Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with the Officials of the System and Ambassadors of Islamic Countries

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

We congratulate you, esteemed attendees, honored guests, and ambassadors of Islamic countries, as well as all the people of Iran and the great Islamic Ummah around the world, on the auspicious birth of the Seal of the Prophets and the Master of Mankind, Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him and his family), and the blessed birth of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him).

This name and this occasion have become a criterion for unity among us; therefore, we have named this blessed week, which spans from the twelfth of Rabi' al-Awwal (the birth of that great figure according to one narration) to the seventeenth of Rabi' al-Awwal (the birth of that great figure according to another narration), the Week of Unity. Firstly, because the unity of the Islamic Ummah is one of the most important needs of this Ummah today and always; secondly, because the criterion of unity and the axis of Muslim solidarity is the sacred existence of the noble Prophet of Islam and the memory and name of that great figure.

We have spoken a lot about unity. If we had acted upon some of what we have said, the fate of Muslims today would have been better than it is. Naturally, there are some anti-unity factors - ethnic differences, sectarian and political disputes - that must be confronted. Relying on the sacred name of the Prophet and the memory of that great figure - who is the axis of the unity of the Islamic Ummah - we must overcome these differences; however, even more difficult is the causes of division that are injected into the Islamic Ummah. In the context of these ethnic, sectarian, and religious differences, the enemies of Islam, according to their usual policy, create discord among Muslims. The hand of the enemy, the conspiracy of the enemy, and the scheming of the enemy can be clearly seen behind these differences; this must be remedied. The wise among the Ummah from all sects must not allow the waves of sedition - which are provoked by the enemies of Islam - to increasingly endanger the peace, affection, and love among Muslims.

Our Quran has advised us towards unity. Our Quran has warned us that if you lose your unity and solidarity, your dignity, identity, and power will be destroyed. Unfortunately, today we observe these disarray in the Islamic world. Today, the conspiracy against the Islamic world is a very heavy conspiracy. If organized conspiracies against Islam are working with greater intensity during this period, it is the awakening of the Islamic Ummah that has frightened the enemies. Global arrogance, the greedy in Islamic countries, and the interveners among Islamic governments and countries are afraid of the unity of the Islamic Ummah.

Nearly one and a half billion people in the world are Muslims, and their dwelling is one of the most important and valuable pieces of this earth. All these natural resources, this immense cultural heritage, this capable and talented human force, this large market for Western products, this valuable oil and gas that exists in these countries; these are tempting to the arrogant powers; they want to have complete control over them; however, the awakening of the Islamic Ummah prevents this.

The unity of the Islamic Ummah is the greatest barrier against these enemies; therefore, they exert all their efforts to break this barrier. The rise of the Islamic government in Iran and the raising of the flag of monotheism in this sensitive country and important region has excited and awakened the Islamic Ummah; it has given them hope in their destiny and power and instilled confidence in them. This awakening and confidence have compelled the enemy to resort to complex conspiracies; these conspiracies are now before us. They oppose the entire Islamic world; they oppose the presence of Islam; they oppose Islamic teachings.

The President of the United States explicitly spoke of a crusade. The arrogant apparatus - America and Zionism - constantly poisons the atmosphere with their propaganda to create discord among Islamic countries and governments.

The enemies of Islam suffer from a poverty of thought and ideas that they can present in the Islamic world; they do not have a lofty school of thought that can attract the hearts of Islamic elites, and they cannot present it; therefore, to attract the hearts of the unaware, they have raised the banner of human rights and opposition to terrorism; while America and the Zionists and these arrogant powers have committed the most violations of human rights and have wounded the world.

Which government and which entity has behaved so cruelly towards a nation and a group of humanity as the Zionist regime has? Which arrogant government has treated Muslim nations so arrogantly as America does today? Today, they have concentrated their propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran; because here the most righteous faces of defenders of Islam are present, and their interests are threatened here more than anywhere else. But the goal is not only the Islamic Republic; they want to dominate the entire Islamic world; they want to seize all Islamic countries in the hands of their criminal and sinful ones. If they could achieve their goals, governments would be threatened one after another. Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, African countries, and Middle Eastern countries, and Islamic countries in East Asia, if Muslims and nations fall short, none will be safe from the aggression of these world oppressors; this is a warning to the Islamic world.

Today, the elites and politicians of the Islamic world have a heavy responsibility; they must expose the world oppressors in their countries and in their spheres of influence; they must decisively thwart their wicked propaganda against Islam; they must not allow their plans to succeed; this responsibility lies with everyone.

The display of superpowers' might is more than their actual power. One day they were not satisfied with the existence of the Islamic Republic; today the Islamic Republic has been in existence for twenty-six years; every day, thanks to God and His divine power, we have progressed from the previous day. They pretend to be powerful to frighten nations with their imposing and scowling faces; however, it is not the case that they truly have power. Today, America is stuck in the mud in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Islamic world has potential power. Scholars, intellectuals, politicians, groups, and organizations, owners of pens, speakers, and all those who hold a platform from international or national pulpits in any country have a heavy responsibility.

Warm the hearts of Muslims; assure them of their own strength; encourage them with knowledge, reason, and wisdom to strengthen their inner selves; motivate them to stand firm against the bullying of the world's powerful. God Almighty has promised: "Whoever is for God, God is for him"; "And those who strive in Our cause, We will surely guide them to Our paths, and indeed, God is with the doers of good"; God will help, God will guide. Our great Imam (may his soul be sanctified) taught this lesson to the Iranian nation both in word and deed, and our nation witnessed the result of it before their eyes, and the world witnessed this meaning.

We have no doubt that the divine promise which states: "God has promised those among you who believe and do righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession in the land as He granted it to those before them, and He will surely establish for them their religion which He has preferred for them" is a practical promise and will be fulfilled. The condition for it is steadfastness, perseverance, not losing the way, not losing sight of the goal, maintaining unity, and relying on God Almighty.

O Lord! Guide our hearts, souls, and actions according to what we have said.

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