Leader pays tribute to Imam Khomeini (31.1.2001)

Tehran, Jan 31, IRNA -- The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, here on Wednesday morning visited the mausoleum of the late Founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, to commemorate the historic arrival of the Imam in the country on this day in 1979. The Supreme Leader also paid tribute to Hojatoleslam Ahmad Khomeini, the late son of Imam Khomeini.

Likewise, he paid homage to the martyrs of the Islamic Revolution and the 1980-1988 Iraqi imposed war, as well as the government officials martyred in the cause of the revolution, including Ayatollah Mohammad Hosseini Beheshti (former chief justice of the Supreme Court), Mohammad Javad Bahonar (former prime minister) and Mohammad Ali Rajaie (former president). The return of Imam Khomeini to the country after 15 years of exile is celebrated as the first day of the annual "ten-day dawn" celebrations marking the triumph of the Islamic Revolution.
:irna 01/02/2001 13:10

Leader: Hajj, manifestation of Islam's universal policies (29.1.2001)

Tehran, Jan 29, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said here on Monday that the Hajj pilgrimage is the manifestation of the universal policies of Islam. Referring to attempts by enemies to mar the real image of Islam and deny the political aspect of Hajj and Islam, the Supreme Leader stressed that during the Hajj rituals, the real identity of Islam and the present dignity of Islamic nations resulting from the establishment of a religious government in Iran, should be manifested. Addressing officials in charge of this year's Hajj pilgrimage, the Leader emphasized that contrary to attempts by enemies to insinuate religion is separate from politics, the religion, devotees of religion and the pious have been successful in every aspect of their life. The present dignity of the Iranian people and the world of Islam is the result of the valuable initiative of Imam Khomeini to create a religion-based government in Iran and his belief in inseparability of religion and politics, the leader said, adding that enemies try their best to prevent the Islamic system from becoming a global exemplary pattern through their futile efforts to distance the Iranian people from their religious beliefs. Ayatollah Khamenei further said that the current glorious struggle of the Palestinian people against the usurper Zionist regime is also a result of the real identity of Islam as is evident in Iran. Prior to the Leader's speech, Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Mohammadi Rey-Shahri, the Leader's representative in charge of Hajj affairs, said that this year's Hajj is of great importance because it has coincided with the year of Imam Ali (A.S.), the first Imam of the infallible household of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), and with the ongoing Palestinian Intifada reaching its climax. Hojjatoleslam Rey-Shahri expressed hope that during this year's annual 'disavowal of infidels' ceremony to be held in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj rituals in early March, the outcry of the oppressed people of Palestine would be echoed better than in previous years. AR/AH/RR End ::irna 30/01/2001 15:59

Leader: Iran, a strategic ally of Syria (25.1.2001)

Tehran, Jan 25, IRNA -- The Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei here on Thursday said that enhanced ties between Iran and Syria will have a great impact on new regional developments particularly with regards to the issue of Palestine. Receiving the visiting Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, the Leader stressed that the current regional situation is compeletely different from those of the past decades. The Supreme Leader further voiced Tehran's readiness for further expansion of all-out ties with Damascus. The Islamic Republic of Iran is a strategic ally of Syria and is supporter of that country under different circumstances, Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated. Referring to identical views shared by Iran and Syria regarding the issue of Palestine, the Leader said that the weak stand of the the Zionist forces at this juncture, existance of a pseudo political crisis in the U.S. as the main supporter of the Israeli regime, and high morale of the Palestinian and Lebanese nations are factors with no precedence in past decades. These factors indicate that today a new era has started in the region and that to the dismay of the big powers and contrary to what are set forth in the so-called peace negotiations, the fate of Palestine will be determined in a different way, the Leader said stressing that Syria can play a key role in this regard. Syria's stands towards the issue of Palestine have always been decisive, strong and respectful, both during the era of the late Hafiz al-Assad and at the present time, Ayatollah Khamenei said, adding that Muslim nations have now realized that the Zionist regime is not invincible and that those who always tried to pretend that Israel is invulnerable have been isolated before the public opinion of their nations. Confirming the Syrian stands towards Lebanon, the Leader termed the country's stand on the Palestinian issue as a source of honor for all Arab countries. Syria can also be a source of hope for all Arab nations by preserving its distinguished position and principled stands, he added. Paying tribute to the late Hafiz al-Assad, the Leader said that the Islamic Republic of Iran lost a friend and a kind brother. The Leader further expressed the hope that the path of late Syrian president will be followed by his son.

