Supreme Leader calls for OIC's active encouragement of resistance movements

Tehran, May 31, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei reiterated here on Saturday that the Organization of the Islamic Conference can and should play an active role in encouraging Islamic countries to resist US plots and Zionism. During a meeting with OIC Secretary-General Abdelouahed Belkeziz, the Supreme Leader assessed the results of the conference as "satisfactory," adding that it is now incumbent on the secretary- general to actively follow up implementation of the articles and resolutions approved in the conference. "Since it is the loyalty of governments to Islam that prevents oppressors from achieving dominance over Muslim states, their plans and activities in the region are naturally aimed at dealing heavy blows on Islam," the Supreme Leader stressed. He then stressed the need to cement solidarity in the Muslim world as a means of empower and immunizing individual Islamic states from the designs of oppressors. "There is no better solution for Muslim states than to continue their resistance against the enemies of Islam and this depends heavily on their ability to forge unity and solidarity," the Ayatollah underlined. The Supreme Leader further called on Muslim nations to adopt a determined and peculiar stance towards Iraqi affairs. "The United States has imposed an American ruler on Iraq and this calls for Islamic countries to set aside their discrepancies and take a peculiar stance towards the US move," the Supreme Leader said, stressing the Iraqi nation's right to decide for themselves the government that is to rule the country. Abdelouahed Belkeziz, for his part, spoke of unity among Muslims as their only way to achieve ultimate power and glory. The OIC gecretary-general, referring to the recently concluded OIC foreign ministerial conference here, said that the results were positive and voiced hope he would be able to materialize all concepts of the final declaration. Foreign ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference on Friday expressed their full support to the right of the Iraqi people to set up a government of their choice with the pivotal help and support of the United Nations, a government that is fully representative of the entire nation and enjoying cooperation and good relations with its neighbors. In a declaration issued at the end of the three-day conference in Tehran, the OIC foreign ministers also called for the speedy restoration of Iraqi sovereignty through the establishment of a legitimate government and an end to the occupation. They called upon the international community to assist in the restoration of security and public order in the country and the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance as well as in the reconstruction of facilities. The declaration condemned the continued occupation of Palestinian and other Arab territories by Israel and its policy and practice of repression and state terrorism against the Palestinian people, and reaffirmed its solidarity with the resistance of the Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese peoples against aggression and occupation. The 30th foreign ministerial session of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) ended here Friday with the issuance of the Tehran Declaration. Foreign ministers and senior representatives from 57 OIC member states as well as envoys from observing countries, Muslim minorities and societies, regional and international organizations and members of the OIC Secretariat attended the three-day meeting.

Supreme Leader urges solidarity to fend off US pressures

Tehran, May 28, IRNA -- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday exhorted Iranians to strengthen their solidarity in the face of American pressures which, he said, were aimed at destabilizing the country and intimidating officials. The enemy seeks to 'stir up social tumult and psychological commotion and petrify officials', but 'nobody has the right to give in to the enemy's demands and the nation will not let this happen', he told parliamentary deputies here. "All state officials must be aware of their grave responsibilities and use their wisdom, prudence and courage and trust God and strengthen our prowess from inside," he said. Washington has turned up the heat in recent days, accusing the Islamic Republic of harboring al-Qaeda members and pursuing an aggressive nuclear program. Ayatollah Khamenei said such policies were the result of American leaders' 'stupid vanity'. "The opponents of Islam and the Iranian nation, with the help of their news empire, intend to spread the dangerous virus of terror and stress among officials, but according to the Holy Qur'an, the faithful rely on God on such occasions and the Creator instills calm in their hearts and boosts their faith and perseverance. "America is not satisfied by anything other than (forcing) the nation and officials to give up national power and preferred values of the nation. Thus, those who are intimidated retreat step by step and give in to all enemy demands," the Supreme Leader added. Ayatollah Khamenei criticized those who exaggerate the enemy's power and said, "The enemy knows that its arms and weapons are ineffective in the face of the Iranian nation's will and their resistance. "Thus, it (the enemy) is seeking to confront the Iranian people from inside and achieve its objectives by weakening the nation's determination which is reflected in the will of the state officials," he added. Ayatollah Khamenei also hailed President Mohammad Khatami's recent statements to commemorate his victory in 1997. "Mr. Khatami's stances of being firm on Islam's principles and his deep hatred towards America's haughty behavior was clearly known to us, but his statements irked the enemy's propaganda machine," the Supreme Leader said. The jubilant welcome accorded by the Lebanese people to President Khatami during his recent visit to that country surprised the world and indicated that the ideals of the Iranian nation have spread among Muslim nations. "Nobody must underestimate this glory and power and overlook the massive energy of the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic of Iran vis-a-vis the enemies," Ayatollah Khamenei said. BH/AH/AR End

