Leader warns against extremism in campaign against financial corruption (29.3.2002)Tehran, March 29, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
Seyed Ali Khamenei in an address in Dokouheh Barracks near Iran's southwest
border with Iraq on Friday warned the authorities involved in the national
campaign against financial corruption not to be entrapped in extremism. He also
called the current US administration "a monarchical regime." Speaking
for tens of thousands of Basiji (mobilization) forces who had come to Dokouheh
to attend the gathering from across the country, the leader further said, "The
blessed anti-corruption campaign should not be viewed as a tool aimed at
securing certain factional interests, since it was launched as a bare necessity
of the day in Iran. "Despite certain extremist assumptions according to
which national campaign against financial corruption was launched due to
widespread corruption in Iran, the main objective of the said campaign is
recognition, spotting and annihilation of any type of (financial) corruption,
since otherwise, even a limited extent of corruption might cultivate and expand,
thus becoming an acute problem for the country in the future," said the
leader. Referring to the independence-seeking characteristic of the Iranian
nation, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed certainty that the flag of pride hoisted by
the third Imam of Shia, Imam Hossein (PBUH) would maintain hoisting by the brave
Iranian nation. "This nation has never got scared of the enemies' threats,
and will never do so, and sowing the seeds of disunity, weak belief in God,
losing hope for a better future, existence of dual rulership in the country, or
inefficiency of the authorities in tackling the nation's problems is the job of
a group that is either ignorant, or ill-intentioned, and the nation is well
aware of such facts," said Ayatollah Khamenei. Elsewhere in his remarks,
the leader asked the authorities to keep behaving the way Imam Ali (PBUH) did,
although the (second) year named after him has come to an end, and considered
the national campaign against (financial) corruption as well as the
comprehensive national move aimed at uprooting the unemployment problem, as two
facades of behavior aimed at following the bright path, laid by that infallible
Imam. Referring to his own recent naming of the current Iranian year after the
third infallible Imam, Hussain ibn Ali (PBUH), the leader said that the three
major characteristics of Imam Hussain's noble uprising were: "Revolutionary
campaign of the righteous front against the evil front; manifestation of
spirituality and wisdom, versus ignorance and falsehood; and finally, the
catastrophic events of `Ashoura' (the 10th day of Moharram, when Imam Hussain
and 71 of his faithful followers were martyred, and his family was taken captive).
"Safeguarding the achievements of that noble uprising calls for gaining a
deep insight about Imam Hussain's mentality," added the leader. Elaborating
on the revolutionary and reformist movement led by Imam Hussain (PBUH), he said:
"Yazid (the tyrant ruler of the time of Imam Hussain) has diminished the
Islamic imamate (leadership) down to the hegemony of a tyrant sultan in which
the human beings suffered from dictatorship and it was against such a grave
distortion of Islam from the Right Path that Imam Hussain (PBUH) led his
uprising." The leader added: "By maintaining firmly his righteous
demands, Imam Hussain (PBUH) reached the highest peaks of grandeur and pride,
and showed the nations how to defend their dignity, when they confront tyrant
powers." Ayatollah Khamenei said that the royal systems, a sample of which
was Yazid's regime, have always been in contradiction to the Islamic rulership,
adding: "The oppressing and tyrant regimes throughout the history of
mankind, no matter what name they choose for their systems, are monarchies, and
the current US administration is one of them. The leader of the Islamic
Revolution referred to "arraying the troops of wisdom versus the forces of
the evil front, who were mainly pursuing their material temptations," as
another aspect of Imam Hussain's nobel and great uprising. "All those who
assisted the Master of All Martyrs (Imam Hussain PBUH) on that eventful day, had
defeated the evil inside them and called the whole mankind towards the path of
eternal salvation when confronting the forces of evil," said the leader.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the Iranian nation, too, like Imam Hussain and his
faithful followers, has become a good model for other independence seeking
nations, including the Palestinians, today. The leader said that the third
aspect of the `Ashoura Uprising' was the extent of brutality, miseries and
catastrophe inflicted against the holy household of the Prophet (PBUH) on that
eventful day, despite which they managed to keep hoisted full blown, the nobel
and proud banner of Islam. "Imam Hussain (PBUH) and his faithful followers,
thus drew a distinct line, clarifying the characteristics of an authentic
Islamic system from those introducing a tyrant monarchy," concluded
Ayatollah Khamenei. Considering "the lessons taught by Imam Hussain's
uprising" as extremely needed in our times, and for the future of the
mankind" the leader expressed regret that: "Today the egocentric
attitude adopted by tyrant leaders is more evidently manifested than ever before
in the history of mankind, and that is why we are in need of pursuing the
objectives of those highly exalted lessons." Supreme leader attends mourning ceremonies for Imam Hossein (AS) (24.3.2002)Tehran, March 24, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
Seyed Ali Khamenei here on Saturday attended ceremonies marking `Tasu'a'. Tasu'a
literally means the 9th- that is the 9th day of the lunar Month of Moharram.
