Statements on the Birth of the Noble Prophet (PBUH)

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

We congratulate all the esteemed attendees and dear guests on this blessed occasion, as well as the great nation of Iran; we also extend our congratulations to all Muslims around the world, the great Islamic Ummah, and to all seekers of truth and freedom. The seventeenth of Rabi' al-Awwal is a very significant day in human history. It marks the birth of the best of humanity, the elite of the good, and the essence of divine virtues that have been placed within human beings, on such a day. It is also the birth of Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him), who is the rightful successor of the Prophet and the disseminator of the correct Islamic thoughts and pure Islam, on such a day.

This day is a very blessed day for Muslims; just as on the day this sacred being stepped into this world, there was light in the heart of dense darkness; "darkness, one above the other." (1) Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) describes those days and the conditions of humanity at that time, saying: "And the world was dimmed of light, manifesting deception." (2) The light of humanity had been wiped from the hearts of people and from the hearts of societies; not only in the Arabian Peninsula but even in the hearts of great empires and civilized governments of that time; namely, ancient Iran and ancient Rome. Arrogance and error in understanding the truth were evident and manifest in all aspects of human life. People did not know the way, nor did they know the goal. Of course, there were believers at that time who were following the right path. This does not mean that all individuals were sinful and wrongdoers; however, the general state of the world was this. The general face of the world was one of darkness; a face of oppression; a face of forgetfulness of all signs of humanity. In such a situation, the light of the Prophet's existence shone forth by the will of the Almighty God. This is an unforgettable day in human history. Remembering it does not mean that we want to renew its effect in the world. Whether we want it or not, this event, this strange and great phenomenon, has left its mark on human history. If today we see a name of human dignity, moral virtues, and the prominence of human existence in the world, it is because of this blessed being; it is because of this mission, which is the culmination of all missions and encompasses all virtues of the prophets.

We, the Islamic Ummah, must take this phenomenon, this event, as a lesson for ourselves. Before addressing others, we must address ourselves. Today, the Islamic Ummah is in dire need of reproducing Islamic truths, reproducing those magnificent and great events. Today, we, the Islamic Ummah, have the utmost need for the guiding light of the noble Prophet's existence. The Islamic Ummah, in terms of population size, is a prominent entity - one and a half billion people make up the Islamic Ummah - the regions where this vast population resides, in terms of geographical conditions, natural characteristics, and vital resources, are among the most sensitive and important areas of the world; yet, despite having both human and natural potential, this Ummah today is a lost entity. The reason for this confusion is precisely what you observe. The great calamities of the world are mainly in these Muslim countries. Poverty exists among the Islamic Ummah, injustice and discrimination are among us, scientific and technological backwardness exists among us, cultural defeat and cultural weakness belong to the Muslim Ummah. The powerful of the world easily and openly violate the rights of the Muslim Ummah, and the Islamic Ummah cannot defend its rights.

Today, look at the situation in Palestine; Palestine is a prime example. Of course, it is a very important example, but it is not limited to Palestine. Look at Palestine and see that the Islamic Ummah has a great wound within itself, and that is the issue of the great Palestinian nation and the historical and sacred land of Palestine. What have they done to this land? What have they done to this nation? What are they doing to these people? Can the events of Gaza be forgotten? Can they be erased from the minds of the Islamic Ummah? The pressures, ruthlessness, cruelties, and oppressions that are being inflicted upon the people of Gaza today, even after that twenty-two-day war in which the Zionist government failed to achieve its objectives, continue to this day, and the Islamic Ummah cannot defend them. The Islamic Ummah is in a position regarding this phenomenon as if it does not concern them, as if it is not their right that has been usurped, as if it is not oppression against them. Why are we like this? Why has the Islamic Ummah fallen into this situation? A deadly cancer named the illegitimate Zionist state of Israel has been created in this region by the enemies of Islam and the enemies of the Islamic Ummah. Its supporters, who are complicit in its great injustices and sins, continue to support it, and the Islamic Ummah cannot defend itself; this is our weakness. Why? This weakness must be compensated by returning to Islam, by placing the teachings of the noble Messenger of Islam at the center.

