Youths called to follow Imam Ali(AS)
Tehran , Aug 30 - Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei, says Iranian youths should try their best to follow in the
footsteps of the first Shiite Imam who epitomized bravery, generosity
and faithfulness.
At a meeting with a great number of volunteer Basijis, students and
university professors, on Monday, Ayatollah Khamenei offered
congratulations to all Muslims on the birth anniversary of the Commander
of the Faithful, saying the Islamic establishment has offered a modern
line of thinking to the Islamic world and has served as a source of
inspiration in the face of efforts by arrogant powers to bring Muslims
to their knees.
Ayatollah Khamenei further said the fact that occupiers, who are
armed to the teeth, failed to overwhelm the spiritual might associated
with the shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf amounts to a miracle.
The leader went on to say leading the way in identifying and
promoting the new ideology put forth by Prophet Mohammad, making efforts
to stand up for the Muslim faith and remaining defiant in the face of
events which cast a blight on the lives of the Muslim community were
among outstanding features of Imam Ali who serves as a role model for
all Iranian youths.
Ayatollah Khamenei drew a comparison between the situation of the
Islamic establishment today and the difficulties Imam Ali was grappling
with, more than 13 centuries ago, saying the justice-base movement,
Islamic Iran has been instilling into Muslim communities has drawn the
ire of arrogant powers.
The leader stated the victory of the Islamic Revolution, served as a
wake-up call for all Muslims in the world, drew the attention of the
elite back to their Islamic identity, and revived efforts to restore the
trampled rights of followers of the Muslim faith.
Ayatollah Khamenei concluded to secure their unholy objectives, the
enemies of the Islamic Revolution are zeroing in on the youths who
should do their best to foil the plots of the enemy.
Tehran, Aug 26, IRNA -- Shortly after Iran`s heavy weight weigh
lifting champion Hossein Rezazadeh broke the world and Olympic records,
supreme leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei sent
him a message appreciating his efforts. According to the leader`s office,
Ayatollah Khamenei`s message is as follows: Dear Hossein! Thank you for
delighting tens of millions of Iranians.
Leader calls performance of government
positive
TEHRAN, Aug. 25 (MNA) -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution
Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Wednesday thanked the government for
its "hard work" and the "services" it has rendered
to the people. In a meeting with the president and cabinet ministers,
the Supreme Leader said that the government is expected to elaborate on
the positive work it has done for the betterment of society and the work
which remains to be done.
"My evaluation is that the performance of the government has
been positive," Ayatollah Khamenei added.
The Leader also paid tribute to the memories of former president
Mohammad Ali Raja'i and former prime minister Mohammad Javad Bahonar,
who were martyred in a bomb attack in 1981 carried out by the terrorist
Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO).
Pointing to the fact that this is the last year of the current
government's tenure, Ayatollah Khamenei said that the government is
expected to work as hard as if this were its first year in office.
"The positive outcome of your services will be evident in the
years to come and lasting. You should build strong infrastructure to
share the honor of the next government. God forbid that any weak
performance on your part will affect the next government, too," he
added.
The people are currently unaware of the government's positive
performance, he noted, and called on cabinet ministers to inform the
people about their accomplishments in order to gain public trust.
"Tell the people what you have taken so far (from the former
government) and what you are delivering now (for the next),"
Ayatollah Khamenei added.
On the success of the government in attaining self-sufficiency in
wheat production, the Leader said that no one could believe that such an
important goal could be accomplished in three years.
"Thank God, such a success has been made possible through the
hard work of the relevant officials.
"The mass media should publicize the successes of the government,"
asserted the Leader.
President Mohammad Khatami has complained repeatedly that state radio
and television are not giving proper coverage to the government's
achievements.
The Leader also advised the government to promote science and
technology and to develop a relationship between industry and the
universities.
