On the occasion of Imam Ali's (a.s.) martyrdom anniversary, Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution led this week's Friday prayers in Tehran.
He said that Quds Day is one the most prominent moral legacies of Imam Khomeini and added: "By Allah's favor, next Friday the great and vigilant Iranian nation will unanimously raise the flag of supporting the oppressed people of Palestine before the resisting nations of the world."
Ayatollah Khamenei described Quds Day as the sign of the Iranian nation's commitment to Quds. He said that the arrogant powers and the Zionists are furious with the Iranian nation for keeping alive the memory of Palestine, further adding: "The enemy has tried throughout the years to undermine the Quds Day ceremonies, but this year the esteemed Iranian nation will once again commemorate this day by holding rallies in Tehran and other parts of the country. And following the Iranian nation, many Muslims throughout the world will again revive the memory of Quds."
Ayatollah Khamenei described Quds Day as the manifestation of the Iranian nation's unity. Referring to the need for preventing discord, the Leader stressed: "The people must take care not to let some people use the Quds Day rallies as an opportunity to foment discord because being the standard-bearer of supporting Palestine will be possible only though the unity of the nation."
His Eminence delineated Imam Khomeini's political behavior and said that it was in line with Imam Ali's (a.s.) political approach. The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that Imam Ali (a.s.) was lenient with his opponents and even his enemies. "He treated the opponents and enemies leniently as far as possible. But if no other choice was left, he would firmly stand up to them."
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to logical reasoning with the enemies and opponents as another characteristic of Imam Ali's political approach and added: "Imam Ali did not treat all people and political movements in the same way. He distinguished between the individuals whose goals were in line with justice but who were misled because of their ignorance and superficial thinking and the individuals who were treading the path of injustice. Moreover, he used to firmly stand up to deviations and religious hypocrisy."
Elsewhere in his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei touched on the political movements of the past thirty years. Addressing the political figures of the country, His Eminence said that some of these movements have been formed because of differences in ideological principles and added: "Some of the movements and political differences of opinion have been started because of personal interests, but some others have been started because of differences of opinion regarding how the principles should be practiced. Each of them must be treated differently."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution delineated Imam Khomeini's treatment of political movements and differences of opinion and reiterated: "Following the political approach of Imam Ali, the late Imam used to treat different political groups and movements on the basis of their nature. The Imam used to treat political movements with leniency, but whenever he realized that his leniency was not paying off, he used to confront them firmly."
His Eminence reiterated that Imam Khomeini's political approach applied to all officials, including those above the level of the president. "At the end of his life, whenever he felt that leniency was futile with some people, the Imam used to confront them."
Referring to the revolutionary and religious background of some political movements, Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated: "Some of these differences of opinion were rooted in disagreements over how the principles should be practiced. On the other hand, some people had fundamental differences and their interests were in clash. And they went as far as to confront the Imam and the Revolution. They tried to instill false and poisonous principles in the soul and body of the Islamic Republic. But when the Imam felt this threat, he put his leniency aside and firmly confronted them."
His Eminence said that unlike differences in fundamental principles, differences in approach will benefit society and added: "The existence of criticisms and individuals with different views will benefit the country provided that these differences of taste are within the framework of the principles - that is, the principles of Islam, the Constitution, and the Imam's recommendations and will - and not within the framework of the so-called principles that have nothing in common with the principles of the Revolution."
The Leader also reiterated: "Despite what some propaganda suggests, if some people or movements have an opposing viewpoint, the Islamic Republic will not confront them. But if a movement turns to enmity and draws a sword against the Revolution - behavior which is not tolerated in any part of the world - the Islamic Republic will confront it firmly in order to defend itself."
His Eminence said that the policy of the Islamic Republic is to include the maximum number of political movements in itself and added: "The establishment will not confront any movement unless it is forced to do so. Therefore, political activists and movements will be free to express their views and no one will confront them unless they resort to violence, make efforts to undermine social peace and security, fight the principles of the Islamic Republic, and engage in slandering and spreading rumors."
In another part of his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei strongly advised political activists and government officials against corruption.
He said that lack of attention to slight slips will prepare the ground for great deviations and the ultimate collapse of man. "Little slips gradually corrupt people from within, and this corruption leads to deviations in behavior and sometimes in ideology. Therefore, all of us should observe piety and protect one another, especially our family members, against corruption," he noted, citing evidence from Quranic verses.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that like individuals, the Islamic Republic could also face the danger of corruption and deviation from its path and added: "If we are not vigilant, the policies and behavior of the Islamic Republic will become non-Islamic and only the name of the Islamic Republic will remain."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that administering justice, observing moral principles in behavior, making scientific, industrial, and intellectual progress in a free atmosphere, and resisting firmly against the enemies and international oppressive powers are all indicative of the fact that the Islamic Republic is a morally healthy and an incorrupt system.
He said that the people should stay vigilant and know that the Islamic Republic will be considered as a corrupt system if the nation and the establishment tread a different path. "The people should know that Islamic Republic will be considered as a corrupt government if such problems as major class distinctions, using freedom to promote debauchery, and weakness before the enemies are observed in society."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that pursuing the principles and slogans of Imam Khomeini (r.a.) will help solve the country's problems and will help the country make progress and maintain its grandeur and national pride. He further added: "As was proven in the events which happened after the election, the enemies are trying to undermine the people's support for the Islamic Republic. And we should all stay vigilant in this regard."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the 85 percent turnout and the presence of 40 million people in the election was a beautiful manifestation of people's trust in the Islamic Republic. He added: "Unfortunately, the enemies and some people from inside the country ignore this fact and speak about people's distrust of the establishment. But by Allah's favor, everyone will see that the people will strongly take part in the future elections despite the efforts of the enemies and some unaware people inside the country."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that it is natural for any government to have both supporters and enemies and stated that there is no government in the world which could be considered an exception in this regard. He noted: "Throughout history, all governments have had both opponents and supporters. What matters is to see who the enemies and supporters of a government are."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the opposition and the enmity of the international hegemonic powers such as the US, Britain, and the evil Zionist regime towards the Islamic Republic is a source of pride for the nation and should not frighten anyone.
He said that the opposition of these powers should not cause anyone to surrender to the enemies and added: "All the faithful and freedom-seeking nations of the world as well as independent politicians support this nation and the Islamic Republic. And their opposition is indicative of the fact that the Islamic Republic is treading the right path."
At the end of his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei urged all the people to stay vigilant and reiterated that the people should stay vigilant against those who are trying to create a fake Islamic Republic for the people and undermine the attractive and valuable slogans of the Imam and the Revolution.