Leader: Faith-driven identity thwarts interference of enemies

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, on last Thursday, April 27 met the distinguished scholars, reciters and memorizers of the 34th round of the International Holy Qur’an Competitions from 83 world countries.

He hailed Islamic identity as a bastion against the interference of the enemies and their bid to dominate societies based on the teachings of the Holy Qur’an. He pointed to the objective of Global Arrogance to destroy this faith-based identity, and reiterated that “Qur’anic teachings are the saviours and builders of the powerful and dignified life of the Muslim Ummah, and should therefore turn into the common and clear discourse in Muslim communities.”

Now we have details of the Leader’s speech as follows:

Ayatollah Khamenei cited efforts to promote and comprehend the Holy Qur’an as one of the greatest virtues and highlighted the need for continuation of the Qur’anic movement in the country. He added: “Unfortunately, we, the Muslim societies and countries have drifted away from Quran and are unfamiliar with its true concepts.”

He described firm and unflinching faith in monotheism, coupled with refrainment from unbelief, idolatry, arrogance, and oppression, as the most important and identity-developing Qur’anic concepts, reiterating, “Emphasis on ‘faith-based identity does not mean fighting or not establishing links and relations (with non-Muslim countries), but denotes demarcation and independence so that faith-based identity would be able to sustain itself vis-à-vis the assaults of Global Arrogance  and unbelief, and continue its advancement.”  

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution cited the “domination of the Western culture, economy and politics” as the present predicament of the Muslim Ummah, adding, “Today, many of the Muslim countries do not have an ‘Islamic identity’ and although the people practice prayers and fasting, but due to the lack of a collective and Islamic identity, the enemies are capable of interfering in their cultures, beliefs, economy, politics and social relations and create repulsion and conflict among Muslims.”

Ayatollah Khamenei described as transformative and dignifying for the Muslim Ummah the understanding and practicing of the Qur’anic principle of “faith in the One and Only God and denunciation of all forms of deviation,” adding, “Today, Global Arrogance seeks to destroy the Islamic identity in every corner of the world.”

He cited distance from the Holy Qur’an as a cause for misuse by the enemies and the infiltration of doubts in matters of faith, depravity, and dependence on foreigners, saying, “The current state of the Muslim governments and countries in the face of the US, Zionism, and plunderers stems from drifting away from the Holy Qur’an, but if we get closer to the Holy Qur’an and the Islamic identity, all these problems would be settled.”

Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted the roles of artists, poets and writers in the promotion of Qur’anic principles, reiterating, “Turning Qur’anic principles into the public discourse among the people is possible and accessible with the efforts of the faithful and the spiritual.”

He pointed to the negligence of the Holy Qur’an during the pre-Islamic Revolution days in Iran, and said, today, thanks to the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Qur’anic meetings and teachings are flourishing.

He added: “Today, we are honoured that our people and youth are familiar with and deeply interested in the Holy Qur’an, and wherever in the country there is a Qur’anic meeting, a large number of the youth welcome it.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described as a “limitless mission” the striving for implementation of the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and its culture. He thanked the organizers of the Qur’anic competitions, saying: “All of the people, families and youth should be close to the Holy Qur’an in order to properly benefit from the dynamism of the Holy Qur’an.”

Prior to the remarks by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Hojjatoleslam Mohammadi, the representative of Ayatollah Khamenei and Head of the Endowment and Charity Affairs Organization said, “The 34th round of the International Qur’an Competitions had the theme “One Book, One Motto”. It was attended by participants from 83 world countries including 400 scholars, memorizers, reciters, referees and researchers of the Holy Qur’an.

He added, “Holding a Qur’anic exhibit and the Qur’anic Research Conference and commemoration of the martyrs of the Islamic Revolution particularly the Defenders of the Holy Shrines in Syria, were some of the most important programs on the sidelines of these competitions.”

At the beginning of the meeting, a number of professors and distinguished participants in the international competitions recited some Qur’anic ayahs.

AS/ME