During the meeting, also attended by President Mohammad Khatami, the Syrian president said that his current visit to Tehran is indicative of the continuation of his father's path and of Tehran-Damascus strategic cooperation. Damascus is determined to further promote ties with the Islamic Republic, he said, adding that Syria will back Tehran under all circumstances. Referring to the key role Iran and Syria play in the region, al-Assad termed the current situation in the region as sensitive and difficult. In spite of such circumstances, positive and hopeful developments are taking place in the region including the recent Intifada of the Palestinian Muslims, he added. The recent Intifada is the result of Israel's defeat in southern Lebanon, he said, adding that awarness of the Islamic governments and nations are one of the blessings of the Intifada of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Now all Muslim states have realized that Israel has never been interested in peace in the region, he reiterated. Criticizing a number of Palestinian officials who have sold out the Palestinian territory, President Bashar al-Assad said that Tel Aviv and Washington are now at a weak point and that the Intifada of Palestinian nation is still continuing despite all pressures. He said that his father highly respected the Islamic Revolution, the Founder of the Islamic Republic late Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei and added that such stands are indicative of close relations between the two countries which will continue in the future.
:irna 26/01/2001 14:10

Leader's message opens int'l congress on Ayatollah Sadr (18.1.2001)

Tehran, Jan 18, IRNA -- In a message to the `International Congress on Ayatollah Mohammad Baqer Sadr,' Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that martyr Sadr is definitely a symbol and example for young theology students. The Leader's message, read for him by the head of the Leader's Office, Hojatoleslam Mohammadi Golpayegani, stressed that Ayatollah Sadr's teachings for the glory of mankind did not terminate with his martyrdom. Rather, the message said, the results of his scientific and research works are now available to young students of theology, guiding them to greater scientific heights along the principle of reason. "No doubt he was a genius and a shining star," the message further read, adding that from the scientific point of view he practiced insight and bravery while in jurisprudence he is considered one of its founders. The Leader praised Ayatollah Sadr's `extraordinary talents' and his `unprecedented perseverance,' adding that his searching mind would not be confined to the horizons of seminaries and thus he conducted research work and studies on any subject he thought needed a supreme religious authority in this diversified, contemporary world. The message further stressed that had criminal hands not deprived the seminary of such an invaluable human treasure, the Shia and Islamic community would surely witness another zenith in the realm of scientific and religious jurisprudence. Due to his deep insight, Ayatollah Sadr felt the needs of his time and with his firm steps trod the path that his predecessors had opened before him and was soon gifted with martyrdom for his immense devotion.
Speaking at the opening session, Head of the Islamic Culture and Communications Organization (ICCO) Ayatollah Mohammad-Ali Taskhiri said martyr Sadr was a genius and pioneer in every domain where politics was intermingled with religion. Ayatollah Taskhiri said that martyr Sadr was responsible for launching the most fundamental activities in the country's political arena prominent among which was the foundation he laid for the Islamic Revolution of Iraq just a year prior to his martyrdom. Scientific, religious and political figures from 20 Muslim countries are attending the three-day gathering in which the participants will study 25 articles written on the ayatollah. Out of the 200 articles which have reached the secretariat of the congress on the spiritual, political and scientific personality of Ayatollah Sadr, 40 will be studied in ad-hoc committees. Ayatollah Sadr was born in Kazemeyn, Iraq in 1934 and completed courses in theology at the age of 25. He wrote many books and articles on Islamic economy. He was martyred at the age of 47.
:irna 19/01/2001 15:54

