Leader's Address to Government Executives

The following is the abridged text of the statements made by Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, in a meeting with government executives and the Islamic countries' ambassadors in Tehran. The meeting was held on the occasion of the Eid-al-Fitr (Fast-Breaking Feast) on Shawwal 1, 1423 (December 6, 2002).
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
First, I would like to felicitate the great Muslim Ummah, the noble and honorable Iranian nation and the esteemed audience, especially the venerable ambassadors of the Islamic countries, on this auspicious occasion.
The Eid-al-Fitr is the day when Muslims celebrate and rejoice over their fasting, sincere prayers and supplication to Almighty Allah in the holy month of Ramazan. The day also provides Muslims with an opportunity to get together and strengthen their bonds of friendship and brotherhood.
In general, the whole Islamic world benefits from this auspicious feast, since it promotes convergence, solidarity and harmony among the Muslim nations.
Today, the Muslim nations are in need of unity and harmony more than ever, since the enemies of Islam, in particular the United States and the Zionist regime, are openly expressing their hostility toward Islam and the Muslim Ummah.
Furthermore, under the pretext of fighting terrorism, they intend to exterminate the Palestinian people and destroy the Islamic identity of the Muslim nations in the region.
In fact, what is the main concern of the arrogant powers is the Islamic identity of the regional nations, since it is the major factor that greatly contributes to the solidarity and unity among Muslims. It is also the factor that infuses Muslims with honor and dignity and the power to resist the domineering attitude of the global arrogance, thus posing a serious hindrance to the evil objectives of the enemies of Islam.
It has now become quite clear that the arrogant powers are coveting the abundant natural and mineral resources of the Islamic countries. However, the Islamic revival of the Muslim nations has foiled these powers in accomplishing their hegemonic and self-serving goals.
This is why the arrogant powers are presently hatching all sorts of plots to subvert the religious beliefs, cultural values and Islamic identity of Muslims.
If Muslims lose their Islamic identity, they will also lose their power of resistance. It is clear that submissive nations would never express any reaction to the plunder of their natural resources.
Under the circumstances, the Muslim nations should be more aware and vigilant than ever. Besides, the officials of the Islamic countries also shoulder heavy responsibilities.
As far as the plight of the innocent Palestinians is concerned, the officials of the Islamic Republic have expressed their views on the issue of Palestine very clearly. We regard defending the Palestinian nation as an Islamic duty of the whole Muslim ummah.
Considering the unprecedented heinous crimes and atrocities that are currently being committed by the Zionists against the innocent and defenseless Palestinian people, it is the duty of all the Islamic countries to extend their all-out support to their Palestinian brethren in accordance with international norms and protect them against the Israeli aggressors.
Today, the main enemies of the Muslim nations are the Zionists and capitalists, who have great control and influence over the U.S. administration, and who dictate their demands to the White House officials. They are the ones behind the scenes who are actually running the U.S. government.
The current presence of U.S. forces in this region is harmful to the interests of the Muslim nations. Furthermore, U.S. military aggression against any regional country on any pretext will harm the entire region.
Thus, if the United States launches an attack on Iraq, it will be detrimental to the interests of the whole Islamic world, just as U.S. attack on Afghanistan and its presence there have proved harmful to the interests of the Muslim Ummah.
Muslims should try to preserve and strengthen their unity and solidarity. In particular, the Organization of Islamic Conference should play a more effective role in consolidating the Islamic unity and solidarity. This organization is also tasked with making timely and sensible decisions about the issues related to the Islamic world.
During their grand nationwide rallies and demonstrations on the World Day of Quds, the devout and faithful Iranian people clearly expressed their views on the issue of Palestine by pledging full support for the innocent and oppressed Palestinian people.
Indeed, the attitude of the Iranian nation toward the issue of Palestine, which is the same as the position of the Islamic Republic as well as the stance that was taken by late Imam Khomeini on this issue, is quite in line with the lofty ideals and noble objectives of the Islamic Revolution.
I pray to Almighty Allah to make all of us, the Muslim nations, more vigilant, more powerful and more successful in defending our religion and Islamic identity, in serving the interests of the Islamic Ummah and in foiling the plots of our enemies.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings