His Eminence's Statements in Meeting with Officials and Servants of the Islamic Republic on the Occasion of the Blessed Eid of Mab'ath

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

I congratulate all Muslim nations, especially the dear nation of Iran and you honorable attendees present in this gathering, on the blessed Eid of Mab'ath, which is indeed the celebration of human history. However, this year's Eid is not complete due to the tragedies in Afghanistan. A large number of the components of this great Islamic nation and followers of this noble Prophet are today subjected to the biased, hateful, and vengeful actions of oppressive and tyrannical powers. We hope that, God willing, through the blessings of the noble Prophet and today, the Almighty God will bring relief to all the Islamic Ummah - especially for the people of Afghanistan and the oppressed people of Palestine.

Mab'ath is indeed the day the banner of a mission was raised, the characteristics of which are unique and unparalleled for humanity. Mab'ath raised the banner of knowledge and understanding. The mission began with "Read": "Read in the name of your Lord who created" and continued with "Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction"; that is, the invitation is accompanied by wisdom. The Islamic invitation is, in fact, the expansion and dissemination of wisdom throughout the world and throughout history; just as the mission is the banner of justice being raised; that is, justice should be established among believers, the servants of God, and all of humanity; just as the mission is the raising of the banner of high human ethics: "I was sent to perfect moral virtues." The Almighty God addresses the Prophet, saying: "And We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds"; that is, everything that humanity - at all times, in all conditions, and in every corner of the world - needs is encompassed in this mission; that is, knowledge and understanding, wisdom and mercy, justice and brotherhood and equality; these are the fundamental things upon which the healthy life of humanity depends. Even though jihad is prescribed in Islam, and jihad means fighting against tyranny and aggression - of course, some malicious individuals have introduced Islam as a religion of the sword because of the ruling on jihad - but this same Islam says: "And if they incline to peace, then incline to it and trust in God"; that is, where conditions dictate, peace is preferred over war.

Today, humanity is in need of these teachings. We Muslims have shortcomings and must acknowledge our shortcomings. We Muslims have shortcomings; firstly, in presenting the true teachings of Islam on a global scale; secondly, in demonstrating correct models of Islam worldwide. If Muslims organize their social and individual behaviors and their governmental and political models according to these teachings, it would be the greatest promotion of Islam. Of course, there is no doubt that today the complex and intertwined waves of propaganda in the world are focused against Islam. You saw in the very events that occurred in American cities, the managers of the propaganda networks took advantage of this opportunity to accuse Islam; that is, they do not miss any opportunity. Of course, this is a sin that leaves a stain and a mark of disgrace on the hands of many powerful politicians in Western countries. They spoke and acted in such a way that innocent and unaware Muslims, who were their own citizens, were subjected to accusations, and above that, Islam and the sun of knowledge, radiance, purity, and mercy were slandered. In any case, today humanity is in need of Islam.

Regarding the events occurring in our region, there are important points that the Islamic world should pay attention to. Two significant events are taking place: one event, which is very bitter and dangerous, is that with the actions and policies adopted by officials and politicians and the powerful - mainly American - peace in the region and likely world peace is threatened. They always proclaim peace and advocate for peace, but in practice, they threaten peace and drag the world into war. Does the interest of arms manufacturing companies dictate this? Do the political interests of colonialism and global arrogance necessitate this? Do ignorance, arrogance, and disregard for the realities of the world lead to this situation? All of these are possible. What is a reality, and what one hears in the words of the officials of powerful countries - mainly American officials - are threatening words. They threaten peace; they threaten the world with war. War between whom? War between sects? War between countries? War between the oppressor and the oppressed? All of these are possible.

The name of peace is repeated. Everywhere they shout that they want peace. In political negotiations, they constantly bring up peace; but in practice, they ignite the flames of war! This incident is a very important and bitter one. The threat of war everywhere is bitter; but when an illogical pretext follows a war, it is much more bitter and heavier. The logic of America for attacking Afghanistan is a very weak logic. It has not convinced anyone in the world; even politicians who support America have stated that they were not convinced.

