Statements of the Supreme Leader at the Grand Gathering of Pilgrims and Visitors of Imam Reza (peace be upon him) in Mashhad

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds. Thanks be to God who has made us among those who adhere to the Guardianship of the Faithful and the infallible Imams, peace be upon them. And blessings and peace be upon our master, our prophet, and the beloved of our hearts, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure and chosen progeny, the guiding Imams, the Mahdis, especially the Awaited One of God among the inhabitants of the earth. God, the Wise, has said in His Book: "Today I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion."

I congratulate the joyous occasion of Ghadir, which in our narrations is referred to as "the greatest feast of God," to all Shiites around the world, to the noble nation of Iran, to you esteemed attendees, and to all those who hold the divine teachings in high regard.

The early days of the year and the days of public joy for the people are: the feast of Nowruz, before that the feast of Eid al-Adha, and today also the feast of Ghadir. In this lively and joyful atmosphere, alongside the radiant shrine of Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha, peace be upon him, the first matter I wish to address in this gathering of dear brothers and sisters is regarding the issue of Ghadir itself.

Ghadir is an Islamic issue; it is not solely a Shiite matter. In the history of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad spoke and acted on a day in a manner that has lessons and meanings from various dimensions. We cannot say that only Shiites benefit from Ghadir and its narration, while other Muslims do not benefit from the very rich content that exists in this noble prophetic statement, which is not limited to a specific period. Of course, since the issue of Ghadir involves the appointment of the Faithful as the Imam and Guardian, Shiites have a deeper attachment to this day and this narration; however, the content of the Ghadir narration is not limited to the appointment of that noble figure to the caliphate; it has other meanings that all Muslims can benefit from.

Regarding the essence of the Ghadir event, it is good for all those interested in Islamic history to know that the Ghadir issue is a certain matter. It is not doubtful; it is not only Shiites who have narrated it; rather, Sunni scholars - both in past and later periods - have narrated this event; that is, the very event that occurred during the Farewell Pilgrimage of the Prophet at Ghadir Khumm. Some of the large caravan of Muslims who were performing pilgrimage with the Prophet had gone ahead. The Prophet sent messengers to bring them back and stood until those who had lagged behind arrived. A great assembly was formed there. Some have said ninety thousand, some have said one hundred thousand, and some have said one hundred and twenty thousand people were present at that gathering. In that hot weather, the people of the Arabian Peninsula - many of whom were from the deserts and villages and were accustomed to the heat - could not endure standing on the hot ground. Therefore, they placed their cloaks under their feet to endure and stand. This point is also mentioned in the narration related to the Sunnis. In such conditions, the Prophet stood up, lifted the Faithful from the ground, and held him before the eyes of the people, saying: "Whoever I am his master, this Ali is his master; O God, befriend whoever befriends him and be hostile to whoever is hostile to him." Of course, these sentences have context before and after; however, the most important part is that the Prophet here officially and explicitly presents the issue of Guardianship - that is, Islamic governance - and introduces the Faithful as a specific and prominent figure. As you must have heard and as I have mentioned, our Sunni brothers have narrated this in reputable books - not just one or two; in dozens of reputable books. The late Allameh Amini has compiled these, and many other books have been written on this subject. Therefore, this day is, firstly, the day of Guardianship; secondly, the day of the Guardianship of the Faithful, peace be upon him.

In this sentence that the Prophet has expressed, what does the meaning of Guardianship entail? In summary, it means that Islam is not limited to prayer, fasting, almsgiving, individual acts, and worship. Islam has a political system, and in it, a government based on Islamic regulations is foreseen. In Islamic terminology and common understanding, the name of the government is "Guardianship." What kind of government is Guardianship? It is a government in which the ruler has loving, emotional, intellectual, and ideological connections with the people. A government that is coercive; a government that is accompanied by a coup; a government whose ruler does not accept the beliefs of his people and does not pay attention to their thoughts and feelings; a government where the ruler even enjoys special privileges and benefits in the eyes of his people - like the governments of today’s world - and has a special area for worldly pleasures, none of these is the meaning of "Guardianship." Guardianship means a government where the ruler's connections with the people are intellectual, ideological, emotional, human, and loving; the people are connected and attached to him; they care for him, and he considers all of this political system and his duties to be derived from God and regards himself as a servant and slave of God. There is no global arrogance in Guardianship. The government that Islam introduces is more popular than the democracies prevalent in the world; it connects with the hearts, thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and intellectual needs of the people; the government is at the service of the people.

