Leader condoles Hakim's martyrdom11:06:11 S.Ù Tehran, Aug 30 - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei issued a message of condolence here Friday on the occasion of martyrdom of Ayatollah Mohammad Baqer Hakim. Ayatollah Hakim was the head of the Supreme Assembly of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SAIRI) who was killed in a car bomb explosion in the Iraqi city of Najaf when he was returning from Najaf Friday prayers yesterday which he himself had led. In his message, Ayatollah Khamenei said that the sinful hands of the servants of the hegemonic powers created another great tragedy once again in which the Iraqi nation was robbed of a priceless personality who was considered as a solid stronghold against the occupiers of Iraq. Pointing to the way the Ayatollah was martyred, the Supreme Leader described him as a combating scholar who had spent long years to restore rights of the Iraqi nation against the Baathist regime and then stood strongly firm against American and British occupiers. Today's tragedy in Najaf and the martyrdom of this grand scholarly combatant was undoubtedly carried out in line with the objectives of the US and the Zionists, the message stressed. The martyrdom of this grand combatant is another proof to the fact that the occupiers have imposed insecurity and chaos to the country with their illegitimate presence in Iraq, the message read. The supreme leader further stressed in his message that the enemies of Muslims and of an independent Iraq should be aware of the fact that this sad event would never result in demoralizing the Iraqi nation so as not to confront the plans and goals of the hegemonic powers and the Zionists or to weaken their faith in Islam and the religious leadership. The message concluded by reminding the Iraqi nation of the fact that the only way for them to get rid of the dangerous plots of the hegemonic powers and the Zionists was their unity under the glorious flag of Islam. The Supreme Leader also declared three days of mourning to mark the martyrdom of Ayatollah Hakim and his associates. President Mohammad Khatami, too, issued a message on the occasion. He condemned the killing of the Ayatollah in his message and described it as an "ugly terrorist act". He also condoled with the Najaf seminary, Iraqi nation and the Hakim household over the Ayatollah's martyrdom. Majlis Speaker, Mehdi Karroubi, Iranian cabinet, Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi and the Head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Firouzabadi, issued seperate messages on the occasion on Friday as well.
Supreme Leader lauds services of governmentTehran, August 27, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Wednesday lauded the services of the government and said that the government should work to improve the living standard of people. In a meeting with the president and his cabinet members on the occasion of the Government Week, the Supreme Leader said that people`s support for the government has been the key to the achievements of the Islamic Republic and that officials are expected to do in a way to keep the people present on the scene. The Supreme Leader honored the memory of late president Mohammad Ali Rajaei and late prime minister Mohammad Javad Bahonar who lost their lives in a bomb blast in presidential office in 1981. The Supreme Leader called for publicity work by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the press and the cabinet ministers about the programs implemented to better the financial situation of the people and their livelihood. The Supreme Leader said that people are satisfied with the government`s program to harness the price hike and called for continued efforts to check the inflation. He once again underscored the need for publicity work on the performance of the government. Ayatollah Khamenei said that reconstruction and contribution to developing infrastructure are the two major goals of the government. "Double attention should also be paid to the people`s livelihood and the medium-term and long-term outcome of the economic development plans which will be tangible to the people in their every day staple," the Supreme Leader said. The Supreme Leader said that people like justice and campaign against corruption and discrimination and that the major efforts of the officials in any rank should focus on administration of justice and campaign against corruption and discrimination. "Legitimacy of the officials comes from their resolve to fight discrimination and corruption. Therefore, any official overlooking this obligation loses legitimacy in his post," the Supreme Leader said. Ayatollah Khamenei said that working for the prosperity of people and the economic growth are the agenda of the Islamic Republic and at the meantime, justice should be upheld, because in the absence of justice some special people will take advantage at the expense of the public. "Islam calls for prosperity of all," he said. Campaign against the greedy people and refraining from giving special opportunity to special people will increase people`s hope in the government, the Supreme Leader said. The Supreme Leader expressed concern about the current political conflict and called on the political parties to avoid tension and help bring a logical and moderate atmosphere. Ayatollah Khamenei called for creation of a calm and enthusiastic atmosphere for the upcoming parliamentary election and God willing there will be a lively election with massive turnout. The Supreme