Statements at the Meeting with Officials, Servants, and Organizers of Hajj

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, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure and chosen progeny, especially the Awaited One among the inhabitants of the earth.

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters, officials, staff, and servants of Hajj and pilgrims. The very fact that this year our people have the opportunity to perform Hajj is good news; thanks be to God, the officials of the country from all three branches and others involved have studied the matter, assessed it, and decided that Hajj will take place this year; we hope, God willing, that the Almighty God will make this blessed path a source of blessing, goodness, and success for our dear people.

Hajj is a very important obligation; perhaps we do not have another obligation among the important Islamic duties like Hajj. Firstly, in this great and vast obligation, there are many spiritual capacities that those who seek a spiritual connection with the Almighty (Glory and Exalted be He) and are in pursuit of spirituality can find abundant opportunities and extraordinary capacities in various aspects of this great obligation. From prayer and circumambulation to standing at Arafat and the ritual of Sa'i, and from the various components of this great obligation, spirituality emanates and flows. If we appreciate it, if we seek spirituality, the capacity of Hajj surpasses all other obligations. This is one side of the matter. At the same time, there is a unique social capacity in Hajj; see, this is one of the characteristics of Islamic obligations. Islam emphasizes spirituality, but Islamic spirituality does not mean isolation, monasticism, seclusion, and separation from people; the very obligation that possesses the greatest capacity for spirituality also has the greatest capacity for social presence.

Hajj is a manifestation of the presence of the Islamic Ummah, Hajj is a symbol of unity, Hajj is a symbol of integrity; Hajj is a manifestation of the power of the Islamic Ummah. The largest gathering of the Ummah takes place every year, continuously, under specific conditions, at a designated location; that is, the Islamic Ummah, through Hajj, presents itself; it shows itself. In addition to the external aspect of the matter, there is also an internal aspect: Muslim nations become acquainted with each other during Hajj, they develop bonds, they understand each other's languages - by language, I do not mean words, but the culture that governs each other's mentalities - they become familiar with it, they draw closer, doubts are resolved, enmities fade and gradually disappear, hearts come closer, hands come to help each other, countries can assist each other, nations can help each other; this is Hajj. Now, in practice, how much those who are responsible or direct the affairs help or allow Hajj to be held in this manner; that is another discussion, but this is Hajj: a unique spiritual capacity alongside a unique social capacity and a place for expressing opinions and stating the position of the Islamic Ummah.

This issue of disavowal, which we have emphasized so much and which Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) stated that he does not accept Hajj without disavowal, is the secret of this matter. In Hajj, the Islamic Ummah can express its correct and agreed-upon positions; who is it that is accepted and agreed upon? The nations, the peoples. Governments may think and act differently - as we see, many Muslim governments unfortunately take a path contrary to the wishes of their nations - but the hearts of the nations are different. This is a place where nations can express their positions on various issues.

Currently, the issue of Al-Aqsa Mosque is at hand, the issue of Quds is at hand; this is not a small matter. The Zionists have become brazen, they have taken it upon themselves to impose hardships on the owners of Al-Aqsa Mosque - that is, on the Muslims - one day they close the door, another day they create obstacles, one day they allow some to enter and prevent others, they impose age restrictions and similar actions; these are brazen acts, these are audacity, these are shamelessness on the part of the usurping and fraudulent Zionist regime. It is clear that the hearts of the Islamic nation beat for Al-Aqsa Mosque. This is a place for expressing positions; Hajj has such a capacity, this is Hajj. Where can the Islamic Ummah better express what the nations say and want regarding Palestine and Al-Aqsa Mosque than in the sacred House of God, in Mecca, Medina, Arafat, Mash'ar, and Mina? Where is better than here? Hajj has such a capacity. Regarding American interventions, regarding the malevolent presence of America in Islamic countries and in our region and the instigation of these Takfiri and terrorist movements - the most wicked of all these terrorist apparatuses is the American regime itself; it is the most vile of all - where is the place to express positions against these? Hajj is the best place for the Islamic Ummah - all, from all countries - to express their positions, to express their opinions; this is the capacity of Hajj; this must be appreciated, this must be pursued; this is one matter.

