Khamenei.ir

Regard a woman as a lofty human, to realize what represents her perfection, rights and freedom

The world of Arrogance, [the front] which is filled with arrogance, is at fault for thinking that a woman's value and merit relies on her physical attraction to men. So the perverted eyes look at her and indulge in [gazing at] her, and admire her. The trend which has been spread in the world by the perverted Western culture under the name of freedom of women is based on exposing women to men's eyes so they take sexual indulgence. Men take indulgence in them and women become means of sexual desire for men. Is this freedom of women? Those who claim they support human rights in the perverted, ignorant and negligent western civilization, are indeed oppressing women. Regard women as lofty humans, in order to realize what represents their perfection, rights and freedom. Look at the woman as someone who can help the society advance by raising noble people, to realize what her true right and freedom are. Regard the woman as the main constituent of the family; because even though a family is made up of a man and a woman, and they are both essential for the formation of a family, the peaceful and soothing environment of the home is accomplished thanks to the women's nature and kindness. Look at the woman through such a viewpoint, and you will know where her perfection and rights rely on.

An excerpt of statements made in meeting with liberated war captives

Iranian woman took to the battlefield in hijab

On the bogus pretext of improving women’s status, the Pahlavi regime took the national and traditional Iranian dress away from the women The one who took the biggest step in favor of the Western culture—that is, in reality the West’s hegemony over Iran—and in favor of the British colonization, was Reza-Khan. You see, this kind of action is perceived so disgraceful today, if a king completely changes the national dressing culture of a country. For instance, if you travel to India, or different parts of the world, nations have their proper forms of dress; and they are proud of it, and they don’t feel ashamed of it. But in Iran they suddenly banned the [national] costumes! Why? Because, they said, it was not possible to become an academic with this type of clothing. Amazing! Our most prominent scientists -- Iranian scientists whose work is still being taught in Europe-- grew under the same culture and in the same environment. How can the clothing tradition have an impact [on their scholarly work]? This is a nonsensical remark! They suggested such a nonsensical reason, and changed the clothing tradition of a nation, removing women’s chadors. They argued that “a woman cannot become an academic, or a scientist, and take part in social activities while wearing chador.” My question is: “By removing the chador, in our country, what percentage of women took part in social activities?” Were women given opportunities to take part in social activities during the reign of Reza Khan and his son?! Men were not given opportunities either, nor would women be given opportunities. When women of Iran entered the arena of social activity, powerfully raising the country in their vigorous hands, and encouraging men to follow them into the arenas of fighting, they did so while wearing chadors. What negative effect can chador have?! How can clothing prevent a woman’s or a man’s activity? The important thing is how a person’s heart is; how their mind is, how their faith is, how their personality is, what motivations are created for their social or scientific activity. This ignorant bully --Reza Khan-- came to power and yielded to the enemies. He suddenly changed the dressing culture of the country, he changed many of the traditions, and he banned the religion! He did actions that we all have heard--which took place during the Pahlavi regime, through coercion and bullying. He became popular in the eyes of the Westerners—that is the colonizers.

Excerpts from statements made in meeting with a group of cultural administrators

Excerpts of the Imam Khamenei's Friday Prayer sermon

By acting according to Islamic laws, we should prepare the ground for the reappearance

We will be considered as truly awaiting the Savior only when we prepare the ground for it. For the reappearance of the promised Imam Mahdi (may our spirits be sacrificed for him) the ground needs to be prepared. And that is achievable by acting upon Islamic laws and the rule of Qur'an and Islam. As I said, it is narrated that: by God, you will be tested, and by God you will be sifted. This great trial which faces the followers and the Shia of Imam Mahdi (may our spirits be sacrificed for him) is a test of making efforts for fulfilling the rule of Islam. You must endeavor for the fulfillment of the rule of Islam. Our great nation made this one step. I must say, in this city of Qom-- which is the birthplace of resistance and revolution, and in this holy place which has witnessed long devoted efforts and endeavors for God, during the movement, before and after the revolution-- that the first step for the rule of Islam and for Muslim nations to get nearer to the time of reappearance of Imam Mahdi (may our spirits be sacrificed for him and may God hasten his reappearance) was taken by the Iranian nation. And that is, establishing the rule of Qur'an. This is what the materialistic world would not want to believe. After centuries of trying to outdo religion, and especially the holy religion of Islam, they would not want to see that this religion has appeared on the world scene, governing a country, attracting and pulling nations towards itself. That is why the animosity of imperialism, enemies of religion, and the fronts of Arrogance, heresy and paganism started to counter the Islamic Republic.

