Leader: Cultural activists expected to convey message of defense (27.9.2000)

Tehran, Sept 27, IRNA -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that artistes and cultural activists are responsible for conveying the message of the eight years of magnificent defense, to the young and future generations. In a meeting with a number of artistes engaged in publicizing the valiant defense of Iranians during the Iraqi-imposed war (1980-1988), the Leader said the aggression against Iran fully supported by the East and the West had been launched to humiliate a nation which had stood against the whole global arrogance and managed to establish a popular government. Ayatollah Khamenei said protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity, national identity and dignity during eight years of sacred defense was an landslide victory for the Iranian nation to an extent that the national resolve, wisdom and sincerity of Iranian statesmen and active presence of the Iranian nation turned the conspiracy to humiliate Iran into an opportunity and a great asset. The Supreme Leader appreciated the sacrifices of the Iranian combatants and their families as well as the photo journalists and reporters that covered the events on the battlefield and brought the sense of self-belief and independence and proved how the Iranian fighters did the impossible. The Supreme Leader paid tribute to the father of the Islamic Revolution, the late Imam Khomeini whose guidance helped the Iranians attain victory. "Now is the time for the artists to convey every dimension of the events which took place during the eight years of war with the language of arts. What I expect those engaged in cultural and artistic activities to provide a list of the heroic scenes and publicize the sacrifices of the Iranian fighters. What has been done so far in this respect is not enough," the Supreme Leader said. The Leader also recalled what happened behind the front lines and how the international fora sided with the global arrogance against the Islamic Revolution and said that artistic works should cover different aspects of the sacred defense. The Leader complained about weak performance of some artistic works which sometimes ignored the the epic of the sacred defense which he said was not accidental. SS/AH/RR End ::irna 27/09/2000 16:45

Supreme Leader pays tribute to martyrs (21.9.2000)

Tehran, Sept 21, IRNA -- The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei here on Thursday sent a message on the occasion of the day of honoring the martyrs of the sacred defense. The message which was read by the head of Islamic Revolution Martyr Foundation Hoj. Rahimian at a ceremony in Behesht-e-Zahra Cemetery in south Tehran said the memory of the martyrs is the brightest and the most valuable gem in the ring of Sacred Defense. The message said the martyrs were brave youth with noble nature who, through their high awareness and insight, realized the sensitive situation of their country and voluntarily accepted the duty of Jihad for the sake of God. No nation and country in the world can achieve dignity without such efforts. The Supreme Leader said," Our country owes to those beloved souls for their self-sacrifice and to their patient families. Any nation which raises such brave and intelligent youth deserves to be proud of them and can make them as models for the education of the young people in all eras. May God and His Messengers and Angels bless those pure souls."
:irna 21/09/2000 17:36

Leader: Iranian women should rely on their own Islamic identity (20.9.2000)

Tehran, Sept 20, IRNA -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday the Iranian women should rely on their own Islamic identity and serve as a model for the world's women in terms of morality, family values and social, cultural and political obligations. Speaking to thousands of Iranian women on the occasion of birth anniversary of Hazrat Fatima, the beloved daughter of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), the Supreme Leader said Islam broke the myth of men's superiority over women, thus opening the way for promotion of women in every field. The Leader said the Western civilization has offered a commonplace outlook towards women and the Western mass media are exploiting women for financial objectives which misleads the humanity and the human community. "The Iranian women are expected to rely on their own Islamic values and offer a model to the world on the status of women in Islam versus the temptations of the Western mass media," the Supreme Leader said.
The Leader cited verses from the Holy Quran and said there is no difference between men and women before God and they tread the path of progress shoulder to shoulder. Elaborating on the social and political rights Islam provides for women, the Supreme Leader said Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has insisted that women embrace Islam independently, a fact which indicats that 1,400 years ago Islam recognized women's social and political rights. The Western women were deprived of the rights of ownership and voting in elections until the early years of the 20th century which indicated that the Western community was at least 1,300 years behind Islam in recognition of women's rights, Ayatollah Khamenei said. The Leader of the Islamic Revolution added that it is surprising that the Western civilization sees itself as an advocate of women's rights while in fact Westerners should ba accountable to the humanity responsible for their treason against women's rights and for offering a false image of women.

