Leader: Iran will not help U.S. gain illegitimate interests in Afghanistan (30.10.2001)

Isfahan, Oct 30, IRNA -- The Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran will not support the United States to gain illegitimate interests in Afghanistan. The Supreme Leader said that any official in the government, parliament or the Judiciary may have personal outlook on developments in the world, but they should honor the constitutional commitment to follow the leadership on sensitive matters. Otherwise, their legitimacy within the Islamic government goes under question and sometimes religiously forbidden. "Difference of opinion is acceptable on matters of administration and amendments to the law, but, the Constitution has put forward a clear-cut provision and has empowered the leadership to have the final say on critical matters," the Leader pointed out. "The leadership determines the general policy of the Islamic Republic for different sectors and the direction toward which the country should be steered. According to the Constitution, the three branches of government, the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary are working according to their constitutional obligations, while having different views about the state of affairs which are constructive in specialized bodies in charge of studying the matters, but, in carrying out the general policy (recommended by the leadership), personal views should not intervene," the Supreme Leader said. The Leader said that the United States has expectations from Iran while it has engaged in a full-scale war in Afghanistan, but, Iran has made its stance clear from the beginning so that there is no room for taking into account the U.S. expectations from Iran. The Supreme Leader recalled the U.S. hostile policies towards Iran in the past and earmarking several billion dollars to finance subversive operations against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Ayatollah Khamenei also said that the U.S. has embarked on attempts to take advantage of the lack of experience of the youth to incite them against Iran's firm stance on the U.S. anti-Iran policies. The Leader said that the enemy is magnifying small events in Iran irrespective of the fact that the large part of Iranian youth population are ready to stand against any possible conspiracy against the Islamic Republic. The Supreme Leader arrived in Isfahan on Tuesday and was accorded a warm welcome by several hundred thousand people of the city who have anxiously been looking forward to hosting the Leader for three weeks.
SS/AH End ::irna 18:22

Leader says western brand of free speech cannot go so far as to heart capitalists (30.10.2001)

Isfahan, Isfahan Prov., Oct 30, IRNA -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said here Tuesday that the present federal censorship of the press and the media in the United States was proof that in the west free speech is allowed only where and when it will not pose a threat to the interests of business tycoons and (big) companies. The Leader of the Islamic Revolution who was addressing a group of clerics and students at the theological school of the city in a routine visit of his here said laic liberalistic thinking in its diverse forms that had earlier on suffered defeat (in Iran and in other parts of the world) was threatening the ideological environment of Iran. He said the clerics as well as young theological students shouldered the responsibility to find the best possible cultural counter-attack against that wave. He commented that the enemies of the Islamic Republic aimed to divest the Muslim people of Iran and especially the youth of their Islamic faith in the advancement of their latent goals. Ayatollah Khamenei also appreciated the services of the theological school of the city in the past and present and the stature of its leading graduates.
HR/HR End ::irna 20:46

Supreme leader arrives in Isfahan (30.10.2001)

Isfahan, Oct 30, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei arrived here Tuesday morning. The supreme leader was welcomed at the city's airport by his representative in this central province who is also Isfahan's Friday Prayer Leader Ayatollah Jalaledin Taheri, the province's Governor General Jafar Mousavi, representatives of the province at the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis), several military commanders and a number of provincial officials. Upon arrival, residents of this central province, in large numbers, accorded the Supreme Leader an enthusiastic and warm welcome. The leader who arrived for an eight-day inspection tour of the province is to deliver a speech at Imam square in central Isfahan later today. Crowds of people from all walks of life, from Isfahan and neighboring towns and villages, converged in and around the city's main streets since early Tuesday. Main squares of the city are draped with banners installed by various political, social, cultural and business groups welcoming their beloved Leader. The welcoming group also comprises the youth who offer flowers to the Leader as a token of affection, kindness, friendship and love.
FS/HM End ::irna 12:07

Leader calls on officials to strive for self-purification (20.10.2001)

