The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei received the officials of the Islamic Republic and a large group of Iranian citizens from various social strata on Saturday, October 13.
The meeting, which was held on the auspicious occasion of the Eid al-Fitr (fast-breaking feast), was also attended by the ambassadors of Islamic countries posted to Tehran.
In an address to the audience, the Leader described the auspicious occasion of the Eid al-Fitr as a favorable opportunity for strengthening the unity and solidarity of Muslim nations and the entire Islamic world. He stated that the real feast will be celebrated when Muslim nations do away with their trivial differences and join hands and try to restore their high status and dignity and power through adherence to Islamic teachings and precepts.
Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the great Iranian nation is unified despite the fact that there are different ethnic and religious groups in the country. He added that the enemies have been trying over the past years to undermine the unity of the Iranian nation by capitalizing on ethnic and religious differences, but have never succeeded in doing so.
Referring to the fact that the Iranian nation has displayed its unity through its massive presence and turnout on various scenes, the Leader further noted that different political tastes and inclinations should not give rise to disputes and divisions either.
"The pivot of unity in our country is the Islamic Republic system, the beloved Islam and the Holy Qur'an, and the Iranian nation has so far vigilantly foiled the plot to foment discord in our country by exploiting political differences," The Leader stated.
Ayatollah Khamenei also touched on the issue of upcoming parliamentary elections in the country. He stated that the arena of elections can be the arena of displaying unity and rationality and national common sense.
"If the elections are held in such a manner that, in a positive rivalry for serving the general public, all political groups and factions can obtain the share that they deserve, the elections will prepare the ground for the nation's increased dynamism and progress," Ayatollah Khamenei remarked.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic referred to the differences and lack of unity in the Islamic ummah as the cause of the unjustified interference of the arrogant and bullying powers in the internal affairs of Muslim nations.
"It is because of these circumstances that the U.S. Senate has voted in favor of dismembering Iraq, while the issue does not concern the United States whatsoever and the Iraqi nation and government have expressed their opposition to this ratification, and the Islamic world is also opposed to it," the Leader observed.
Ayatollah Khamenei also pointed out that the interference of the arrogant powers with respect to the issue of Palestine masqueraded as ‘peace conference' is another outcome of the lack of unity among Muslim governments and nations.
"Islamic nations and governments should join forces in order to be able to display their power. If they do so, the United States and other countries will no longer dare to interfere in the internal affairs of Muslim nations," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
The Leader further stated, "The Islamic Republic of Iran is insisting on its positions, especially on its call for the unity of Muslims. This is the reason why the arrogant powers are holding a hostile attitude toward the Iranian nation. However, their hostility has so far proved futile, and it will have no effect in the future either."
At the beginning of the meeting, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressed his congratulation on the auspicious occasion of the Eid al-Fitr. He referred to the holy month of Ramazan as the month of friendship and kindness and concord and unity.
The Iranian president further said that divine teachings and ordinances pave the way for the awareness and progress and exaltation of human beings and motivate their resistance in the face of the oppression and tyranny of bullying powers.
"This is the reason why those wielding power in the world are trying to prevent the impartment of divine teachings to human beings by raising ballyhoo and spreading different kinds of propaganda," President Ahmadinejad added.