Statements in Meeting with Officials of the System and Ambassadors of Islamic Countries and Various Segments of the People

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

Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our master and prophet, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure, virtuous, infallible, guiding, and chosen family, especially the Remaining One of God among the worlds.

I congratulate all the esteemed attendees — the respected officials of various state apparatuses — and all the people of Iran on this blessed holiday; I also extend my congratulations to our guests who are here — the ambassadors of Islamic countries — and to all Muslim nations. We hope, God willing, that this holiday will truly be a celebration for the entire Islamic Ummah, a source of joy and blessings.

First of all, I find it necessary to once again refer to the exceptional spiritual atmosphere of the month of Ramadan in our country. The emphasis is on appreciating and preserving this spiritual atmosphere. The gatherings for prayer and supplication, the congregational prayers, the flourishing mosques, the charitable contributions made by the people, and the iftars in mosques and streets; these indicate that, both spiritually and socially, the people have truly shown prominence during this month of Ramadan, with the recitation of the Quran and other acts. Politically, the rallies held on Quds Day were a remarkable international political movement. Where can such a thing be found? This year on Quds Day, as informed and knowledgeable individuals reported, there was a genuine public outcry in the country; the crowds were denser than in previous years. This truly deserves gratitude. I sincerely thank our dear nation for their pioneering and advancement in all these various arenas.

However, verbal gratitude is not enough. You dear brothers and sisters who are here, most of you are among the officials of various apparatuses — whether governmental, related to the judiciary, related to the legislative branch, related to the clergy and religious propaganda, or related to military matters — most esteemed attendees are the country's officials; practical gratitude must be shown to this nation. The points made by the President, I fully endorse; these actions must be taken; planning must be done, and progress must be made. Well, thanks be to God, the officials feel a sense of responsibility — this is understood and seen — and they strive; they must continue this effort and organize it from all aspects.

The events in Gaza are not something one can overlook without addressing and paying attention to them in the context of these days, this holiday, and this month of Ramadan. Truly, the issue of Gaza is today a significant matter; it is at the forefront of the issues facing the Islamic world. We all must genuinely feel responsible in this regard. The hearts of nations are with it, even non-Muslims. You see the rallies and demonstrations occurring worldwide in support of the Palestinians and the people of Gaza and the oppressed in this region; these demonstrations are unprecedented; we do not have such occurrences in any of the various issues. That people in Africa, Asia, Europe, and even in the United States come out into the streets to chant for the Palestinian people is unprecedented in the decades since the occupation of Palestine. Thus, it is clear that something new is happening; a new transformation is occurring in the Islamic world; an event is taking place; we must pay attention to this.

That the issue of Palestine becomes the primary issue, where? In London, in Paris, in European countries, in Washington, is not a small matter. The dominance that the Zionists have had over the world's media apparatuses over the years is not something that allows a voice to be raised in favor of Palestine and against them; today, this voice is being broadcasted worldwide. They spend money, they shout, they defend, yet the people of the world are against them, opposing the Zionists. These are significant matters; we must look at them with a discerning eye. An event is taking place.

Everyone must fulfill their duties; however, governments are not genuinely fulfilling their responsibilities. Now, the European governments that I mentioned in the prayer; some of them occasionally speak — but not with a strong and firm voice — something about why they are doing this, yet in practice, there is absolutely no sign of the governments; rather, on the contrary, they assist. America provides assistance — military, financial, and political support — England assists, and some other European countries provide help; however, it is even more regrettable that some Islamic countries also assist the Zionist regime! When? When they are busy killing children, women, and infants; this, in my opinion, is completely incomprehensible, yet unfortunately, it is happening.

Assisting the Zionist regime by Islamic countries is treachery; it is treachery against the Islamic Ummah. It is also treachery against themselves; because by doing this, they are strengthening the weakening Zionist apparatus, and this strengthening will ultimately be to their detriment. When the Zionists enter a country, it is not that they work for the benefit of that country; once they gain influence, they suck the blood of that country for their own benefit. Assisting the Zionist regime is assisting in their own destruction; the Islamic Ummah remains as it is. This must be stopped. This has been our previous proposal, and it is now our firm proposal: Islamic governments must cut their relations — economic relations, political relations — with the Zionist regime; at least temporarily! As long as these crimes are being committed, relations should be severed, no assistance should be given, and no connections should exist. This is the expectation from Islamic governments; it is not just our expectation; it is the expectation of the Muslim nations. If a referendum were held now in Islamic countries, undoubtedly everyone would express the opinion that their governments must sever relations with the Zionist regime; there is no doubt about this. We hope, God willing, that the Almighty God awakens us all; makes us aware of our duties; and enables us to fulfill these duties.

Once again, I congratulate you all on the holiday; I hope, God willing, that the blessings of the month of Ramadan, the blessings of the holiday remain enduring for our dear nation, for our esteemed officials, and for the various activists in different sectors, and that everyone benefits, and God willing, we will soon witness the fruits of success and progress, both domestically and internationally.

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