Leader: Islam dignifies women, Liberalism humiliates them

On the occasion of “Mother’s Day” marking the blessed birthday of the Noblest Lady of all times, Hazrat Fatema Zahra (peace upon her), the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, received a large number of people including panegyrists and eulogists.

They presented their poems in praise of the outstanding merits of the Immaculate Daughter of the Almighty’s Last and Greatest Messenger to all mankind, Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny).

Ayatollah Khamenei said the spiritual status and moral greatness of Her Holiness Fatema Zahra (peace upon her) exceeds the bounds of human understanding and added, “The lofty status of the daughter of the Great Prophet must be heard and learnt from God Almighty and divine messengers, just as the Prophet described her with the lofty expression of the most superior lady, as all Muslims, whether Shi’a and Sunni agree upon.”

In his speech the Leader turned to the plots of the enemies of Iran and Islam, and said in clear words that Iran’s presence in the neighbouring countries and its right of self-defence by upgrading its defence industries, is none of Europe’s business.

Stay with us for excerpts from the Leader’s speech.

Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the naming of the blessed birth anniversary of Her Holiness Fatimah Zahra (peace upon her) as Women’s Day and Mother’s Day, saying the ‘Islamic Woman’ is a being that has faith, chastity, spiritual and scientific growth and is influential in society, as a family manager and source of peace for her husband and children. In addition, she possesses womanly virtues such as her delicate nature and receptiveness to divine guidance.”

He said: “Words fail me when it comes to clarifying the lofty and indescribable position of the Prophet's Immaculate Daughter. Mortals cannot describe the spiritual position and the psychological greatness of exceptional, divine, and heavenly individuals like Fatema Zahra (peace upon her). Their description should be heard from Allah the Exalted, Himself, and from His great servants and saints. We can only speculate about their position within the scope of our understanding. The Prophet said about his daughter: “She is the doyenne of all women in paradise." Of course, there are other narrations as well: "The doyenne of all women of the Worlds" and "The doyenne of all women in this world." All of these statements have been narrated by Shi'a and Sunni through reliable documentation.

He said the role model of Muslim women are great women such as the Noblest- ever Lady, Hazrat Fatema (peace upon her), and her outstanding mother, the Prophet’s loyal wife of twenty-five long years, Hazrat Khadija (peace upon), whom God granted the title Omm al-Momineen or “Mother of all True Believers”,

He added: “In contrast to the Islamic role model is the perverted Western role model, which in place of all of the outstanding and grand characteristics of Muslim women, has such decadent characteristics as immodesty, obscenity, and other negative tendencies, which make them a carnal and commercial commodity in the eyes of men.”

Ayatollah Khamenei noted that this year the birth anniversary of Hazrat Fatema Zahra (peace upon her) has almost coincided with the so-called International Women's Day, and this gives us the opportunity to draw a comparison between the Islamic role model and the western role model of women.

He said: “According to Islamic ideals, there is a paradigm for Muslim women to follow. This model is complete: an Islamic woman is a woman who possesses faith; she embraces "ifaff" [chastity, virtue]; she manages the most important elements of human education; she is influential in society; she can grow, scientifically and spiritually; she is the doyenne of the very important foundation of family and a great source of comfort for man: all of these qualities exist, as well as other female qualities such as delicacy, softness of heart, and preparedness for receiving the divine light. These qualities make up the paradigm for the Muslim woman.”

Against this Islamic paradigm, said Ayatollah Khamenei, “there is a deviant prototype for women: it has taken up different forms during various eras. Today, that deviant prototype is the standard used by several western women. Presently, instead of all the outstanding characteristics witnessed in Muslim women, the socially acceptable qualities of women promoted by the west are mostly geared towards her ability to attract negative forms of attention and objectification from the opposite sex. Unfortunately, today [in western cultures] the most socially encouraged quality of the western woman is nudity. [For example,] During formal meetings –where men and women are allowed to participate together – men cover themselves completely, while the women are almost bare; this happens during formal meetings, let alone their social environment!