The Leader said a woman is the flower of a family and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has rejected the idea that women should be at the service of men within a family. In Islam man is required to avoid doing women injuctice but rather should protect his wife as a delicate
flower. Ayatollah Khamenei lauded women for undertaking great responsibilities in different stages of the Islamic Revolution and during the sacred defence (1980-1988) and said if the Iranian women did not exercise patience and if they did not take part in the sacred defence and elections over the past 20 years, the Islamic Revolution could not attain its objectives.
:irna 20/09/2000 17:39

Leader says arts should be relied on for Islamic teaching and for divulging plots of global powers (19.9.2000)

Tehran, Sept. 19, IRNA - The leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed-Ali Khamanei, said here today that arts is an ideal medium for islamic influence adn teaching. He said Muslim artists, and among them singers of religious songs (in praise of Hazrat Fatimah-AS and Imam Ali-AS, that is 'zakerin') ust take advantage of poetry, Islamically accepted artistic tools, as well as contemporary political and social sciences and use such festive religious occasions as the birthday anniversary of Hazrat Fatimah (AS) as an opportunity for informing the people of the "plots of global power centers". Ayatollah Khamenei who was addressing a group of visiting 'zakerin' on the occasion of the birthday anniversary of Hazrat Fatimah Zahra (AS) said with the medium of those songs on such occasions the zakerin would do better to remind their Iranian audience of the "spirit of national dignity, of the great movement of the revolutionary people of Iran, and of the great ideals toward which the Iranian Nation can march with that great power." The birthday anniversary of Prophet Mohammad's only daughter Hazrat Fatimah (AS) is annually celebrated in Iran over several days culminating on the 20th of the lunar hegira month of jomadi-Assani, this year falling on September 19. The celebrations are held both at mosques and at private homes, and other places their main feature being 'mouloudi' (saintly birthday songs) sung in commemoration of her saintly birthday anniversary. They have been more marked and more widely-held since the triumph of the Islamic Revolution in February 1979.
:irna 19/09/2000 22:33

Supreme Leader grants amnesty to minor convicts (18.9.2000)

Tehran, Sept 18, IRNA -- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei agreed on Monday to a proposal made by Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi to grant an amnesty or commute the punishement of a number of convicts less than 18 years old. The amnesty is to be granted on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (SAWA), daughter of the Holy Prophet of Islam Hazrat Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) which is marked each year. According to Shahroudi's letter, the request was offered to the
Leader 20 days ago but was referred back to him for some amendments. The Leader has now given his approval. Earlier, on June 19, Ayatollah Khamenei pardoned 603 civilian and
military prisoners to mark two Muslim religious feasts -- the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and that of Imam Jafar Sadeq (AS), sixth Shia Imam. The Leader has made it a practice to grant amnesties to prisoners several times each year to mark major religious holidays or significant anniversaries of the Islamic Republic.
::irna 18/09/2000 13:34

Leader addressing the 13th National Congress of IRGC (17.9.2000)

Tehran, Sept. 17, IRNA- The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Alt Khamenei said on Saturday a renaissance of morality has emerged in the world thanks to the blessings of the Islamic Revolution. Addressing the 13th National Congress of the Commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), the Supreme Leader called the IRCG as a constellation of efficient and Revolutionary elements whose main characteristics are faith and knowledge. The Supreme Leader said the need for morality is overwhelmingly felt in the international community whose positive impacts would become more clear in future. Referring to the anti-Iran moves made by the world powers, the Supreme Leader said the world powers engineered three kinds of wars against Iran immediately after victory of the Islamic Revolution, the military war, economic war and the cultural war which always accompanied by political war. "The Imposed War was a hasty action to confront the Islamic Revolution which despite the huge losses ended in favor of the Islamic Republic and Iran managed to stand before the ranks of both the West and the East independently and victorious got out of the battle field without conceding an inch of the Iranian territory," the Supreme Leader said. The Leader said the Iranian nation successfully left behind the economic war too and the enemy launched the cultural war which accelerated after the Imposed-War ended and for the time being the enemy has come to the field with all its cultural resources.