Another important issue that the respected gentlemen also referred to - both Mr. Qazi Askar and the esteemed head of the Hajj Organization - is the issue of security. وَ اِذ جَعَلنَا البَیتَ مَثابَةً لِلنّاسِ وَ اَمنًا; this is the matter. The Holy Quran explicitly states that we have made this place a gathering place for people and a place of security; security is very important! The safety of the pilgrims is one of the most important issues. We do not forget the bitter events of Hajj in 1394 (2015). A wound was inflicted on the Islamic Ummah and on us Iranians that is unforgettable, this wound is not easily healed. Of course, that year the Hajj officials worked very hard, they made great efforts, but the incident was a tragic and significant one. The security of the pilgrims is the responsibility of the country that has the two holy shrines under its control and power; that government must maintain security; this is our serious and constant demand. The security of the pilgrims must be preserved; all pilgrims! Now, our emphasis is on Iranian pilgrims. Other governments should also demand and advocate for the safety of their own pilgrims, they should engage actively. We have a serious demand; the safety of our pilgrims must be preserved. It is not only security and safety; their dignity, comfort, and well-being must also be preserved. The gentlemen have made correct points, they must be vigilant; be prepared for any incident that may arise; be ready for all conditions. The issue of the tranquility and comfort of the pilgrims is very important. Of course, the meaning of the security and safety that we speak of is not to create a security environment there and impose security pressures so that the pilgrims are disturbed in another way; no, they should be safe, they should be at ease, they should be calm. The tragic events of the Grand Mosque and Mina must not be repeated, they must not be kept alive in memory; after all, there were concerns. Fortunately, officials from the esteemed branches gathered in the Supreme National Security Council, they made decisions, they considered the aspects of the matter, and they reached the conclusion that Hajj should take place; we hope, God willing, that this Hajj will be conducted in the best manner.

The issue of Palestine should not be neglected; it is an important matter. The issue of Palestine has always been raised over these decades - the last sixty or seventy years - sometimes more, sometimes less; and today it is again one of those issues that is more prominent, due to the wickedness and malice that the Zionists are demonstrating and due to the betrayal of some leaders of Islamic countries. In any case, today the main focus of the issues of the Islamic world is the issue of Palestine, the main issue is Palestine.

The issue of the unity of the Islamic Ummah must also be given great attention. Today, they are spending money; they are spending billions to create discord among Islamic sects and to foster enmity; billions are being spent to carry out this work. No one should assist in this discord; anyone who assists will participate in their conspiracy and in the spiritual and divine consequences of this great sin; no one should assist in this matter.

The pilgrims have certain responsibilities, these must be observed. Respected pilgrims should pay attention to congregational prayers; they should prioritize the first prayer time; they should participate in the congregational prayers at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque. Attention should be given to the recitation of the Quran - during these days when they are fortunate to be present in the two holy shrines - and to the rituals of Arafah and the day of Arafah. They should avoid wandering in the markets; I have repeatedly emphasized this point. Markets exist everywhere in the world; there are markets in Tehran too; various goods, permissible and impermissible, are available everywhere; there are markets in Tehran and in other cities. What is not in Tehran is the Kaaba; what is not in Tehran and in your living environment is the Grand Mosque, the Prophet's Mosque; that is what is only there; you must take advantage of it; otherwise, markets and various items are available everywhere. Do not waste your precious time on these things. In the matter of Hajj, more than anything else, a pilgrim should think about purifying themselves, purifying their hearts, purifying their souls, so that they can, God willing, achieve great spiritual results; if this happens, then, with God's grace, those social results will also be achieved.

We pray for all our dear pilgrims who are departing from our country this year for divine success and divine grace; we pray for the spiritual and material protection and preservation from the Almighty God; we also seek success for the organizers. Everyone should be vigilant, everyone should pay attention, everyone should fulfill their responsibilities so that, in the true sense of the word, a magnificent and dignified Hajj, God willing, takes place this year.

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