The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei received the officials and executives in charge of the hajj pilgrimage on Wednesday, December 7.
Speaking to the audience, the Leader referred to the hajj pilgrimage as a vast ocean of spirituality and servitude, supplication and humility to Almighty Allah. He emphasized that the political aspect of the hajj pilgrimage is embedded in its spirituality and call of monotheism.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated that Muslim nations are aware and vigilant, despite all the attempts that are being made by the arrogant powers to suppress their awakening, and that Muslims are expected to utilize the precious opportunity provided by the hajj pilgrimage to promote their Islamic objectives.
At the beginning of his statements, the Leader expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the bitter incident of the tragic plane crash in Tehran, in which a number of dedicated servants of the Islamic Republic lost their lives. He prayed to Almighty Allah to bestow mercy and remission on the souls of the deceased and grant the bereaved families of the crash victims and their friends and colleagues patience and fortitude.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that the call of monotheism, which has been the pivot of efforts and endeavors made by divine prophets, reformists and pious individuals, and the removal of superficial barriers between Muslim nations are the main components of the message conveyed by the hajj pilgrimage, as performed by Prophet Abraham. He stated that the political aspect of the hajj pilgrimage also originates from this message.
The Leader noted that following the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the Founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran late Imam Khomeini put great emphasis on the need to revive the political aspect of the hajj pilgrimage and perform this religious ritual in the way that it was performed by Prophet Abraham.
"Consequently, the slogans, conduct and practice of the Iranian hajj pilgrims, especially their emphasis on monotheism and their call for Islamic unity, have since been viewed as a model and paradigm by Muslim nations from other Islamic countries," the Leader told the audience.
Further in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed his appreciation for the valuable service rendered by the executives in charge of the hajj pilgrimage and the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization officials. He also called on the executives in charge of the hajj pilgrimage to try to identify and counter those blights and maladies that detract from the spirituality of this divine ritual.
"One of the maladies affecting hajj pilgrims is their becoming attracted to material enticements and not paying due attention to the great spiritual features of the Kaaba and the Grand Mosque and other holy sites in Mecca and Medina. Therefore, the officials and executives in charge of the hajj pilgrimage should make long-term plans and do their utmost to counter this malady in order to preserve the spirituality of the hajj pilgrimage," Ayatollah Khamenei remarked.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic further touched on the present condition of the Islamic world, especially the current situation in Iraq and Palestine. He also referred to the explicit views expressed by the high-ranking officials of the arrogant powers against Islam and Muslim nations and hinted at certain shortcomings on the part of Islamic governments.
"Today, the main goal pursued by the United States in Iraq, following the failure of its colonial plot to install an American governor there, is to bring dependent and subservient individuals to power in that country. Therefore, the Iraqi people, who are expected to remain vigilant and preserve their unity by setting aside their religious and ethnic differences, should vote in the upcoming election for faithful, committed and honest individuals who are loyal to the interests of the Iraqi nation and who are suspicious of intrusive enemies," Ayatollah Khamenei stated.
At the meeting, the Leader's representative for the hajj affairs and caretaker of the Iranian hajj pilgrims, Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Mohammadi-Rayshahri, presented a report about the cultural measures taken with regard to the hajj pilgrimage, including the publication of books and pamphlets in different languages and the establishment of a website with the intention of providing information on the hajj pilgrimage.