Leader receives Moroccan PM (18.1.2001)

Tehran, Jan 18, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei here on Thursday received visiting Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssofi, the first top official from Morocco to visit Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The leader said the two countries' reliance on `an Islamic identity' as well as their inherent capabilities provide suitable grounds for the development of relations, adding that the Islamic Republic welcomes expansion of Tehran-Rabat ties. He pointed to `a concerted propaganda campaign' being unleashed by enemies of Islam, saying these enemies are trying to make Muslims abandon their Islamic identity and mislead them into believing that no effort would bear fruit without westernization. "Islamic countries and nations enjoy abundant potentials. They can take the road to progress and development by relying merely on their own resources and their Islamic identity, without the need to resort to western beliefs and ways," Ayatollah Khamenei said. He stressed the importance of cooperation among Islamic states and its role in the international arena, adding that one field where cooperation is crucial is in the issue pertaining to the oppressed Palestinians in their popular uprising (Intifada) to free their homeland from Zionist occupation. "All Islamic nations have a share in this struggle as well as the responsibility to help the Palestinian people," the Supreme Leader stressed. He hailed the Moroccan government's action in closing the Zionist regime's representative office in that country.

Youssofi, for his part, referred to an unofficial visit he made to Iran during the early days of the Islamic Revolution, and said, "I was hugely impressed by the Iranian epic which was very popular in those days. I believe the victory achieved by the Islamic Republic of Iran was an eye-opener for the world of Islam." Pointing to the two countries' long-standing relations and the Moroccans' deep affection for Ahl-ul-Beit (Household of the Prophet Mohammad), Youssofi stressed his country's firm intention to expand ties with Iran. "The Moroccan government is determined to upgrade its relations with Islamic countries and it firmly intends to build a new structure of cooperation with Iran in all fields," he added. Referring to the extended agonies of the Palestinian people, Youssefi stressed the need for Islamic countries to cooperate by extending political and practical help to the cause of "our Palestinian brothers." Iran and Morocco broke off diplomatic relations for 10 years after Rabat offered asylum to the deposed Shah after he was deported from the country at the height of the revolution. Morocco's support for Iraq during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war, on the one hand, and Tehran's recognition of independent statehood for Western Sahara claimed by Rabat, on the other hand, were further strains on both countries relations until ties were re-established in 1991. The two countries are expected to sign a number of deals, particularly in the areas of tourism and transportation, during the visit by Youssoufi who arrived on Tuesday for five days of talks. Youssoufi is accompanied by a delegation including the Moroccan Economy, Finance and Tourism Minister Fathallah Oualalou and Employment Minister Abbes el Fassi. Trade between the two countries is currently estimated at 200 million dollars annually.
:irna 19/01/2001 14:49

Leader says Iran seeks elimination of Israel from region (15.1.2001)

Tehran, Jan 15, IRNA -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Monday that opposition to the Zionist regime is the essence of the Islamic system and Iran seeks the elimination of Israel from the region. In a meeting with members of the Tehran-based Headquarters of the Conference on "Support to Palestinian Intifada", the Supreme Leader said that Palestine is an Islamic territory which has been occupied by an anti-Islamic enemy and according to the Islamic commands, struggle against the Zionist occupation regime is an obligation. Ayatollah Khamenei said that Iran's stance toward the dilemma of Palestine is in line with the principles of the Islamic Republic, the political logic and the interests of the country. The Leader said the support for Palestine and al-Aqsa Mosque (the first Qibla of the Muslims) is a religious obligation for the Muslim countries adding that Iran's insistence on Islamic principles and the aspirations of the late Imam Khomeini concerning Palestine have served to boost the moral prestige of Islamic Republic among the Muslim nations. The Supreme Leader said that prolongation of Intifada after three months of its outbreak (on September 28, 2000) indicated the magnificence of the uprising and its depth among the Palestinian people. Ayatollah Khamenei said that the Palestinian people specially the young generation are fed up with compromise deals of the past several years. Ayatollah Khamenei called on the conference organizers to help promote artistic works about the Palestinian people's campaign against the Zionist occupation regime to convey the background of Palestine to the young generation. Prior to the Leader's remarks, Head of the Conference on Palestine Hojjatoleslam Mohtashemi Pour briefed the leader on the objectives of the conference. He said that the conference seeks to mobilize the Muslim world's support for Palestinian Intifada and al-Aqsa Mosque.
:irna 16/01/2001 20:23