While awaiting the Promised Mahdi (a.s.) indolence should not be sought

You dear youth who are starting your life and work, should try to prepare the grounds for the promised era, when there is no trace of oppression; when human mind and intellects are more active and flourishing that ever before; when nations do not fight, when the warmongering agents of the world-- who caused and continue to cause regional and global fights-- can no longer stage any war; when all across the world, there will be peace and security. We should endeavor to achieve that era. Before the era of Promised Mahdi (a.s.) comfort and peace do not exist. In narrations we have expressions such as, “the people will be put on the hardest trials” or “the people will undergo the harshest pressures.” When and where is the trial? When there is a field of combating. Before the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.), pure individuals are put on trial in combating fields; they are put on trial, and they pass the trials successfully; and the world approaches day after day the ideal and aspired era of Promised Mahdi (a.s.). This is the great hope. So the day of Sha’ban 15 [birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi (a.s.)] is an important Eid.

Why do the youth in Western countries succumb to ennui and despair?

The overwhelming oppression that dominates the world, the unrighteous rulings, the bullying of nations around the world, the unjust bloodshed, disregarding the most honorable and important human values, the lies and tricks that the leaders of global arrogant powers deliver to humans every day-- all this malevolence, exploitation and oppression, naturally disappoints a person who does not have a source of hope in their heart. As a result, you see the youth in Western countries succumb to ennui and despair. The young generation who is not accustomed to the traditions and has not learned to rely on the traditions—when encountered with the chaos in human life-- becomes desperate, and turns to ennui. Many of the boys and girls in Western countries incline to nihilism, ignore expressions of life and sink in instant desires. This is caused by hopelessness. Many of the world renowned scientists, authors and orators fall for the same predicament. But this is not the case for a nation who has hope in the future; who knows that the days of oppression, invasion, domination and arrogance will—despite its massiveness that has overwhelmed the world today—come to an end one day; that a time will come when the great power of Truth will obliterate all the peaks of corruption and oppression and it will illuminate the landscape of human life with the beacon of justice. This is the significance of awaiting Imam Mahdi's era.

If Jesus Christ were among us today

If Christ were among us today, he would not spare even a single moment to fight the leaders of despotism and global arrogance; nor would he tolerate hunger and wandering of millions of people, degenerated by the hegemonic and colonialist powers into war, corruption, and violence. Jesus Christ, who is the manifestation of divine attributes, raised the flag of guiding and saving humans at a time when ignorance, injustice, and inattention to human values were prevalent. He stood up to oppressing powers – which were dependent on their wealth and power – and he promoted justice, mercy, and monotheism. Today those who believe in that great prophet – Muslims and Christians – should follow the teachings and the path of divine prophets and try to promote human virtues on the basis of the teachings of these prophets.

By introducing hijab, which ranks does God want to assist women to achieve?

The matter of hijab is a matter of values. The matter of hijab— though a prerequisite for achieving higher positions— is in itself a value. If we insist on hijab, it is because practicing hijab helps the woman reach the high spiritual position she deserves, and avoid the very slithery slips on her path toward exaltation. The binary opposite of this view is the Byzantine culture that reigns over Europe today. They tolerate everything except for a couple of matters; one of which, and maybe the most important, being setting a protective space between the two genders; that is self-control as opposed to sexual freedom. They strongly oppose this; whereas they are tolerant of all other matters. They believe those who emphasize on separating men and women are reactionary. They assume if the women are separated from men in a country by placing some sorts of restrictions, this is against civilization! They are right: their own civilization which was built on the ruins of the Byzantine civilization is not different. However, this belief is against values: the opposite [of the belief in the mingling of the sexes] is appropriate.