Tasu'a precedes Ashura, that is the 10th day of Moharram, when Hazrat Hossein
Ibn Ali (AS), the third Imam of Prophet Mohammad's (Peace Be Upon Him)
infallible household was martyred by tyrannical forces of his age in Karbala (Iraq)
in the year 61 A.H. (680 A.D.). Heads of the three branches of government,
Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a group of statesmen and
people from different walks of life were present at the ceremony, where
eulogists sang songs in agony to commend Imam Hossein (AS) and 72 of his
companions who were martyred on the day. Leader attends mourning ceremonies for Hazrat Hossein Ibn Ali (23.3.2002)Tehran, March 23, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei here on Friday attended ceremonies, marking the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Hossein Ibn Ali (AS), the third Imam of Prophet Mohammad's (PBUH) infallible household. People from different walks of life attended the ceremonies in which preachers outlined philosophy of Imam Hossein's uprising. BG/AR End ::irna 14:29
Leader urges serious anti-corruption campaign in Norouz message (20.3.2002)Tehran, March 20, IRNA -- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei here
Wednesday urged Iranian officials to mount campaign against unemployment and
economic corruption during the new Iranian year. "The authorities should
keep up the fight against economic corruption and attend to the employment issue
with more seriousness and perseverance during the new Iranian year," he
said in a Norouz message to Iranians at the beginning of the year 1381 at 22:46
hours (1916 GMT) Wednesday. "Fighting economic corruption is a fundamental
and genuine step in the country's reform movement which has to be pursued
diligently, carefully and unbiasedly and any extremities must be avoided,"
Ayatollah Khamenei said. The leader also hailed "helpful" measures,
taken by state officials during the outgoing Iranian year, against unemployment.
"Helpful plannings were made in 1380 (which started March 21, 2001) as for
the issue of employment. But, this was just a beginning and this issue requires
a serious follow-up," Ayatollah Khamenei added. The issue of economic
corruption has recently come to the spotlight in Iranian media and the buzzword
"aqazadeh-ha" or the offsprings of the merited have become a common
term in Iranian political lexicon. A court is currently trying a 29-year-old
businessman, Shahram Jazayeri, in a 38-billion-rial fraud case, as well as on
charges of disrupting the state economy and bribing several officials. Ayatollah
Khamenei in January said that 'serious punishment awaits" those involved in
economic corruption. President Mohammad Khatami also has blamed financial
corruption for much of the country's slack economic burgeoning, saying those
behind the malady should be brought to book. Some 700,000 young people enter
Iran's labor market each year, with unemployment said to be hovering around 16
percent. Leader outlines Gov't responsibility vis-a-vis US threats (17.3.2002)Tehran, March 17, IRNA -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed
Ali Khamenei on Monday outlined the responsibility of different government
institutions vis-a-vis the US threats. 'USA Today' disclosed last week a US
Defense Ministry's contingency plan to launch nuclear attacks against several
countries including Iran. All respective nations expressed shock at the threats.
In a meeting with the senior officials at the end of the calendar year, 1380,
the Supreme Leader explained the effective parameters behind the US threats to
other nations and the deterrent measures that should be taken to prevent the
United States from putting into practice its threats. The Leader dismissed any
negotiation with the United States under current circumstances of military
threats. "Under the current sensitive situation, the next generation are
looking at Iran and its vigilant nation and officials," the Supreme Leader
pointed out. Prior to the Leader's remarks, President Mohammad Khatami said that
Iran will not hesitate to stand strongly to the US threats. "Iran will
strongly stand against any bullying and extortion. This is the message of the
Iranian nation and officials," President Khatami said. Supreme leader appoints EC new members (16.3.2002)Tehran, March 16, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
Seyed Ali Khamenei in a decree Saturday appointed the new members of the
Expediency Council (EC) for the next five years. The Leader praised the EC
ex-members for their painstaking efforts to solve problems and render great
service to the nation. He said the EC was successful in many cases in removing
the differences between the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) and the
Guardian Council (GC). Ayatollah Khamenei thanked the ex-members of the
arbitrative body for their great attempts and services. The Leader reinstated
Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani as the chief of the arbitration body. 1. The
new legal entities selected by the Supreme Leader are as follows: a. Heads of
the three branches of the government. b. Senior jurisprudents of the Guardian
Council (GC). c. Minister or head of the agencies related to the matter under
discussion in the EC. d. Head of the commission charged to follow the related
case in the EC. 2. The new real entities are Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Amini
Najafabadi, Abbas Vaez Tabasi, Ahmad Jannati, Mohammad Emami Kashani, Mohammad
Reza Movahdi Kermani, Hassan Habibi, Mir Hussein Mousavi, Dr. Ali Akbar Velayati,
Mohammad Mohammadi Reyshahri, Hassan Sanei, Hassan Rowhani, Habibollah
Asgarowladi, Ali Larijani, Mostafa Mirsalim, Tavasoli Mahalati, Morteza Nabavi,