Lebanese premier meets with Supreme Leader (14.1.2001)

Tehran, Jan 14, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Saturday the resistance of the Lebanese people against the Israeli regime and the expulsion of the Zionists from the Southern Lebanon was a great honor for the Arab/Islamic World. In a meeting Wednesday with Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, Ayatollah Khamenei warned against the serious threat posed by the Israeli Zionists to the entire region while stressing the anti-Israeli campaign in the lebanon. Supreme Leader stressed the reconstruction works and solidarity among the Lebanese masses as two key factors for Lebanon. He stated that the victory of the Lebanese over the Zionists in the Southern Lebanon has positively influenced the Palestinian movement of Intifadah. He termed as "strange and insignificant" the U.S. plans on the housing of the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon for ever while saying that such plans indicate the fright of the Zionists from the Intifadah. The Leader voiced Iran's readiness to help the Lebanese reconstruct their country. He praised the role of the Syrians in contributing to the triumph of the Lebanese over the Israelis in the Southern lebanon. The Lebanese premier said the Intifada was the result of the Lebanese resistance against Isreal, stressing that Israel could not prevent the spread of the Intifada movement.
:irna 15/01/2001 00:53

Leader receives Nigerian president, stresses cooperation with Africa (11.1.2001)

Tehran, Jan 11, IRNA -- The Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo here on Thursday met with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who stressed that cooperation with African countries was among Tehran's priorities in its foreign relations. Ayatollah Khamenei expressed satisfaction over expansion of Iran-Nigeria ties, adding that the Islamic Republic gives high attention to Muslim issues in the world, Nigerian Muslims included. "Africans are noble nations and their continent is the center of many human and natural potentials so that prominent figures have risen during past decades from there," the Supreme Leader said. He said the colonial powers, which dominated Africa for decades, were the cause of backwardness in the black continent and kept its people from any progress. "The presence of big powers in various parts of the world has been always problematic for nations," Ayatollah Khamenei added. He said the two countries membership in important Islamic and international organizations such as the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Group of 77 as well as OPEC were suitable grounds to further expand their cooperation. "The issue of OPEC today is very sensitive and important. Oil, as a natural wealth for its owner nations, is exploited by world powers. Thus, those countries which own oil should enhance their cooperation in order to fight this exploitation," the leader said. He said Islam had emphasized the need for weaker nations to reclaim their rights, adding this required "serious, prudent and smart measures" to be taken. "The followers of various religions in a country can live in peace together in the same way that religious minorities live in absolute peace and security in the Islamic Republic of Iran and have representatives in the Islamic Consultative Assembly (parliament)," the leader said, referring to a vast majority of Muslims in Nigeria.

Obasanjo, in his part, said he was pleased with his trip to the Islamic Republic and described his talk with President Mohammad Khatami "constructive and positive". The Nigerian president confirmed that the "new colonialism" was the cause of Africa's backwardness, adding his country has risen against such domination. He called his visit to Iran a suitable opportunity to get familiar with the country's ancient culture and civilization.
:irna 12/01/2001 14:23

Leader calls for clear-cut distinction between friends, enemy (10.1.2001)

