Leader: Promote Imam Husain’s (PBUH) message worldwide

Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, on Wednesday September 18 gave an audience in Tehran to Mokebdaraan or organizers of mourning ceremonies and pilgrim caravans to the holy sites from Iraq, saying: “We should strive to promote throughout the world the dynamic message to humanity of the Immortal Martyr of Karbala, Imam Husain (PBUH), the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny).

Now we have excerpts of his speech which also stressed the solidarity of the Iranian and Iraqi Muslim people, despite the plots of the seditionists and western imperialism to drive a wedge between them.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution in his address which included visitors from Iraq as well, praised Allah Almighty for His Favours, and saluted the Master of the all Divine Messengers, Prophet Mohammad (SAWA), as well as his Infallible Progeny and Righteous Companions. Next he paid tributes to the martyrs of Karbala, and then greeted the Lord of the Age, Imam Mahdi (AS) – may God hasten his reappearance for establishment of the global government of peace, prosperity and justice.

He said: “You are very welcome, dear brothers. This meeting is a memorable and historic meeting for me. What was said at the start of this meeting, especially the poems and elegies that were recited, are each an example of the immortality of the heartrending tragedy of Karbala and the timeless greatness of Imam Husain (AS). I was really moved. I hope that in this year’s trip, you dear brothers will bring to your homes and spread amongst your brethren the good memories. I have jotted down a few points to discuss with you.

“The first point is a word of gratitude. From the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the great Iranian nation, I would like to thank you mokebdaraan who perfected the meaning of generosity, affection and kindness during the days of Arba’een – the traditional 40^th day of the epic of Ashura or Muharram 10. Also, I would like to thank the great Iraqi nation and the Iraqi government officials who ensure the safety of pilgrims and who prepared the ground. In particular, I really deem it necessary to thank Iraq’s esteemed ulama and the grand Ayatollahs or Maraje’ Taqlid (Sources of Emulation), who paved the ground for this grand pilgrimage and for brotherhood between masses of the people and between our two nations.

“What they narrate to us about the behavior of you dear Iraqi brothers at the mawakeb [halting places for pilgrims] on the way to Karbala and your generous behaviour towards Husaini pilgrims are things which are unprecedented in today’s world. The annual Arba’een gathering is unprecedented in history: such is your generous behaviour, in the true sense of the word! You have shown true Islamic Arab generosity through your conduct and your actions that are based on your love, affection, and respect for the Chief of Martyrs, Imam Husain (AS).”

Ayatollah Khamenei said: “You do these things because you greatly love Imam Husain (AS). You wash the feet of pilgrims, you provide succour to pilgrims exposed to fatigue. You massage them, feed them and arrange places to sleep because they are the pilgrims. This love for Imam Husain (AS) is an extraordinary matter. We do not know of similar events anywhere in the world and at any time in the world. Indeed, Allah the Exalted will reward you. Of course, the opportunity that you have in this regard is a blessing that God has bestowed on you. The blessing that you have at your disposal to cater to the guests of Imam Husain (AS) is very valuable. This is a divine blessing. This is a divine mercy which should be appreciated and I know that you already appreciate it.”

“The second point is about the essence of the grand Arba’een gathering in Karbala which is truly an unprecedented event, not only in our own times, but also in history. We do not know of any similar gathering in history which is organized more warmly every year. It is unprecedented. This movement is influential in raising awareness about Imam Husain (AS). With the march on foot that primarily takes starts from holy Najaf and ends at holy Karbala every year, Arba’een has acquired global proportions. People from various countries participate in it, and people from all over the world have their eyes glued to this movement. The awareness of the movement of Imam Husain (AS) has become global thanks to this great popular movement.

“Today, we need to promote the message of Imam Husain (AS) all over the world. The world – which is suffering from oppression, corruption, malevolence and vices – needs to become properly aware of the Husaini spirit of liberation. Today, the hearts of people throughout the world and the hearts of youth beat for familiarity with such a truth. If Imam Husain (AS) is properly introduced to the world, it means we are actually promoting the genuine teachings of Islam and the holy Qur’an.

“Today, they (the enemies) propagandize against Islam and Islamic teachings through hundreds of means. Against this hostile move made by the camp of kufr and arrogance, it is the Husaini movement which can single-handedly resist, stand firm and introduce the truth of Islam and of the holy Qur’an to the world.”

As noted by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution: “The logic of Imam Husain (AS) is the logic of defending the truth and resistance against oppression, transgression, deviation and arrogance. Today, the world needs this logic. Today, the world is under the rule of kufr, arrogance, corruption and oppression. The message of Imam Husain (AS) is the salvation of the world. The great movement of Arba’een conveys this message to the whole world and by Allah’s favour and grace, this movement should be strengthened on a daily basis.

