Statements of His Eminence in Meeting with Reciters Participating in the 21st International Quran Competition

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

This was a very sweet and desirable session. We enjoyed the recitation of the Quran and the blessed sound of Quranic recitation in this atmosphere. Truly, hearing the verses of the divine book illuminates the heart of man.

This session and your ceremony also have a symbolic aspect that is very important, which is that the Quran must be the axis of the Islamic community and all Islamic nations. If we - the great Islamic community - place the concepts and teachings of the Quran at the center of our gathering, the state of the world and the state of the Islamic community will change.

Today, you can clearly see that a comprehensive war has been launched against the entire Islamic community, and not just a part of it. This war has economic, political, cultural, military, and security dimensions, and it also has the vast propaganda tools of today at its disposal.

What you observe today in Palestine or in Iraq or in Afghanistan is not merely a war against one nation; if they are fighting against Palestine, they are actually fighting against the existence of Islam in this region. If they want to support and strengthen the Zionist regime with all their might, it is because they want to confront the unity and power of the Islamic world with a great obstacle.

One of the corridors to conquer the Islamic world is the conquest of Palestine, and one of its corridors has now become Iraq; they want to seize the Islamic world.

For global arrogance, the main issue is the Islamic world. They want to destroy the Islamic world, which has a population of over one billion, possesses a significant portion of the financial and natural resources needed today, and is kept alive by the new spirit and movement of Islamic awakening. Their goal is the Islamic world.

The Islamic world must think about preserving the existence of Islam and maintaining the dignity of the Islamic community. How is this possible? Through the Quran. The Quran has taught us everything. The Quran must be learned, the Quran must be understood, the Quran must be consumed like a refreshing and nourishing drink, and our lives must be invigorated and filled with strength and dignity through it.

My brothers! This reading and recitation of the Quran is the first step; it is not the last step. First, familiarity and connection with the Quran is necessary. Then, the Quranic concepts must be kept in front of our eyes as definitive and tangible lines of our life program, so that we are not swayed to this side or that side; one day they lead us towards communism, another day towards liberalism; one day they speak of socialism, another day of capitalism. When we learn the Quran and become familiar with it, they cannot sway us to this side or that side; because the clear line of the Quran guides us. And then, implementing these concepts in the reality of life is essential.

Of course, I have great affection for these Quranic heroes and I have much respect and devotion for these Quran reciters; they are the ones who embody the Quran for us - for our minds, hearts, and souls. This good reading - which we encourage so much - clarifies the concepts. You see how well our esteemed guest, Mr. Sheikh Ahmad Muhammad Amer, recited the Quran today. Good Quran recitation, which is done with a good voice and melody and with attention to meanings, brings the concepts of the Quran to life before a person; it brings a person closer to action; it brings a person closer to Quranic knowledge. Thanks be to God, our youth have made good progress; we thank God for this; this is a blessing of the revolution.

Once upon a time in our country, Quran recitation was neglected; in a corner of Tehran or Mashhad, someone like Mr. Molaei would emerge, who was passionate about the Quran and would work hard to hold session after session, training a number of students over the years; that was how it was back then; these individuals were in exile and were not in the spotlight or on television. The Quran was condemned in our society under the tyrannical regime. We thank God for the Islamic government and the rule of Islam that today the Quran is a source of pride in our country, and Quran recitation is a source of honor for our country; this is one of the blessings of Islam; this was given to us by the Islamic system; this was a divine gift to us that the Quran entered our lives, our souls, and our tongues.

We are very grateful to the brothers who work in the endowments and in various sectors - the organizations related to Quranic issues that prepare and arrange these sessions - and also to the Quran teachers who train the youth and to the youth who learn. Thanks be to God, there are good voices and good talents, but I still emphasize that our Quran reciters should become familiar with the concepts of the Quran and understand what they are reading. This will help their recitation, enhance the beauty of their recitation, and also assist in the impact of their souls.

O Lord! Keep us alive with the Quran; make our lives Quranic; resurrect us with the Quran in the grave, in Barzakh, and on the Day of Resurrection.

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