Supreme Leader: Spirit of courage necessary for safeguarding

Islamic Revolution Tehran, May 24, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Saturday underscored the spirit of courage as the key for safeguarding the Islamic Revolution. In a meeting with a team in charge of holding annual ceremony to mark anniversary of the late Imam Khomeini's departure, the Supreme Leader said that the late Imam Khomeini was 'brave and placed hope in Almighty God' something which led to the victory of his campaign against the US-backed regime. On the anniversary of liberation of Khorramshahr from Iraqi occupation, the Supreme Leader said that the unbelievable event on May 24, 1982 took place thanks to the spirit of bravery and self-confidence of the late Imam Khomeini. The Supreme Leader said that the late Imam Khomeini did not accept the ceasefire because parts of the country were under Iraqi occupation. The Supreme Leader said that the late Imam Khomeini refrained from accepting the ceasefire unless the Iranian forces drove the Iraqi forces out of Iranian territories, otherwise, parts of the country would remain under Iraqi occupation. On Iran-US relations, the Supreme Leader said that the United States has put adventurism on its agenda of dealing with the international community. "The US embarked on adventurism in four corners of the world. If it reaches an estimation that such a methodology will work. The only way to thwart US threats is an arrangement in which the US not to see a success for its adventurist agenda," the Supreme Leader said. The Supreme Leader said that the Islamic Republic of Iran is the most democratic system of government in the world. SS/AH/AR End

Supreme leader pardons more Iranian prisoners

Tehran, May 24, IRNA -- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has granted amnesty to or commuted the penalties of another group of Iranian prisoners, indicted at military courts. The pardon was made at the request of Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi to mark the anniversary of the recapture of the strategic Khorramshahr port in the Persian Gulf from Iraqi forces in the 1980-1988 war. The amnesty did not include those held for armed robbery and banditry, drugs and arms smuggling, spying, kidnap, rape, graft, setting up prostitution centers, graft as well as charges which amounted to threatening national security. The Islamic Republic usually grants pardon or commutes the punishment of those convicted by the country's tribunals during Iranian national or religious events. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei on Wednesday agreed to either grant amnesty or commute the sentences of 279 prisoners of Iran's ordinary, revolutionary or military courts. The amnesty, requested by Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, coincided with the birth anniversaries of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) and the sixth Imam of Shiite Muslims, Imam Sadeq (AS). BH/AR End

Supreme leader pardons or commutes sentences of 279 prisoners

Tehran, May 21, IRNA -- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has agreed to either grant amnesty or commute the sentences of 279 prisoners of Iran's ordinary, revolutionary or military courts. The amnesty, requested by Judiciary Chief Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, coincided with the birth anniversaries of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) and the sixth Imam of Shiite Muslims, Imam Sadeq (AS). The Islamic Republic usually grants pardon or commutes the punishment of those convicted by the country's tribunals during Iranian national or religious events. BH/JB End

