In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
All praise is due to God, Lord of the Worlds, and peace and greetings be upon our Master and our Prophet, Abul Qasim al-Mustafa, Muhammad, and his untainted, pure, immaculate, guiding and well-guided, chosen Progeny, particularly the Remnant of God on earth.
I would like to congratulate all the honorable people here in this meeting, including the honorable officials from various organizations within the country, as well as the entire Iranian nation on the auspicious occasion of Eid al-Fitr. I would also like to extend my congratulations to our guests here — the ambassadors of Islamic countries — and to all the Muslim nations. We hope, God willing, that this Eid will be a true celebration and a source of joy and blessings for the entire Islamic Ummah.
First of all, I feel it necessary to once again refer to the special spiritual atmosphere of the month of Ramadan in our country. The reason I emphasize this is because we should appreciate and preserve this spiritual atmosphere, [which included] gatherings for reciting supplications, beseeching God, praying the prayers in groups, thriving mosques, people helping others, and giving iftar [the meal for breaking the fast] in mosques and on the streets. In other words, people truly showed their merit during this month of Ramadan in spiritual aspects with their recitations of the Quran [and other practices], in social aspects by providing assistance and financial help to people, particularly the underprivileged, and also in political aspects.
The rally that took place on Quds Day was a remarkable international political move. Where else can you see such a thing? The information that we have received this year from the experts that we are familiar with tells us there was truly a public outcry in the country on Quds Day. There were larger crowds than seen in previous years. These are truly something to be grateful for. I sincerely thank our dear nation for taking the initiative and moving forward in all of these different fields.
However, merely expressing our gratitude in words [to our dear nation] is not enough. My dear brothers and sisters here, many of you hold positions in various organizations, including in government organizations, in the judiciary, in legislative branches, as a cleric, in the propagation of religion, and in the military — the majority of those here are the country’s officials. We must show our gratitude in action to the nation. I completely agree with the things that the president said and believe they should be implemented. This needs to be planned out and advanced. Praise God, our officials have a sense of responsibility. We can understand and see this. They are working hard. They should continue these efforts and be disciplined in all areas.
The events in Gaza are not something that one can overlook during this Eid and this month of Ramadan without objecting and paying attention to these events. The issue of Gaza is truly an important issue today. It is the main issue of the Islamic world. We must all truly feel a sense of responsibility in this regard. The hearts of nations are with them [the people of Gaza], even the non-Muslims. The marches and demonstrations taking place around the world in support of the Palestinians, the people of Gaza, and the oppressed people of this region are unprecedented. We have never seen anything like this before. This is unprecedented in recent decades to see people from Africa, Asia, Europe, and even the United States gather in the streets to chant in support of the Palestinian people during these tens of years since the lands of Palestine were usurped. So it is obvious that a new change is taking place. There is a new development taking place in the Islamic world. There is something happening, and we should pay attention to this.
The fact that the issue of Palestine has become a global priority is significant. Where? In London, in Paris, in European countries, and in Washington. The control that the Zionists have had over global media outlets throughout these years has not allowed for any voice to be broadcast in favor of Palestine or against the Zionists. Today, [however,] this voice is being broadcast all over the world. They [the Zionists] spend money, they shout, they defend themselves, yet the people of the world are against them. People are against the Zionists. These are important matters. Lessons need to be learned from these things. Something is taking place.
Everyone must do their duties. But governments really are not carrying out their duties. Now, I spoke about the European governments during the [Eid al-Fitr] prayer. Some of them may say some things at times, but not something firmly or strongly. They say something like, “Why are you doing this?” But in practice, there is absolutely no sign of action [against Israel’s crimes] from these governments. On the contrary, they provide assistance to the Zionist regime. The US helps them by providing them with weapons, as well as financial and political assistance. England and some other European countries also help them.
But what’s even more regrettable is that some Islamic countries are also helping the Zionist regime! When? When it is busy killing children, women, and infants. In my opinion, this is unfathomable. But, sadly, this is happening.
Islamic countries helping the Zionist regime is an act of betrayal. They are betraying the Islamic Ummah, and they are betraying themselves as well. This is because by doing this, they are strengthening the declining Zionist organizations. And their [the Zionist’s] strengthening will be to the detriment of those countries. When the Zionists enter a country, they do not work for the benefit of that country. Once the Zionists gain a foothold in a country, like a mosquito they suck the blood of that country for their own benefit. Those helping the Zionist regime are helping to bring their own destruction, let alone the Islamic Ummah. They must stop doing this. This was our previous suggestion, and this is definitely our suggestion now too: Islamic governments should cut economic and political relations with the Zionist regime, at least temporarily! As long as the Zionists are continuing these crimes, Islamic governments should cut relations with them. They [Islamic governments] should stop supporting them and should cut relations with them. This is what we expect from Islamic governments. It is not just our expectation. It is the expectation of Muslim nations. If they hold a referendum in Islamic countries now, everyone will undoubtedly vote for their government to cut relations with the Zionist regime. This is definite. We are hopeful, God willing, that Almighty God will awaken all of us, show us our duties, and enable us to carry out our duties.
Once again, I would like to congratulate you on Eid [al-Fitr]. I am hopeful, God willing, that the blessings of the month of Ramadan and the blessings of this Eid will last and be used by our beloved nation, our respected officials, and those active in various sectors. God willing, we will soon witness the effects of success and progress both domestically and internationally.
May God’s greetings, mercy, and blessings be upon you.
