Message to the Pilgrims of the Sacred House of God

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

Thanks be to God, and blessings upon His chosen Messenger, his pure and virtuous family, and his righteous companions. God, the Exalted, has said: "And proclaim to the people the pilgrimage; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass; that they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of God on known days."

This celestial call continues to summon hearts, inviting humanity across centuries and eras to gather around the axis of monotheism. All individuals are the addressees of this Abrahamic call and are honored by it; even if some ears do not hear it and some hearts, veiled by negligence and ignorance, remain deprived of it, and even if some do not prepare themselves to enter this global and eternal banquet or do not find the opportunity for it.

Now you have been granted this blessing and have stepped into the safe haven of the Divine guesthouse. Arafat, Mash'ar, Mina, Safa, Marwah, the House, the Sacred Mosque, and the Prophet's Mosque—each of these rites and sacred sites is a piece of the spiritual chain and the ascension of the pilgrim who recognizes this opportunity and utilizes it for his purification and to gather provisions for the rest of his life.

A significant point that intrigues and sensitizes every thoughtful person is the establishment of a permanent meeting place for all people, all generations, and in all years, at a specific point and within a single timeframe. This unity of time and place is one of the main secrets of the pilgrimage obligation. Undoubtedly, one of the greatest examples of "that they may witness benefits for themselves" is this annual gathering of the Islamic Ummah beside the House of God. This is the symbol of Islamic unity and the emblem of the Ummah-building of Islam, which must be under the shadow of the House of God. The House of God belongs to everyone: "the resident therein and the traveler are equal."

The pilgrimage, in this place and within this timeframe, always and in all years, calls Muslims to unity with a clear voice and evident logic. This stands in stark contrast to the desires of the enemies of Islam, who throughout all eras, especially in this era, have encouraged Muslims to array themselves against one another. Today, observe the behavior of the arrogant and criminal America. Its main policy against Islam and Muslims is warmongering. Its wicked desire and effort is to incite the killing of Muslims at each other's hands. To set oppressors upon the oppressed, to support the oppressor, to ruthlessly suppress the oppressed by his hand, and to constantly sharpen the fire of this horrific sedition. Muslims must be vigilant and thwart this satanic policy. The pilgrimage is the groundwork for this vigilance, and this is the philosophy of disavowal from polytheists and arrogant powers during the pilgrimage.

The remembrance of God is the spirit of the pilgrimage. At all times, let us enliven our hearts with this rain of mercy, and let us root our reliance and trust in Him, who is the source of power, glory, justice, and beauty, in our hearts. In this way, we will triumph over the plots of the enemy. Dear pilgrims! Do not forget to pray for the Islamic Ummah and the oppressed in Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Yemen, Bahrain, Libya, Pakistan, Kashmir, Myanmar, and other places, and ask God to cut off the hands of America and other arrogant powers and their agents.

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

Sayyid Ali Khamenei 28th of Mordad, 1397 Corresponding to the 7th of Dhul-Hijjah, 1439