Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with the System's Officials

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

Today is a great day for the history of Islam, indeed for the history of humanity; the day of the birth of the noble Prophet and the greatest Messenger of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad ibn Abdullah, and also the day of the birth of the rightful Imam, Hazrat Ja'far ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon them). The blessings of this day, due to that great birth and the birth of the esteemed Imam, Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq, are immensely significant for Muslims.

Commemorating these days serves as a reminder for us; a reminder of the greatness of the one born on this day, which truly human understanding is too limited to fully grasp that immense truth and that noble and great spirit, with its radiance. What is articulated by people like us pertains only to the superficial aspects of the matter, which are:

The Prophet is unparalleled in creation and in character, And he is unmatched in knowledge and generosity. All of them are seekers of the Messenger of God, Drawing from the sea or sipping from the river.

These are the things that human intellect and understanding can observe from afar in the existence of the greatest Prophet and immerse themselves in the blessings of the laws and words of those great figures.

Today, as Muslims and as human beings, we are in need of our Prophet; even as beings of the human race. Because the Noble Prophet was a mercy to the worlds; not just a mercy to Muslims. All of humanity is indebted to the blessings and mercy of the greatest Prophet. What has been granted to humanity as divine mission by that great figure - which encompasses all duties and generalities, is the "Holy Quran" - is today at our disposal, and we can benefit from it.

The Noble Prophet opened the path of salvation for humanity; he opened the way of righteousness for humanity; he encouraged humanity to move along a path that can eliminate human problems; heal pains. Humanity has long-standing pains that are not confined to a single era or time; humanity is in need of justice, in need of guidance, in need of noble human ethics, in need of assistance and direction; human intellect is in need of the help of divine messengers. This path has been opened for humanity by the greatest Prophet with all the breadth and capacity of divine guidance. What causes humanity not to benefit from the blessings of this guidance and divine assistance relates to the humans themselves; it relates to our ignorance; it relates to our shortcomings, laziness, and negligence; it relates to our worship of desires and self. If humanity opens its eyes, employs its intellect, strives, and moves forward, the path is open for all these problems and long-standing pains and old wounds of humanity to be healed.

In contrast to this invitation, there is the invitation of Satan, who has always mobilized his troops and followers against the Prophets, and humanity stands at a crossroads; it must choose.

Today, the Islamic Ummah - in all Islamic regions - has gained a new perspective on Islamic law and the Islamic faith; after long periods of negligence, after being distanced from the pure truths of Islam over successive eras and numerous centuries. Today, humanity has opened its eyes; the Islamic world and the Islamic Ummah have opened their eyes to the laws of Islam and the teachings of Islam; because the man-made philosophies have shown their weakness and incapacity in the arena. The Islamic world can today, by adhering to Islamic law and Islamic teachings, lead humanity towards elevation and perfection. The world is now ready for the movement of the Islamic Ummah. The scientific advancements of humanity - in its most significant aspects, ethics and spirituality and the religious spirit have been sidelined - and human knowledge and the new human perspective on the natural truths of the world can serve as a basis for the movement of the Islamic Ummah. Islamic teachings are at the disposal of the Islamic world; the conduct of the Prophet, the words of the Prophet, and above all, the "Holy Quran" are at the disposal of the Islamic world, and the Islamic world can move forward.

What is undeniable in the current era, considering the events of the world and observing what is happening in the political arena, are two or three major points:

One is the awakening of the Islamic world. The words that reformers of the Islamic world spoke a hundred years ago in various countries in the western Islamic world, in the eastern Islamic world, in alien environments, are now being raised by the masses as a slogan: a return to Islam, revival of the Quran, creation of a united Ummah, dignity and power of the Islamic world and the Islamic Ummah; things that were once considered distant ideals, were discussed by reformers in limited environments among the elite, are now among the prominent ideals and living slogans among the masses of Muslims. In every Islamic country you look at - especially among the youth, educated, and intellectual classes - these slogans are alive. This indicates the truth that Islamic identity has been revived in hearts. Of course, the victorious role of Islam in the Islamic Iran in this regard is very significant. The Iranian nation, with its sacrifices, its steadfastness, and by taking up the banner of Islamic dignity, has breathed hope into the Muslim nations; they have inspired them. You can observe the results of this hope in every corner of the Islamic world and in Islamic countries. This is an undeniable truth.

