Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with thousands of people from various social backgrounds. His Eminence said that the issue of Islamic rule and promoting Islamic models of government are the great lessons that Ghadir holds for Muslims. "Preserving their rational beliefs regarding Ghadir, Shia Muslims will not allow these beliefs to cause discord in the world of Islam," he stressed.The Leader of the Islamic Revolution congratulated the Iranian nation and all Muslim countries on Eid ul-Ghadir. He said that understanding the moral lesson of Ghadir leads the Islamic Ummah on the right path and added: "The fact that the Holy Prophet (s. w. a.) appointed the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) as his successor at the end of his life is of utmost importance. This event shows the importance of the issue of government and the unity between religion and politics in Islam. This great lesson is what the Islamic Ummah needs today."
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to promotion of Islamic models of government as another lesson taught by Ghadir, further reiterating: "The introduction of a figure like Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) as the successor to the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) shows that Ghadir is not a simple Islamic memory. Rather, this event indicates the standards that are required for ruling an Islamic community as well as other human communities. The lesson that Ghadir teaches the Islamic Ummah is that Islamic communities must be ruled by those who recognize the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) as the yardstick of appropriate government and who make efforts to reach this peak of perfection. This important issue is one of the novel and inspirational messages of Islam and the Islamic Republic to humanity."
His Eminence described Imam Ali (a.s.) as the prominent student of the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.w.a.) in patience and other areas, adding: "Lack of good politicians-like the one who was introduced to human history by Islam in Ghadir Khumm-is the great shortcoming of the modern human communities."
Ayatollah Khamenei touched upon the different Shia and Sunni interpretations of Ghadir and added: "Despite these differences, Shia and Sunni both accept the truth of this event and the greatness of Imam Ali's (a.s.) personality. The entire Islamic Ummah considers Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) as the peak of perfection and the unrivalled peak of knowledge, piety, and valor."
The Leader of the Islamic Republic also stressed the need for Shia and Sunni vigilance against the plots of the enemies.
Elsewhere in his speech, His Eminence touched upon the constant efforts on the part of Imam Khomeini (r.a.) and the Islamic Republic to prevent discord among Muslims and added: "The arrogant powers of the world-who have been harmed by the unanimity among Muslims and the heartfelt attraction of Shia and Sunni Muslims to the Islamic Republic-fan the flames of religious bias, believing that this is the best method to cause discord among Muslims and to separate their hearts from the Islamic Republic. In order to deal with this dangerous plot, we must be extremely cautious and vigilant."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the enemies of the Islamic Ummah are spending money to publish some books that have been written to insult Shia and Sunni Muslims and to cause discord among them.
The leader of the Islamic Revolution also said that the publication of the books that contain libel and insult against Islam in Shia and Sunni nations helps promote the goals of the US and the Zionist regime. He added: "Everybody must know that the publication of such books will not turn Shia into Sunni, nor will it persuade any Sunni Muslims to accept Shia beliefs."
"The publication of the books that contain sound logical arguments is permissible. Shia scholars have been doing this throughout history and they will continue to do so. However, those who assume that they can defend Shia Islam by publishing insult and libel against Sunni Muslims must know that their efforts will lead to nothing but aggressive reactions. In fact, such efforts are not in favor of Islamic rule. Rather, they are in favor of the US and the Zionists," he said.
In another part of his speech, His Eminence touched upon the efforts on the part of the foreigners to force some Arab governments to oppose the nuclear rights of the Iranian nation and added: "That is the most extreme form of the enemies' [spiteful] efforts. However, the Arab movements are conservative and they are not prepared to do whatever the US and the Zionists tell them in this regard."
At the end of his speech, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution stated: "If the Iranian nation and other Muslim nations stay vigilant, the arrogant powers will not succeed in their spiteful plots against the Islamic Ummah."