"The campaign against financial corruption should also be a
priority of the government in the last year of its term. Financial
corruption within the executive and the judicial branches of the
government should be firmly dealt with. Financial corruption will
obstruct the way to progress and the campaign against it should be
strong and offer no excuses," the Leader stressed.
Ayatollah Khamenei also advised the government to proceed with the
privatization process and to downsize the government bureaucracy.
"Innovation, economic development, and social justice should go
hand in hand. This is the general policy which should be taken into
account in all planning," the Leader argued.
He cautioned certain political groups against challenging the
government's achievements, saying that criticism and examination of the
government's performance are acceptable, but various tribunes should not
challenge the significant services of the government.
"It is unfair to challenge the invaluable services of the
government," the Supreme Leader said.
Leader voices grief over bloodshed in Najaf
Ayatollah Khamenei also expressed grief at the bloodshed in the holy
city of Najaf and the military operations conducted by occupation forces
in the vicinity of the holy shrine of Imam Ali (AS).
The Leader denounced the "heart-rending tragedy the occupying
powers have caused in the Iraqi holy city."
"The events in Najaf indicate that the Americans have decided to
continue using force against Iraqi civilians. But it is a mistake. It
will fail completely and will cause deep division between the Muslim
world and the occupiers," Ayatollah Khamenei said.
The Supreme Leader went on to say that Najaf has a 1000-year history
and has been the center for training eminent religious leaders for
several centuries.
"Holy Najaf is a university, and the hearts of Muslims,
especially Shia Muslims, beat for that holy city, thanks to the shrine
of Imam Ali (AS). But, the occupiers have violated all humanitarian
criteria in the face of the opposition of the international community,
on the one hand, and are ignoring the sanctity of the shrine of Imam Ali
(AS), on the other."
Ayatollah Khamenei also offered the Iranian nation's condolences to
the Iraqi nation and prayed to God Almighty, asking Him to help the
righteous.
Tehran, Aug 25 - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
Seyed Ali Khamenei on Wednesday thanked the government for the hard work
and it rendered to the people.
In a meeting with the president and the cabinet ministers, the
Supreme Leader said that the government is expected to explain the
positive actions it took for the betterment of the society and the works
which still remain to be done.
"My evaluation is that the government has had a positive
performance," the Supreme Leader said. The Supreme Leader paid
tributes to the memories of late president Mohammad Ali Rajaei and late
prime minister Mohammad Javad Bahonar who were martyred in a bomb attack
in 1981 by terrorist Mojahedin Khalq Organization (MKO).
The Supreme Leader pointed to the last year of the government's
tenure and said that the government is expected to work hard as if it is
the first year it undertook the responsibility.
"The positive outcome of your services will be available in the
years to come. You should build strong infrastructure to share the pride
of the next government. God forbids, any weak performance by you will
affect the next government too," the Supreme Leader said.
The Supreme Leader said that the people are currently unaware of the
government's positive performance and called on the cabinet members to
report what they have done for the people to gain public trust.
"Tell the people what you have taken so far (from former
government) and what you are delivering now (for the next),"
Ayatollah Khamenei said.
On the success of the government to attain self-sufficiency in wheat,
the Supreme Leader said that no one could believe that such an important
goal has been accomplished in three years.
"Thanks God such a success has been available with hard works of
respective officials. "The mass media should publicize the
successes of the government," the Supreme Leader said. President
Mohammad Khatami has complained repeatedly that national radio and
television are withholding publicity from the government.
The Supreme Leader advised the government to promote science and
technology and develop relationship between industry and the university.
"Campaign against financial corruption should also be the priority
of the government in the last year of its term. Financial corruption
within the executive and the judicial branches of the government should
be strongly dealt with. Financial corruption will obstruct the way for
progress and campaign against it should be strong and without any excuse,"
the Supreme Leader said.
Privatization
The Supreme Leader advised the government to proceed with
privatization and make the government bureaucracy smaller.