Tehran, Oct 20, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said here Saturday that self-purification and campaign against selfishness is an important duty of people, organizations and human beings. Ayatollah Khamenei, addressing a group of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) commanders praised the IRGC for its precious services in various fields and said the IRGC forces had over the past 22 years showed they had the honor to follow Imam Hossein Ibn Ali (AS), the third Imam of the infallible household of Prophet Mohammad (Peace be Upon Him and his Progeny). The birthday anniversary of Imam Hossein (AS) is marked in Iran as `IRGC' day. The leader congratulated the audience on the Imam Hossein's birthday anniversary and on the IRGC day. Ayatollah Khamenei expressed hope that the IRGC would in the course of time and under any circumstances follow Imam Hossein (AS). The leader said recourse to self and self-purification are necessary practices for the IRGC personnel. He stressed the need for the IRGC forces to maintain their vibrancy and dynamism and remain pioneer in all fields. Ayatollah Khamenei said the IRGC should as a living and ever developing entity continue with their ceaseless efforts and rely on their knowledge and insight to become more efficient.
:irna 18:45

Leader says Holy Quran offers remedy to all human afflictions (18.10.2001)

Tehran, Oct 18, IRNA -- The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, here on Thursday stressed their need for Muslims' attention to the Holy Quran and orders of the divine book. Ayatollah Khamenei told the closing session of the 18th International Holy Quran Competitions that if Muslims fail to act consistently with the Holy Quran and do not adopt the one and the same motto their enemies would exploit their diversity with the result that Muslim nations would not respond to their enemies' attacks against hat or that of their members. The Supreme leader said the remedy to all pains and sufferings of Muslims is their reliance on the Quran and action on its basis. The leader said recourse to Islam and paying more attention to the divine book would prepare the ground for closer bonds with God almighty, demolition of the idols of tyranny and would also make all Muslim nations unanimous in their behavior. Ayatollah Khamenei said recitation and memorization of holy Quran will be a prelude to its understanding and obeying its orders. The leader said that recitation of the holy book in a beautiful way would enhance its influence among the youth and encourage them to heed it more than they did before. Ayatollah Khamenei thanked organizers of the International Holy Quran Competitions. The leader praised the youngest reciter of the Holy Quran at the meeting. The Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Ahmad Masjed Jameie, Leader's representative and head of Charity and Endowments Organization Hojatoleslam Nezamzadeh, a number of professors and reciters of the holy Quran and participants in the competitions were present in the meeting with the Leader.

Leader: mankind in need of peace and justice today (15.10.2001)

Tehran, Oct 15, IRNA -- The highest ranking Iranian authorities and government officials attended the Imam Khomeini Hussayniyeh on Monday to felicitate the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on the glorious occasion of Prophet Muhammad's appointment as the last Messenger of God-- the Mab'ath Eid. Also present at the meeting, in which the leader and President Khatami addressed the audience, were the ambassadors of the Islamic countries in Iran. In his Eid-day address, the Supreme Leader emphasized on the mankind's need to prevalence of peace, security and stability, all coupled with justice, expressing regret that the world peace is strongly endangered and seriously threatened today due to the behavior of the United States in this region. "The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns the warmonger approach of the United States, inviting the world nations and governments to safeguarding peace and calmness, as well as adopting rational approaches," reiterated the leader. Ayatollah Khamenei warned the regional countries against assisting the warmongers, that can only escalate the diminutions of war, that is not only against the interests of the Islamic Umma (nation), but a move against the interests of the whole mankind. Referring to certain powerful countries politicians' claims, particularly the Americans, that they are pursuing the prevalence of peace and justice around the globe, the leader expressed surprise that all the big wars in the history of mankind have been imposed by these powers. "Even now their reaction towards the recent terrorist attacks is a serious threat against peace in the region and above that, endangering the international peace and stability," warned Ayatollah Khamenei. The Leader of the Islamic Revolution evaluated the U.S. pretext of the presence of a few culprits in Afghanistan for staging a devastating war there, as "a pretty weak pretext" emphasizing that no sound mind, even the pro-American politicians', was not convinced with that weak justification. He said that the heavy (American-British) air-raids in Afghanistan are a great injustice against the oppressed Afghan nation, adding, "today, the discriminating, revengeful and hostile approach adopted by the oppressor powers in Afghanistan, as well as the racist-Zionist Regime's taking advantage of this chaotic situation in committing more cruel crimes in Palestine, have all imposed truly painful conditions over the whole Islamic world." "The civilization whose standard bearer is the United States today, is presenting a warmonger facade coupled with injustice, arrogance, and irrational behavior, and that is the lasting impression that the mankind will have of the real identity of that civilization, which is, despite their claim, an incompetent image" said Ayatollah Khamenei. He said that the mankind has still not forgotten the memory of the time when the Islamic civilization conquered Iran and Rome (a few decades after the advent of Islam), concluding that due to the humane and just approach of the conqueror Muslims at the time, many Iranians and Romans converted to Islam, and that is the best guarantee for the lasting life of this civilization. The leader then tuned to the vast and complicated propagation of the international news networks against Islam and the Muslims, such as declaration of another "crusade" between Islam and Christianity, as another aspect of the irrational approach adopted by the West in the context of the recent developments. "If such approaches are being adopted knowingly and intentionally, in the context of a pre-planned scenario, they are definitely not only a big threat to the whole mankind, but a big blot on the reputation of the western civilization, as well," said the leader. Ayatollah Khamenei then stressed on the mankind's sheer need to the exalted Islamic teachings and values, noting that the only way to promote them in the modern world is to adjust the Muslims individual and collective deeds, in political, social and personal spheres, with the authentic Islamic codes and norms. "The Islamic world's sensitive and crucial task under the tough current conditions is to ward off their internal enmities and differences, and to embrace the vitally essential Islamic unity, thus moving towards the revival of the Islamic grandeur," added the leader. Ayatollah Khamenei encouraged the world Muslims and the Islamic countries to rely on the great Islamic inheritance and abundant shared resources of the Islamic countries that will easily enable them to make essentially important decisions on their fate and their future, annul the threats, injustice and oppression plotted against them, and to stand tall in such an unjust world's atmosphere victoriously and prosperously.
:irna 18:05

