Statements in Meeting with Guests of the Islamic Unity Conference on the Anniversary of the Birth of the Prophet and Imam Ja'far Sadiq

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

I also extend my congratulations on the blessed birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) and the auspicious birth of Imam Ja'far Sadiq (peace be upon him) to all Muslims, the great nation of Iran, all lovers of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), and to you dear attendees, especially the esteemed guests of this noble day—whether guests who have come from abroad or dear guests who have come from distant regions of the country, from Baluchistan and other places in this intimate gathering—and particularly to the esteemed families of the martyrs, the dear veterans, and the freed captives. We hope that God Almighty, by the blessing of this great day, will bestow abundant goodness upon the entire Islamic Ummah and Muslim communities.

Regarding the sacred existence of the Prophet, firstly, we must say that understanding the luminous nature of that great figure is not possible for people like us. The reality of that exalted and revered existence, the highest human being in all of history and the dearest being in the realm of existence, transcends material dimensions. From what humans, with their intellect, experience, and senses, find in geniuses, wisdom, and knowledge, and elevate a personality to a high position and lofty status; one lower than him, and again one lower than him, this dear existence is above these hierarchical levels.

Even if there were no narrations, no verses, and no religious effects, a person could understand through reasons and signs. This meaning is a very lofty meaning. Those who are familiar with these meanings can perceive a measure of that luminosity. We, with our apparent senses and our limitations, see, recognize, and feel that dear and great existence.

In the dimensions that all humans can understand, this great existence is incomparable to any of the greats of humanity. For example, consider the sacred existence of Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him), who has attracted the eyes of many wise people of the world in the past and present, and they have considered and described him as a great personality and a legendary being. But this very personality, with these dimensions of greatness, in front of the sacred existence of the Prophet, is a student and a small child who does not recognize any status for himself in front of that greatness. Consider that in the vast existence of the great Prophet, which is like a boundless ocean, the personality of the Commander of the Faithful is lost. From here, one can guess the dimensions of that greatness.

What relates to our world today is a point that I repeatedly emphasize, and that is, among the Islamic sects—where today Muslims have many troubles and disorders and are grappling with them and must use every means to save themselves from these troubles—there is a point where there is no difference between them. Even in the belief of monotheism, which is agreed upon, there may be interpretations and words that one does not accept; but in this point, there is no difference, and that is the love and devotion to the noble Prophet of Islam, Muhammad ibn Abdullah (peace be upon him and his family). This is a point of gathering and unity, and efforts should be made on it. We have said this before, and some diligent individuals have tried to create a gathering among the Islamic sects based on this. Today, those who are diligent should sit on this basis and make Muslims aware and alert to this point of unity.

On the occasion of the blessings of this birth, let us say a sentence about the issues related to the Islamic world. That sentence is that Muslims should understand and recognize their current situation and feel what terrifying dreams the enemies of Islam have seen for the future of Muslims! In addition to what they have done so far, mere knowledge of the situation should awaken the alert-hearted people to remedy it. Remedy is not a simple and straightforward matter; however, it has two or three fundamental points:

Firstly, the issue of unity and solidarity among Muslims. This issue of Muslim unity should be taken seriously by all Islamic sects—whether Shia or Sunni, whether different Sunni schools or Shia schools. Today, Muslims should take Islamic unity seriously. The meaning of Islamic unity is clear. It does not mean that sects should dissolve into one sect. Some people, to achieve Muslim unity, negate the sects. Negating the sects does not solve the problem; affirming the sects solves the problems. These existing sects, each in their own area, should carry out their usual affairs; but they should maintain good relations with each other.

I see with my own eyes the hands of conspiracy that, especially in recent years—after the attack that began following the victory of the revolution but was thwarted by the decisive movement of the Islamic Revolution and our great leader and Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified)—are making very dangerous efforts to create division between sects and Muslims. The enemies have always opposed the unity of Muslims. History bears witness to this. But today, when the triumphant flag of Islam is raised with greatness and honor in this part of the world, they fear Islamic unity more than ever.