"Innovation, economic development and social justice should go in
hand in hand with each other. This is the general policy which should be
taken into account in all planning," the Supreme Leader said. The
Supreme Leader cautioned certain political groups against challenging
the government's achievements and said that criticism and examination of
the government's performance are all right, but, different tribunes
should not challenge the invaluable services of the government.
"It is unfair to challenge the invaluable services of the
government," said the Supreme Leader.
Tehran, August 25, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution
Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Wednesday expressed grief at the
bloodshed in the holy city of Najaf and the military operations
conducted by occupation forces in the vicinity of the holy Shrine of
Imam Ali (AS).
In a meeting with the president and cabinet ministers on the occasion
of the Government Week, the Supreme Leader denounced the "black and
heart-rending tragedy the occupying powers have caused in the Iraqi holy
city."
"The events in Najaf indicated that the Americans have decided
to continue using force against Iraqi civilians. But, it is a mistake,
it will absolutely fail and will cause deep gap between the Muslim world
and the occupiers," the Supreme Leader said. The Supreme Leader
said that Najaf has one thousand-year history and has been the center
for training eminent religious leaders for several centuries.
"Holy Najaf is a university and the heart of the Muslims
especially the Shia Muslims beat for that holy city thanks to Imam Ali
(AS) shrine. But, the occupiers have violated all the humanitarian
criteria in the face of opposition of the international community, on
the one hand, and are ignoring the sanctity of Imam Ali`s (AS) shrine,
on the other."
The Supreme Leader extended condolence of the Iranian nation to the
Iraqi nation and prayed to God Almighty for helping the right. 1416/1412
Tehran, Aug 16 - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
Seyed Ali Khamenei here on Sunday evening stressed that opposing
hegemonistic policies, defending oppressed nations and world Muslims and
supporting Islam are among the Islamic Republi c's principal foreign
policies.
Addressing heads of Iran's representative offices abroad, Ayatollah
Khamenei said the Islamic Republic's strategic goals and the general
framework of the country's foreign policy are the same as of those of 25
years ago and have been followed up at regional and international
diplomatic arenas.
Referring to the progress of the Iranian nation in different
political, economic, social, cultural and scientific areas, the Supreme
Leader said the enemies admit that the Islamic Republic has become more
powerful.
They are aware that the Islamic vigilance of Muslim nations
throughout the globe is an impact of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in
Iran, the Supreme Leader added.
On fundamental changes in the world diplomatic ideology, Ayatollah
Khamenei reiterated that the western liberal-democracy today, is being
opposed by world nations and the US diplomacy is in the abyss of
political failure and has been practically isolat ed in the world.
"The Islam we believe in is based on three principles of
spirituality, rationalism and justice and it is completely different
from the liberal or petrified Islam," the Supreme Leader noted.
Elsewhere in his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei urged the Iranian
officials in charge of foreign policy to make use of all the existing
potentials and capabilities of the Iranian nation to make the objectives
of the Iranian foreign policy progressive. < br> Appreciating
great efforts made in the country's foreign diplomatic area, the Supreme
Leader called for the country's active role in regional and
international arenas.
Terming the Islamic Republic's stands regarding different issues as
logical, Ayatollah Khamenei said, "In issues such as human rights,
rights of minorities, anti-terrorism struggle, women's rights, ban on
weapons of mass destruction, elimination of dis crimination and nuclear
energy, we should be the claimant and not the westerners."
As to Iran's legitimate right for making use of nuclear energy, the
Supreme Leader underlined the need for confidence-building between Iran
and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Referring to hue and cry made by the westerners on Iran's nuclear
activities in the past few months, the Supreme Leader said they are
doing the same thing with regards to manufacturing of centrifuge
components, while those parts manufacturing is not ag ainst any accord.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran, without paying attention to such
tumult, is following up its logical objective of making peaceful use of
nuclear energy," the Supreme Leader reiterated.
Prior to the Supreme Leader's remarks, Foreign Minister Kamal
Kharrazi briefed the Supreme Leader on the performance of his ministry
and the numerous challenges being faced by the country.
