Khamenei.ir

Falsely characterizing women by forcing them into flaunting themselves to men

In the previous regime, a great number of women were illiterate and ignorant of social affairs—that is, they would not be allowed to obtain information. Women had grown indifferent toward the fate of the country, as they didn’t even know that women could play a role in the future of the country. Nevertheless, they looked like European women in their appearances and some had even surpassed European standards [in dressing revealingly]. When you saw them you would think they had just entered Iran from a European country and a Western environment. However, if you started to speak with them, you could readily notice they were not very educated if literate at all. They forced women to create a false identity for themselves by attracting eyes toward themselves and flaunting. This was a deviation for a woman; not an advancement. Is there a bigger crime against a woman, than to make her preoccupied with makeup, fashion, clothes, gold and other accessories and take advantage of her as a means for achieving various goals, not letting her enter arenas of politics, ethics, and education? This is what was being done in the previous regime with precise planning.

Excerpts from statements made in meeting with a large group of women

Women's rights in the West is profit-based

A businesslike, profit-based and economic view has influenced the western outlook on the issue of women. This can clearly be seen in the history of the industrial revolution. In Europe, women did not have the right to own something. Women's property belonged to men and their husbands. They did not have the right to possess something in their name. And when democracy was promoted in the west, women did not have suffrage. In such a world, investors suddenly thought of the issue of the industrial revolution, factories and the efficient presence of women in factories with low costs. Then, they granted women suffrage so that they could draw them to factories and give them lower wages. Naturally, the entrance of women to the arena of employment had its own requirements and results which have continued until today. Therefore, besides the fact that the western outlook towards women is a non-divine and materialistic outlook, the policies which have brought about the current conditions in the western world - particularly in Europe - have been accompanied by a businesslike, profit-based and economic outlook.

Pahlavi regime forced women to fake an identity for themselves by self- exhibition

In the previous regime—even though many women were illiterate and did not understand, fact they were not allowed to understand social affairs, and they were uninterested in the fate of the country, without even realizing that they could play a part—they looked like their European counterparts, and sometimes even surpassed European and western women [in their ways of exhibitionist dressing], and when someone looked at them, one would think that they had come to Iran from a European country and a western environment. However, it was enough to talk to them a little, and it would turn out that they are very ignorant and know very little. They made women create a false identity for themselves by exhibiting themselves to viewers and attracting gazes towards themselves. This was a decline for women, not progress. Is there a bigger crime against women than occupying them with make-up, fashion, clothing and jewelry, and using them as an instrument, in different ways, not letting them flourish in politics, ethics, and education? This is exactly what was planned and done under the previous regime.

In the self-deprecated society of the contemptible monarchy, women were truly and in all aspects repressed

In the self-deprecated society of the contemptible monarchical regime, women were truly and in all aspects repressed. If women wanted to enter scientific domains, they needed to let go of their religion, faith, and piety. Was it even possible for a Muslim woman to keep her hijab, dignity, and sobriety in universities, and other educational, scientific or cultural centers? Was it even possible? Was it even possible for a Muslim woman, to walk safely with Islamic dignity on the streets of Tehran, and some other cities, or even wear a loose hijab and stay safe from the words and actions of corrupt individuals bewitched by lewdness and lust—the souvenirs from the west? They had created a situation that in this country, studying was usually impossible for women. I am not talking about exceptional cases. Usually, it was not possible for women to follow the path of science. Unless they let go of their hijab, and Islamic piety and sobriety. It was the same in politics, and social activities. If a woman wanted to hold a social or political position in Iran under the monarchy, she had to let go of the hijab, sobriety, and piety of a Muslim woman. Of course, it depended on the essence of that woman. One who was weak would have to go deep down. If she was self-restraining, she would protect herself to some extent. But she would be constantly under increasing pressure from the society. This is how our society was.

Women rights existed in Islam long before its birth in Europe

Until the second decade of this century, nowhere in Europe not a single woman was granted the right to vote. And where there was democracy, women did not have the right to expend their own wealth. From the second decade- that is since 1916 or 1918- European countries gradually began to grant women the right to decide on and spend their own assets and they began to grant women the same social rights as men. Thus, Europe woke up from this dream and realized this fact very late. It seems Europe intends to compensate for the time lost in backwardness by making too much fuss and fake controversies. Therefore as you can see, even today when the civilized world of the West wants to compensate for its excessively blameworthy backwardness in the issue of women, they do so through obnoxious means. My impression is that they engulf the human concepts concerning women by advertisements as well as political and economic issues; as it has always been so in Europe and since the first days when women were granted some rights, the rights were mainly founded upon the same erroneous basis.

Planned humiliation of educated women who wore hijab during the U.S.-backed Pahlavi Regime

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 the 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.

Despite the extensive Western propaganda, hijab has seen a considerable rise

The entire western world and their media, and those moneygrubbing authors who are agents of the major global capitalists and Zionists, have united to ridicule the Islamic Republic. They launched a propaganda war on the question of Hijab to try to make us retreat. Despite their propaganda, the Islamic Iran and the Muslim women stayed committed to Hijab; they stayed true to the Islamic dignity of Muslim women and Islamic teachings about women, with strength, resolution, and a spirit of confidence and self-esteem. Today, it is the Western world that is gradually showing a tendency towards Islamic Hijab. You see that women and Muslims in different countries—in Muslim countries where Hijab was not practiced and they had been overwhelmed with Western teachings, but also in Western countries—are showing a tendency towards Hijab. Of course Muslims showed this tendency first, and we saw after the victory of the revolution that countries far from here—that were under the influence of and fascinated by Western culture—began to show a tendency towards Hijab and trying it as it is practiced by you Iranian women.

