Leader opinion

What kind of government is the French government? What policy does it have? This policy is the same policy that has offered shelter to the most violent and savage terrorists in the world: the terrorists who martyred a president in our country and his prime minister. They martyred the head of the judiciary branch, many members of parliament and executive and judiciary officials. According to the figures that are available, they also martyred about 17,000 ordinary people on the streets and in the bazaars. They are not ordinary terrorists and they have sought shelter in France and Paris. That is while the French claim to be supporting human rights and freedom! The same government offered the most help to a bloodthirsty wolf, namely Saddam. Of course, we cannot say that it offered more support than other governments, it was one of the main supporters of Saddam in that war. It provided that bloodthirsty wolf with advanced planes and advanced equipment and they were not ashamed of doing it as they have acknowledged it. This is related to their behavior towards terrorists and the like, but you have also witnessed how they treated their people during the Saturday [Yellow Vests] demonstrations held last year. That is while they claim to be interested in freedom, human rights and other such values! I believe that these are the two sides of the same coin: in others words, defending that act of cultural savagery and the criminal action taken by a cartoonist is one side of the coin and the other is defending and helping the munifeqeen and Saddam. These are the two sides of the same coin. Well, such courses of action have been repeatedly adopted in European countries and in the US. The incidents related to insulting the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet have frequently occurred in western countries – in both the US and European countries – but such incidents cannot damage the honor, magnificence and greatness of the Holy Prophet of Islam in the slightest manner. It is completely clear that the enlightened personality of the Messenger of Mercy cannot be damaged with these actions. By Allah’s favor, this sun shines more brightly on a daily basis. Just as the thugs in Makkah and Taif could not erase the name of the Holy Prophet of Islam, despite all the efforts that they made, these excellencies will not be able to damage the Holy Prophet either. However, one can understand a point from this incident: that these courses of action show the dark nature of the western civilization. It indicates that that civilization and culture and that modern jahiliah [ignorance] is really dark and wild in its nature and in its reality. Of course, they are hiding this savagery. That is because they are equipped with science and technology. They cover their savagery up with science and technology and they hide it this way. They appear in public by uttering civilized words, with a humanistic appearance and by wearing ties and perfume, thus covering up their inner savagery. So, Islam and the Holy Prophet are not harmed this way, but this is a means so that you and I can gain a deeper understanding of that civilization. That civilization is really a wild civilization. It has also created a disastrous situation for its nations. In the present time, even after the passage of several centuries from the beginning of that civilization during the Renaissance, you can witness inequality, poverty, injustice and moral decadence in European countries, in the US and in those countries which follow them. This is the nature of that civilization and culture.

Nov. 3, 2020

As for America, I will tell you that America has not changed in any way since the Aban of 1343 – during which time, the regime installed by the US, drove our dear Imam into exile - until the Aban of 1398 which is the present time. America is the same America. The same wolfish qualities which existed in those days, exist in the US in the present time as well. The same global and international dictatorship exists in the US today as well. That day, the US was an international dictator who had certain gendarmes in different parts of the world. Its regional gendarme and mercenary was Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. In other parts of the world, there were other individuals. Today, the same dictatorship exists, but with newer methods and tools. There is the same wolfish quality, the same international dictatorship, the same malevolence and the same desire for having no limits – it has no limits and borders. The US is the same US. Of course, it has weakened today. The US has become weaker compared to the year 1343, but it has also become wilder and more brazen. This is what the US is.

Nov. 3, 2020

Another project that has begun concerns the actions related to the health system, in particular the actions related to the confrontation of the coronavirus. Very important measures with good management have thankfully been adopted in this regard. Some of these measures will have long-lasting effects: measures such as the manufacture of medications or other such measures. These are very important matters. In particular, the extensive scientific tasks that are being carried out in the area of the coronavirus should seriously be pursued in the last year.