What kind of logic is it that we say because there are accused individuals in a country, then this country must be attacked! Those accused are in mountains, caves, and unknown places; but these fires fall upon those who have no accusation in this matter. This is a reality. What greater injustice is there than this?

They have wounded the body of the Islamic Ummah. Truly today, the Islamic world is in pain and mourning. This is the issue of Afghanistan, and that is the issue of Palestine. Unfortunately today, the Zionists are also taking advantage of this incident and have intensified the pressures on the oppressed people of Palestine.

Another event that is taking place - which is also mainly at the hands of Americans and some of their collaborators - is that Western civilization is revealing its truth and identity and creating an experience for humanity. Wars end, but experiences remain. Great events have lessons for nations. This lesson will remain in the heart and memory of humanity that a civilization with such glitter and with so many claims has failed in this test. In what they are doing, there is warmongering, oppression, injustice, arrogance, intoxication, and unwise behaviors. Starting wars, threatening peace, killing defenseless people, consuming vast resources for igniting fires, all under an unreliable pretext; these are the experiences of a civilization. You can compare this with Islamic civilization, which when Muslims conquered the western regions of the Islamic world - that is, the regions of Rome and present-day Syria - during the time of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, they treated the Jews and Christians in such a way that many of them converted to Islam because of the behavior of Muslims. In this very country of ours, Iran, many people surrendered without resistance; because they witnessed the kindness, mercy, and moderation of Muslims towards their enemies; thus they came to embrace Islam. In Rome - as it is written in history - when Muslims arrived, the Jews said: "By the Torah; we have never seen a day of happiness like today in our lives." It was a Christian government that oppressed them; when Islam came, they felt the Islamic compassion. These are the things that remain in history; these are the things that determine the direction of history; these are the things that guarantee the permanence of a thought, civilization, and culture.

They are provoking wars in this way, and I do not know if their goal is to fight against Islam and Muslims!? Some time ago, a prominent Western politician told me in Tehran that we do not intend to create a war between Islam and Christianity! I said, is there such a discussion?! Why should Islam and Christianity fight each other? Therefore, it is not the case that religions and sects in the world should be at war with each other; they live alongside each other. Then I told him, you Europeans talk about peace, but you have started the greatest wars in the world. Over several decades, you initiated two world wars and fought. Of course, the consequences also affected us Muslims, but you were the ones who were warlike. Thus, we Muslims do not intend to go to war. I ask myself; is it the case that the issue of "the war between Islam and Christianity" is a policy that many of the behind-the-scenes planners of global issues have devised? If this is the case, it is a great threat to the world. This is a stain of disgrace that will never be removed from the hands of the West.

Today, the world, as always, needs peace and security. One of the fundamental needs of humanity is peace. Of course, we have always said that peace must be accompanied by justice. For a nation, an imposed and unjust peace is worse than war. Humanity needs security and peace. Anyone who threatens this has threatened humanity. Today, those who threaten peace threaten humanity.

The Islamic community must think of itself. Today, the Islamic world must seriously consider its destiny. They should set aside differences; plan, reach an understanding, and make joint efforts on points of unity - which is the greatness of the Islamic Ummah that everyone desires. Today there are approximately one and a half billion Muslims in the world. All these Islamic countries, all these vast resources; should they not be utilized for the destiny of the Islamic Ummah? This is the need of today. You see the threats, injustices, and oppressions that are inflicted on every pretext in various corners of the Islamic world. This places a great responsibility on all Muslims. We do not invite anyone to warmongering and war; we invite everyone to peace, tranquility, and rational behaviors. We do not consider aiding the warmongering that exists today in Afghanistan as helping humanity; it is contrary to the interests of humanity. Any assistance to this warmongering is against and contrary to the interests of humanity and especially today against the interests of the Islamic Ummah.

We hope that the Almighty God guides and supports us all and keeps us steadfast on the right path. God willing, may the Islamic Ummah become more precious and honored day by day; may the Islamic countries grow closer and kinder to each other; and may the evil of the evildoers and oppressors be removed from the Islamic Ummah - especially the oppressed people of Afghanistan and the oppressed people of Palestine.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.