Khamenei.ir

Leader's Hajj Message

Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, delivered a message to this year's hajj pilgrims. The following is the full text of this message issued on October 11, 2013.

Leader’s Speech in Meeting with Participants of 7th Elite Youth Conference

The real progress must be inborn

A number of countries may offer their natural resources and oil barrels to leading countries in terms of wealth and knowledge and they may buy their products in return. In such countries, a kind of superficial progress may be achieved, but this is not real progress. The real progress is inborn and it is made when a nation depends on its own domestic capabilities. The value of countries, governments and nations depends on this inborn power. If a country makes a leap on its own and if it achieves growth from the inside, this will make this country and this nation valuable, important and respected. But if such growth is not achieved from the inside and if it is achieved with the help of others, then this country will not earn respect. Well, during the time of Taghut, it was foreigners and westerners who were prepared to do part of the work related to the nuclear technology in our country and they used to sign certain contracts with Iran. The Bushehr nuclear power plant, which we built with great difficulty after the passage of many years, was supposed to be built by the Germans. Of course, the Germans took the money and did nothing in return and after the Revolution, they did not give us any answer. Now, imagine that such and such a western country builds and manages a nuclear power plant for us and then we benefit from the electricity that such a power plant can generate. This has no dignity and value for a nation. Respect and dignity are achieved when a nation shows its own capabilities. When you develop such a capability, then you can benefit - on an equal footing - from the capabilities of other people, as they benefit from your capabilities.

Each and every event during the Sacred Defense Era is outstanding

Each and every event during the Sacred Defense Era is outstanding. The more deeply and carefully one looks at such events and the more one obtains information about them, the clearer the greatness of this astonishing phenomenon and this important eight-year event becomes. At that time, when commanders reported to us about different events and when we were informed about different issues, we thought that we knew everything. However, when we read such books, it becomes clear that we knew very little about the great ocean of activities, and jihadi efforts during the Sacred Defense Era. These phenomena are really excellent.

Leader's Speech in a Meeting with Narrator and Author of 'The Army of the Good'

Leader’s Speech in Meeting with Army Cadets

The following is the full text of the speech delivered on October 5, 2013 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, at the graduation ceremony of army cadets held at Shahid Sattari University.

Detailed biography of Ayatollah Khamenei, Leader of Islamic Revolution

Leader’s Speech in Meeting with Commanders of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps

We are against nuclear weapons because of our belief

They raise the issue of nuclear weapons. Well, we do not believe in nuclear weapons, not because of such and such people and not because of America and other countries. Rather, we are against nuclear weapons because of our belief. No one should have nuclear weapons. When we say that other countries should not have nuclear weapons, it means that we ourselves should not and will not have them. But, their problem is something else. If certain countries emerge which put an end to their exclusive right, they will have no problems with that. Of course, they do not want to give up their self-proclaimed right, but if this happens, they will not create uproar about it. But when it comes to Islamic Iran and the Islamic Republic, they create uproar. Why do they do this? It is because having such a capability and power is a source of support for the Islamic Republic which is based on "[Deal] not unjustly, nor shall you be dealt with unjustly." This is the main challenge. We should know and see this. With such an outlook, we should analyze and interpret the behavior of America, the west and such and such a country and orientation which is dependent on and attached to these powers. This is the Islamic Revolution.

IRGC’s art is training talented and devout human forces

The performance of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps over the past years has been brilliant. I am not saying this as a ceremonial gesture, like the words of praise which are uttered in many places. This is a fact. The performance of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps represents the experience of our nation. That is to say, the depth of the personality and identity of the Iranian nation can be seen in this performance because the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps enters the arena with faith and belief. What kind of arena? The arena of jihad and resistance. It has built the strongest and the most intelligent military commanders. During the war, those who became designers- and as foreigners say "strategists"- while they were young and below thirty years old and had not received any military education. It was the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps who built them. It was this organization which created such a spiritual environment. It was the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps which founded such an organization on the basis of faith and belief. It has built a number of outstanding personalities whom our nation and our history will never forget. This is the art of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. These are the things which this organization has done in the area of war. Besides these, we can see that it has built and introduced the wisest, the strongest and the best managers in non-military areas. The list of people that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has introduced to the ruling organizations of the Islamic Republic is very long and glorious. This is the performance of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

Why does global arrogance fight the Islamic Revolution?

Well, global arrogance promotes war, poverty and decadence and it does this by dividing the world into the oppressed and the oppressor. Islam - that is to say, the Islamic Revolution which is based on Islamic concepts - says, "Deal not unjustly, nor shall you be dealt with unjustly." It rejects all these negative elements. This is the main challenge. This is the root of their enmity. This is why they fight the Islamic Revolution. Other issues are all excuses. We should adopt such an outlook on sanctions, domestic wars, coups d'etat and other events which have taken place during the recent years such as the nuclear issue. Contrary to what everyone thought, our Revolution achieved victory. Then it formed a government which managed to prevail. This was while everyone in the world thought that the Islamic Republic would be destroyed in six months or in one or two years.