Leader said that there exists two wrong mentality, some people attribute a small or a big problem to the entire system and challenge the whole system and the Constitution, and some attribute any small or big failure to the Leadership and they see only four or five people as responsible. This is something wrong. "The problem originated from performance of the government institutions. We should explore the rootcause of a failure. We should look at our own performance with critical outlook to find the flaw and deal with it," the Supreme Leader said. "The two rival political parties are accusing each other of weak administration. Was it possible to achieve such progress in different sectors without strong administration?" "One party calls for strict religious way of life and the other takes critical view and say that the people may no longer support the Islamic Republic. The reality is that those opposing the system are very scarce and people from all walks of life support the system. They may have criticism, we should hear them and heed their criticism," the Supreme Leader said. The Supreme Leader advised the government to boost national industrial output and said that the government is expected to give priority to domestic goods in order to support national industry. 215/212 End Supreme Leader condemns assassination attempt on Ayat HakimTehran, Aug 25, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei here on Sunday expressed his deep sorrow over the assassination attempt on the life of one of the Iraqi religious leaders, Ayatollah Seyed Mohammad Saeed Hakim in the holy city of Najaf. In a message to Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SAIRI) Ayatollah Seyed Mohammad Baqer Hakim, the Supreme Leader reiterated that those responsible for the bloody incident move in line with the heinous policies, the aim of which is to weaken the Najaf Theological Seminary and to threaten the Muslim ulema. Such criminal measures can be used as a pretext for the occupying forces in Iraq in order to impose their suppressive policies on the defenseless people of Iraq and would lead to insecurity in the war-torn country in a period of time when the Iraqi people are in dire need of unity and solidarity, the Supreme Leader`s message added. Ayatollah Khamenei further expressed the hope that the Iraqi people will defuse the plots hatched by the enemies of Islam and hoist the flag of Islam, independence and freedom in their country. Three people died and Ayatollah Mohammad Saeed Hakim, an uncle of Ayatollah Mohammad Baqer Hakim, was injured in the assassination attempt on Sunday. "Two bodyguards and one staffer of his office were killed in the explosion caused by a bomb inside a gas canister. The canister had been placed outside the ayatollah`s office and a suspicious man was waiting for Hakim to come back from the mosque," his son Ryaz Hakim told IRNA. He said that the bomb went off as soon as Hakim came back from the Imam Ali (AS) Mosque and entered his office. He added that 10 passers by were also wounded in the blast. Supreme Leader: Iran not to compromise over fundamental valuesTehran, Aug 19, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said here on Monday in a meeting with the ambassadors of Iran abroad "The Islamic Republic of Iran will never compromise over its fundamental values, that are the basis for our national pride." Emphasizing on the need to resorting to initiatives, relying on expertise, high talents, speed, perseverance, and tactful planning in acting as the representatives of Iran abroad, the leader said, "There is no price for our national pride." Referring to the rapid developments at global level, the leader emphasized on the need to have a dynamic evaluation system at the foreign ministry to survey the bilateral and international ties of Iran. The Supreme Leader added, "The ambassadors must quite dynamically, play decisive roles in the countries where they are commissioned, defining the stands and viewpoints of the Islamic Republic of Iran logically and strongly." Ayatollah Khamenei Said, "Some of the current international rules are imposed due to the hegemony of certain powers, accepting which equals abandoning our national identity and the Islamic values and fundamentals." The leader added, "There is no pride in doing so, and we cannot compromise over our fundamentals, just in order to please a part of the world, that is crystallized in the west, atop which is the arrogant United States." Counting the capabilities of the country in scientific, political, economic, cultural and social fields, and particularly the "quite strong popular support of the Iranian nation for their own political system", the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution said, "These are all miracles of the Islamic Revolution." The leader further emphasized, "Relying on such unique capabilities, and relying on God`s grace, we can come out victorious from all various challenges in the field of our foreign policy." Ayatollah Khamenei said that the people`s broad presence at the upcoming parliamentary elections, too, will be a great demonstration of the popular support of the Iranian nation for their system, adding, "God willing, the Iranian nation will have a truly dynamic, vivacious, and broad presence at the elections polls." Referring to the achievement in the field of nuclear technology thanks to the endeavors of the pious Iranian youth, and the hue and cry raised by the the west, and led by the US, the leader said, "The