Elaborating on the cultural war against Iran, the Supreme Leader said the cultural war has targeted the faith, self-reliance and the spirit of national solidarity. The enemy has launched a controversial propaganda campaign as part of the cultural war against Iran which would incur heavy defeat, the Leader said. Ayatollah Khamenei said faith and awareness of the Islamic system are the two strong pillars which will bring defeat for the m enemy adding that the renaissance of morality originated from Iran has gained momentum even in the non-Islamic countries. The Leader said the negative impacts of anti-religion movement in the West in the 18th century and the 19th century have destroyed morality especially in the U.S. and absence of morality contributed to destruction of environment, prostitution and class gaps and wars in the world. The Leader appreciated the IRGC as an efficient organ of the Islamic Republic and called for promoting discipline, training and scientific researches in the IRGC. Before the Leader's remarks, the IRGC Commander Major General Rahim Safavi submitted a report on the performance of the IRGC and voiced the IRGC's readiness to enforce the guidelines of the Supreme Leader.

Leader appoints new Head of Intelligence Data Authority of Law Enforcement (17.9.2000)

Tehran, Sept. 17, IRNA - The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed-Ali Khamenei, Sunday appointed Abdolhossein Ramezani Head of Intelligence Data Authority of Law Enforcement of Iran as a replacement for Brigadier General Mohammadreza Naqdi.
In his written communication to Ramezani, the Leader has also appreciated the services of Brigadier General Naqdi during his tenure in the same office.
:irna 17/09/2000 21:20

Leader urged Iranian students residing in Europe to appreciate the value of their people (16.9.2000)

Tehran, Sept. 16, IRNA- The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Alt Khamenei on Saturday urged Iranian students residing in Europe to appreciate the value of their people, culture, faith and honorable Islamic system and to prepare themselves to play their due role in their home country. In a message to the 35th meeting of the society of Islamic Associations of Students in Europe being held in London, Ayatollah Khamenei said today Iranian youth should know that destiny has placed them at a decisive juncture in the history of their nation. The message read, "Today's knowledge-seeking generation can participate in building an independent, powerful and vanguard country and strengthening the lofty status of the Revolutionary generation. "The Supreme Leader said the oppressive system now dominating the world and the culture which has been created and influenced by it, intend to impose itself on all nations and cultures and wage a brutal war against any cells of resistance. The message further said, "Today, the sacred Islamic Republic System is one of the most resistant of all and this resistance stems from knowledge and a sense of responsibility and not out of ignorance." This resistance which has safeguarded the national identity, inspired by the rich Islamic culture, has never given in to the bullying tactics of the Global Arrogance, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution concluded.

Leader's message enjoins performance of Islamic rituals (12.9.2000)

Hamedan, Sept 12, IRNA -- The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, in a message delivered here on Tuesday, denounced pride and selfishness, and stressed that the observance of Islamic rituals, particularly prayer, will have the positive effect of blocking such negative traits. The Leader's message to the nationwide Tenth Prayer Seminar was read out for him by Hojatoleslam Mohsen Qara'ati, his representative and the head of the nation's Prayer Headquarters. Referring to the negative consequences of harboring pride in mankind's history, the message urged reverence to the Almighty God as a way of lifting the hearts of worshipers. Elsewhere in his message, Ayatollah Khamenei said that aggression, oppression, extremism, trampling of the rights of others and humiliating people as among the greatest tragedies of today's human societies as well as of the global community. Appreciating the efforts of those who organized the seminar and who have raised consciousness on the "divine act," the Leader underlined the need to encourage the youth to immerse themselves in this Islamic practice. President Mohammad Khatami arrived here with an entourage this morning to attend the two-day seminar. Some 1,000 intellectuals along with a host of political, scientific, religious and cultural personalities are attending the seminar.

