Statements at the Meeting with Officials and Ambassadors of Islamic Countries

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

Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds, and blessings be upon Muhammad and his pure family.

I congratulate you, dear brothers and sisters, who have gathered in this cordial meeting, and to our guests and the ambassadors of Islamic countries present here; God willing, may the Eid be blessed for you. I also congratulate the great nation of Iran and all Muslims around the world and the faithful and free nations across the globe.

Eid al-Fitr, as derived from the collective works and statements of the great religious figures, has one of its most important characteristics as being the Eid of the united nation: "which You have made an Eid for the Muslims"; it is the Eid of all Muslims. This signifies the perspective of the nation-building mission of the holy religion of Islam and the teachings of the great Prophet. Many of the Islamic teachings that one observes clearly indicate efforts to create a united nation. Today, the Islamic nation is fragmented, not in the sense of the divisions of Muslim sects—which is a natural matter and does not contradict the formation of a united nation—and differing beliefs; various opinions on fundamental and subsidiary issues can exist while still being a united nation.

What today separates the masses of Muslims from one another are policies, political motivations, and power-seeking ambitions; Muslim countries can transcend these motivations. This responsibility lies with the political elites, the powerful, and those in governmental positions in Islamic countries. If this happens, a true power will emerge that will surpass all the aggressive and arrogant powers; if this happens, no one will be able to impose their will on an Islamic country; no power will be able to demand tribute from Islamic countries and Muslim governments; if we stand together, if we focus on our commonalities, if power-seeking, selfishness, dependencies, and corruptions do not separate us, a power will be formed that can defend and support the rights and needs of one and a half billion Muslims; unfortunately, such a thing does not exist today.

What is currently before our eyes are the issues of Gaza and Palestine. Why do the Zionist aggressors, simply because they have access to destructive weapons, airplanes, missiles, bombs, fire, and gunpowder, feel entitled to assault an entire Islamic country, a Muslim country, in a manner that burns the hearts of every observer in the world? You have seen the demonstrations in Western countries; of course, this is to the extent that the hidden censorship of public propaganda allows people to be informed. The hidden censorship does not allow people to understand the truths. The reality is much more bitter and heartbreaking than what the Western media reflects about the issues of Gaza; meanwhile, you see how even this much shakes the hearts of people in countries that have no benefit from Islam; the incident is so bitter, so heartbreaking.

However, the Islamic world today does not have the capacity to respond to this aggression, to this savagery, this bloodthirstiness that emanates from the Zionists! Thus, the people of Gaza remain alone. The arrogant powers, who are satisfied with the presence of Zionism in the heart of the Middle East and pursue their power-seeking objectives through this, not only do not support the oppressed but also shamelessly support the oppressor. It is the duty of the Islamic world to take action.

Our message to the Islamic world, to Islamic governments, is to utilize your capabilities, your public and national resources, and governmental powers to support the oppressed; let the enemies know that the Islamic world does not remain silent in the face of savagery and aggression; this is our message to Islamic governments. Despite all the differences of opinion that we may have with some Islamic governments on various political and non-political issues, everyone must set aside all those differences in this matter. A part of the Islamic nation, in the form of a suffering nation, is struggling in the clutches of a bloodthirsty wolf; everyone must rush to help them; this is our message. Today, the issue of Gaza is the foremost issue of the Islamic world. This is what the Prophet said: "Whoever wakes up and does not concern himself with the affairs of Muslims is not a Muslim"; concern for this matter must be at the forefront of all Islamic world priorities. All people, nations, and especially government officials must think about this. Two actions must be taken: the first action is to help the oppressed; this help to the oppressed means providing them with their vital necessities. Today, they need food, medicine, hospitals, water, electricity, and the reconstruction of their homes and cities; the Islamic world is obliged to provide these. They also need weapons; the enemy wants to disarm them so that whenever they wish, under some pretext or without pretext, they can attack them; and they cannot show any reaction; this is what the enemy desires. The Islamic world must demonstrate its resolve against this unjust demand of the enemy. This is the first task that must be undertaken, which is to help the oppressed; "and for the oppressed, there is assistance"; be a support for the oppressed, help the oppressed. This assistance is the responsibility of the entire Islamic world. We say to the Muslim governments from here—Muslim ambassadors are present here—let us unite in helping the people of Gaza and overcoming the obstacles that the Zionist regime has created in this path, let us work together and deliver various forms of assistance to them.

The second duty that exists is to confront and oppose those who perpetrate this great historical injustice, this genocide, this shamelessness and audacity in crime and murder; one is truly astonished by their shamelessness, as they provide justifications and reasoning for killing non-combatants; how shameless they are! They present arguments for killing innocent and oppressed children; how audacious they are! Those who commit this crime are the perpetrators, but they are not alone; today, anyone who supports the Zionists, whether officials of arrogant countries like the United States and Britain or public organizations like the United Nations and others, who in some way, either through their silence or their statements and unjust remarks, support them, are complicit in this crime. All of the Islamic world, all Islamic governments, and all Muslim nations are obliged to oppose these individuals, confront them, express disavowal, express hatred towards them, and condemn them for their positions; this is a public duty; they must be isolated, and if possible, economic and political actions must be taken against them; this is the duty of the Islamic nation.

Thanks be to God, the Iranian nation has shown that it stands firm in these arenas; we have demonstrated this. The Iranian nation does not feel shy in the face of this aggression, in the face of this malice and enmity; it does not consider the power of this or that power or this or that personality; it speaks its mind clearly. You saw on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, the Iranian nation, in that hot weather, with fasting tongues, men and women across the country came to the streets and raised their loud voices to the world. This was a necessary and obligatory action that the Iranian nation accomplished; any other necessary action will also be undertaken by this steadfast and resilient nation. And God willing, the goals and ideals of this nation and the lofty goals and ideals of the Islamic nation will be realized with divine grace and to the dismay of the enemies.

O Lord! Through Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, make us aware of our duties and grant us success in fulfilling them.

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