From a material perspective, the government should not be considered as a bait for the ruler and the governing structure; otherwise, it is not Guardianship. If the one at the head of the Islamic government has sewn a material bag for the government, for himself, for this position he has attained or wishes to attain, that person is not a guardian; that government is not Guardianship. In an Islamic government, the one who is the guardian of the affairs - that is, the administration of the political system is entrusted to him - is legally equal to others. He has the right to carry out many significant tasks for the people, the country, Islam, and Muslims; however, he himself is subject to the law.

From the first day until today - especially after the establishment of the Islamic Republic system - they have distorted the meaning of Guardianship; they have falsely introduced Guardianship as something other than what it is. They said that the meaning of Guardianship is that the people are incapacitated and need a guardian and overseer. Notable individuals have explicitly written this in their books and publications! Pure lies, slander against Islam, slander against Guardianship!

In Ghadir, the issue of Guardianship was presented as an official matter by the Prophet, and the Faithful was determined as its embodiment; of course, it has many details, and you know it. And if some people are not aware of its details - especially the youth - it is better to follow it in the written and scholarly works. Many books have been written on this subject and are useful.

At the beginning of this year, I raised the slogans of "national unity" and "national security." Today, I would like to present a few brief points regarding these two slogans to you dear ones who are present here and also to the entire nation of Iran. This very issue of Ghadir can also be a source of unity; just as the late Ayatollah Martyr Motahhari has an article titled "Ghadir and Islamic Unity." He considers the book Ghadir - which is about the issues related to Ghadir - as one of the pillars of Islamic unity, which is indeed correct. It may seem strange, but the reality is just that. The issue of Ghadir, apart from the aspect that Shiites accept as a belief - that is, the government appointed by the Faithful, peace be upon him, by the Prophet, which is evident in the Ghadir narration - the essence of the issue of Guardianship is also raised. This does not belong to Shiites or Sunnis. If today the Muslims of the world and the nations of Islamic countries raise the slogan of Islamic Guardianship, many untraveled paths and unresolved knots of the Islamic Ummah will be opened, and the problems of Islamic countries will come closer to resolution.

The issue of government and political system and political sovereignty is one of the most difficult issues for countries. Some countries suffer from despotism and dictatorship; some suffer from corrupt governments; some suffer from weak governments; some suffer from puppet governments. If Islamic governance in its true sense - that is, the same Guardianship - is presented as a slogan for Muslims, it will remedy weakness; it will remedy the economy; it will remedy dependency; it will remedy dictatorship. Therefore, the flag of Guardianship is an Islamic flag.

I invite all Shiite and Sunni brothers in our country - I am currently referring to our geographical area - to look at the issue of Ghadir with this perspective and to pay attention to this part of the Ghadir narration and the issue of Ghadir. Our Sunni brothers should also celebrate the day of Ghadir as a feast; the feast of Guardianship. Because the very birth of the issue of Guardianship is of great importance; just like the importance of the Guardianship of the Faithful, peace be upon him, which is a shared belief between us and our Sunni brothers.

Both during and after the victory of the revolution, my belief has always been that today Shiites and Sunnis should set aside their long-standing differences in their daily interactions. They should put aside war and disputes and cling to their commonalities; this can be one of the commonalities. Today, my belief remains the same.

Today, there is much effort in the world to create discord between Shiites and Sunnis. Of course, those who are thoughtful and analytical know what benefits and interests global arrogance derives from this. Their goal is to separate Iran from the collection of Islamic countries; to make the Islamic revolution specific to the borders of Iran; to prepare the pressure on Iran from other Islamic countries and to prevent other nations from learning from the lessons of the Iranian nation. We must act in the exact opposite manner. Anyone - whether in a Sunni environment or a Shiite environment - who helps foster goodwill and friendly relations between Shiites and Sunnis is working for the benefit of the revolution, Islam, and the goals of the Islamic Ummah. Anyone who attempts to create separation is acting in direct opposition to that movement.