Ayatollah Khamenei said: Such a situation is related to the most recent western history of Europe and the US. This was not the case in the past. As far as I know, debauchery, nudity, and decadence, to this extent, did not exist in the West, say a century or a century-and-a-half ago. Of course, hijab – in its Islamic sense – did not exist there either. Long and detailed discussions are necessary surrounding the nature of the policy that has driven the western community towards this direction and the overall goals of that policy. But, presently, this is the reality: women in the west are introduced as manifestations of consumption, ornamentation, exhibitionism and to serve as instruments of male arousal. The other ideologies that they preach – for example, issues regarding gender justice and the like – are just empty words. They are for the sake of appearances: that is the truth of the matter.”

He said: “You might have heard, a few months ago, that a large number of western, female politicians announced, one right after another, they had been subjected to abuse, harassment, or violence – at times when they were working in government offices. They have, certainly, expressed this, and have spoken against such abuse: they were prominent western women. By introducing hijab, Islam has shut the door on a path that would pull women towards such deviation. Islam does not allow this [sexual abuse or violence]. Islamic hijab is a means immunity for women. Hijab is not a means for restricting women.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “Today, the flag of identity and cultural independence is in the hands of Iranian women. Today, by preserving hijab, Iranian women confirm their identity, independence, and cultural identity. They are exporting their qualities throughout the world. The world is hearing a new concept: women can have an active presence in social arenas, and they can exert a deep social influence. Today, the women of our country influence various fields, within the freedom of hijab and modesty that preserve the dignity of both men and women. They refuse to be abused, or being reduced to an object of pleasure… We offer this model, of course. Among our ladies, there are some individuals who are observing this prototype to a great and exact degree; some women are observing it to an average degree; in any case, this model exists and it's the cornerstone of Iranian women's achievements.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: Those who humiliate the foundation of the family are betraying both the nation and women – the society of women. Those who pretend that 'gender justice' means the participation of women in all areas, that men participate in, are betraying women's trust, dignity, and identity. Women are respectable. No one has said that women should not participate in various social arenas, or that they should not undertake responsibilities, or that they should not become scientists: this is not what is said. Today, there are countless women, within our society, who are among the best scientists, the best writers, and the best cultural personalities.”

He continued in his speech: “And you should know that this is the achievement of the Islamic Revolution, since such rights for women did not exist before the Revolution. There were a very few women who had managed to achieve great scientific, cultural, belletristic, and other such rankings. Today, such women are abundant [in numbers]: this was the wonder of the Revolution. This is because the paradigm for Muslim women upholds such features. At the same time, women are the heads of their household: they are the center of the family. The most important job that a woman can have is motherhood, wifehood, and the being at the center of tranquility and calm in the family. The fact that women are a great source of tranquility and calm, is the greatest characteristic of women in Islam, and one should pay attention to these points on Women's Day.”

He cautioned against the plot of the enemies against the lofty position of Iranian women, and attempts to deprive them of their freedom of hijab and piety, through soft and psychological warfare.

Ayatollah Khamenei hailed Iranian women as “the heralds of the truth”. He said: Definitely, we advise the honorable Iranian, Muslim, and pious women to preserve these Islamic and Qur’anic concepts and to strengthen them on a daily basis. They should avoid maladies, like the negative comparisons with others – for example, negative competitiveness and imitation of deviant western models. They should take great care of themselves. Today, Muslim women are dignified in our country. Iranian women have the privilege of having an independent cultural identity, so much so that they are not influenced by others: you [the women] should preserve these qualities for yourselves.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said the enemies of the Islamic Revolution are constantly scheming, but have failed, and this is indeed a source of pride for Iran.

He said: “It has been over 40 years, now, that they have been hatching various plots – in a continuous manner – against the Islamic government. Billions of dollars are being spent and pseudo-intellectuals never spare an opportunity to try to undermine the Islamic Republic of Iran. And it has been over 40 years that this blessed and pure tree has continued to grow: this is a source of pride for us! If they had not acted against us, we would not have felt divine kindness to such a great extent. Much activity is carried out against the Islamic Republic: there has not been such an intensive plotting against any nation and country; but the enemies have not managed to accomplish a single thing; and the Islamic Republic has moved forward on its path of growth and perfection.”

