Excerpts from Supreme Leader's Meeting with People from Various Social Backgrounds

Excerpts from Supreme Leader's Meeting with People from Various Social Backgrounds August 1, 2016

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and greetings be upon our Master and Prophet, Ab-al-Qassem al-Mustafa Muhammad and upon his immaculate, pure and chosen household…

Welcoming you, dear brothers and sisters, who have traveled from various provinces of the country and have infused our Hussainiyah today with revolutionary spirit and the scent of the names and memories of martyrs. I am grateful to the dear brothers who sang and recited the Quran aloud. Naturally, there was too much noise in the meeting, so some people missed hearing these dear brothers' beautiful recitation. You missed it, but I carefully listened and gained from it. The holy ayahs and words of the Holy Quran are a source of spirituality and blessing wherever and whenever they are recited, particularly the ayahs that these dear brothers had chosen: the ayahs of Sura al-Ahzab, which show the Islamic Ummah's clear and straight path through difficult times and the intricate chains of time.

The Islamic Ummah's path is made clear by these ayahs. They make it abundantly clear what we ought to do whenever the Islamic Ummah encounters certain issues, such as those mentioned in these ayahs: Men who have kept their promise to Allah are among the believers. [The Holy Quran:] 33: 23]. All tasks will be completed and issues will be resolved when one makes a sincere covenant with God—the covenant that believers have made with God. Naturally, there are difficulties and obstacles in life. No nation has a paved road in front of it. Nations should move toward their objectives and smooth the way with their determination and effort. This was how the nations that reached the pinnacle of spirituality, civilization, prosperity, and bliss moved. We learn these things from these ayahs.

The first haraam month is Dhul-Qa'da, which is coming up soon. A month when we should show respect is called a haraam month. "Of them, four are haraam" [The Holy Quran, 9:] comes from the perspective of the God of the World. 36]. With a set of religious rules that specify the things and affairs for which we should show respect, Allah the Exalted has made four months more important than others. These divine instructions ought to serve as a lesson to Muslims.

The late Hajj Mirza Ali Aqa Qazi, a great mystic, once said that Muslims should pay more attention to Allah the Exalted and worship Him more during the months of haraam, which are months of divine respect, to prepare themselves for entering the sensitive and important arenas of life. Today, the Iranian people, these great and glorious people, place a high value on continuing on this glorious path they have chosen with power, speed, dignity, and honor.

This meeting is a one-of-a-kind gathering. Our beloved people have gathered here in various groups from all four corners of the country and from various provinces. This meeting includes attendees from a variety of tribes, including the Fars, Turk, Kurd, and Baluch, from the country's southeast to northwest. There is a meaning to this. This indicates that Iran as a whole, with all of its various tribes, has a single objective and path. Despite the differences in their languages and religions, these individuals share similar lofty objectives. Everyone wants Iran to be seen as an example of an Islamic nation all over the world.

Even though this nation exemplifies the ideal Islamic state, not everyone observes a strict fast and performs daily prayers and duas. Naturally, these things exist and define spirituality; however, in addition to spirituality, there is also material advancement, scientific advancement, an expansion of justice, a reduction in class disparities, and the elimination of examples and peaks of aristocracy. A society that adheres to Islam has these characteristics.

In addition, members of this Islamic society are content, experience a sense of security and happiness, work toward their lofty objectives, worship God, and benefit from worldly accomplishments. The Iranian people want to establish such a society. A society like that is desired by all. In this regard, there is no disagreement between Shias and Sunnis, Kurds, Baluch, Fars, or Turks. Everyone's goal is to build this society. This is an example. Other Muslim nations will follow suit once it becomes an example.

This is our issue today. Since a few hundred or so years ago, global arrogance and colonialism have sought to divide Muslim nations. That has piqued its interest. Why? This is due to the fact that if it did so, it would have the ability to pillage the world's wealthiest individuals, prevent them from achieving the success they deserved, and profit from them. Due to the scientific and technological power they had acquired and the weapons they had developed, global powers set themselves this objective, and unfortunately, they were successful to a significant degree. We have been inviting Muslim nations and Muslim governments to unity, solidarity, and resistance in the face of the enemy's plots from the beginning of the Revolution until the present day. This is why we have been extending the hand of friendship to them.