Another undeniable truth is that today the enmity against Islam from the global arrogance front is more organized, serious, and comprehensive; both culturally, politically, in terms of political movements, and economically. The awakening of the Islamic world is also considered a danger for the world of arrogance. The arrogant powers - that is, those who control a large part of the world in the grip of their power of wealth and force; the global Zionist network, the bullying power of America, the financial institutions that support this system of domination - feel threatened by the awakening of the Islamic world, and they openly express this. What is being done today against Islam from various fronts is an organized and calculated movement; it is designed. It is not coincidental that the same words that the President of the United States - who is at the head of the satanic power of arrogance - expresses against Islam, are echoed by a high-ranking Christian religious figure in another language! We do not intend to hold individuals accountable; we analyze the issue. This cannot be coincidental. Insults to the Prophet in the press, accusations against Islam and labeling Islam as a violent religion; slandering Muslim nations. On the other hand, there are politicians who speak of a crusade; they openly express enmity against Muslim nations. These are not coincidental. The enemy, as a front, has decided to sabotage and act against the Islamic Ummah. After the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, this enmity has intensified.

The third important and noteworthy truth is that in this confrontation, contrary to apparent material calculations, the seemingly more powerful side - that is, armed with the weapons of money, military, and economic power - has been defeated by the Islamic Ummah and the Muslim nations and this great Islamic movement. It is very noteworthy that in the Middle East issue, particularly the Palestinian issue or various issues in this region - such as the Iraq issue, the Lebanon issue - the arrogant power of America has come to the field with all its might and has been defeated. This is a reality.

In Palestine, too, the arrogant powers have been defeated. Who could believe that a resistance organization whose slogan is to confront the Zionist regime would gain power among the Palestinians?! Who could believe that a military aggression against Lebanon by a devoted, self-sacrificing resistance group would be defeated so disgracefully, as seen in the thirty-three-day war in Lebanon?! Who could believe that America, with all its efforts in Iraq and sending all those forces, would not be able to impose its objectives on the Iraqi nation and use Iraq as a gateway to dominate the entire Arab Middle East and manipulate the nations and governments of this region?! Yet these events occurred. In all these cases, the side that was defeated was the one that, according to appearances, possessed military power and apparent authority, wealth, and economic and political power. This is also a reality.

In this confrontation between Islamic identity and the identity of arrogance, the prevailing side has been the side of Islamic identity. These truths must be kept in mind. Sometimes they say, "Sir! Work with realities; be realistic." The reality is these. The events that must be seen in analyses and considered in decision-making. These are undeniable truths that are before our eyes, and we are witnessing.

If the Islamic world wants to genuinely advance the profound movement of the Islamic Ummah towards victory, it must accept certain requirements, the first of which is "unity"; Islamic unity, Islamic cohesion.

Inciting brothers against each other is one of the primary plots of arrogance that has been known since ancient times; divide and rule, an old policy; we have all said it, we all know it, yet sometimes, unfortunately, the enemy can apply this policy against us while we remain oblivious; due to following carnal desires, due to incorrect analyses, due to shortsightedness, due to prioritizing personal or short-term interests over long-term benefits.

Today, look: the policy of arrogance is to create war between Palestinians and Palestinians; between Iraqis and Iraqis; between Shia Muslims and Sunni Muslims; between the Arab community and non-Arabs. These are familiar policies. This must first be addressed by all. We, for our part, consider unity among the Islamic Ummah a necessity. This year, we have also declared it the year of "National Unity and Islamic Cohesion." Islamic cohesion, in one aspect, pertains to the entire Islamic world; they must be cohesive; they must assist each other; both Islamic governments and Islamic nations. And Islamic governments can play a role in utilizing the capacities of Islamic nations to create this great unity.

There are things that hinder unity. Most of them are sometimes misunderstandings and ignorance; we are unaware of each other's conditions; we have misconceptions about each other; we make mistakes regarding each other's beliefs and thoughts; Shia about Sunni, Sunni about Shia; one Muslim nation about another, about its neighbor; misunderstandings, which enemies also intensify. Unfortunately, some individuals, due to these misunderstandings, incorrect analyses, and not seeing the enemy's overall plan, become pawns in the enemy's game, and the enemy exploits them. Sometimes a very small motivation leads a person to say something, take a position, or do something that the enemy uses in its overall plan and increases the rift among brothers.