Excerpts from statements made during a meeting with a group of nurses

IRGC is a unique phenomenon in the world that can be a model for revolutionary nations

The IRGC is a unique, and probably matchless phenomenon in our known history. Its birth and growth happened during the revolution and the consequent difficult challenges. At the start of the war, the IRGC was a small entity. It was like a newborn child. But this child born from the revolution was nourished correctly and incessantly by the flow of the revolution to become strong, powerful and ever growing until the day revolutionary truths unfolded the first miracles by the young IRGC members on the battlefields: unorganized masses became organized military units. Unrestrained love and excitement were set to work within a professional military framework. With their experience growing, those passionate about making self-sacrifice and Jihad found the reasonable way for successful Jihad that is designated by God. Each one of these events was a stage in your progress forward.

The key to the success of the IRGC

In the light of the revolutionary and spiritual morale that emanated from the enlightening heart and the sincere spirit of the Imam of the mystics and the leader of the pious, thus satisfying the spiritual quest of the young and sincere IRGC and Basij fighters more than anyone else, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards managed to play an important role in repelling the imperialist agents’ aggression on the Islamic Republic. Alongside the army, and by employing the popular Basij movement, the IRGC managed to give a hard lesson to the enemies of Islam and guarantee the protection and continuation of the Islamic Republic. It was also evidence for our nation, the armed forces, and the officials of the country of the influence of relying on God, revolutionary spirit, and courage in the field of action, and it removed from their hearts the temptation to turn towards foreigners and seek help from the unworthy. Thank God, the Islamic Republic has achieved great victories in different fields by relying on our human resources nurtured by the revolution.

A mistaken interpretation of awaiting reappearance

There existed a deviated concept with regard to awaiting the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.j.), and fortunately, today there is little trace of that wrong interpretation. Some ignorant or malignant people had promoted the view that awaiting meant avoiding any positive action or fights against evil; that it meant waiting till Imam Mahdi (a.j.) would come and amend the world, and obliterates corruptions! Thanks to the revolution, this false interpretation was obliterated or, at least, it lost popularity. Thanks be to God, this concept no longer exists in our society. The appropriate sense of awaiting constitutes of some dimensions and heeding these dimensions are extremely important for anyone who understands how much significance is given to awaiting in the culture of Islam and Shia.

Leader's Speech in a Meeting with Foreign Participants of Ten-Day Fajr Ceremonies

The biggest oppression against women is preoccupying her with consumerism and show-off

After all the calamities that were inflicted on women in the past, in Eastern, Western, Iranian and non-Iranian cultures, (I don’t need to mention them, you all know) Islam gave a new life to women. In our Iranian society, the woman is not still at the level that Islam requires, neither in social rights, nor in the individual rights to property, or the related laws. In some parts of our society women are badly treated, which is not something that happens only in Iran. Unfortunately, throughout history, women have been under oppression, which is mainly due to the fact that the status and value of woman is not accurately understood. Of course, this has existed in different parts of the world, in different forms and continues to exist; it does not only happen in our society. However, in our society it should be as Islam requires. The woman should find her true position; she must not be oppressed simply for being a woman. It is heartbreaking to see so much oppression is put on women—oppressions we do recognize as oppressions; and there are so many forms of oppression that are not even recognized as oppression, while they are indeed acts of oppression; such as, leading women to ostentation, show-off, consumerism and flamboyant adornments, extravagant expenses and changing into a consumer good. This is a major oppression to women. We can say that no other oppression is worse, because it will make her completely negligent about her ideals and purposes toward perfection, and will make her busy with trivial matters. This was done during the oppressive monarchical regime, which was put an end to.

Excerpts from statements made in meeting with members of Women's Council of Cultural and Social Affairs

Ayatollah Khamenei's commentary on the Sha'baniyah Invocation

Excerpt of statements made during a meeting with the officials of the courts for the clergy

The Holy Prophet (pbuh) is the axis for the unity of the Muslims and their unity in practice.