Aug. 23, 2020

I want to stress is that in mourning ceremonies, the main criterion is what medical experts – the National Anti-Corona Headquarters – announce to us. I myself will observe whatever action they deem necessary. My firm recommendation to all those who wish to participate in the mourning ceremonies – including mourning committees, those who take the minbar, the organizers, panegyrists, performers of elegies and the like – is this: before you do anything, you should see what they say. If the National Anti-Corona Headquarters issues certain regulations for these occasions, all of us will have a duty to observe them. The issue is not a minor issue, rather it is a very important one. In the present time, there is supervision and control to some extent. However, if God forbid, these measures are taken lightly and if people do not observe them, then there will be a disaster with unclear consequences at the end.

Jul. 31, 2020

One of the things that I would like to stress – is the issue of praying and supplicating. From the beginning, I said that public supplication is a very important issue in this incident. Praying is not particular to the seventh dua of Sahifa Sajjadiyyah, which was recited and acted on by many. You should read various prayers. You should ask God to help and you should supplicate to Him. In particular, youth – who have sincere and pure hearts like freshwater: some hearts are shining and brilliant – should pray as their prayers can be answered. By Allah’s favor, saying prayers for even as long as half a night can eliminate a hundred plights and disasters.

Jul. 12, 2020

The most recent example of these important national capacities, which are rooted in revolutionary and religious faith, is the timely and selfless presence of the people in the first wave of the coronavirus disease. Was it a minor achievement? The medial staff of the country were the frontline warriors and behind them, there stood an enormous number of people and youth who entered the arena in different places and in different forms and who rendered services. As it happens, their work was influential in soothing the Iranian nation’s pain during the confrontation with this dangerous disease. In the movement of religious assistance, the people were asked to help the underprivileged classes of society. Of course, even if we had not said that, the people would have entered the arena on their own. They had entered the arena before we said so. However, after the announcement, they participated in a comprehensive manner throughout the country and you have already seen what great endeavors were made and what valuable services were offered to families with modest means. And this movement was launched on the verge of the auspicious month of Ramadan. These are the spiritual capacities of the country which are really important.

Jul. 12, 2020

Following the emergence of the coronavirus, lower and even middle classes of society really received a blow in terms of their livelihood problems. The endeavor that began right before the month of Ramadan – the pious movement that everyone participated in – was a great endeavor as it managed to help certain families have fewer concerns. Today too, I believe that this movement of cooperation and charity should be re-launched by our dear people. Of course, it has not come to a halt, but it is necessary to accelerate it a little bit so that you, people, can cheer up the environment of the country, gladden some children, provide financial help to some families and liberate certain parents from the concerns they have about their children’s livelihood. This is what the people can do. Now, how this should be done and managed, this is something that cannot be managed in a focused and organized way. These are tasks that are carried out by the masses of the people throughout the country. Thankfully, we have a large country and a large population. Therefore, the movement can be launched at an extensive level. Everyone can help within the scope of their capability. And it should not be said that such and such a family received help and charity in two, three different ways. Well, so much the better! Of course, if they can do it in an organized and systematic way, it will be better, but if it is not possible, it is alright. Even assuming that a family receives help from two, three different places, this is alright. They should not complain that such and such a family received help twice, saying that this is not good considering the dire economic circumstances. They should try not to leave anyone out, that’s it. People should take care not to leave anyone out so that everyone can receive help. This freshens up the country, blesses the affairs and helps God bestow His grace on you.