He said: “Several months ago, the enemies of Iran had gathered in think tanks and hatched plots for the last three months of the Iranian calendar year, so that in their own assumption, they would finish off the Islamic Republic in the month of Esfand.”  

The Leader said: “Our enemies, too, know that the Islamic Republic owes its strength to the people: to their faith, to enthusiastic and interested youth, and to the righteous path that our magnanimous Imam has laid out before us. We are moving forward; the others can do what they please. They can say whatever they want, but they cannot accomplish even the smallest of their goals: this is clear. Now, what I want to say is in regards to hijab: they [enemies] spend a lot of money, conduct many activities, and employ hundreds of media outlets – all sorts of media-related tactics– in order to influence a sensitive concept which represents Muslim women's independence and cultural identity. Our enemies are literally killing themselves outside the country in order to do so [promote ideas against hijab]. They carry out this mission in different ways: they are spending large sums of money in order to employ television, radio channels, and internet websites; but all in vain.

Ayatollah Khamenei recalled the debates in the higher council at the time of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, saying: “At that time, there was a discussion over the business of alcoholic drinks. We were on the Council of the Revolution, and we held common meetings with the administration: there were some individuals who believed that the business of alcoholic drinks was beneficial for the country! They said, "How can we forget about this advantage?" They were willing to continue this business, and they wanted to import wine from outside of the country. However, Imam Khomeini stood firm. Our magnanimous Imam used to stand up against what was considered divinely haram. Alcohol was a divine haram. Now [about hijab] someone from the opposing side has said: "This sin is not graver than that of backbiting. You do not sue someone for backbiting. So, why do you sue someone who removes her scarf and who does not wear hijab? Notice what a major mistake they are making! This exhibits lack of recognition and understanding! What leads one to suffer is that there is no understanding! We did not say that we would pursue those who remove their scarves in front of a non-mahram [men who are not allowed to see a woman without hijab] in their own houses. We will not pursue them because they are doing this at home: this is a personal affair.

“However, what is committed on the streets is a public and social action! This is a kind of public lesson. This creates obligations for a government which operates in the name of Islam. There is no difference between small and great haram. What is illegal and haram should not be committed in public. If someone does something wrong, in private, this is between them and God, but the Islamic government – like the government of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (AS) – is obliged to stand up against what is committed in front of the people's eyes and in the social environment. The idea which upholds, "You should allow the people to make their own decisions" exists for selling wine too. Well, we should legalize wine in the country, so that people drink it if they like and avoid drinking it if they do not like it! Is this a reasonable statement? It can be applied to all grave social sins. Is this a reasonable idea? Allah, The Divine Legislator has obliged the Islamic government to prevent the promotion of divine haram in a society. The Islamic government is responsible for standing up against haram and sins.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, towards the end of his speech said: “Today, the enemies often stir up falsehoods in political arenas. They fabricate stories about Iran's presence in the region. And, who is responsible for such claims? It is the US, the country who has a seditious and corrupt presence everywhere. Wherever the US goes, corruption is sure to follow. Wherever the US goes, sedition follows. The seditious and corruption-generating US government asks, "Why are you present in the region?"

“Well, if we are present in our region, must we ask for your permission? In order to be present in the region, we negotiate with regional governments [native to the region]. Why should we negotiate with you [US]? Whenever we decide to show up in the US, we will negotiate with you.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said: “The same is true of European countries. They say that they want to negotiate with Iran over its presence in the region. What's it to you? Why are you, yourselves, present in the region? Is this our region or yours? If it is our region, what are you doing here? This is our own region, and we, ourselves, are negotiating with, speaking to, and making arrangements with regional peoples and governments. We have, thankfully, made arrangements; we have, thankfully, succeeded in doing so, and we have thankfully moved forward in this regard. By Allah's favor, we will continue to move forward. When I speak about political issues, these political issues are not confined to partisan and domestic issues: these are part of political issues as well: the people should know about these matters.

AS/EA