The main remedy, the primary medicine for today's Islamic world, is the medicine of "unity"; they must unite. Scholars and intellectuals of Islam should sit down and draft an Islamic unity charter; a charter should be prepared so that a misguided, fanatical individual affiliated with this, or that, or that Islamic sect cannot freely accuse a large number of Muslims of leaving Islam; cannot excommunicate them. Preparing this charter is among the tasks that history demands from Islamic intellectuals and scholars today. If you do not do this, future generations will hold you accountable. You see the enmity of the enemies! You see their efforts to destroy Islamic identity and create discord among the Islamic Ummah! Sit down and remedy it; prioritize principles over branches. In branches, individuals of one sect may not agree with each other; that is acceptable. There are great commonalities; let everyone gather around this axis - the axis of commonalities. Be vigilant against the enemy's plots; be wary of the enemy's games. The elites should discuss religious issues among themselves, but not drag the people into it; do not poison hearts against each other; do not increase enmities; whether between Islamic sects, between Islamic nations, or between Islamic groups within one nation.

What is important for arrogance is "Islam." They want to strike Islam; this must be understood by all. For them, Shia and Sunni do not matter. Any nation, any group, any personality that clings more to Islam, they feel threatened by them; and they are right. Truly, Islam poses a danger to the hegemonic goals of arrogance; not to non-Muslim nations, no; it poses no danger. They propagate the opposite. They use art, propaganda, politics, and media to promote the idea that Islam is against other nations! Against other religions! This is not the case. Islam is not against other religions. Islam is the religion that, when it dominated non-Muslim areas, the followers of other religions expressed gratitude for the mercy of Islam and said, "You are kinder to us than our previous rulers." In this region of Sham, when Islamic conquerors entered, the Jews and Christians in the area said, "You Muslims are kind to us." They treated people with kindness. Islam is the religion of compassion, the religion of mercy; a mercy to the worlds. Islam says to Christianity: "Come to a common word between us and you." It considers commonalities with them. Islam is not against other nations, not against other religions; it is against tyranny, against oppression, against arrogance, against domination. The tyrants and oppressors and arrogant powers distort this truth in the world. They use all means; from Hollywood to propaganda tools, to military forces, to promote the opposite and show it to the world.

Islam and Islamic awakening are a danger; but for arrogance. And wherever they see this danger, they target it; they make it the target of their attacks; whether it is Sunni or Shia. Arrogance treats Hamas in Palestine the same way it treats Hezbollah in Lebanon. One is Sunni, the other is Shia. The view of arrogance towards committed and devout Muslims anywhere in the world is the same; whether Shia or Sunni. Is it wise for us to adopt a sectarian perspective among ourselves? To adopt an ethnic perspective? A religious perspective? To engage in physical confrontations among ourselves? To grapple with each other and forget that the common enemy's goal is to eliminate us; and waste our strength in this manner?

Today, the Islamic world must strive for its dignity; strive for its independence; strive for its scientific advancement and spiritual power, which means adherence to religion, reliance on God, and certainty in God's assistance. And "Your promise to Your servants is fulfilled." This is the divine promise; the divine promise that "Indeed, God will support those who support Him." With trust in this promise, they should enter the field of movement and action. This action is not merely taking up arms; this action is intellectual action, rational action, scientific action, social action, political action; all for God and all in the path of the unity of the Islamic world. Both nations and Islamic governments will benefit from this. If Islamic governments are connected to the boundless sea of the Islamic Ummah, they will be stronger, rather than relying on the ambassador of America and some American politician; this will not bring them power. But if Islamic governments connect to the Islamic world, to the Islamic Ummah, and to this vast and turbulent sea; if they come closer together, how can arrogance target an Islamic government and separate it from others; hold it accountable, and then go after another government? Everyone must pay attention to this issue. Islamic governments must be united and cohesive and know that they can.

We have presented this experience to the Islamic Ummah. The Iranian nation has provided the experience of steadfastness and reliance on God and confidence in its own power to the Islamic world. The Islamic world can look. From the beginning of the revolution until today, twenty-eight years have passed. In these twenty-eight years, there has not been a single day that arrogance has not worked against our nation; has not acted. And there has not been a single day that we have not advanced more than the previous day and gained more power.

We ask the Almighty God to encompass all the Islamic Ummah with His mercy, grace, and assistance. We also congratulate all the Islamic Ummah and you esteemed attendees on this blessed Eid and send our greetings to the pure soul of our esteemed Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) who opened this path for us. And we ask the Almighty God to elevate the ranks of our martyrs and our self-sacrificers who moved and strived on this path. And we hope that the prayers of Hazrat Baqiyatullah (may our souls be sacrificed for him) encompass all the Muslim nations.

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