Jul. 12, 2020

The recurrence of the virus makes one really sad. When you turn on the television and hear that 180 or 220 – a figure related to a few days ago – have passed away, your heart is broken and you become really sad. Such a large number of individuals lose their lives in the course of just 24 hours! Even thirty was too many. When the death rate decreased, it was about 30, which was nonetheless a lot. Each of those 30 individuals had dear ones and they were others’ dear ones. They had a father, a mother, a wife, children, brothers and friends and now, they have to mourn the loss of their dear ones. Now, if this figure reaches 150, 180, 200 individuals, this is really a source of sorrow and grief. I strongly ask all those who can play a role in this regard to play their role in the best way possible.Well, the medical staff of the country fortunately made sacrifices. Words fail me when I try to explain the sacrifices that they have made. A large number of them were infected themselves and some of them lost their lives in the way of serving the people. These services are really valuable and important. However, it was not only the medical staff who rendered services. The different groups of people who make decisions, those who implement these decisions and those who provide backup have played a role as well. A large number of our youth participated in the endeavor in the first months. They supported and helped the medical staff of the country. The masses of the people helped as well. However, when I see on television that some people walk on the street while they refuse to do one single thing – wearing a mask – then I feel embarrassed to face the nurse – nurses and physicians together – who makes such sacrifices. This is while that young or elderly individual is not prepared to wear a mask. These simple measures should be adopted I strongly ask all those who can do something in this regard – including the executive officials of the country, the individuals who can play a part and the masses of the people – to be active in this regard so that we can cut off this chain of infection in a short period of time and that we can help the country reach the shore of salvation. In the beginning, we were one of the best and most successful countries in this area. However, today, this is not the case. Of course, we continue to be ahead of many other countries, but today, we are not at the level that we used to be in the beginning and this bothers me.

Jul. 12, 2020

Some people think that the issue of the Corona is done and dusted. This is not the case and corona still prevails. Fortunately, health organizations, hospitals and other such centers were in the frontlines and they sacrificed themselves – I have frequently said this before, but even if I say it ten more times, it is not too much because their work was really outstanding and they continue to do this marvelous work – and secondly, the mujahids in the way of God entered the arena voluntarily and they did voluntary work and rendered valuable services in hospitals, in cities and even in graveyards. The people too really behaved well and had a good response. In the beginning of the year, when the people cancelled “the sizdeh-bedar” tradition, I thanked them from the bottom of my heart because they took a serious approach. Well, what was the result? The result was that we were introduced in the world as a successful country in fighting against the coronavirus. When some heads of the countries spoke to Mr. President [President Rouhani] – he told me this – they asked him what we have done to prevent the spread of the virus. This shows that our work and our achievements in fighting against the coronavirus have been reflected in the world as some heads of countries ask our President what we have done. This was the first phase. Now that we look, it seems as if the first movement and the first endeavor had lost its vigor among the people and some officials. I see that certain honorable officials show their presence on television while they are surrounded by other people, but they do not wear a mask! Well, I am not wearing a mask either, but there are no people around me. If two, three people come to me, I too will certainly wear a mask as happens sometimes. However, I see that some people do not wear a mask. When you are a government official and do not wear a mask, you might encourage the youth who is walking on the street not to do it either. What will be the consequence of this? The consequence is that our mortality rate reaches 130-plus people while it had reached a two-digit number – about 30, 40 people. This makes one really unhappy. About a month, a month and a half ago, they gave me certain statistics and figures showing that some provinces did not have deaths. I really became happy and I thanked God to know that there are such and such a number of provinces in which there are no casualties. However, very recently – a few days ago – I received a report showing that the same provinces which did not report any death on that day have reported several deaths. Well, one becomes really sad. We should not do this. We should observe the protocols. Both the people and officials should observe the protocols. Fortunately, medical teams and staff continue to stand firm, but I am concerned that they might become tired. Medical staff have endured many difficulties. Well, until when should they keep doing this? For how long should they do it? We should do something to lighten the load that they are carrying. God forbid, if our nurses, our physicians and other medical staff in hospitals and the like become exhausted, work will remain lying idle and the situation will worsen. It is said that there will be economic problems. This is true. Things should be predicted in a way that there will be no or few economic problems because of the coronavirus. We should pay attention that if God forbid, we show negligence and corona spreads again, the economic condition will become even worse and there will be more problems.

