The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei received a large group of Iranian citizens from various social strata and officials of the Islamic Republic on Tuesday, October 24.
The meeting, which was held on the auspicious occasion of the Eid-al-Fitr (the 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 Fast-Breaking Feast as the day of the entire Islamic Ummah. He stated that the only way for Muslims to restore their honor and dignity is to return to their genuine identity, rely on Almighty Allah, preserve their unity and maintain their vigilance.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the backwardness of Muslim nations over the past many years and to the arrogant powers' humiliating attitude toward Muslims and their preventing Muslim nations from making decisions in conformity with their own interests. He also underlined the faults and shortcomings of the Islamic Ummah in this regard.
"However, today Muslim nations have experienced an awakening and become cognizant and conscious of their identity. Therefore, this awakening should be highly valued and directed on the right path," the Leader pointed out.
Ayatollah Khamenei described the Muslims' trust in and reliance on Almighty Allah as the most significant factor contributing to their honor and dignity. He stressed that reliance on the Almighty would evoke divine assistance, but he noted that Muslims are also expected to exert themselves, pay heed to the interests of the Muslim Ummah, avoid sluggishness and not devote themselves to the pursuit of sensual pleasures.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic touched on the issue of Palestine. He emphasized that, today, the issue of Palestine is the most important issue of the Islamic world and of the international community.
"The mischievous involvement of the global arrogance headed by the United States and the Zionist regime in all issues of the Islamic world, especially the issue of Palestine, is quite evident. Today, in the eyes of the United States, no interest in the Middle East region has priority over that of the Zionist regime," the Leader noted.
Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to the enemies' attempts at fomenting division and discord in Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq.
"In Palestine, the vigilance of the officials of popular Hamas government has foiled the enemies' plot, and the Hamas government's refusal to recognize the Zionist regime and engage in negotiations with it reflects the standpoint of the Palestinian people. It is clear that officials of Hamas government should submit to the wishes of Palestinians," Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out.
As regards the main factors behind the spectacular victory of the Lebanese nation and Hezbollah over the Zionist regime, the Leader cited the reliance on Almighty Allah, heroic resistance and the utilization of all existing potentials as the major factors in this respect. He stated that this victory sets an example to all other Islamic countries, provided that the officials of Islamic states prioritize the interests of their countries and nations over their own personal interests.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei noted that the reason for the recent acts of terrorism in Iraq is that a popular government has taken office in that country contrary to the wishes of the occupiers.
"The prominent cultural, religious, political and social figures of Iraq as well as the tribal chiefs of that country should try to preserve their unity and solidarity, and they should also be careful not to get ensnared in the enemy's trap," he added.
In conclusion, the Leader of the Islamic Republic called on Iranian government officials to rightly recognize the worth and value of the faithful Iranian nation. Pointing to the fact that the Iranian people, especially the Iranian youth, are always present on the scene when there is need for their presence, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that officials of the Islamic Republic should consider serving the Iranian people as an honor and feel proud of being at the service of the great Iranian nation.