of the country, without even realizing that they could play a part—they looked like their European counterparts, and sometimes even surpassed European and western women [in their ways of exhibitionist dressing], and when someone looked at them, one would think that they had come to Iran from a European country and a western environment. However, it was enough to talk to them a little, and it would turn out that they are very ignorant and know very little. They made women create a false identity for themselves by exhibiting themselves to viewers and attracting gazes towards themselves. This was a decline for women, not progress. Is there a bigger crime against women than occupying them with make-up, fashion, clothing and jewelry, and using them as an instrument, in different ways, not letting them flourish in politics, ethics, and education? This is exactly what was planned and done under the previous regime.

In the self-deprecated society of the contemptible monarchy, women were truly and in all aspects repressed

In the self-deprecated society of the contemptible monarchical regime, women were truly and in all aspects repressed. If women wanted to enter scientific domains, they needed to let go of their religion, faith, and piety. Was it even possible for a Muslim woman to keep her hijab, dignity, and sobriety in universities, and other educational, scientific or cultural centers? Was it even possible? Was it even possible for a Muslim woman, to walk safely with Islamic dignity on the streets of Tehran, and some other cities, or even wear a loose hijab and stay safe from the words and actions of corrupt individuals bewitched by lewdness and lust—the souvenirs from the west? They had created a situation that in this country, studying was usually impossible for women. I am not talking about exceptional cases. Usually, it was not possible for women to follow the path of science. Unless they let go of their hijab, and Islamic piety and sobriety. It was the same in politics, and social activities. If a woman wanted to hold a social or political position in Iran under the monarchy, she had to let go of the hijab, sobriety, and piety of a Muslim woman. Of course, it depended on the essence of that woman. One who was weak would have to go deep down. If she was self-restraining, she would protect herself to some extent. But she would be constantly under increasing pressure from the society. This is how our society was.

Women rights existed in Islam long before its birth in Europe

Until the second decade of this century, nowhere in Europe not a single woman was granted the right to vote. And where there was democracy, women did not have the right to expend their own wealth. From the second decade- that is since 1916 or 1918- European countries gradually began to grant women the right to decide on and spend their own assets and they began to grant women the same social rights as men. Thus, Europe woke up from this dream and realized this fact very late. It seems Europe intends to compensate for the time lost in backwardness by making too much fuss and fake controversies. Therefore as you can see, even today when the civilized world of the West wants to compensate for its excessively blameworthy backwardness in the issue of women, they do so through obnoxious means. My impression is that they engulf the human concepts concerning women by advertisements as well as political and economic issues; as it has always been so in Europe and since the first days when women were granted some rights, the rights were mainly founded upon the same erroneous basis.

Planned humiliation of educated women who wore hijab during the U.S.-backed Pahlavi Regime

Women were truly and in all dimensions underprivileged in the society of the self-surrendered evil monarchical regime. If a woman wanted to enter the academia, she was obliged to relinquish her religion, piety and decency. A Muslim woman could not easily retain her hijab, decency and dignity in the universities, academia, scientific and cultural centers. It was impossible! A Muslim woman could not, in the streets of Tehran and some other cities, walk with Islamic dignity and decency, even with a partial hijab, without being harassed and molested by some vulgar people obsessed with the corruption and immorality brought to us from the West. They had created a situation in which it was generally impossible for women to acquire knowledge. There existed some exceptions. But generally speaking, women could not enter the academia, except by removing their veil and relinquishing Islamic piety and dignity! The same was true in the social sphere. If a woman wanted to acquire a position in the society or politics during the monarchical Iran, she had to relinquish hijab, dignity, decency and grace of a Muslim woman. Yet, it also depended on her innate qualities and essence. If she was very weak-spirited, she would slide down to the depth [of indecency]. If she was self-restraint, she could preserve herself to some degrees, but she was constantly facing increased pressures from the social environment. Our society was like that.