Ayatollah Khamenei Strongly Condemns US Air Strikes on Afghanistan (8.10.2001)

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
The Leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah al-Udhma Sayyed Ali Hussaini Khamenei, has strongly condemned America's air strikes on Afghanistan. Addressing a group of Friday imams on 8 October, he added: "The attacks by America and Britain against the country and the people of Afghanistan, once more, have revealed their violent and ruthless nature".
He went on to point out: "In Afghanistan, the Muslim residents of Kabul, Kandahar, Jalalabad and other places are, at the moment, under American and British bombardment. But they are not terrorists. What authorizes this injustice? They [the Americans] should let the people of the world know. What authorizes some people being killed in Afghanistan, some people being injured and many more being burdened with hunger and displacement and driven into the deserts from their homes?"
The following is text of report broadcast by Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran radio on the same day:
At a meeting today with Friday prayer leaders from throughout the country, His Eminence Ayatollah Khamenei, the eminent Leader of the Islamic Revolution, condemned the American military attack on Afghanistan and the country's defenseless people and said:
"This is not a question of combating terrorism. Why are they lying to the people of the world? Why do they not state their true motive? The motive is the quest for power, the quest for hegemony, and the expansion of the machinery of hegemony. And this is something on which - even if the countries and the nations of the world remain silent in a way in the short term - in the long term, they will not submit to it. They must recognize this, both the Americans and the people who are cooperating with them."
The eminent Leader said that America is engaging in heresy in attacking a country on the pretext of attacking a few people suspected of terrorism and he added: "There have been famous terrorists in the world but where in the world have we ever seen people accusing a few individuals of terrorist measures, then deciding the punishments for them and then, on the pretext of implementing the punishment of these few suspects, submitting the people of a country to bombardment and missile attacks."
His eminence noted: "American officials, harboring futile expectations of the world, have once again claimed that anyone who is not with us is with the terrorists. But world public opinion rejected this wrongheaded and irrational idea the very first time it was uttered."
His eminence Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the international condemnation of last month's terrorist attacks in America and added: "The world rightly condemned those incidents and the killing of defenseless people. But the Americans behave as if no other terrorist attack had ever occurred anywhere else in the world."
The eminent Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to the repeated terrorist attacks that have taken place in Iran, including the downing by the Americans of the Iranian passenger aircraft, the 7 Tir [28 June 1981] explosion at the Islamic Republic Party HQ, and the killing of dozens of the country's officials and the martyrdom of the president and prime minister of the time in the 8 Shahrivar [30 August 1981] incident at Prime Minister's Office and noted:
"In Palestine, too, for dozens of years now, the Zionists have been mounting terrorist attacks every day and these kinds of things have also occurred repeatedly in Lebanon. Why did America not respond to any of these events? And does the world, especially the world of Islam, not have the right - in the light of these events - to place a question mark in front of the measures that are currently being undertaken by the American administration?"
His eminence said that the current situation in Afghanistan and Palestine was an indication of two great injustices committed by America and the Zionist regime, adding:
"In Afghanistan, the Muslim residents of Kabul, Kandahar, Jalalabad and other places are, at the moment, under American and British bombardment. But they are not terrorists. What authorizes this injustice? They should let the people of the world know. What authorizes some people being killed in Afghanistan, some people being injured and many more being burdened with hunger and displacement and driven into the deserts from their homes? Who knows what is happening in these towns today to these wronged and defenseless people? Where is the Muslim who can be at peace with himself and overlook all these defenseless, innocent women and men? All these defenseless children. Is it possible for a wave of reaction not to stir up in the world of Islam against this action?"
Ayatollah Khamenei added: "The attacks by Britain and America against the country and the people of Afghanistan, once more, have revealed their violent and ruthless nature and showed that these governments do not recognize the right of other countries to object."
The eminent Leader pointed out the attempts by the Zionist regime to take advantage of the events of last month in America in order to intensify its oppression of the Palestinian Muslims in the recent weeks, saying: "The Palestinian children, adolescents, youth, men and women are being killed and their homes destroyed by tanks everyday simply because they protest against the cruelty of the Zionist regime."
He emphasized: "The global powers, with America at the top of the list, by relying on their military might, would be able to realize their goals in the short term. However, in the long run, their actions would definitely weaken their hold and uproot them."
The esteemed Leader of the Revolution said that the position of the Iranian people and the Islamic system regarding the regional and global events is in line with the Islamic values, the needs of human beings and the principles of kindness and compassion, adding: "By placing its fate in the hands of God and adhering to the Islamic Principles, the Iranian nation has clearly stated its true position and will do so again."
Ayatollah Khamenei also severely criticized placing the names of various Palestinian groups and Lebanon's Hizbollah on the terrorist list. The eminent Leader of the Revolution said that the Lebanese Hizbollah has regained dignity and pride for the world of Islam, adding: "By placing the Hizbollah on the terrorist list, they are trying to revenge the humiliating defeat of the Zionist regime in the Southern Lebanon, however, they will fail."
During this meeting which marked the start of the 16th nationwide gathering of the country's Friday prayers imams, Ayatollah Khamenei praised said: "The Friday prayer sermons must work towards deepening the people's faith; strengthening ideas and thoughts; clarifying the main and correct policies of the system and promoting Islamic values and national unity among the people."
The esteemed Leader of the Revolution warned against the efforts by the enemies of Islam and Islamic system aimed at corrupting the hearts and the minds of the people by creating doubt in the public mind, adding: "Nowadays, the enemies and opponents of the system, through careful planning, try, more than ever, to create doubts in the people's minds and generate conflicts among them regarding the Islamic principles, correct social values such as sacrifice and dedication and other vital issues concerning national unity and solidarity. It is for this reason that the role of the Friday prayer as a force against this massive attack is more pronounced than ever. The Friday prayer imams must be resolved, vigilant and careful in their efforts to defeat the enemy's plot."
Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized the need to strengthen the Friday prayers and increase their efficacy, adding: "By introducing current thoughts and new ideas and preventing monotony, we must make the Friday prayer, which is God's gift, more attractive to the people and the youth and intensify its affects on the hearts of the people and the youth. While, addressing the doubts, we must strengthen the unity and solidarity between the people and the system as well as the officials."
Prior to the esteemed Leader's speech, the head of the policy-making committee of the Friday imams, Hojjat al-Islam Taqavi, reported on the objectives of the Friday prayers, saying: "Constructive, compassionate and fair criticism; strengthening national authority; resisting cultural onslaught and helping the devoted officials form the pivotal components of the work of the Friday imams."