The Supreme Leader's address

5:37:11 PM IRIB Tehran, May 19 - Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei here Monday said Muslims around the world were waking up to resurrect their lost glory, triggering a flurry of fear among the enemies, especially US, which he described 'evil'. "In spite of the Islamic world's backwardness in the past, a massive movement of Islamic awakening and return to Islamic principles which are the guide of Muslims to glory and identity, has started," he told a conference on Islamic unity which coincides with the birth anniversary of prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him). "This awakening has caused fear and confusion among Islam's enemies," he said adding the movement is relentlessly spreading in the face of the world haughty's propaganda hype and use of brute force. Ayatollah Khamenei touched on the ongoing atrocities of the Zionist Israeli regime on the Palestinian lands as well as developments in Iraq in the wake of the US-led invasion. "Atrocities in Palestine and Iraqi developments are a historical and political laboratory before the eyes of the Islamic Ummah who must take lessons from them. " America is backing the Zionist regime's crimes under the slogans of democracy and freedom and depriving the Iraqi people from their legitimate rights," he said. The Supreme Leader said Washington's support for Saddam Hussein during Iraq's war against Iran between 1980 and 1988 was mainly aimed at confronting the Islamic Republic and checking the spread of Islamic awareness. Ayatollah Khamenei slammed Washington for invading Iraq under the pretext that US sought to destroy that country's weapons of mass destruction. "Now one fundamental question to ask is who gave chemical and other advanced weapons to Saddam and what their objectives were in arming Saddam's regime with these weapons," he said. The Supreme Leader said the most important duty of Islamic thinkers, intelligentsia and politicians was to strengthen Islamic awareness among the people and the youth. "Unfortunately the Islamic Ummah, because of having become alienated with genuine Islam and internal differences as well as the rule of idolatrous governments on them, have not achieved the objective projected by the Prophet of Islam," Ayatollah Khamenei said. "The only path for the Islamic world to restore their real glory and identity is to implement the principles and teachings of genuine Islam," he added. He also urged Muslims to make a distinction between the genuine Islam and the one promoted by the US. "The American Islam is petrified and riddled with superstitions,designed according to American principles and westerners' objectives. " The Islamic Ummah will have a bright future only if they cling to the monotheist Islam and unity among Muslims and fight the haughty," Ayatollah Khamenei added. Before the Supreme Leader's speech, President Khatami warned of existing threats against world Muslims, including disunity among their ranks as well as the threats of big powers. "The only way to confront these threats is to stay on the path of enlightenment which Imam Khomeini(the founder of the Islamic revolution) has struck for the world Muslims," he said.

Second news about the Leaders Adress

4:53:29 PM Tehran-May 19- The Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says despite shortcomings of the past, a great Islamic awakening movement has been launched to revive Islamic principles and to lead Muslims toward Islamic glory and identity. The Leader made the comment at a meeting Monday with the heads of 3 branches of governments, state officials, a host of Muslim delagates who are in Tehran to attend an Islamic Solidarity conference, Islamic ambassadors and a number of people representi ng all walks of life. At the meeting which was designed to mark the birth anniversary of the Muslim Prophet and Imam Jafar Sadegh, the leader offered congratulations to all Muslims on the auspicious occasion and said the enemies of Islam led by the United States are bitterl y opposed to the Islamic awakening movement which revives Muslim glory and identity. The leader further described the US as devil incarnate, adding the crimes committed in Palestine and what recently happened in Iraq serve as a historic and political test for all Muslims to draw a lession from. Ayatollah Khamenei said Washington beats the drum of democracy and freedom and in the same breath supports Zionist crimes against Palestinians and deprives the Iraqis of their inalienable rights. Recalling the case of weapons of mass destruction American officials laid to justify the attack on Iraq, the Leader said, today the question is who provided Saddam with chemicals and other advanced weapons, and what was the objective behind it. Ayatollah Khamenei went on to say the ultimate objective of the US armament of the Bathist regime in Iraq was to counter the Islamic Revolution of Iran and check the spread of the Islamic awakening movement, which has sent shock waves through the enemy camp. The Leader further said despite the media uproar of the arrogant powers, the Muslim awakening movement is on the rise and nothing will be able to stop it. Ayatollah Khamenei then recalled the instructions by the late Imam Khomeini who said a line should be drawn between pure Muhammadan Islam and the American-style Islam, saying the Islam the US touts has been adapted to US and Western principles and prom otes backwardness and superstition. The Muslim nation will rely on the pure Muahmmadan Islam which props up monotheism, Muslim solidarity and resistance in the face of arrogant powers, the leader said adding a bright future will be ahead of Muslims.

Leader laudes Khatami's achievments

4:02:12 PM IRIB, Tehran, May 18 - President Mohammad Khatami met with the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei here Sunday.

Winding up his four-nation tour on Saturday night, Khatami called on the Supreme Leader to give a report on his visits to Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Bahrain.

The Supreme Leader expressed satisfaction with the great achievements of President Khatami's tour and his wise remarks on the Islamic Republic's policies and stances.

The Supreme Leader appreciated the four nations, particularly the Lebanese people for their interest in the Islamic Republic and the warm welcome they accorded to the Iranian delegation.

Supreme Leader calls on students to strengthen scientific capability

Tehran, May 12, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution

Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Monday called on university students to strengthen their scientific capability to deal with the theoretical challenges against the Islamic republic of Iran. Addressing several thousand students at Shahid Beheshti University during a seven-hour tour of the campus, the Supreme Leader said that the Iranian nation should reinforce the domestic infrastructure to overcome the challenges at the global level. In reference to the US strategy to push for the unipolar world and take advantage of monopolizing the power, the Supreme Leader said that the Middle East states including Iran are the target of Washington's greed. The Supreme Leader underscored Iran's geopolitical situation and the underground wealth as the reasons for being put on the agenda of the US greed. On the other dimension of the US hostility with the Islamic Republic, the Supreme Leader said that the US aims to undermine the independence of the country and the spirit of justice seeking and the national resolve against dictatorship. On the record of the US hostility with Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei said that since 10 years ago, the United States has changed the "theoretical challenge" against the religious beliefs of the Iranian nation to a "practical challenge" in line with its strategic goals of securing financial benefits. The Supreme Leader said that the United States has embarked on a plan to weaken the strong link between the people and the government, on one hand, and anti-Iran propaganda, on the other, to prepare the world public opinion for a military or semi-military action against Iran. The Supreme Leader said that the US scenario against Iran will not succeed, because of the difference in nature of the Iranian and the Iraqi governments. "Despite some dissatisfaction from certain parts of the government system, the people have trust in the officials and the young Iranians are ready to defend the country," the Supreme Leader said. The Supreme Leader criticized the reformist lawmakers for calling to turn the "US threat" to "an opportunity" through restoring relations with Washington. Ayatollah Khamenei said that restoring relations with Washington is a surrender to the enemy.

Leader visits Martyr Beheshti Universitiy

6:23:36 PM Tehran, May 12 - The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei visited Tehran's Martyr Beheshti University and its medical sister earlier on Monday to get a first-hand account on their scientific and research-related achievements.

At the opening of the visit which also featured separate Q and A with academics and students, the leader stopped by a campus martyr's memorial and offered prayers for the souls of martyr academics to rest in peace.

The field tour also took the leader to different labs of the LASER research center.

Ayatollah Khamenei appreciated the efforts of the staffers of the research center and called for optimal fulfillment of local scientific potential for implementation of different projects.

Later the leader inspected a herbal research center to get familiar with scientific achievements.

The leader then visited the faculty of nuclear technology and irradiation. Later in the day, the Leader inspected an exhibition which puts on display the achievements of the university.

The faculties of architecture and urban development, electrical engineering, and computers have put their achievements on display at the show.

The leader told the acdemics he was happy to be there and that the most important responsibility of academics is to revive a sense of research to make up for the scientific shortcomings of the nation.

Ayatollah Khamenei went on to say efforts should be made to turn scientific courage at universities into a general motivation.

The leader further stated the scientific movement should go about exploring uncharted territories, adding to make scientific headway and recompense the shortfalls of the past, the nation has no way ahead but take a short cut.

Ayatollah Khamenei noted, university professors are instrumental in propping up the sense of national proud, hope in the future, and pride in the past, adding academics are capable of training both educated and committed people who are faithful to nati onal and historiacl identity.

The Leader also called for official planning to settle the problems universities are facing.

Supreme Leader condoles demise of Iraqi clerics in Najaf

Tehran, May 5, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution

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