Deal not unjustly, nor shall you be dealt with unjustly

Well, global arrogance promotes war, poverty and decadence and it does this by dividing the world into the oppressed and the oppressor. Islam - that is to say, the Islamic Revolution which is based on Islamic concepts - says, "Deal not unjustly, nor shall you be dealt with unjustly." It rejects all these negative elements. This is the main challenge. This is the root of their enmity. This is why they fight the Islamic Revolution. Other issues are all excuses. We should adopt such an outlook on sanctions, domestic wars, coups d'état and other events which have taken place during the recent years such as the nuclear issue.

Leader Appoints Admiral Shamkhani as His Representative in National Security Council

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution appointed Admiral Ali Shamkhani as his representative in the National Security Council. The following is the full text of this edict issued on September 12, 2013.

Leader Appoints Dr. Jalili as Member of Expediency Council

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution appointed Dr. Saeed Jalili as member of the Expediency Council. The following is the full text of this edict issued on September 12, 2013.

Leader Appoints Admiral Shamkhani as His Representative in National Security Council

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution appointed Admiral Ali Shamkhani as his representative in the National Security Council. The following is the full text of this edict issued on September 12, 2013.

The kind of Shia Islam promoted from London and America is useless

The existence of differences between Islamic denominations and between Shia and Sunni Muslims will not create any problem as long as these differences are confined to ideological differences. One person may believe in something and another person may believe in something else. Problems arise when these ideological differences lead to behavioral differences, confrontation, hostility and enmity. The enemies of the world of Islam are after creating such a situation and hatching such a plot. They have properly understood that the Zionist regime can breathe easily if Islamic denominations in the world of Islam start confronting and fighting with one another. They have understood this truth perfectly and properly. On the one hand, they form groups which engage in takfirism - not only do these groups anathematize and curse Shia Muslims, but they also anathematize Sunni denominations - and on the other hand, they hire a number of mercenaries to add fuel to the fire of discord. You know and have heard about this plot. They provide these groups and mercenaries with different means of mass communication. Where do they do this? They do this in America and London. The kind of Shia Islam which is promoted from London and America is useless for Shia Muslims. Shia leaders - particularly the leaders who emerged after the victory of the Islamic Revolution - our Imam and other leaders placed great emphasis on preserving the unity of the Islamic Ummah and behaving in a brotherly way towards Muslims. This is while a number of people - who interfere in the affairs of Muslims for no reason - are after fueling the fire of discord. This is the thing which the enemy wants. This is the thing which the enemies of Islam - who are neither Shia nor Sunni - like to pursue.

An opportunity to exchange experiences and truths with other Muslims

Another important point is that Muslims should share and exchange their original Islamic cultures and their Islamic experiences with one another. This is another strong point of hajj and another source of power for it. We may have heard different things about such and such an Islamic country. But, hearing is different from sitting and talking directly to an individual from an Islamic country. This individual can also compare what he has heard about our dear Islamic Iran with what he sees in you and hears from you. This way, he can discover the truth about Iran ]…[ Your presence in hajj and in this international arena gives you the opportunity to reveal the truth not only in words but also in action. It helps you to speak the truth about Shia Islam, the Islamic Revolution and the events which are happening today.

The spiritual power of the Hajj improves human beings from within

The power of hajj is far beyond this. As well as showing the political and cultural power of the Islamic government, hajj provides a source of spiritual power. That is to say, it builds human beings from the inside, prepares them to overcome difficult obstacles and opens their eyes to realities which cannot be seen and felt without being present in the arena of hajj. By performing hajj rituals, one can understand a number of spiritual and educational realities of Islam. Hajj plays such a role.

A cause for the sovereignty of the Islamic Ummah

Hajj is one of the strong points of the holy religion of Islam] …[ hajj is a source of power for the Islamic community and the Islamic Ummah. The day when we Muslims from different countries and with different denominations manage to achieve intellectual growth so much so that we can form the Islamic Ummah in the real sense of the word - unfortunately, we Muslims have not managed to achieve this moral, political and intellectual growth until today - and the day when we Muslims from eastern parts to western parts of the world of Islam manage to form one single ummah although we may have different governments, we understand how hajj can be a source of power, strength, transcendence and dignity for this Islamic Ummah.

