Statements at the Meeting with Officials and Ambassadors of Islamic Countries

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

We congratulate the auspicious birth of the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) and Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) to all esteemed attendees, dear brothers and sisters; especially to the honored guests from other countries present at this session. We also congratulate the entire Islamic community and all of humanity, particularly the dear nation of Iran, on this momentous historical event.

This year, thanks be to God, these two significant events - the auspicious birth that is the source of goodness and the key to the great historical movement of Islam, and the victory of the Islamic Revolution, which is one of the fruits of this great Islamic movement in history - have coincided. The Iranian nation celebrates two festivals today; both the birth anniversary and the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, which was indeed a new birth for Islam; on that day when the materialistic world and the dominating powers believed, through decades of efforts, that they had eradicated religion and spirituality, especially Islam, from the lives of humanity, in such circumstances, this great voice, this enduring historical cry emerged in this country; it astonished the enemies, the enemies of Islam, the enemies of the independence of nations, the enemies of humanity; it also instilled hope in the intelligent friends and aware individuals around the world. When the Islamic Revolution emerged in Iran, no one in this vast world imagined that the flag of Islam could be raised in such a manner, especially in such a region, in such a country that was entirely under the control of the dominators, and that this Islamic movement would endure, grow, and resist against enmity; no one around the world thought so.

The enemies of the Islamic Republic promised themselves that within a month, two months, or at most a year, they would overthrow the Islamic Republic, and they exerted all efforts towards such a goal. Truly, each day of our revolutionary history serves as a lesson; each day of these dynamic and striving years since the Islamic Revolution began in Iran can stand as a sign, a tableau, before the eyes of nations and serve as a lesson. All those conspiracies, all that pressure in various forms, and the steadfastness of the Iranian nation under the leadership of that great man, who undoubtedly was a reflection of the pure light of prophethood, Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified). Our great Imam took the same path, the same quality, the same movement, and the Iranian nation demonstrated loyalty, sincerity, remained present, endured pressures, and overcame the enemy's conspiracies with their determination and will. Thus, this pure tree remained, took root, grew, and, God willing, will continue to grow in strength and power day by day. All of this is due to the blessings of Islam, all of this is due to the blessing of today's birth.

For us Muslims to find the path of guidance, it is sufficient to recognize the character of the Prophet. Our belief is that all of humanity should benefit from the existence of the Prophet, and they do, but we, the Islamic community, are the first to benefit. This great being, possessing great morals, this personality whom God Almighty raised for the greatest mission in the history of humanity, as Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: "Indeed, God Almighty educated His Prophet and perfected his education; when He completed his education, He said: 'Indeed, you are upon a great moral standard,' then entrusted him with the affairs of religion and the worshippers to guide His servants." God Almighty nurtured this great personality, raised him, provided all the necessities for a great historical task within this pure and sacred being, and then placed this heavy burden upon his shoulders; this heavy burden of historical prophethood. Therefore, today, which is the 17th of Rabi' al-Awwal, the day of the birth of the Noble Prophet, can perhaps be said to be the greatest festival of humanity throughout human history, as such a great human being was gifted to mankind, to the history of humanity; and this great one also rose to fulfill the requirements of this task.

Today, if we Muslims focus on the character of the Noble Prophet, pay attention, and seek to learn lessons, it is sufficient for our religion and our worldly affairs. To regain our dignity, looking at this being and learning from him is sufficient. He was the embodiment of knowledge, trustworthiness, ethics, and justice. What does humanity need? These are the human needs. These are needs that have not changed throughout the history of humanity. All the transformations and developments in human life, from the very beginning of humanity until today - which have subjected the conditions of life to various changes - the fundamental desires of humanity have not changed. From the beginning until today, humanity has sought security and tranquility, justice, good ethics, and a strong connection with the Creator. These are the fundamental desires of humanity that arise from human nature. The embodiment of all these is the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him). Today, we, the Islamic community, need all these characteristics. The Islamic community today needs scientific advancement, trust and assurance in God Almighty, healthy relationships, and good ethics among ourselves; we must behave brotherly with one another, we must act with forgiveness, we must have patience towards each other, and we must approach one another with leniency. The embodiment of all these characteristics is the Noble Prophet. His knowledge, his patience, his leniency, his mercy towards the weak, his justice towards all members of society, all these are embodied in the Prophet. We need to learn from the Prophet; we need these qualities. Today, we need assurance in God Almighty, trust in God, confidence in divine promises. God Almighty has promised us; He has said that if you strive, if you work hard, God Almighty will lead you to your goal, and you will achieve your objectives under the shade of steadfastness. We must not feel weakness and helplessness in the face of worldly desires; we must stand firm against wealth, against status, against various temptations of the soul; we must resist. These are the things that elevate humanity to the pinnacle of perfection, that grant dignity to a nation, that lead a society to true happiness and prosperity. We need these; the embodiment of all these is our Prophet.

This is the life of the Noble Prophet, his childhood, his youth, before the prophethood. His trustworthiness was such that all of Quraysh and all the Arabs who knew him gave him the title of "the Trustworthy." His fairness towards individuals and his just perspective towards people was such that when they wanted to place the Black Stone in its place, and the tribes of Arabs were disputing, they appointed him as the arbitrator; while he was still a young man. This demonstrates his fair perspective towards all, which everyone recognized. They regarded him as truthful, they regarded him as trustworthy. This was his youth. Then came the period of prophethood; that selflessness, that struggle, that steadfastness. All of humanity at that time who faced him and opposed him moved in opposition to him. All that pressure, those thirteen years in Mecca, were very difficult years; the Prophet stood firm and his steadfastness created resilient and strong Muslims who were unaffected by any pressure. These are lessons for us. Then he established a civil society, governing for just over ten years. However, he laid the foundation for a structure that, over centuries, became the pinnacle of humanity in knowledge, civilization, spiritual advancement, and moral progress; this society was designed and established by the Prophet.

Well, after him, Muslims exhibited weaknesses, inflicted blows; we Muslims have held ourselves back by our own hands. Now, we must again move forward by our own hands, following him. Today, the Islamic community needs unity, needs compassion, needs mutual respect. Today, with the movements that have arisen in the Islamic world and in the Arab world, this awakening of nations, this presence of nations in the scene, these successive retreats of America and the arrogant powers, this increasing weakness of the Zionist regime, these are opportunities for us Muslims; they are opportunities for the Islamic community. Let us awaken, learn lessons, and there is no doubt that, God willing, with the efforts of the Islamic community and the great ones, intellectuals, scientific, political, and religious elites, this movement will continue, and the Islamic world will once again witness its day of dignity, God willing.

We ask God Almighty to bring this event, this day, closer and grant us all the success to participate and share in this movement.

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