Imam Khamene'i met group of female Parliamentarians (6.10.2001)

Tehran - Oct 6 (IRIB) - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei here asked the Iranian women to avoid feminism and sexism in their campaign for better female rights. "In the process of raising women issues and solving their problems, feminist inclinations and sexism should be avoided," the Supreme Leader told a group of female Parliamentarians. The Supreme Leader called for attention to the 'main' issues of women,citing 'a modification in the general attitude of the society toward the basic issues facing women' as one of them. "The second main responsibility is to rectify current laws concerning women," Ayatollah Khamenei said, adding seminaries should take the arena in this effect 'with a new attitude in line with the country's expedience'. "Peripheral issues should be avoided in raising women affairs," he added. The Supreme Leader praised Iranian women for their role in the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, saying they should be given the chance to take up the posts which comply with their instinctive features. "The Almighty God has gifted women with an invaluable treasure of love, peace and kindness. They should serve in the posts that do not contradict with their instinctive features," he said. Islam looks at men and women as complementing each other and negates discrimination as far as their basic rights are concerned, Ayatollah Khamenei said. The Supreme Leader said that the Islamic Republic has promoted the standing of women, specifying their role in various fields. Iranian female deputies have appealed for greater female involvement in politics.

Imam Khamene'i: Young generation is country's hopes on future (4.10.2001)

Tehran - Oct 4 (IRIB) - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei said here Thursday that young generation, as the country's hopes on future, will, in the light of acquiring knowledge and spirituality as well as sound social relations, guara ntee a bright future for the country. Ayatollah Khamenei told members of the students assembly that he firmly believed in the youth and said, `young age is like an asset'.
The Supreme Leader advised the youth to avoid laziness and gain `big deposits' from the asset in their personal and social lives. The Supreme Leader said science and knowledge are the keys to the country's progress. Touching on treasons of the Qajarid and Pahlavi kings in Iran in keeping the country scientifically backward, the leader said despiteall the scientific activities in the country, the universities suffer scientific poverty and are in need of powerful scientific movement, whose bases should be set up in the student's environment. Therefore, added the leader, studying is the most important duty of students and is a kind of worship.
Ayatollah Khamenei said piety is the second wing of the society's movement and progress and said weak faith is the cause of some social disorders and political conflicts. The Supreme Leader said the youth can, through commitment to religious norms, especially through strengthening their spiritual link with God and communion with Quran, fill their heart with the light of faith and divine attraction and love. Ayatollah Khamenei touched on the enemy's efforts to propagate well-programmed plans for corruption at schools and said the enemy tries to make the young Iranian generation into a generation that lacks faith, and identity. The Supreme Leader cautioned officials and students to be vigilant anddeal with the efforts properly. The Supreme Leader called political and factional disputes at schools `a big danger' and called on officials and students to prevent such disputes. He said students should make efforts to raise their scientific standards and religious knowledge and to forge sound and healthy links in society as well as understand current issues in the country. The Supreme Leader also called on the audience to cooperate with Islamic associations as well as student Basij (volunteer) forces.

Supreme Leader meets with Guardian Coucil (3.10.2001)

Tehran, Oct. 3 - Due to the commencement of the new term duty of the Guardian Coucil, the council was favoured with an audience with the Islamic Supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. As the vitality of the existance of the Guardian Concil for the Islamic system was pointed out by the supreme leader - the statement, "Guardian Coucil is the desired identity of the system, the existance and the lack of it bears the existance and its lack for the system of the Islamic republic of Iran," was clearly pointed out. Appreciating the effective efforts and moves made by the council during the previous year, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed on the neccesity to safeguard the sublime status of this council and added "With the presentation of the documented defendable debate s and reasons in the global legal societies and also with the representaion of the position of the coucil and its crucial role to the public, the Guardian Council should try to direct its attention for the enhancement of the council's status". "It is the responsiblity of the officials and various organisations to safeguard the sublime status of Guardian Council and also to authorise its lawful decisions," stated the supreme leader. Adaptation of Majlis' ratified laws to the Islamic law , being the responsibility of this council, Ayatollah Khamenei stated," Regarding this responsibility , Guardian Council must present its opinion wisely, logically, clearly and bravely,".
The establishment of jurisprudential consultative council and legal consultative council for the better use of jurists' opinions and legal experts was stressed and evaluated as a positive and appropriate action to be taken. "Proud, strong and deligent, Guardian Concil is acting and stronger it must continue," stated the supreme leader.
Ayatollah Jannati the Council's secretary, presented a report on the activities done in the previous year. The report was delivered before the sublime leader's speech. The review on the structure of the Council's organization, the establishment of bureaus with the role of supervision and investigation in provinces, the establishment of the chief computer bureau and various imformation banks involving the elections, candidates and laws of election and the establishment of the jurisprudential consultative centre, could be named as the most important activities and measures taken by the Council during the previous year.

 
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