Tehran, Jan 10, IRNA -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that Majlis is the fundamental part of the Islamic Republic and called for making clear-cut distinction between the friends and the enemy. In a meeting with 161 MPs of the sixth Majlis who are war veterans, the leader said that supporting Majlis is tantamount to supporting the Islamic Republic and undermining the legislative body is a step to weaken the Islamic Republic. He added that criticism against the Majlis should avoid any affront to legislature. The Supreme Leader recommended that the MPs of the sixth Majlis are required to take logical approach in dealing with different issues and avoid altercation in discussing the matters. The Leader said that the people from all walks of life specially the MPs are expected to accurately distinguish the state of affairs in political matters and the ranks of the elements affiliated to the enemy and draw a line between friends and foes.
The Leader made it clear that it is naivety to say that there is no enemy and said that an adequate recognition of those loyal to the Islamic Republic and those opposing to the system is the main duty for the time being.  Ayatollah Khamenei said that any difference in preferences among those loyal to the Islamic Republic in treading the path of progress is acceptable and currently all the policy making bodies are moving toward unity in action which is useful for the future of the country. The Leader said that presence of 161 war veterans in Majlis is promising adding that the atmosphere of sacrifice should further develop in the Majlis. The Supreme Leader said that the sacred dafence era has formed the backbone of the revolutionary and the Islamic belief and the Islamic Republic should not forget its honorable past in its endeavors to attain its objectives. Elsewhere in his speech, the leader said that man's commitment to humanitarian values is the essence of intellectualism and that intellectualism has direct relationship with the beliefs of the nations and their own experiences. Prior to the leader's remarks, Head of Presiding Board of War Veterans in Sixth Majlis, Ali Asghar Hadizadeh said that all the MPs in the Sixth Majlis, particularly the war veterans are loyal to the values of the Islamic Revolution, the aspirations of the late Imam Khomeini and the guidelines of the Supreme Leader and will never permit Islamic values to lose their importance.
:irna 11/01/2001 17:47

Iran's Supreme Leader urges unity among world Muslims (9.1.2001)

Tehran, Jan 9, IRNA -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei here Tuesday called on Muslim nations worldwide to stand unitedly against the Zionist regime which has waged the most unprecedented rutalities against the palestinians in the occupied lands. "Islamic states should unanimously label Israel an illegitimate regime and maintain that they should continue their battles against it," he told Sheikh Mahmoud Abdul Ghani Ashour, Secretary of the prestigious Al-Azhar University leading a delegation from al-Azhar in an international conference in Iran.

Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that words cannot unify the Muslims worldwide and that actual things need to be done for that purpose. He criticized the Camp David accord as a dark point in the Egyptian history, saying, "The stance adopted by Muslim nations against Israel is very significant for us." He noted that certain international powers are trying to sow the seeds of discord among the Muslims worldwide. "Defending the Islamic lands is a religious duty and the Muslim scholars should feel their responsibility for the liberation of Palestine," the leader added. Ayatollah Khamenei thanked the Egyptian scholars for their efforts in enlightening the people. Iran and Egypt broke off ties with Egypt after the triumph of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in February 1979 and in protest against Anwar Sadat's signing of the Camp David peace treaty with the Zionist regime, and also its offering a save haven to Iran's ousted monarch Mohammadreza Pahlavi who later died in Cairo. Last June, however, President Mohammad Khatami and Mubarak spoke on telephone phone, the first by the presidents of the two countries since they severed ties. The Khatami-Mubarak phone contact was also the first high-level contact of the two countries after more than two decades. The Jewish state is not recognized by the Islamic Republic. Iran plans to host an international conference on Palestine in May. Israeli troops and Palestinian gunmen exchanged fire in the West Bank and Gaza on Tuesday as pessimism mounted over a U.S. envoy's mission to push for peace in the dying days of President Bill Clinton's administration. The Clinton proposals included giving the Palestinians almost all the West Bank and Gaza Strip, but denied refugees the right to return to Israel. Lebanon, home to about 360,000 registered Palestinian refugees, has strongly opposed any plans to naturalize Palestinians on its land and severely restricts their civil rights. More than 360 people, mainly Palestinians, have been killed since in almost 15 weeks of violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
:irna 10/01/2001 21:23