My dear ones! The presence of the Islamic Republic in this great world; the presence of this powerful government, this strong and independent system, this brave, proud, active, efficient, and faithful nation, this great country, this revolution that has proven its success in most arenas until today—in the victory of the revolution, in the victory over the foreign enemy's aggression in the imposed war, and in the field of construction—and has been able to maintain national unity completely, has deeply concerned the enemies of Islam. They are afraid because they see that this revolution has attraction. Wherever there is a Muslim in the world, when he raises his head and sees this raised and fluttering flag, he becomes excited, and Islamic feelings are revived in him. You see, after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, how much Islamic excitement, feelings, movements, and successes of Muslim groups in the Islamic region have increased! From North Africa and Algeria, take it to here and go east. This is due to the blessing of this high and lofty flag. The feeling of independence, the feeling of Islamic identity, and the feeling of personality in Islamic communities have been revived, and the enemy of Islam and Muslims has become fearful. Those who had tried for decades to make Muslims weak, lifeless, characterless, and identityless suddenly saw that all their weavings were undone, and all their plans were thwarted. The rise of this Islamic government gave Muslims a sense of pride. The enemies sought to sever the connection between the Islamic government in Iran and the Muslim communities and assemblies around the world through various means. They do this. One of them is religious means; the Sunni and Shia war, the Sunni and Shia dispute, emphasizing and enlarging religious differences, that they are Shia and have nothing to do with you; while here we have raised the flag of the government of Islam and the Quran and the blessed name of the Prophet Muhammad Mustafa. This is something that all Muslims are eager and passionate about. One of the ways is this. One of the ways is to discredit the Islamic Republic and this great nation and this spiritual, moral, and value-based government in the world with accusations of terrorism and the like.

The reason you see accusations of human rights, opposition to human rights, violation of human rights, resorting to terror, and the like being spent so much is to prove this in the world! They themselves know it is a lie. This is so that the world's public opinion distances itself from the Islamic Republic system. This is for creating the same gap. This is so that no attraction is created between this high base of Islam and the Quran and Muslim communities around the world. Of course, God Almighty nullifies their plots: "Indeed, they are planning a plan, and I am planning a plan," "And they plotted, and God plotted." Over these few years, whatever they did, God Almighty nullified it. But in any case, the enemy creates obstacles and problems; in some places, they are exposed, but they do not give up! This is where the issue of Islamic unity and understanding finds meaning. See how important this issue is! See how important this issue is for the future of the Islamic world! This is not an issue that can be easily overlooked. Everyone should consider themselves addressed by this statement. I say to everyone; both to the Sunnis and the Shia, both to the book writers, both to the poets, both to the printers, both to those who have a base among the people, speak a word, and have listeners. Everyone should understand this truth and recognize the enemy. Be careful that the enemy does not take a position in the friendly ranks. Be careful that instead of attacking the enemy, you do not attack the friendly. Be aware of the times; that is, recognize the enemy, the friend, and the battlefield. These are very important.

Everyone is addressed by this statement. There is no difference between Shia and Sunni. It does not matter; there is no difference between Iranian and non-Iranian. Fortunately, in Iran, we have no problem with our Sunni brothers. During the seventeen, eighteen years after the revolution, we have always lived with affection, love, and sincerity; we thank God. Our brothers in the regions where the Sunnis are more settled have provided the most assistance to the government and the Islamic system. The issue is the issue of the Islamic world. The issue is the issue of the future of Islam.

My dear ones! Today, governments, countries, international assemblies, and organizations, to succeed in the battlefield of life, use all their capabilities—geographical capabilities, historical capabilities, ethnic capabilities. Why do Muslims not use this great opportunity granted to them by the Lord? Today, the geographical region of Muslims is among the most important regions of the world. Their countries are among the richest countries in the world in terms of natural resources. Today, the gateway of Asia to Europe, the gateway of Europe to Asia and Africa, Africa to Europe and Asia, belongs to Muslims. This strategic region and the blessed lands in the possession of Muslims today contain resources such as oil and gas and the like, which humanity needs daily for its civilization. There are over one billion and several hundred million Muslims; that is, more than one-fifth of the world's population. All this population, in such a region; that too with the raising of the flag of Islam in the heart of this region—that is, in Islamic Iran, which today is the heart and main center of the Islamic world—why should this not be utilized? This is a great opportunity available to Muslims. The whisper of separating religion from politics, which one day the British said, one day the Americans promoted, and one day their agents trumpeted, is so that Muslims neglect this opportunity and this position. In this regard, the greatest duty is also on the elites. The elites, meaning the scholars, intellectuals, poets, speakers, journalists, and those with influence among the popular groups. These are the ones who have the greatest responsibility. The time has come for the Islamic world to awaken and choose Islam as the straight path of God and the path of salvation and to step firmly in it. The time has come for the Islamic world to maintain its unity and stand united against the common enemy that all Islamic groups have suffered from—that is, global arrogance and Zionism—to give unified slogans, to make unified propaganda, and to follow a unified path. God willing, it will be supported by the Lord and supported by divine laws and traditions and will progress.

We hope that God Almighty will awaken the Muslim communities, acquaint the Islamic governments with their duties, keep all of us steadfast on this straight path of God, and direct the holy heart of the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for him) towards the Muslim communities and include the prayers of that great figure for all Muslim groups.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings