Supreme Leader Meets with Outstanding Women

Ayatollah Khamenei the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, met Saturday morning with hundreds of outstanding women who are active in academic, Quranic and seminary areas, areas related to women and the family, executive and public organizations and media networks. Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence highlighted the necessity of strengthening the family environment, respecting women in the family environment and creating an Islamic discourse on the issue of women in international arenas, further adding: "Active and competent women in the camp of the Islamic Republic should participate more actively in defending the Revolution."

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution stated that there should not be any stagnation in women's movement. He said, "Why should we adopt a passive outlook in the face of the western discourse on the issue of women despite the convincing and perfect discourse of Islam on this issue?"

Ayatollah Khamenei described the western discourse on the issue of women as a very calculated and political discourse, saying: "Although the western discourse on the issue of women seems to be at its peak, it is on the verge of fall, destruction and disgrace."

His Eminence described making women behave like men and preparing the ground for men to indulge in pleasure as the two main parts of the western discourse on the issue of women. He reiterated: "Westerners are looking for a way to make women do jobs which are compatible with the physical and intellectual characteristics of men and they would like to describe it as an advantage and a source of honor."

He said that it is not wrong to let women hold executive positions, adding: "What is wrong is to feel proud of having a large number of women in executive positions because this is in line with the western discourse."

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution reiterated: "What should make us feel proud is having a large number of intellectual and mujahid women who are active in cultural and political arenas."

Ayatollah Khamenei described adopting a hedonistic outlook on the issue of women as a big disaster, saying: "Today, a number of western intellectuals feel that they are in danger on the issue of women. Issues such as homosexuality result from such an outlook. This outlook is, definitely, one of the factors which will lead to the fall of western civilization."

His Eminence stressed: "We should not at all adopt a passive role in the face of the western discourse. Rather, we should highlight the discourse of Islam on the issue of women in a bold and determined way."

He stated: "All members of the family should always behave in a respectful way towards women. The family environment should be one in which children kiss their mother's hands."

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution added: "If the culture of respecting women is firmly established, many problems of our society will be solved and women will not be oppressed."