The legacy of the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran Imam Khomeini, International Quds Day rallies is held by Iranians and other Muslims worldwide to show support for the oppressed people of Palestine and opposition to the occupation of the Palestinian territories by the Zionist regime of Israel.
In an exclusive interview with Mehr News' Lachin Rezaian, A former US army psychological operation officer and counter-terrorism analyst Scott Bennett said International Quds Day magnetizes people together around the central idea of creating and protecting their families, lands, and nations by standing together against terrorism, oppression, prejudice, and violence.
Through virtues and convictions, Quds Day inspires the people of other nations to join the struggle with their hearts, minds, and hands, and apply themselves to the struggle for peace and liberty, he told Mehr News correspondent:
How do you evaluate the importance of International Quds Day rallies and keeping the Palestinian cause alive?
International Quds Day is an annual event held on the last Friday of Ramadan, was initiated by the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979 to express support for the Palestinians and oppose Zionism, as well as Israel's control of Jerusalem. In a time of relentless regime change imposed by the cannibalistic US-Zionist-Wahhabi machine, International Quds day reminds us of our humanity, of God’s purity, and of our quest for justice. Like a single star shining in night’s black sky, the International Quds Day is a beacon for nations to follow and find their way out of darkness. It is the light of hope, which Palestinians, and all people crushed under oppression, can raise their eyes towards, and through patience and faith, achieve a purification from their struggles; and it is the music of holiness, which all nations of the world can hear and admire as a heroic sacrifice.
What impacts does International Quds Day rallies have on the unity, security and stability of the region?
The beauty and power of International Quds Day lies in its ability to unite people in a bond of spiritual brotherhood and sing the harmony of political stability and peace. Amidst the flag-waving, confetti rains, and smiling joy, International Quds Day magnetizes people together around the central idea of creating and protecting their families, lands, and nations by standing together against terrorism, oppression, prejudice, and violence. It serves as a reminder to the nations of the world that freedom and justice and truth are inviolable blessings upon humanity by God, which no person or nation has the right to steal or oppress.
How do you consider the direct and indirect effects of Iran's Islamic Revolution on the Palestinian issue and the role of Imam Khomeini in shaping the resistance movements in Palestine?
One of the key parts of history which is conveniently forgotten by Western universities, schools, and politicians, is the fact that in 1953, the United States and the United Kingdom, in order to secure Iran’s oil fields for Western oil companies, forcibly removed Iran’s government and replaced it with the dictatorship of the Shah. The Shah imposed harsh conditions upon the Iranian people, and corrupted much of the conservative culture in Iran. The Islamic Revolution in 1979 was the Iranian people collective act of unifying their convictions and values, and overthrowing this foreign imposed dictatorship. With their successful liberation, the Iranian nation assumed a position unique in the world, and is one of the last great nations to wield sovereignty and independence amidst a world full of enslaved peoples.
How do you think the achievements of Quds Day rallies are, since its establishment by the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran Imam Khomeini?
Imam Khomeini is the voice and the face through which the public perceive the spirit of Quds Day, and the person who inspires and directs their actions as to how best achieve liberation and peace. One Western writer named Hannah Arendt wrote, “Two things are needed for great revolution: a new sense of freedom, and a sense of creating something.” The people must be communicating and acting in ways, which clearly demonstrates they are achieving a new level of freedom with each step, each shout, each wave of the banner; and they must perceive that through this exercising of their freedom they are creating a new destiny for themselves and their progeny. It is also important to communicate a fearless confidence in the religious righteousness and moral excellence of their cause or message. This attracts people and persuades them to support the message, whereas anger, violence, chaos, and negativity often inspires fear in people and resentment and intimidates them, which stops their ability to consider the message being broadcast. Demonstrations, parades, protests, and public marches serve two purposes: Firstly, to define and unite the voice of the people into one expression of socio-political values and vision; and secondly, proclaim this unified message to the world watching in order to share, protect and advance it. To do this, the demonstration and its message must be viewed as reasonable, passionate, achievable, and spiritually liberating.
Does the idea of Quds Day rallies have any influence on the fight against Zionism in the western countries?
Quds Day is a reminder to western countries that true freedom and peace comes from two things: absolute love and devotion to God, and independence and disentanglement from the laws, customs, activities of nations, and people of the world who offend God. Quds Day is a reminder of man’s proper calling to stand up and defend his purity, and seek to always do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. Through these virtues and convictions, Quds Day inspires the people of other nations to join the struggle with their hearts, minds, and hands, and apply themselves to the struggle for peace and liberty.
Dr. Scott Bennett, formerly of the US Army 11th Psychological Operations Battalion, attempted to blow the whistle by contacting the commercially controlled media and writing to US politicians after being sacked from his job as terrorist finance investigator after he proved too zealous at the job. He also tried to expose Union Bank of Switzerland for financing terrorism (Al Qaeda, Benghazi, ISIL) through the US and Allies, Saudi, Qatar, Turkey, Israel back in 2012; then thrown in prison for it. Bennett had a background in advertising, before being fast tracked into the US military PSYOPS division, receiving a Direct Commission as an Officer, and held a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmentalized Information (TS/SCI) security clearance.
Interview by Lachin Rezaian