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, the Lord of the worlds, and may God’s blessings be upon Muhammad the Chosen One, his pure family, and his selected companions.

Hajj; a manifestation of the unity of the Islamic Ummah

We thank the dear and wise God for once again making the blessed season of Hajj a rendezvous for the Muslim nations and opening this path of grace and mercy for them. The Islamic Ummah can once again observe its unity and integrity in this transparent and eternal mirror and turn away from the motivations of disunity and division.

Unity and spirituality; the fundamental pillars of Hajj

The unity of Muslims is one of the two fundamental pillars of Hajj, which, when accompanied by remembrance and spirituality — the other fundamental pillar of this deeply significant obligation — can elevate the Islamic Ummah to the pinnacle of dignity and happiness, making it a manifestation of "And to God belongs the might and to His Messenger and to the believers." Hajj is a combination of these two political and spiritual elements; and the sacred religion of Islam is a magnificent blend of politics and spirituality.

The enemies' efforts to undermine the foundations of the dignity of the Islamic Ummah and its responsibilities towards it

In recent history, the enemies of the Muslim nations have made extensive efforts to weaken these two life-giving elixirs, namely unity and spirituality, among our nations. They diminish spirituality by promoting a Western lifestyle that is devoid of spiritual essence and rooted in materialistic shortsightedness, and they challenge unity by intensifying and spreading the fictitious motivations of division such as language, color, race, and geography.

The Islamic Ummah, which is now a small example of itself in the symbolic rituals of Hajj, must rise to confront this with all its being; that is, on one hand, it should strengthen the remembrance of God, work for God, contemplate the words of God, and trust in God's promises in its collective mindset, and on the other hand, it should overcome the motivations of division and discord.

The readiness of the conditions of the Islamic world for unity, and the factors and grounds for it:

What can be said with certainty today is that the current conditions of the world and the Islamic world are more favorable than ever for this valuable endeavor.

1) Islamic Awakening

Firstly, today the elites and many of the masses in Islamic countries have become aware of their immense intellectual and spiritual wealth and have realized its importance and value. Today, liberalism and communism, as the most significant gifts of Western civilization, no longer have the prominence they did a hundred years ago or fifty years ago. The reputation of Western money-centered democracy is facing serious questions, and Western thinkers admit that they are suffering from intellectual and practical confusion. In the Islamic world, the youth, thinkers, and men of science and religion, upon observing this situation, are gaining a new perspective on their intellectual wealth and the prevailing political lines in their countries... and this is the Islamic Awakening that we always refer to.

2) The phenomenon of resistance

Secondly, this Islamic self-awareness has created a remarkable and miraculous phenomenon in the heart of the Islamic world, which the arrogant powers are severely troubled by. The name of this phenomenon is "Resistance," and its essence is the emergence of the power of faith, jihad, and reliance on God. This phenomenon is what the following noble verse was revealed about as a sample from the early days of Islam: "Those to whom the people said, 'Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them.' But it only increased them in faith, and they said, 'Sufficient for us is God, and He is the best disposer of affairs.' So they returned with favor from God and bounty; no harm touched them, and they followed the pleasure of God. And God is the possessor of great bounty." The situation in Palestine is one of the manifestations of this astonishing phenomenon that has been able to force the tyrannical Zionist regime from an aggressive and boastful state into a position of defense and passivity, imposing the current evident political, security, and economic problems upon it. Other brilliant examples of resistance can be clearly observed in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and some other places.

3) Political sovereignty in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Thirdly, alongside all this, today the world witnesses a successful model and a proud example of the power and political sovereignty of Islam in Islamic Iran. The stability, independence, progress, and dignity of the Islamic Republic is a very significant and meaningful event that can attract the thoughts and feelings of every awakened Muslim. The shortcomings and sometimes erroneous actions of us, the officials of this system, which have delayed the complete attainment of all the blessings of Islamic governance, have never been able to shake the solid foundations and firm steps that stem from the fundamental principles of this system, nor halt material and spiritual progress. At the top of this list of fundamental principles is the sovereignty of Islam in legislation and execution, reliance on the people's opinions in the most important management issues of the country, complete political independence, and not leaning towards oppressive powers; and it is these principles that can serve as a point of consensus for Muslim nations and governments, uniting the Islamic Ummah in its orientations and collaborations.

These are the grounds and factors that have created the current favorable situation in the Islamic world for a unified and collective movement. Muslim governments, religious and scientific elites, independent intellectuals, and truth-seeking youth must think more about utilizing these favorable grounds.

The tools of global arrogance to confront the unity of Muslims

It is natural that the arrogant powers, especially America, would be concerned about such a trend in the Islamic world and would employ all their resources to confront it... and this is indeed the case. From the media empire and methods of soft warfare to inciting and igniting proxy wars, to political temptation and espionage, and to threats, bribery, and coercion... all of these are employed by America and other arrogant powers to separate the Islamic world from its path of awakening and happiness. The criminal and disgraceful Zionist regime in this region is also one of the tools of this comprehensive effort.

By the grace and will of God, these efforts have failed in most cases, and the arrogant West has become weaker day by day in our sensitive region and recently in the entire world. The confusion and failure of America and its criminal accomplice, the usurping regime in the region, can be clearly observed in the events of Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Afghanistan.

The assets for building the future of the Islamic world, and the destructive factors

On the contrary, the Islamic world is filled with motivated and vibrant youth. The greatest asset for building the future is hope and self-confidence, which today is surging in the Islamic world, especially in the countries of this region... we all have a duty to preserve and enhance this asset.

Nevertheless, we must not be negligent of the enemy's schemes for even a moment; we must avoid arrogance and negligence and increase our efforts and vigilance... and at all times, with attention and supplication, seek help from the Almighty and Wise God. Participation in the rituals and ceremonies of Hajj is a great opportunity for reliance and supplication, as well as for contemplation and decision-making.

Pray for your Muslim brothers and sisters around the world and ask God for their success and victory. Also include guidance and divine assistance for this brother of yours in your pure prayers.

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

Sayyid Ali Khamenei

5th of Dhul-Hijjah 1443

14th of Tir 1401