country`s nuclear technology is truly indigenous, and aimed merely at peaceful purposes." Ayatollah Khamenei further emphasized, "The Islamic Republic of Iran, based on its religious and jurisprudence fundamental beliefs, would never resort to the use the weapons of mass destruction." Referring to the US and some European countries` insistence that Iran should abandon its nuclear technology, the leader emphasized, "Such stands and requests are unjust, and illogical, and the Islamic Republic of Ira would never yield to them." Regarding restoration of relations with the United States, Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized, "Under such conditions that the United States is treating the whole world as if the nations were all indebted to it, showing any sign of weakness, and any tendency to yield to the US demands, would be the biggest strategic mistake." Referring to the Arab countries stands regarding the Palestine issue, the leader said, "During the past 35 years, the Arab countries gained no interests regarding the Palestinian issue, and the United States, took no step back regarding its full support for the Zionist regime, and never took sides with the Arabs." NA/214 Supreme Leader extends felicitations on Fatemeh Zahra`s (SA) birth anniversaryTehran, Aug 19, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Tuesday extended felicitations on the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of Fatemeh Zahra (SA), the beloved daughter of Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon Him). The Supreme Leader called on the Muslims to establish cordial relationship with the infallible Household. "The Muslims should see their cordial relationship with the infallible household of Prophet Mohammad as a blessing," the Supreme Leader said. "Obeying the Almighty is the essence of supremacy of the human being. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) infallible household is on the crest of human dignity, the place where they reached thanks to their sincerity to God Almighty," said the Supreme Leader. "You can also follow the same footsteps," the Supreme Leader said. The Supreme Leader attended a ceremony to celebrate the occasion. The ceremony also marked the birth anniversary of the late Imam Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic which falls on the same occasion. 215/AH/210 End Supreme Leader pardons, commutes prison terms of women, teensTehran, Aug 19, IRNA -- On the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of Fatemeh Zahra (SA), the beloved daughter of Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon Him), the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei pardoned or lessened the prison terms of women and those below 18-year old. The amnesty was granted as per a request from Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi. Those women sentenced to 15 years in prison and have passed one fifth of the term until August 19 will be pardoned. The divorced women who are bread winner of the family are among those to be freed. The amnesty also included those under 18-year-old. Other inmates charged with public offenses, crimes, drug trafficking, prostitution, armed robbery, embezzlement and guilty of action against country`s security are excluded from the amnesty. MM/215 End Supreme Leader: Iran is standard bearer of religious democracyTehran, Aug 6, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic is the standard bearer of religious democracy by holding elections in the country with subsequent massive turnout. In a meeting with heads of the three branches of government, cabinet members, military officials and members of the parliament ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, the Supreme Leader said that the results of the elections are effective in any decision making. "Bringing the masses of people to different scenes is the great art of the Islamic Republic," he said elaborating on the democratic nature of government system in Iran. The Supreme Leader said that victory of the Islamic Revolution prepared the ground for utilizing the widescale potentials of the nation. The Supreme Leader pointed to the eye-catching progress in higher education, campaign against illiteracy, and implementation of major oil, petrochemical projects, steel mills, construction of dams, defense and scientific researches and said all those achievements have been made despite the economic sanctions and non-stop hostility against the Islamic Republic of Iran. "The enemies of Iran have admitted that Iran has been among the ten countries which have acquired technology to produce fuel for the power plants," the Supreme leader said. The Supreme Leader said that the United States fostered animosity with Iran from the early days of victory of the Islamic Revolution, because it thought that it lost Iran. So the US formed an alliance with the Zionist regime in the region to embark on conspiracy against the Islamic Republic. The US engineered different conspiracies ranging from sponsoring military coup, encouraging Iraqi regime to wage eight years of war on Iran, attacking Iranian oil platform, shooting down Iranian Airbus in 1988 and imposing economic sanctions, the Supreme Leader said. "The US should reach the conclusion that hostility with Iran is useless," the Supreme Leader said. The Supreme Leader criticized the United States for launching propaganda campaign against Iranian nuclear program and said that Iran observes the ban on proliferation of nuclear arms. 215/AH/210 |