The greatest promotion of Islam will occur when the Iranian people are able to demonstrate to the rest of the world that they are a legitimate Muslim nation. The formation of the great Islamic Ummah, which is a source of dignity for Islam and a source of promoting it throughout the world, will become a reality if that occurs, and other nations will follow suit. That day will bring about the Islamic civilization that we anticipate will have the power to overthrow the Western material civilization, which is deviant and corrupt. Here is the preface. The first step toward that is for the Iranian people to acquire the power to become role models.

Well, everyone ought to exert effort. Both officials and the general populace ought to put in a lot of effort. This issue won't take one or two years to solve. It will be a problem for a long time. It'll take some time. If you look at Islamic civilization, you will notice that the fourth and fifth centuries are when Islamic civilization reaches its zenith. Those centuries were when science was at its best. In the world of Islam, great ulama, researchers, philosophers, and scholars of the world's sciences emerged during those centuries. Those people were able to advance the world. That movement is responsible for a lot of Westerners' accomplishments. Naturally, we will move more quickly today. We can get those results sooner today with Allah's help. However, this is a lengthy procedure.

Occasionally, the enemies create obstacles. We should proceed to skillfully eliminate these obstacles, which is the prudent course of action. But you can't trust the enemy.

-This is what "arrogant" means. This is what "global arrogance" means. Bullying, thinking of oneself as superior, not keeping promises, and thinking of oneself as uncommitted are all examples of it. This is what arrogance means. People who are arrogant break their promises. Now, our benevolent Imam (r.a.) said that the Great Satan is America. Indeed, this description is of the highest quality. Satan once told those who followed him, "And Satan will say when the matter is decided, 'It was Allah Who gave you a promise of truth,'" according to Allah the Exalted. I also made a promise, but I didn't keep my promise to you. 22]. “God gave you a true and genuine promise, but you did not follow His promise and you did not stick to it,” Satan tells his followers on the Day of Judgment. You followed me because I made a false promise to you! I didn't keep my word to you. I broke a promise that I made to you.

On the Day of Judgment, Satan assigns such blame to his followers. Then, Satan tells his followers, "Then reproach not me, but reproach your own souls," according to Allah the Exalted [The Holy Quran, 14: 22]. He advises them to blame themselves rather than him. America is the perfect example of this in the present day. This is what Satan says on the Day of Judgment, and Americans still say it today. They make promises, but they never follow through. They will grant a cash concession, but they will not grant a credit concession. This is the situation in America. As a result, people shouldn't be trusted.

The aristocratic way of life should be avoided. Our nation is doomed to be destroyed by an aristocratic lifestyle! When an aristocratic way of life is established at the top of society, it will also spread to the bottom. You will notice that even families with poor living conditions will have to live an aristocratic lifestyle if they want to marry their son or daughter or have a party. This will occur when an aristocratic way of life becomes a culture. Avoidance of an aristocratic lifestyle is necessary. This aristocratic orientation should be opposed by the actions, words, and lessons of officials. The same outlook is held by Islam as well.

-In terms of regional issues, the region is now turbulent. America's footprint is once more evident when we examine it. The Saudi government has made its official comings and goings and has publicly established relationships with the Zionist regime. The Islamic Ummah is being stabbed in the back by this. Overt ties with the Zionist regime are, without a shadow of a doubt, a backstab into the Islamic Ummah's body that the Saudis have committed. They have acted with extreme treason. They have broken the law. However, America is also involved in this matter. This grave mistake was made by the Saudi government because it follows America, is controlled by it, and follows its orders. America is also involved in this.

Or is this a minor event when you consider that Yemen has been bombarded for almost a year and a half? A nation is constantly bombarded. They are also bombarding its markets, hospitals, public squares, schools, and the homes and gatherings of the people, not its military centers. This is a very serious crime, not a minor occurrence. They are unable to distinguish between children and adults, and they are unaware of Ramadan as a haraam month. They've killed a lot of kids! Well, the Saudi government has unfortunately committed this grave crime as well. However, they have accomplished this with the assistance, approval, and weapons—ammunition and weapons—of the United States.