I have close information that today in some Islamic countries - which I do not wish to name - funds linked to foreign goals and desires are being allocated and spent specifically to write books against Shiites, against Shiite beliefs, and against Shiite history and to distribute them in the Islamic world! Are they interested in Sunni Islam? No; they want neither Shiites nor Sunnis. They are neither friends with Shiites nor with Sunnis; however, since today the Islamic government and the flag of Islam are held by a Shiite entity and everyone recognizes the commitment of the Iranian nation to Shiism, therefore, all their enmity towards the revolution is directed at Shiites! They fight against Shiites to prevent the political sovereignty of Islam and this flag of pride and dignity from spreading to other places and attracting the youth of other countries. No one should assist in this treachery of the enemies. Not in our country, not in Islamic circles, not in Shiite communities, not in our country among Sunni brothers, should anyone do anything that aids the desires of global arrogance - which is to create discord and enmity.

Of course, with this statement, we do not wish to say that Shiites should become Sunnis; or Sunnis should become Shiites, nor do we wish to say that Shiites and Sunnis should not work scientifically to strengthen their beliefs as much as they can. In fact, scientific work is very good and there is no problem with it. They should write scientific books; in scientific environments, not in non-scientific environments, and not with bad and incorrect tones. Therefore, if someone can prove their logic, we should not obstruct their work. However, if someone wants to create discord through words, actions, and various methods, we believe that they are serving the enemy. Both Sunnis and Shiites should be vigilant. The "national unity" that we have mentioned includes this as well.

Of course, I should mention here that today some people are undermining national unity not with religious slogans, but with political slogans. We have previously advised them; today we also advise them not to allow the unity of this great and united nation to be undermined. Separating the bodies of this great nation from one another serves the enemies of this nation. If this great and wise nation maintains national unity in this country, then this unity will pave the way for the unity of other nations. If an Islamic Ummah with about one and a half billion people is united in their fundamental issues, you will see what a great power emerges in the world. However, if national unity is undermined, then talking about the unity of the Islamic world becomes a mythical statement, and everyone will laugh. Some want to create this.

How is national unity achieved? One of the factors that ensures national unity is that those whose words have an impact among the people - whether they are responsible or are reputable religious figures; whether they are spiritual figures or political figures - should not do anything in their statements that would cause one group or faction of the people to harbor ill feelings towards others. They should not incite discord. Of course, inciting discord and making people harbor ill feelings towards one another is one of the programmatic materials that the enemies have in mind for this nation. These foreign radios and news centers, it can be said that half of their statements are designed to create ill feelings among groups of people towards another group. They actually sit down and design how to say this to achieve that effect. Those who have a voice and pen must first observe that what they say does not create distrust. People should not become distrustful of one another, or people should not become distrustful of the authorities; this is another type of incitement and another sin. Some individuals are entirely focused on creating distrust towards the entire system or towards some authorities of the system; while if there is truly a rightful statement, that rightful statement may be conveyed to the relevant authority or higher authority in a way that has much better effects. An incident occurs, a terror act, a crime is committed somewhere; so many contradictory, bewildering, and astonishing statements are heard from those who feel no responsibility! Those who are aware of the realities see how far these statements are from the truth, or how they deliberately keep themselves away from the truth. These are matters that undermine national unity. Therefore, national unity is one of the most fundamental demands of a nation.

If a nation enters the economic arena with united words, it progresses. If a war arises and it enters, it progresses. With national unity, the dignity of the nation can be better preserved. A nation can achieve all its great aspirations under the shadow of national unity. Disagreement, division of words, separation of hearts from one another, putting factions and groups and individuals and personalities against one another cannot serve any purpose. Therefore, this is a principle that we hope everyone will observe. This is our demand and expectation from the authorities who deal with the public opinions of the people.

The second issue is "national security." National security is very important. Of course, national security includes both internal and external security. External security means that the security of a country is threatened by forces outside its borders; or military forces - like wars that occur - attack the borders of a country; or political and propaganda aggression is directed against a country; which sometimes causes disruption and chaos; this has been repeatedly seen in countries and has created problems. Internal security is a broad spectrum of efforts that if all relevant authorities work with all their might, they will be able to achieve this great demand. Therefore, security is not a trivial matter.