The holy name of the Prophet (pbuh) is one of the most attractive Islamic phenomenon for all Muslims in the world, because it is about emotion and faith at the same time. Thus, the power of remembering this name, in different matters concerning Muslims, is much more than many other Islamic phenomena which rely solely on faith but do not arouse emotions. As a result, many of the previous, great, Muslim intellectuals have said that the holy name of this superior personage, having faith in him, and keeping his memory alive can be the axis for the unity of the Muslims and their unity in practice.

Statements made in meeting with a group of liberated war captives

A selection of statements made in meeting with outstanding children of martyrs and disabled war veterans from Mashhad, Tehran and Kurdistan Province

Excerpt of a speech in meeting with liberated captives of war

Excerpts from the speech delivered in meeting with government officials

An excerpt of a message issued on the first anniversary of the passing of Imam Khomeini (r.a.)

Within 200 years, Pahlavi and Qajar regimes made Iran a wreck needy of the foreigners

Our nation missed the best historical opportunities because—at a time when the world had just taken the route to knowledge and industry and while, with vigilance and dynamism, Iran could have played its part in the scientific and industrial progress of humanity and benefit from its fruits—it was left behind the world, thanks to its captivity in the hands of tyrannical, ignorant, and dependent rulers. Instead of building the country and reviving its human and natural potentials, Pahlavi and Qajar kings sold Iran to predators and plunderers [the foreigners], either letting the foreigners exploit the resources or stalling the resources, thus ruining human talents; in place of the well-being of the nation, they aimed at the interests of the regime and of the foreign corporations. This proceeded to the point that, when the railway entered our country—with a hundred years of delay—rather than national interests and commercial requirements of the nation, it was the military interests of the enemies that determined the passage of the railroad. In the course of two hundred years, Iran which was once the flagship of the world of knowledge thanks to Islam, was transformed to a wreck needy of and dominated by foreigners as a result of the dependent political system, imprudent management, lack of self-confidence, and despotism in the Pahlavi and Qajar regimes. As a result, the villages became deserted, the urban areas became consumerists, the farms became fruitless, the industry became assembly lines and brains were left unused.

Leader’s Address to Government Officials

Leader’s Speech to Seminarians

The blessings of the Belief in Mahdawiyyah for societies

Heartfelt relation between each and every believing man and woman with his eminence-- the greatest Wali of Allah-- is one of the blessings resulting from our people’s belief in the promised Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance). In addition to believing in Mahdi-- the fact that someone will come and spread justice all around the world-- we know the personality of Mahdi; his name and his cognomen; his father and mother; his birth date; how he disappeared; his close companions, and even some incidents that are to unfold around the time of his appearance. Even though we do not meet this great personality—this brilliant individual and glowing sun around us—by recognizing him, we are aware of his status. The relation between the Shia with this belief and their Wali, the promised Mahdi, is a permanent relation, and it would be great, even necessary, that each and every one of us keep this heartfelt relation with attention to, appealing to, and talking to him. According to the Ziarats (supplications) that are available to us, narrated by most probably an infallible imam, this heartfelt and spiritual relation between individuals and Imam Mahdi, is recommended, even necessary and effective; because that it keeps hope and prospect constantly alive in one's heart.

Women were oppressed in the monarchical society

Women were truly and in all dimensions underprivileged in the society of the self-surrendered evil monarchical regime. If a woman wanted to enter the academia, she was obliged to relinquish her religion, piety and decency. A Muslim woman could not easily retain her hijab, decency and dignity in the universities, academia, scientific and cultural centers. It was impossible! A Muslim woman could not, in the streets of Tehran and some other cities, walk with Islamic dignity and decency, even with a partial hijab, without being harassed and molested by some vulgar people obsessed with the corruption and immorality brought to us from the West. They had created a situation in which it was generally impossible for women to acquire knowledge. There existed some exceptions. But generally speaking, women could not enter the academia, except by removing their veil and relinquishing Islamic piety and dignity! The same was true in the social sphere. If a woman wanted to acquire a position in the society or politics during monarchical Iran, she had to relinquish hijab, dignity, decency and grace of a Muslim woman. Yet, it also depended on her innate qualities and essence. If she was very weak-spirited, she would slide down to the depth [of indecency]. If she was self-restraint, she could preserve herself to some degrees, but she was constantly facing increased pressures from the social environment. Our society was like that.