Leader says national solidarity is necessity of time in Iran (8.1.2001)

Tehran, Jan 8, IRNA -- leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Monday that popular solidarity and strengthening relationship between the government officials and the people are the necessity of time. Addressing a group of people from the holy city of Qom where the first anti-Shah demonstration took place one year before the culmination of the Islamic Revolution, the Leader said that the demonstration in Qom in 1978 was a heroic and faithful response to the requirement of the time. The Supreme leader said that the Iranian nation showed the best possible resistance to the conspiracies of the United States and the Zionists. Ayatollah Khamenei said that the enemy is working hard to disappoint the popular front in Iran. He added that the enemy has targeted the cultural and political atmosphere of the country and is seeking to undermine the faithful and heroic incentives of the Iranian nation specially that of the youth in a bid to create a foothold in Iran once again and plunder the resources of the country. The leader lambasted the U.S. propaganda campaign against Iran's human rights record and said that the question is that the U.S. develops relations with the reactionary and unpopular regimes in the world which have the worst human rights record whereas it accuses Iran of violating human rights. The Supreme leader referred to the presidential election in the United States and compared the Western democracy with the democracy in Iran and said that the Islamic Republic of Iran has relied on the people and the Islamic teachings. The leader said that the officials should not speak in a way conveying a sense of tendency toward the enemy and called on the people to monitor the practices of the officials and those elected. Ayatollah Khamenei said that the al-Aqsa Intifada in occupied Palestine has been inspired by the Islamic Revolution and the Iranian people have set a pattern to stand against injustice exercised by the world powers.
:irna 09/01/2001 20:41

Leader: Islamic world in dire need of proximity, convergence (8.1.2001)

Tehran, Jan 8, IRNA -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a message delivered on Monday underlined the need for unity and proximity in the Islamic world which, he said, is among the world's greatest bodies blessed with material, human, mental and historical assets. The Leader's message, read by Hojatoleslam Mohammadi Golpayegani, was addressed to a congress commemorating the lives of two prominent Islamic figures -- Grand Ayatollah Hussein Boroujerdi and Sheikh Mahmoud Shaltouk. Grand Ayatollah Boroujerdi, the highest religious figure of the Shia Muslim world in his time, died in the holy city of Qom in 1961. Sheikh Mahmoud Shaltouk was the Grand Mufti of Al-Azhar in Egypt. The Leader, in his message, said that the two prominent religious figures were great men who played major roles in achieving the ideal of proximity among Islamic sects. One of the two outstanding figures is a great jurisprudent of the contemporary era and the highest religious authority of the world's Shia Muslims in his time, while the other is also a jurisprudent, a Grand Mufti of the world's Sunni Muslims and the brave custodian of the holy Al-Azhar, read the message in part. Commemorating the two great and famous Islamic personalities is, in fact, highlighting the great service the two rendered to the Islamic ummah in bringing about convergence among them. The two great religious figures worked in this direction for almost half a century, the message read, stressing that had men of science and politics trod their path and continued the effort they began today the world of Islam would not be witnessing tragic disputes among Muslims. Underscoring the grave responsibilities that scholars and intellectuals in the Islamic world are shouldering toward achieving such a convergence, the message called on the various centers for proximity among Islamic sects in Tehran and Cairo to work harder to achieve the aim. It further stressed that centers of sedition, both inside and outside the Islamic world, are targeting Muslims and seeking to widen the division among Islamic nations and sects. Therefore, continued the message, persistence in repelling such seditious waves becomes a collective duty of all, especially the learned and the intelligentsia, by relying on the Holy Quran and Islamic precepts.
:irna 09/01/2001 12:38

Ayatollah Khamenei calls on students to watch out for opportunists (2.1.2001)

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