Statement on U.S. Crimes in Najaf
Ayatollah al-Udhma Khamenei (August 12, 04):
Islamic ummah and Iraqi nation will definitely not forget US crimes
in Najaf and will, without a doubt, deliver a harsh reply to America.
Under the slogan of liberal democracy one of the most hideous crimes of
humanity is being committed in Iraq. America, by exploiting the slogan
of democracy and liberalism, drags Muslims into dust and blood in one of
their holiest cities.
The crime committed by America in Najaf, which is one of the most
holy sites of the Shi'is and one of the holiest centers of all Muslims,
is a black dot and a blot which arrogant America can never erase from
its face. The more they continue this crime, the bigger this dark blot
and more incriminating it will become. They are bombing the holy city of
Najaf. They are entering and occupying the city, and they see no
obstacle in front of them to massacre the people of the city. The same
is happening in other Iraqi cities, but the city of Najaf is the main
pivotal point. Their actions tremble the heart of all Muslims in the
world. And the distress brings pain to the heart of Shi'is. By doing so,
they gradually widen the chasm between themselves and the Islamic ummah.
They are doing so in the name of democracy and liberalism. This
current president of America feels no shame. Over the past two or three
days, he repeated claims that they are pursuing democracy in Iraq. In
other words, the term shame has no meaning in the dictionary of these
gentlemen. They enter Iraq wearing jackboots. They kill people. They
gatecrash into people's houses and insult the sanctity of people's
privacy. They kill the people's young sons. We saw other examples of
their deeds in the notorious scandal of Abu-Ghurayb Prison. They
intervene in the affairs of the Iraqi government. They undermine the
convention of a national conference and Iraqi Parliament. They refuse to
grant sovereignty to the Iraqi people. They do not remove the evil of
their military forces from the heads of the Iraqi people. Moreover,
wherever they deem appropriate in accordance with their cruel
discernment, they conduct bombing raids and massacre people. They
demolish people's houses and destroy the meager remains of the Iraqi
people's assets. They turn the people's lives into ashes and then claim
to be establishing democracy in Iraq. Truly, there is no limit to their
shameless behavior.
The current international climate demonstrates domination of a dark
dictatorship across the world. Of course, the era of this global
dictatorship will end, the same as other instances of dictatorship in
various countries. The signs of this have already appeared.
Iraqis will respond to atrocities
Tehran, Aug 12 - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that the crimes being committed in
the Iraqi holy city of Najaf have shivered the hearts of all Muslims.
In a meeting with Iranian cultural attaches stationed abroad and
affiliated to the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO), the
Supreme Leader called on the international community to stop the U.S.
savagery in the holy city of Najaf.
"The situation in the world is such that dark despotism has
forged dominance. Of course, the global despotism will come to an end
soon, and the signs of such a downfall are becoming evident," the
Supreme Leader said.
"In the name of liberal democracy, one of the worst crimes
against humanity is being committed in Iraq, especially in the holy city
of Najaf. The U.S. has begun shedding blood in one of the holiest cities
of the Muslims. The Iraqi people will not leave such an atrocity
unanswered.
_The U.S. president is shamelessly claiming to be upholding democracy
while massacres are being carried out in Iraq and Najaf, the scandal of
Abu Ghraib prison has come to light, and the U.S. meddling in the
formation of the Iraqi National Constituent Assembly has caused another
scandal," the Supreme Leader said.
The Supreme Leader lambasted the international community for
remaining silent about the U.S. crimes in Iraq.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Supreme Leader said that Islamic
ideology has stood against the materialistic ideology of liberal
democracy, adding that materialistic ideology enjoys a massive
propaganda machine and extensive military, political, and economic
support.