“Arba’een has become global and it will be more so in the future. This is the blood of Imam Husain (AS), which is boiling after the passage of almost 14 centuries! This sacred blood becomes fresher and livelier every day. This is the message of Ashura which emanated from the blessed mouth of Abi Abdullah al-Husain and of (his sister) Zaynab al-Kubra (peace upon them) at the height of their loneliness! Today, this message has imbued the whole world. Imam Husain (AS) belongs to all humanity. We are proud of being the followers of Imam Husain (AS), but the Martyr of Karbala, does not belong solely to us. All Islamic denominations, whether Shi’a or Sunni, are standing under the flag of Imam Husain (AS). Even those who do not follow Islam participate in the Arba’een gathering in Karbala, and this will continue, Insha Allah (God Willing).

“This is indeed a great sign which is being shown by Allah the Exalted. At a time when the enemies of Islam and Muslims are working against the Ummah with all sorts of weapons – money, politics and guns – all of a sudden, Allah the Exalted gives such greatness and significance to the Arba’een gathering! This is a great sign of God. This is a sign of Divine Will to help the Islamic Ummah.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said: “The third point that I would like to focus upon dear brothers is that you and we should try to make this ceremony as fruitful and spiritual as we can. We should increase the meaning and content of this ceremony on a daily basis. Intellectuals and cultural personalities and activists should sit and plan about this great movement. Today, the goal of every Muslim should be to establish the new Islamic civilization. Today, this is what we want. Islamic nations have great capacities. Should these capacities be utilized, the Islamic Ummah will reach the peak of dignity. We should think and plan. Establishment of the great Islamic civilization is our ultimate goal.

“Today, Islamic nations have thankfully awakened. The Iraqi nation is a great, dignified, cultured and determined nation. In the recent events, Iraqi youth have shown that they have the power to protect their nation and their country against global plots. This is very valuable. The youth of Iraq managed to smash the internal plot which could have led to a civil war. The plot hatched by Daesh and other takfiri terrorists was no small plot. They spent massive amounts of money. They formulated plans to turn Iraq – an important Arab Muslim country – into a battlefield by pitting Shi’as against Sunnis.

“With the timely edict (fatwa) issued by the grand Ayatollahs of holy Najaf, Iraqi youth displayed spectacular resistance to foil this plot. This was not a minor achievement and feat! The great Iraqi people can help their country reach the peak of dignity. These capacities should be put into practice. If the capacities of Islamic countries – the capacities of Iran, Iraq and other countries of West Asia and North Africa – are gathered together and if they join hands, then the Islamic Ummah will show what Divine Dignity means! It will unveil the great Islamic civilization to global societies. This is our goal and this year’s Arba’een gathering can prove to be an influential means to that end.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution pointed out: “People from scores of countries participate in the Arba’een gathering and they become the guests of the people of Iraq. We should try to strengthen the already firm bonds between Muslim brothers: the bond between Iraqis and non-Iraqis, the bond between Shi’a and Sunni and the bond between Arabs, Iranians, Turks, Kurds and others. These bonds are a source of bliss. They are a sign of Divine Mercy. The enemy is trying to create discord, but it has failed and by Allah’s favour and grace, it will continue to fail.

“We – Iran and Iraq – are two nations which are interconnected. Our bodies, our hearts and our souls are connected together. What has created this connection is faith in Allah and love for the Immaculate Ahl al-Bayt and for Imam Husain (AS). And by Allah’s favour, this will increase on a daily basis. The enemies will hatch plots, but it will be of no avail. From the beginning of the Islamic Revolution until today, it has been 40 years that the US, its cohorts, its agents and its mercenaries have been scheming and doing vicious things. They spend money, issue threats and impose sanctions.

“However, despite their foolish desires of the past 40 years, the Islamic Republic has grown from a sapling into a strong tree: “Whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches reach to the heavens.” – Holy Qur’an 24:14. (At this the audience chants death to the U.S. and death to Israel).”

Ayatollah Khamenei added: “I hope that by Allah’s favour, the slogan that you are chanting against the U.S. and the Zionist regime and against the enemies and the arrogant will be realized in the near future. And by Allah’s favour, you will succeed.

“Once more, I would like to express my gratitude and I will tell you that the Iranian nation is grateful to you dear Iraqi brothers with all its heart. In particular, the people of Iran are grateful to you the organizers of the Arba’een mawakeb. We are grateful to you from the bottom of our hearts.

I would like to end my speech with this couplet by the famous Arab poet Mutanabi: “When you treat an honourable person with respect, you will win his heart.”

AS/ME