Hassan Firouzabadi, Gholamreza Aqazadeh, Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, Mohammad
Hashemi, Mohsen Rezaei, Ali Akbar Nateq Nouri, Mohammad Reza Aref, Gholamali
Hadad Adel, Majid Ansari, Hussein Mozafar, Mohammad Reza Bahonar, Mohammad Javad
Iravani. The Expediency Council, headed by former president Akbar Hashemi
Rafsanjani, arbitrates in disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council
which vets legislation for adherence to Islam and he Constitution. Ayatollah Khamenei: Intifada, the only way to save Palestinians (12.3.2002)Tehran, March 12, IRNA -- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said here
Tuesday that the popular Intifada or uprising was the only way to liberate
Palestinians from the racist Israeli regime's oppression. "Today only the
continuation of Intifada...could unravel the tangle of the Palestinian
people," he told at the end of a theology class. The leader also criticized
the Islamic countries for being indifferent to the rage of Zionist regime's
atrocities in the occupied Palestinian lands under the violent policies of
hardline Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. "Unfortunately, the Islamic
world today does not fulfill at all its obligation toward Palestine," he
said. "Today, the hearts of the Islamic nations are filled with spite and
enmity against the Zionist regime and its supporters, but they (the Islamic
nations) are not allowed to explicitly express their support for the Palestinian
people," Ayatollah Khamenei added. There is a group of people who want the
name of Palestine to be forgotten and Palestinian Muslims' way of struggle to
come under question, the leader said. Israeli troops have killed more than 1,000
Palestinians since the beginning of Intifada about 17 months ago. The Zionist
army has adopted new tactics in recent months in its fierce crackdown on
Intifada. Israeli F-16 bombers have raided Palestinian targets amid virtual
imprisonment of chairman Yasser Arafat, battle tanks and armored vehicles have
regularly rolled into camps and most recently residents of Palestinian towns
have been rounded up en masse by the Israeli troops. The Islamic Republic does
not recognize the Zionist regime. Iran instead politically and morally supports
freedom-seeking struggles against Israeli occupation.
Leader urges presentation of Islamic ideology to Muslims at Hajj (5.3.2002)Tehran, March 5, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
Seyed Ali Khamenei here on Tuesday stressed the need for presentation of Islamic
ideology to the world Muslims during Hajj. Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted the
importance of turning the organ in charge of Hajj affairs in the Islamic
Republic into an institution for publicity as well as the political and cultural
affairs. The leader said the Hajj related political and cultural activities will
be highly influential for the Islamic Republic of Iran, prompting officials in
charge to redouble efforts to upgrade the activities. He stressed formation of
scientific and intellectual groups to specify Hajj related activities. Leader warns of threats, slams US war-mongering (3.3.2002)Mashhad, March 3, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
Ali Khamenei on Sunday warned of threats posed from inside Iran and outside,
which were intended to prevent the Islamic Republic from turning into an example
for world Muslims. "The foreign enemy, by posing threats and sabotaging
efforts of the Iranian people for economic prosperity, is trying to stop the
Islamic system from turning into a pattern for other world Muslims," he
told tens of thousands of audience during a Muslim feast in this northeastern
religious city in the Khorasan province. The supreme Leader took a strong swipe
at "the grossly impertinent statements" of the US officials against
"the great, civilized and brave nation of Iran", branded by President
George W. Bush as forming an "axis of evil" along with Iraq and North
Korea. "The American statesmen and intellectuals have been overlooking
peaceful rhetoric (of the Islamic Republic). They are now sanctifying war, thus
betraying themselves before the public opinion without being aware of that,"
Ayatollah Khamenei said. "However, such repeated mistakes will lead to
their own fall," he added. "America is angry at the independence,
unity and power of the Iranian nation and will cease its animosity only when the
Iranian nation is hit by an internal split and disunity," the leader said.
US' bellicose stance will not affect Iranians' determination and resistance to
head toward "brightness and felicity" since they are taking their
might from "God, national unity, a civil history and an everlasting Islamic
legacy," the leader said. "Anyone who wants to try their saber against
this solid rock, will gain nothing than having their sword broken,"
Ayatollah Khamenei said. He cited "laxity, negligence and laziness" as
the biggest internal threats to the the Islamic Republic and exhorted officials
to strive for the establishment of a genuine Islamic rule as advised by first
leader of the Shia Muslims, Imam Ali. "It requires a devoted struggle,
resistance and relentless effort to set up a government as advised by Imam
Ali," the leader said. Ayatollah Khamenei stressed Iranian leaders' firm
determination to confront the much-hyped economic corruption, best featured in
the trial of a young businessman accused of misappropriating state funds and
bribing some officials. "The resolve of the high-ranking officials against
the economic corruption indicates that the corruption is not as much widespread
as claimed by the enemies. Rather, it is an imposed and chronic phenomenon with
which the Islamic system is fighting seriously," the leader said. |