They are the ones who provide them with all of the resources. Even when the United Nations wants to say something about this, they shut it down with money, threats, and pressure. Now, after a lifetime of silence, they have decided to say something real and condemn this course of action. This poor and infamous UN Secretary General acknowledged that they had put pressure on him. Why don't you quit if they put pressure on you and you can't do your job? What motivates you to remain there and betray humanity? This is human tyranny! Additionally, America is involved in this matter.

Regarding Bahrain, the United States has given its blessing whenever a foreign army from another nation arrives to exert pressure on the Bahraini people. Saudi Arabia has a government that is run by children: in the truest sense of the word, by silly children. They control the Saudi government. However, after examining and witnessing all of the issues, it becomes clear that this is actually being carried out by the Americans with their assistance.

These takfiri groups are the same. They claim to have formed a coalition against takfiri groups at the moment. Naturally, they are not acting against them even at the present time. We have received reports that they even assist them in some locations. However, these organizations date back to the United States. This has been acknowledged by some American officials. They have acknowledged that they contributed to the formation of Isis in order to promote Umayyad and Marwani Islam and cause division within the Islamic Ummah. Umayyad and Marwani Islam are identical to this Wahhabi and Takfiri religion! It is a form of Islam that is very different from true Islam. They have discredited Islam. Naturally, the consequences of their actions are also affecting them personally. “Anyone who plants a wind will reap a storm” is well-known in Farsi. They are now reaping a storm gradually. However, this is still their fault. They were the ones to do so.

Other things are the same way. The Americans say they want to solve problems in the region, but in reality, they are doing the exact opposite. They have either created or exacerbated these issues. They make it difficult to resolve the issues. People in the region will solve the issues on their own if things are in their hands. We would like to reiterate our invitation to the Arab and Islamic governments in the area not to trust America. They ought to be aware that America is not to be trusted. The United States views them as a tool: a means by which the Zionist regime, their own arrogance, and their own interests in the region are safeguarded. In point of fact, America has absolutely no interest in them. It serves its own ends with their money and resources. It uses them to build a wall around itself, protect the Zionist regime, and pursue its own arrogant objectives in the region. They are carrying out this.

Regarding regional events, I believe that the solution is for Muslim nations and Muslim governments to unite and resist America's and some European governments' arrogant goals. By following the lead of the United States, some European governments damaged their reputations. They lost favor with the nations of the region as a result. Some European governments even enjoyed the respect of our people, the Iranian people, but by following the lead of the United States, they lost that respect. After determining their objectives, our movement should be launched in opposition to them. Countries can do so. Naturally, our nation has maintained its resolve.

I should also add that America is losing ground in the region on a daily basis, despite all of these statements and analyses. It has made it abundantly clear what it intends to accomplish: After interfering with other nations' affairs, it is. Additionally, it is not the case that it only displays hostility toward us and is friends with other people. This is not correct. You saw what took place in Turkey. It is true that, in our opinion, the involvement of the United States in Turkey has not yet been established, but there is a serious allegation that the Americans orchestrated the coup d'état that was launched in Turkey. This will be a major scandal for America if this is proven.

Problems will be resolved if the Iranian people are optimistic about the promise made by Allah the Exalted and if we prepare the way for that promise. "If you help the cause of Allah, He will help you," God has said [The Holy Quran, 47: 7]. Allah the Exalted will undoubtedly assist you if you support divine motives, strengthen God's religion, and both. When Allah the Exalted aids a person, no creature on earth can weaken them. On a daily basis, such a person will grow stronger and more successful. If God wills, I pray that Allah the Exalted will assist the Iranian people in achieving success in all areas—security, economic, military, political, cultural, and scientific. I pray that every day He will make you, my beloved people, more content and successful.

Greetings, and may Allah grant you mercy and blessings.