The Supreme Leader congratulated world Muslims on Eid al-Fitr, especially the Iranian Muslims, and advised the people to maintain their holy virtue, preserve the valuable spiritual rewards of the holy month of Ramadan, seek the gratitude of Allah, and promote the moral and material aspects of their lives and those of society.
Regarding the religious authorities who had proclaimed yesterday to be Eid al-Fitr, the Supreme Leader stated that the religious authorities who saw the new moon of the month of Shawwal yesterday and others in Qom and Najaf who did not see the crescent moon and celebrated today as Eid have all fulfilled their religious obligations and therefore enjoy God’s satisfaction. This is not and will never be a cause for conflict in the holy religion of Islam.
In his second sermon, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution stated that the International Day of Qods represents the efforts made by Muslim nations to resist the United States and Israel. The great, virtuous, and united people of Iran showed the magnitude of their national power in this regard and demonstrated their deep hatred of the Zionists and their U.S. allies with a determination to defend the innocent people of Palestine and raised the status of the Islamic Republic all over the world.
Ayatollah Khamenei called the Palestine issue the most important issue in the Muslim world and took notice of the relentless crimes the Zionist are committing against the innocent people of Palestine. “Despite various economic difficulties and the killing of women, children, and young people in the occupied territories, the brave and downtrodden people of Palestine are still defying the tyrannical occupiers through the blessings of Islam.
He stated that the current situation in the occupied territories shows the complete desperation of the Zionists and the U.S. in the face of the resistance of the Palestinian people and added, “The new generation of Palestine is alert and has learned from their deep religious beliefs and emotions that there is no way to deal with the occupying enemy except resistance and sacrifice. This historical insight will assure both the certain defeat of the Zionist regime and the U.S. administration and the victory of the people of Palestine.”
The Supreme Leader stated that he regarded Iraq to be the second most important issue in the Muslim world and referred to the U.S. claims about establishing democracy, freedom, and human rights in Iraq, and said, “The U.S. occupiers have created such a restricted environment for the Iraqis that the people have no choice but to fight against them.”
Ayatollah Khamenei addressed the U.S. people saying, “Know that your government has put the U.S. in a quagmire in which it is sinking deeper day by day.”
The Supreme Leader called the U.S. claim about supporting democracy a shameful lie and said, “They are actually against democracy, for they know that if they refer to the votes of the people in Iraq or any other Muslim country, the people will choose the people who consider the U.S. to be the enemy of Islam.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the crimes of the United States, its bloody coup d'états across the world and its constant support for dictatorial regimes all betray the true nature of the U.S. president. He added, “The U.S. government should know that even if it increases its military budget tenfold, it will not be able to capture the Muslim nation of the Middle East since Iran’s great nation is providing other nations with an example of resistance and honor.
The Supreme Leader pointed to faith and unity as symbols of Iran’s success in thwarting the enemies’ conspiracies. Referring to the extremely insidious propaganda of the global hegemonic powers meant to prevent a magnificent turnout for the elections for the seventh Majlis, he added, “The nation should be quite conscious of such propaganda.”
He said that he regarded the seventh Majlis elections as a great national event and added, “There are many things to say about the elections which we will be dealing with, God willing, on future occasions. The important thing is that a large turnout would disappoint the enemy once more and show the enemy that it is out of the question for them to even think that they could determine the fate of Iran and the Iranians.
The Supreme Leader also received a group of high-ranking government officials and people on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr.
President Mohammad Khatami, Majlis Speaker Mahdi Karrubi, Judiciary Chief Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the ambassadors of Arab and Islamic countries in Tehran, and other groups of people met with the Supreme Leader.
Ayatollah Khamenei congratulated the officials and other people on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr and said that the Eid had a significant message, which is the need for unity and solidarity among Muslim nations all over the world, adding that unity is essential for the triumph of Muslim nations over the enemies of the Muslim world on the local and international levels.
To eliminate the U.S. pressure and bullying tactics, the Islamic states must unite and act in concert, he said.
The Supreme Leader postulated that the Islamic nations, political groups, and intellectuals must realize that the hegemonic powers have decided to divide Iraq, but the enemies should know that Iraqis are interested in the unity of their country.
He added that Iraq’s constitution must be drafted by Iraqis themselves not the White House, for that would make Iraq a safe place for occupiers.
The Supreme Leader paid tribute to the Muslim people of Palestine for their struggle against the Zionists and commented that the U.S. and Israel have been disappointed in their endeavors in the occupied territories.
President Mohammad Khatami also congratulated Muslim nations on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr and elaborated on domestic and global developments. He emphasized that Islam is the religion of peace and justice and that the followers of this religion should pay the utmost attention to Islamic teachings and tenets.
He also referred to the achievements of the Islamic Revolution over the past quarter of a century and expressed hope that Palestinians would gain their freedom this year.
JS/SRM
END
MNA