"Liberal democracy has brought about the sovereignty of money
and force and social injustice and degraded the concept of humanity and
ethical values. On the contrary, the Islamic Republic of Iran has proven
in practice that it has established a society based on morality, a
society which treads the path of progress in science and technology, and
the people are leading happy lives.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has found a place in the heart of
Islamic nations and stood against Western liberal democracy," the
Supreme Leader said.
Prior to the Supreme Leader's remarks, Minister of Culture and
Islamic Guidance Ahmad Masjed Jamei briefed the Leader on the ICRO
programs, saying that their planning has been in line with the 20-year
strategic plan for economic, social, and cultural development.
Tehran, Aug 12 - The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution,
Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, sent a message to the Iraqi ailing cleric
Ayatollah Sistani and prayed for his health.
The Supreme Leader expressed his deep concern over Ayatollah
Sistani's ilness. He termed him as the spiritual backing for the Iraqi
people.
The Leader hailed Ayatollah Sistani's role in Iraq and said that 'pray
for your health is pray for the happiness of the Iraqi people'.
The Supreme Leader also prayed for the freedom of Iraq and the end of
occupation.
Supreme Leader prays for health of Ayatollah
al-Sistani
Tehran, Aug 12, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution
Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei prayed for the health of Ayatollah Ali
al-Sistani. In a message isssued here Wednesday, the Supreme Leader
referred to Ayatollah al-Sistani as a spiritual pillar for Iraqi nation.
Pointing to the position of Ayatollah al-Sistani among Iraqi Muslims,
Ayatollah Khamenei prayed for recovery and well-being of the grand
ayatollah. Ayatollah al-Sistani, a 73-year-old Iranian-born cleric, flew
to London on Friday for treatment for a heart problem.
Leader pays tribute to Hazrat Zahra
Tehran, Aug 7 - To mark the birth anniversary of daughter of the
prophet Mohmmad, Hazrat Fatemeh Zahra, on Saturday a host of religious
eulogists shouted chants in praise of the revered Muslim lady in the
presence of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and people from all
walks of life.
At the ceremony, Ayatollah Khamenei offered congratulations to all
Muslims on the auspicious occasion, urging young girls and Muslim women
at large to try their best to follow the lead of Hazrat Fatemeh to win
prosperity.
Recalling the bloody incidents of recent days in Iraq particularly in
the holy city of Najaf, the Leader said the massacre of innoncent Iraqis
at the hands of the occupation force shows major powers, have no respect
for the beliefs of the nations, their rights and independence and that
the only way to counter their acquisitiveness is to stand firm in the
face of their measures.
Ayatollah Khamenei further said the steely resolve of the Iraqi
people has brought the US to its knees, adding the US is trapped in the
quagmire of Iraq and resorts to every means such as intimidation to
secure a way out but that the faith and determination of the Iraqis
won't let Washington win its unholy objectives.
7.8.2004 - In Najaf Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution
Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Saturday deplored the bloodshed in the
holy city of Najaf and the massacre of Iraqi civilians.
Speaking at a ceremony commemorating the auspicious occasion of birth
anniversary of Hadhrat Fatima (SA), the beloved daughter of Prophet
Mohammad (S), the Supreme Leader said that the bloodshed betokened the
avarice of the occupation forces.
"The superpowers do not regard any respect for the cultural
values of other nations, nor do they observe their human rights and
national independence," the Supreme Leader said.
"The U.S. has faced an impasse in Iraq. It has been caught in a
trap just like a wolf. It tries to frighten the Iraqis by its claws, but,
the Iraqi people's determination to defend their country will not allow
the U.S. to swallow a big bite like Iraq," the Supreme Leader said.
-> Excerpts of
the speech as pdf with photos
Leader's message to Quranic contest
Hamedan, Aug 2 - The 22nd nationwide Quranic contests of students
opened here in this western city on Monday with the message of the
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In his message to the event, the Supreme Leader recommended the
participating students to elaborate more closely on Quran and make
friends with it.
1,500 students studying at high schools from all over the country are
taking part in the 11-day contests.
