Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met with the participants and judges of the 27th International Quran Competitions which were held today in Imam Khomeini Hussayniyyah on the occasion of Imam Hussein's (a.s.) birthday anniversary. Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence described the Holy Quran as a firm divine handhold and reiterated: "The Holy Quran has promised an immaculate life, a life that is accompanied by glory, security, welfare, independence, knowledge, progress, ethics, patience, and mercy. And this immaculate life is achieved through close familiarity with the Holy Quran and holding on to this divine handhold."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that close familiarity with the Holy Quran prepares the ground for Quranic teachings and truths to enter the hearts and souls of Muslims and added: "For many years they tried to create a gap between Quranic teachings and the hearts of the Muslim Ummah. They went as far as to omit jihad from school textbooks in certain Muslim countries out of consideration for the enemies of Islam."
He explained the immaculate life promised in the Holy Quran and reiterated: "In this immaculate life spiritual peace, tranquility, social happiness, dignity, independence, and freedom have been assured. Holding Quranic gatherings and competitions and training qurra and memorizers of the Holy Quran are the prerequisites for achieving this immaculate life."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution advised youth to reflect on the Holy Quran and memorize its brilliant verses. "Each time you listen to or read the Holy Quran, a layer of ignorance is removed."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that encouraging children and adolescents to memorize the Holy Quran is a valuable act, further reiterating: "Memorizing the Holy Quran provides the memorizer with the opportunity to reflect on the verses through repetition. The memorizer should appreciate memorization of the Holy Quran."
His Eminence said that in order to understand Quranic teachings it is necessary to read the Holy Quran from the beginning to the end. He added: "Through explaining Quranic teachings and helping people to understand Quranic verses, teachers of exegesis provide the hearts of the enthusiasts with Quranic teachings and truths."
Ayatollah Khamenei compared the Quranic movement before the Revolution with the Quranic movement after the Revolution and stated: "This great and progressive movement has been formed during the past 31 years, and a large number of enthusiastic youth have joined the memorizers, qurra, and Quran experts."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution added: "Thanks to familiarity with the Holy Quran, the Iranian nation has gained more influence in the world. And this nation has stood up against the enemies relying on this sense of power."