Leader expresses sorrow over death of Experts Assembly member (12.9.2000)

Tehran, Sept 12, IRNA -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Tuesday expressed sorrow over departure of senior theologian and member of the Experts Assembly Ayatollah Mirza Ali Ahmadi Mianeji.
"With great sorrow I was informed that His Eminency Ayatollah Mirza Ali Ahmadi Mianeji has passed away which is a great loss to the theological center," the Supreme Leader said. "His Eminency was the vanguard of morality and piety, being on the forefront of propagating Islam and Jihad (struggle to safeguard the Islamic values)," the leader said. The Supreme Leader also appreciated the high level of theological knowledge of late Ayatollah Ahmadi Mianeji who represented East Azarbaijan Province to the Experts Assembly. Ayatollah Khamenei offered his condolence to the theological centers and the bereaved family of the deceased Ayatollah.Born in Mianeh, East Azarbaijan Province, Ayatollah Ahmadi died at the age of 75 at a Tehran hospital. Funeral service is scheduled to be held in the holy city of Qom on Tuesday.

Leader calls on seminaries to counter distortion of religion (10.9.2000)

Tehran, Sept 10, IRNA -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei here Sunday morning called on the seminaries as well as theologians to "make sound and efficient planning for campaign against religious distortions and logical confrontation with those promulgating unhealthy thoughts in the society." Speaking at the start of his lecture on religious jurisprudence, the Leader said that any vacuum in the expression of genuine thoughts would give way to the spread of illogical and false thoughts. "Today, unfortunately, individuals lacking scientific backing and the required competence in certain cases express views on supreme religious concepts and ideological principles with factional, political and treacherous bias, and this is an ugly phenomenon," stated the Leaders. Pointing to the fact that such unsafe and ingenuine thoughts are being represented in disguise and in the form of semi-intellectual and semi-modern ideologies, the Leader stressed that one should enter the scene with no fear of accusations and brawls and should bravely make a logical confrontation with such ideologies.

However, the Leader emphasized that religious scholars should not remain silent vis-a-vis such distortions, noting at the same time, that resort to illogical means in confrontation with false ideas and their promulgators should be avoided. The Leader also pointed out that the young generation is in need of ideological assistance today, saying that many scholars are present at seminaries who can express and strongly promulgate the genuine Islamic thoughts in the society in a pleasant manner. Stressing that all scientific potentials at the seminaries, specially the Qom Seminary, should be employed in the arena of the logical campaign, the Leader said that the seminaries should make sound planning for conducting research works, discussing world issues and identification of grounds for suspicion before their emergence. Ayatollah Khamenei underlined the need for the development of a global outlook and addressing the demands of the day in the seminary planning.
:irna 10/09/2000 13:50

Leader: World in dire need of morality (9.9.2000)

Tehran, Sept 9, IRNA -- The Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said here on Saturday the world is in dire need of morality more than ever before. In a meeting with members of Iranian delegation to the conference of religious leaders at the Millennium World Peace Summit, led by Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, the Leader said that theological centers are required to present outlook of Islam on various issues relating to the international community. The theological centers are expected to feel themselves duty-bound to provide the international community with answers to questions on Islamic issues so that they could adopt approaches to dialogue and methods to communicate with world peoples, the Leader said. Prior to the Leader's remarks, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli delivered a report on the Millennium World Peace Summit and the talks held between the Iranian delegation and religious leaders of other countries. Javadi Amoli said the Iranian delegation had a strong presence and outlined the viewpoints of Islam on various international issues as stated in the Holy Quran, Nahj-ul-Balagha (book of Imam Ali, A.S., sayings) and Sahifa Sajjadyah (book of Imam Sajjad, A.S., the fourth Imam of Prophet Mohammad's (peace be upon him) Household). Over 1,000 religious leaders participated in Millennium World Peace Summit in New York for four days which ended on August 30, 2000.
:irna 09/09/2000 16:37

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