Leader forecasts brighter future for indomitable Iranian nation

Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, led the huge millions-strong Eid al-Fitr Prayer at the sprawling Imam Khomeini Mosalla in Tehran, where during his two sermons, he congratulated the Iranian nation and Muslim Ummah on this blessed occasion, and highlighted the vital issues of the Muslim world.

In the first sermon of the Eid al-Fitr prayer, Ayatollah Khamenei described Eid as a divine reward to the faithful for the fasts of the blessed month of Ramadhan, saying: “By the grace of God, the Iranian nation wins more points compared to the previous years in this spiritual contest for carrying out virtuous deeds.”  

He said the promotion of gatherings for recitation and memorization of the holy Qur’an, the increase in people’s presence and enthusiasm in congregational prayers, and the boom in distributing simple Iftar meals at mosques and public places are examples of the progress of the Iranian nations in the spiritual race in the month of Ramadhan this year.

He added: “The height of the resplendence of the blessed month of Ramadhan was Laylat al-Qadr (or Night of Destiny), when people from all walks of life, particularly the youth, held huge gatherings across the country during the nightlong vigils, raising their hands in prayer and demonstrating the sincerity and purity of their souls.” 

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described the International Qods Day rallies this year throughout Iran on the Last Friday of Ramadhan as another glowing point, reiterating: “These annual marches are a truly unique phenomenon and the people took to the streets with such vigor and enthusiasm under the scorching sun to the extent the turnout was higher and warmer in most of the cities of country compared to previous years.” 

He stressed, “The Iranian nation is wide awake and highly motivated; this nation that pours onto the streets with such thrill and fervor after an all-night vigil is not fatigued and dismayed. Those people who, in line with enemies propaganda, claim that the people are worn-out and apathetic, are in fact extending their own condition to all of the people and are weary and tepid themselves.”

Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the extensive and fervid nature of International Qods Day rallies in other countries, saying, “The message of these rallies in various countries is that despite the propaganda of the enemies, the solidarity of Muslims with the initiative of the Iranian nation has increased.”    

He said the reason behind the ceaseless plots by satanic powers against the Iranian nation is their apprehension of the steadfastness, might, independence and the enlightened and innovative mind of the Iranian nation, stressing, “Of course, these powers do what they can, but will also always fail.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said US President Donald Trump’s acknowledgement of the unproductiveness of this country’s seven-trillion-dollar expenses in the West Asia region is tantamount to admission of defeat, saying, “This admission shows that despite all its efforts, the Great Satan has not succeeded in achieving its goals, and neither will it succeed in its objectives henceforth however much it spends in the region.” 

Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that the Iranian nation should be vigilant and attentive and identify the plots, adding, “Today, the enemies' main plot is [exerting] ‘economic pressure’ on the masses of the people to exhaust and dishearten them.”

He urged all state institutions and officials to make relentless efforts to counter this plot, reiterating, “A central committee has been formed with the presence of the heads and key authorities of the three branches [of the government] to address economic issues and this center should, step by step, follow up on economic issues, make resolute decisions and implement them.”

He stressed that all people also bear responsibilities in foiling this plot, adding, “One of the issues that should be taken seriously by the people is ‘avoidance of profligacy and extravagance.” 

The Leader pointed to the high cash flow in the country, adding, “The owners of this cash flow should direct it toward production, so that the wheels of people’s livelihood will begin turning.”

He also strongly urged those involved in foreign trade and commerce to refrain from importing non-essential goods and products which are also produced inside the country, saying, “One of the habits common among some of the people, which should be set aside, is recreational and non-urgent trips abroad.” 

He referred to the decisions by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance to enhance the business climate and remove the obstacles and assessed the decisions as positive and underscored the need to seriously follow through on them.

Ayatollah Khamenei also called for seriously following up on the issue of fighting corruption and pointed to the presence of youth in various production and development sectors, highlighting the need to encourage them and support production units.

He described as important the issue of the unity of all the people and national and social unity and pointed to the prevalence of the unpleasant phenomena of libel and insult in cyberspace, reiterating, “These kinds of measures, which are a mortal sin, harm the general atmosphere of the country and national unity.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution added, “Everyone should feel concern for unity in the society and avoid slandering.”

He pointed to enemies' propaganda policies to wage a war of nerves in the society and criticized some media and individuals that repeat the remarks of the enemies, urging them to refrain from this measure.

At the end of the sermons of the Eid al-Fitr Prayer, he said, “By God’s grace and with such an indomitable nation and the prevalence of the spirit of spirituality, mass mobilization and independence, the future of the country will be much better than today.”

AS/ME