Does hijab isolate women?

Hijab does not intend to marginalize women. If someone has such an understanding of Hijab, it's completely wrong and offset. Hijab means preventing unrestrained mingling between men and women in the society. Unrestrained mingling are harmful to the society and the individuals, especially women. Hijab is not an obstacle in the way of political, social, or scientific activities. You represent a clear evidence. Some might have been surprised and are still surprised today that a woman at the highest scientific or academic level in any field follows Islamic teachings including Hijab. This was not acceptable for some and they could not imagine it.

American aggression will be shattered

The American government is aggressive, shameless and belligerent The nature of the enemy against whom our people chant "Down with …” is aggressive, shameless and belligerent. Wherever they are able to, they do not shy away from aggression and assault. And they put a good name it: defending democracy, defending human rights, and other such words that even the most foolish people should not believe today, and they don't believe it. Our nation chose the right path. We will continue on this way. By the grace of God, by trusting in God, with the solidarity of our nation, and with the solidarity of other nations with our revolution, we will not compromise with America and its aggression for even a moment in the future, as in the past. The second point is that what will lead to victory is our way, not America’s way. The American’s aggression will be defeated. The teeth and horn of this savage, thoughtless beast that does not care about anything in front of it will break.

Excerpts from statements made in meeting with different groups of people

IRGC does not seek to create wars

We do not seek war, but we are ready for defense. We are alive and vigilant. We will not disregard the great and valuable treasure at our disposal; that is our revolution, Islam, and our system of government, and we will defend it. This does not equate creating wars. This is our way. The nation, in particular the armed forces, must know that there is no end to being vigilant and prepared to defend and in the great assembly of the nation and the soldiers and defenders of the Revolution, the IRGC has a special status.

Ayatollah Khamenei's Opinion on Unity

Ayatollah Khamenei's Opinion on Nuclear Issue

Ayatollah Khamenei's Opinion on Women's Issues

The events of Ashura lived on thanks to Imam Sajjad and Lady Zaynab’s endeavors, explanations and revelation of reality

If Zainab Kubra (a.s.) and Imam Sajjad (a.s.) had not fought, or revealed and interpreted the truth of Ashura's philosophy, or the purpose of Hussein ibn Ali (a.s.) and the enemy's oppression during the days of captivity--in the evening of Ashura in Karbala, in the following days en-route to Sham and Kufa, and in the city of Sham, then on the pilgrimage of Karbala, and while moving to Medina and during the many years that these great figures lived--the event of Ashura wouldn’t have survived and remained as vivacious till this day.

Imam Hussain’s uprising against corrupt regimes, destructive to mankind

That noble man [Imam Hussein] rose up to eliminate from societies corrupt regimes that are destructive to mankind, religion and righteousness and to establish an Islamic, divine and humane and upright system in society.

Part of Leader's Message about the American Attack on the Iran Air Passenger Plane Flight 65

Leader’s Speech at UN General Assembly

Excerpts of statements made by Ayatollah Khamenei during a Friday prayer sermon in Tehran

Farewell to Ramadan

The following is an excerpt from a speech by Ayatollah Khamenei on May 28, 1987, at the Presidential Headquarters.

Ayatollah Khamenei's Opinion On Human Rights

The main reason Imam Hussain (as) brought Ali Asghar to the enemy’s army

I assume the main reason Imam Hussain (as) brought Ali Asghar to the enemy’s army, to ask for water in order to nourish the infant—while there was very little hope that these lupine enemies would have sympathy and give the baby water-- was that Imam Hussain (as) had no other option and there was nothing he could do to help. When the Imam (as) moved about the tents, he noticed the air was filled with anguish and much commotion, this small infant’s thirst, hunger and distress had moved everyone. Hussain Ibn Ali (as) had to take the baby in his arms—although there was very little chance the enemy would give the baby a cup of water to sooth his thirst.

Flashback

How was Ayatollah Khamenei informed of Ayatollah Beheshti’s martyrdom?

What was Hazrat Zeinab's reaction upon seeing her brother's bloodied body?

Hazrat Zeinab was heading the women towards the sight of his martyrdom. When she arrived, she spotted the body of her beloved brother on the blistering grounds of Karbala. Instead of revealing some sort of reaction, or grievance, she went to the corpse of her beloved Hussain (as), and called on her grandfather (pbuh). She said, “O’ the Messenger of God, peace be upon you! Take a look at your Hussain who is covered in blood, with his body hacked up.” O’ my dear grandfather! O’ Great Prophet, look towards the hot desert of Karbala. This is your Hussain who is now covered in blood and dust. Then, as it has been narrated, Zeinab (as) reached her hands beneath the body of Hussain Ibn Ali (as) and called out, “O’ God! Please accept this sacrifice from the progeny of Muhammad (saw)!”

Ayatollah Khamenei’s account of Imam Kadhim’s (peace be upon him) astonishing life

The following is an excerpt of the statements issued on April 12, 1985 by Imam Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, about the life of Musa bin Ja’far, also known as Imam Musa Kadhim (peace be upon him).

IRGC: A necessary phenomenon for any independent, anti-US nation

Excerpts of press interview on the 8th of Shahrivar

An excerpt of an interview by Ettela'at Newspaper

Leader's speech at the inauguration ceremony of the first Quran memorization and recitation competitions