In Hajj, treat each other brotherly and do not behave like strangers toward each other

One of the requirements of hajj is that hajj pilgrims should behave in a brotherly - in the real sense of the word - way towards one another in the arena of hajj and this great Islamic obligation. They should not look at one another as outsiders and enemies. They should see themselves as people who are moving towards one goal, who pursue one thing, who revolve around one pivot. Allah the Exalted says, "Let there be no obscenity, no wickedness and no quarrelling in the Hajj." [The Holy Quran, 2: 197] The meaning of "no quarrelling" is not that we should not quarrel with the enemy. On the contrary, hajj is the manifestation of quarrelling with the enemy. Some narrow-minded and pessimistic people say, "There should be 'no quarrelling' during hajj pilgrimage. Why do you hold a detestation ceremony during hajj pilgrimage?" The enmity which is reflected in this ceremony means enmity towards polytheism and atheism. This is one of the most fundamental principles of Islamic life. The kind of enmity which should not exist in hajj pilgrimage is enmity between brothers and believers and enmity between people who believe in monotheism. This enmity should not exist. Not only should we Muslims express in words that we have no enmity towards one another, but also we should feel this from the bottom of our hearts. This is the exact opposite of what the enemies of Islam are trying to do in the Islamic community. You should pay attention to this. The existence of differences between Islamic denominations and between Shia and Sunni Muslims will not create any problem as long as these differences are confined to ideological differences. One person may believe in something and another person may believe in something else. Problems arise when these ideological differences lead to behavioral differences, confrontation, hostility and enmity. The enemies of the world of Islam are after creating such a situation and hatching such a plot.

Leader’s Speech in Meeting with Hajj Officials

The following is the full text of the speech delivered on September 11, 2013 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with officials in charge of hajj affairs.

We managed to form the Islamic Republic with Islam’s guidance

When the Islamic Republic was formed, there was an opposition to the issue of reliance on Islam. We should not say that their opposition and enmity was because of our independence or because of our policy of fighting against global arrogance. Of course, this is true and this is one reason for their enmity, but fighting against global arrogance grew out of the heart of Islam. Our democracy grew out of the heart of Islam as well. It has been said many times that when we speak about religious democracy, this does not mean an unusual combination between democracy and religion. This is not the case. Our democracy has originated from religion and Islam has shown us this path. We managed to form the Islamic Republic with the guidance of Islam. By Allah's favor, it will be the same in the future. As a result of this belief in Islam, the enemies have focused their attention on Islam. If they can take Islam away from the Islamic Republic, the products of Islam will naturally be destroyed.

Our democracy grew out of the heart of Islam

Our democracy grew out of the heart of Islam as well. It has been said many times that when we speak about religious democracy, this does not mean an unusual combination between democracy and religion. This is not the case. Our democracy has originated from religion and Islam has shown us this path. We managed to form the Islamic Republic with the guidance of Islam. By Allah's favor, it will be the same in the future. As a result of this belief in Islam, the enemies have focused their attention on Islam. If they can take Islam away from the Islamic Republic, the products of Islam will naturally be destroyed and undermined. Issues should be analyzed by adopting this outlook.

Leader's Speech in Meeting with Members of Assembly of Experts

The following is the full text of the speech delivered on September 5, 2013 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with the chairman and members of the Assembly of Experts.The meeting was held on the occasion of the 14th Congress of the Assembly of Experts which was held on the 12th and 13th of Shahrivar.

Trust in divine promise

Regarding the issue of genuine and heartfelt beliefs and orientations, one of the things which I lay great emphasis on is reliance on Allah the Exalted and divine promises. This is one of the issues which I strongly believe we should not be negligent about. Allah the Exalted firmly promises that "If you help (the cause of) Allah, He will help you." [The Holy Quran, 47: 7] And "Allah will certainly aid those who aid his cause." [The Holy Quran, 22: 40] When Allah the Exalted promises in such a direct and emphatic way that if you support His religion and follow and assist the divine path, God will help you, then we should believe in this promise and we should do what He says. Aug 28, 2013

Leader's Speech in Meeting with President Rouhani and Cabinet Members

The following is the full text of the speech delivered on August 28, 2013 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani and his cabinet members. The meeting was held on the occasion of Government Week.

Leader Meets with Sultan of Oman

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met Monday morning with the Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said, and his accompanying delegation. Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence referred to the friendly and warm relations between Iran and Oman, stressing: "There are many areas - particularly areas related to gas - in which the two countries can develop their relations even more than before."

Leader's Sermons during Eid ul-Fitr Prayers

The following is the full text of the sermons delivered on August 9, 2013 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, during Eid ul-Fitr prayers in Tehran.

Providing the people with simple iftar is a very appropriate act

It is good to pay attention to this issue which is the act of providing the people with simple and unadorned iftar meals in our mosques and on the streets of many cities of the country. Unlike the act of offering extravagant iftar meals which we heard a number of people did, this is a very appropriate act. Under the pretext of offering iftar meals, these people engaged in extravagant acts. Instead of becoming an instrument for establishing a psychological relationship with the poor and the deprived in the month of Ramadan, they indulged themselves in carnal desires by doing this. We do not want to say that if somebody eats a delicious food during iftar, this is forbidden. No, according to Sharia, these things are not forbidden. But extravagance and overindulgence are forbidden. The extravagance which is sometimes witnessed in such occasions is forbidden. It is so much better for those who want to offer iftar meals to do this by cherishing the tradition which has become common.

How can nations stand on their own feet?

Faith in God and solidarity are the two things which can help nations stand on their own feet and put up a resistance. Thankfully, the Iranian nation benefits from these things.