As I mentioned at the beginning of the year, if there is no security, economic activity will also cease. If there is no security, social justice will also cease. If there is no security, knowledge and scientific progress will also cease. If there is no security, all the threads of a country will gradually unravel. Therefore, security is the foundation and basis.

Of course, security has more important examples and less important examples. An example of insecurity that all individuals may have encountered in their daily lives, or have heard from others, are things that, although important, are not as threatening - like thefts - which of course the authorities must also prevent. Theft is an issue that law enforcement agencies must confront with seriousness. Some disrupt the security of families for their petty and vile goals. This is one example of insecurity; however, it is not a primary example. Insecurity caused by reckless, wicked, and thuggish individuals who naturally create insecurity in the living environment; this is also insecurity. We have reports here and there that certainly some of you have seen or heard in certain places; individuals who adhere to no law or regulation; wicked individuals who create insecurity for the nation and the dignity and honor of the people. This is also the responsibility of law enforcement and judicial authorities to confront these thugs and those who create insecurity in the living and working environments of the people, so that those who think that just because they have a sharp weapon or a tool, they have the right to do whatever wrong they want, know that creating insecurity in the living environment of the people is not just a matter of spending a few days in a certain prison. Islam has imposed heavier punishments for those who create insecurity in the environment and frighten and terrorize the people. If, in the case of these individuals, and also in the case of thieves, the divine law is enforced - especially for those who have made this their profession - it will certainly have a significant impact. They should not consider some global sensitivities and propaganda waves; they should see what God's command is. Divine law has determined everything in its proper place and with the correct measure.

Economic insecurity is another aspect of insecurity. Those who create insecurity in economic environments; if there are individuals with small investments, they destroy these small investments and people's resources through illegal actions and cleverness and seize them for their own benefit. Those who, above this, seize public and governmental resources through cleverness, by mastering the laws and regulations and legal loopholes, for their own benefit and do not refrain from personal abuses; these create insecurity in economic environments. You see, if a country has a sick economic situation, one of the several causes is the existence of these loopholes in the law that individuals can exploit to fill their own pockets and draw the resources of the people and the government to their own benefit.

Above all this, social insecurity, which in fact is national insecurity, is more concerned with this example. They create insecurity in working environments; they create insecurity in scientific environments; they create insecurity in student environments. The fact that I previously mentioned, an American official announced a month ago that there would be insecurity in Iran, this is insecurity. They have plans. Both the general public and those who are more targeted by their plots must be vigilant. From the beginning of the revolution until now, the enemy has repeatedly tried to create tension in working environments and to prevent the workforce from engaging in constructive activity in the country by creating strikes. Until today, they have not succeeded; however, they are planning.

They create insecurity in universities. They have tried this in one or two instances, but the students have hit back at the enemy and did not allow it; of course, in some places, the enemy may have achieved some success. Their effort is to create insecurity in the student environment and in universities, to disrupt classes from activity and vitality and to leave professors and students idle. Everyone sees that today our students show brilliant talents. We observe in some student activities things that are truly hopeful and indicative of a good and bright future. One of the enemy's actions is to create insecurity in universities; that is, to make studying, attending classes, teaching, and laboratory work impossible and difficult. Or they create urban insecurities; like the situation they created on the 21st and 22nd of Tir in 1999 in Tehran; the lives of people, the lives of youth and children, the lives of women, the lives of passersby, the life of someone sitting behind their window, are threatened; why? Because a group preferred to come to the streets with a violent and vicious movement, to create chaos; to burn cars, or to break windows; they will always find an excuse! What excuse justifies a group in a country, in their own home - this is not a foreign home - to create insecurity and chaos? It is obvious that when such an incident occurs, the security forces, military forces, and Basij forces do not remain idle and silent. Who should be vigilant against such insecurities? It is the people themselves; it is the youth themselves; it is the workers themselves; it is the students themselves; it is those environments that are targeted by such plots and ill intentions. They must pay attention; if they see someone inciting, they should catch them; they should know that it is the voice of the enemy that is speaking, the enemy's voice that is coming out of this person's throat; just as they have found similar things in every case they have investigated. The responsibility for creating security, after the vigilance of the general public, lies with the relevant authorities; the Ministry of Intelligence, the Ministry of Interior, the Law Enforcement Force, the judiciary, and ... the most important demand of the people from the government apparatus is this, and this is my most important demand from the relevant authorities. Everyone must pay attention and be vigilant. Everyone must deal with matters with vigilance. We must not allow the enemy to do whatever they want.