Today, more than anything, unity is necessary within the Islamic Ummah. We must unite, align our words, and unify our hearts; this is the duty of each and every one of those who have the power to influence in this great Muslim Ummah. Whether governments, intellectuals, scholars, or various political and social activists, each one in their respective countries of the Islamic world has the duty to awaken the Islamic Ummah and convey these truths to them; to clarify and explain the bitter situation that has been created by the enemies of Islam; to invite them to fulfill their duties; this is the duty of all of us.

Dear brothers! Dear sisters! Wherever you are from, whatever sect you belong to, know that the enemies of Islam and Muslims today rely heavily on creating discord and division. They do not want hearts to come closer; because they know that if hands are clasped together, hearts come closer, the Islamic Ummah will think about remedying its great problems. The source of many of these problems - one of which is the issue of Palestine, and another is the issue of the illegitimate Zionist state - are the powerful of the world. The enemy knows that we will become focused and will mobilize all the forces of the Islamic Ummah in this path to confront this blatant aggression that is taking place; therefore, they do not allow hearts to come closer.

Today, the cry of division is raised by the enemies of Islam. The issue of Shia and Sunni is being raised today by the Americans and the British; this is a disgrace for us. American, British, and Western analysts, among the issues they raise, study, and emphasize, is to separate Sunni Islam from Shia Islam and create conflict between them. The enemy wants to do this; it has always been this way. The enemies of the Islamic world have always tried to make maximum use of religious, ethnic, and geographical differences. Today, they have employed modern tools for this purpose; we must be aware of this and remain vigilant. They want to occupy us with each other so that we are diverted from the main point that we must focus on. They want Muslim ethnicities, Muslim nations, and Muslim sects, whether Shia or Sunni or others, to be preoccupied with each other so that the issue of Israel is forgotten. The usurpation of Palestine should have brought us closer together. They are using this issue to distance us. In this matter of Palestine, they create discord within the Islamic world; they set governments against each other. The issue of Palestine is a clear issue. No sect among the Islamic sects doubts that when the land of Islam, the land of Muslims, is attacked, it is obligatory for all Muslims to defend it. All Islamic sects agree on this; this is not a point of contention. They cast doubt on this unanimously agreed-upon issue, fragmenting Muslims into factions and groups, intensifying sectarian and religious prejudices in their hearts, and igniting the fire of animosity so that they can remain comfortably occupied.

We must remain vigilant; this is the message of the Islamic Republic. From the very beginning of its formation, the Islamic Republic placed among its primary goals the unity of Muslims and bringing their hearts closer together, as well as the issue of Palestine.

In the statements of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified), these two points are very clear and evident: one is the issue of the unity of Muslims in all matters and reducing differences, and preventing intellectual, jurisprudential, and theological disputes from leading to enmity and hostility; the other is the issue of Palestine.

The Islamic Republic stands firm on this stance. We are also paying the costs. Our nation views this issue as a religious duty and knows that if this deadly and dangerous cancer is removed from the body of the Islamic community, many problems of Islamic societies will be solved and many collaborations will emerge.

Today, Islamic countries form a large entity; they can exchange knowledge, wealth, experience, and understanding among themselves, help each other progress, and reach the summit. This cancerous tumor has been placed in the midst of them and has caused Islamic countries to drift apart. Of course, nations do not harbor enmity towards each other; unfortunately, officials are sometimes to blame.

We must keep this as a lesson, a significant reminder during the birth of the noble Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him), learn from it, take heed, and come closer together; just as we have come closer together. Today, fortunately, the loud cry for the defense of the unity of the Islamic Ummah and Islamic awakening in the Islamic world, in various countries, among different nations, has had very positive and favorable reflections. God Almighty blesses the word of truth; He causes a seed to grow in the land of truth. This word has resonance in the world today. Today, there is acceptance in the world regarding this truthful statement that the Islamic Republic expresses with a loud voice and with all its being. The government, the nation, and the officials all share a unified stance on these fundamental issues; their voices are one. The message of the Islamic Republic in these matters is clear, and thanks be to God, it has resonance.

We hope that God Almighty helps the Islamic Ummah to grow day by day, to elevate itself, to progress, and to strengthen unity, which is a crucial factor among all, more than ever, God willing. We hope that divine confirmations will encompass all of you, and the prayers of the Awaited Savior (may our souls be sacrificed for him) will, God willing, support all of you.

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