Jun. 27, 2020

There is an unanswered question about praying and other religious ceremonies. Of course, I do not want to put forward any proposal to the National Anti-Coronavirus Headquarters about mosques, prayer halls and the like. I follow the expert decisions made by the Headquarters, but what I want to say is that praying and religious activities, in particular in the month of Ramadan and in particular in the Nights of Qadr which are ahead of us, are one of the people’s definite and fundamental needs. From one viewpoint, they are not that different from worldly needs and from another viewpoint, they are even more important than worldly needs. The people need to be in contact with God, to pray and to supplicate, in particular when important matters arise. Therefore, we should think of something for resolving this matter. I even believe that if strict regulations are imposed in this regard, our pious people and mosque frequenters will observe them more than others. In other words, if pious people are told that they should observe certain regulations when visiting holy places, mosques and hussainiyahs, I believe that those who are interested in attending mosques will observe them carefully. As I said, I have no suggestions in this regard and I will approve of the expert and carefully studied decisions of the Headquarters, but I recommend that you entrust this task to those who understand, in the real sense of the word, the significance of dua, supplication and spiritual matters. It is such individuals who should examine the matter and make decisions. Whatever decision they make, I and all the people will be obliged to implement them, God willing.

May. 10, 2020

Westerners really failed in this international test. This is another point that I insist should not be ignored and forgotten. Westerners failed this great test which was confronting the whole world – spanning from the east to the west. Their failure is evident in several arenas: first of all, they failed in terms of their managerial capabilities. Despite the fact that the disease spread in European countries and the US later than in our country and in some other countries – in some countries, it spread one month later or even more than that – and although they had time to prepare themselves for confronting the disease, they failed to react the way they should have. Notice how high the death toll is in the US and in some European countries. Notice how high the rate of the infected is. The people experienced many livelihood problems in those countries which are at a high level in terms of wealth and various other capabilities. Despite their resources, they had numerous problems in dealing with the livelihood issues of their peoples – unemployment, affliction with the disease, failure to get a bed in hospitals and sleeping outside hospitals. So, western governments were defeated in the area of managerial capabilities. They were defeated in their social philosophy as well. Western social philosophy – which is actually a materialistic philosophy in body and soul: such a philosophy that measures everything with money – become a scandal in the world with their outlook towards the elderly and towards those who do not have monetary benefits for their countries and their societies – the sick and the physically and mentally disabled individuals. In some countries, nursing homes were abandoned as a result of which some of them lost their lives or some elderly and some people with physical and social disabilities were discarded. This indicates the defeat of the social philosophy ruling over western countries which as it happens, make extravagant claims. In such countries, money is the main criterion and it is only money that talks. Well, when circumstances are like this, an old man or an old woman who do not generate money for society should naturally not be heeded and they are really not heeded. This is the defeat of that social philosophy. They failed in displaying public morality was well. Despite their claims and despite the exaggerated comments of some individuals in non-western countries – unfortunately, including our own country – about western ethics and morality, they were defeated in this area as well. As you witnessed, an example was emptying stores. Mr. President recounted for me that in a certain European country – he mentioned the name of the country, but I do not want to mention it – trucks deliver goods to stores early in the morning, but the store is empty in the space of just one hour! This is because the people pour into stores and empty them. Where do they take them? They keep them in their storerooms, thus preventing others from having access to them. This is a moral defeat. This is a display of negative attributes in these countries. Of course, as I said, westerners themselves and westernized orientations do not want these truths to be divulged, but they are necessary to be seen. It is necessary for us to see and know about them. For nations, making important decisions for the course of their destiny depends on these pieces of information.

May. 10, 2020

You should attach great significance to the health and treatment network. This network is very important. According to the conjectures of some people, which have been repeated many times, if we have a recurrence of the virus in the future, then surely will this health and treatment center manage to lighten the burden of the country. It was of great value during the recent epidemic as well. Of course, some organizations entered the arena midway through the spread of the disease.

May. 10, 2020