Disruption in internal security sometimes connects to outside the borders; like the provocations that the enemy makes. Look; just a few days ago, an American minister gave a speech. The Americans, after nearly half a century, today admitted that they orchestrated the coup of 28 Mordad! They admitted that they supported the oppressive, dictatorial, and corrupt regime of Shah Pahlavi! After nearly forty-seven years since the 28 Mordad coup, they now confess that we orchestrated that coup and supported twenty-five years of dictatorial, oppressive, corrupt, and dependent rule of the Shah! Now they admit that we supported Saddam Hussein in the war against Iran! What do you think the oppressed Iranian nation feels in response to this position and these confessions? Eight years of war was imposed on us by the Iraqi regime; cities were bombed; vital resources were destroyed; young people were martyred; thousands of billions of national wealth were obliterated; opportunities were consumed; a great historical crime occurred. During those days, we always repeated that the Americans were helping Saddam Hussein. In the speeches of those days of war, we repeatedly stated this; but they themselves denied it and said we are neutral! Now, after twelve years since the end of the war, this American minister, in a clear speech at a center, officially admits that we helped Saddam Hussein! Now the question is, what good do your confessions do for us? Now that twenty-five years of the oppressive, corrupt, and tyrannical Mohammad Reza Pahlavi has been imposed on this nation and they have taken the father of this nation, you confess that yes, we did that back then! "Back then we did that," what good does it do for us today?! If someone kills a person's child and loved one, and then says sorry! They do not even say sorry! Today they do not say we apologize. They only confess! You orchestrated the 28 Mordad coup; after that, you made this country a prisoner of oppression and corruption; now you say that yes, we did it! Your confession regarding that day, what good does it do for our present? I now say that it is possible that twenty years from now, twenty-five years from now, another American minister will come and confess that yes, we plotted against Iran during such times - that is, during these years we are living in - we did this plot; we did this wrong; we equipped their enemies in this way; we organized their opponents in this way, and ... . After years of crime and wrongdoing, confessing what good does it do for the Iranian nation?! When the Iranian nation looks at everything, it sees these things. Even now, at the present time, their propaganda tools against Iran are there; their political capabilities against Iran are there; they have officially allocated money for hostile security actions against Iran, which is directed against Iran; their foreign policy efforts are constantly against Iran. The Iranian nation looks and sees that there is an enemy standing over there. Therefore, our nation's perception of the American government is not that it does not trust it; rather, it considers it its enemy.

This discussion that they say we are willing to negotiate with the Iranian government is a kind of preliminary work, so that they can carry out more enmities. This is deception. It is not the case that some say let us go negotiate with America to resolve these hostilities; no. Hostility from America will not be resolved through negotiation. America seeks its own interests in Iran. If there were a puppet government here like the Shah's regime, it would strike the Iranian nation in the same way it did back then. If there is an independent government, it will act in the same way it does today. If we compare, we will see that the damage of standing up to America with independence is far less than submitting to its bullying. The Iranian nation, with this understanding, with its spirit of courage, bravery, and sacrifice, stands against plots and deceptions, against the creation of insecurity, against enmity, relying on its inherent strength, its intellect, the wisdom of the country's officials, and its own courage and steadfastness, and is confident that it will be able to make all its enemies, just as some enemies were once enemies and later became ordinary contacts, including America, regret their enmity towards it.

O Lord! Bestow Your favors upon this nation, through Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, peace be upon them, moment by moment. Grant this nation success and victory in achieving the great goals it has outlined for itself. O Lord! Crush and subdue the enemies of this nation. O Lord! Through Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, unleash Your true and hidden forces against those who conspire and act against this nation. O Lord! Make the steadfast defense of this nation for its dignity, independence, religion, and personality one of the types of struggles that bring us closer to You. O Lord! Protect our youth and make their radiant hearts more familiar with You. O Lord! Remove the hardships of this nation quickly. Assist the servants of this nation; and capture the traitors to this nation with Your wrath and anger. Make the sacred heart of the Awaited One pleased and happy with us. Make the pure soul of the Imam pleased and happy with us. Make the pure souls of the martyrs pleased and satisfied with us.

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