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Imam Sajjad-s Duaa (suplication/prayer)in Bidding Farewell to the Month of Ramadan Kareem by Br. Syed Aftab Haider Naqvi at Al-Haadi Musalla Toronto Urdu.....English version of His Supplication in Bidding Farewell to the Month of Ramadan 1 O God, O He who desires no repayment! 2 O He who shows no remorse at bestowal! 3 O He who rewards not His servant tit for tat! 4 Thy kindness is a new beginning, Thy pardon gratuitous bounty, Thy punishment justice, Thy decree a choice for the best! 5 If Thou bestowest, Thou stainest not Thy bestowal with obligation, and if Thou withholdest, Thou withholdest not in transgression. 6 Thou showest gratitude to him who thanks Thee, while Thou hast inspired him to thank Thee. 7 Thou rewardest him who praises Thee, while though Thou hast taught him Thy praise. 8 Thou coverest him whom, if Thou willed, Thou wouldst expose, and Thou art generous toward him from whom, if Thou willed, Thou wouldst withhold. Both are worthy of Thy exposure and withholding, but Thou hast founded Thy acts upon gratuitous bounty, channelled Thy power into forbearance, 9 received him who disobeyed Thee with clemency, and disregarded him who intended wrongdoing against himself. Thou awaitest their turning back without haste and refrainest from rushing them toward repentance, so that the perisher among them may not perish because of Thee and the wretched may not be wretched through Thy favour, but only after Thy prolonged excusing him and successive arguments against him, as an act of generosity through Thy pardon, O Generous, and an act of kindliness through Thy tenderness, O Clement! 10 It is Thou who hast opened for Thy servants a door to Thy pardon, which Thou hast named "repentance". Thou hast placed upon that door a pointer from Thy revelation, lest they stray from it: Thou hast said (blessed are Thy names), Repent toward God with unswerving repentance! It may be that Thy Lord will acquit of your evil deeds and will admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow, 11 upon the day when God will not degrade the Prophet and those who have faith along with him, their light running before them and on their right hands, and they say: "Our Lord, complete for us our light, and forgive us! Surely Thou art powerful over everything." What is the excuse of him who remains heedless of entering that house after the opening of the door and the setting up of the pointer? 12 It is Thou who hast raised the price against Thyself to the advantage of Thy servants, desiring their profit in their trade with Thee, their triumph through reaching Thee, and their increase on account of Thee, for Thou hast said (blessed is Thy Name and high art Thou exalted), Whoso brings a good deed shall have ten the like of it, and whoso brings an evil deed shall only be recompensed the like of it. 13 Thou hast said, The likeness of those who expend their wealth in the way of God is as the likeness of a grain of corn that sprouts seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains; so God multiplies unto whom He wills. Thou hast said, Who is he that will lend to God a good loan, and He will multiply it for him manifold? And Thou hast sent down in the Qur"an similar verses on the multiplying of good deeds. 14 It is Thou who hast pointed them through Thy speech from Thy Unseen and Thy encouragement in which lies their good fortune toward that which - hadst Thou covered it from them - their eyes would not have perceived, their ears would not have heard, and their imaginations would not have grasped, for Thou hast said, Remember Me and I will remember you be thankful to Me, and be you not thankless towards Me! Thou hast said, If you are thankful, surely I will increase you, but if you are thankless, My chastisement is surely terrible; 15 And Thou hast said, Supplicate Me and I will respond to you, surely those who wax too proud to worship Me shall enter Gehennam utterly abject. Hence Thou hast named supplicating Thee "worship" and refraining from it "waxing proud", and Thou hast threatened that the refraining from it would yield entrance into Gehennam in utter abjection. 16 So they remember Thee for Thy kindness, they thank Thee for Thy bounty, they supplicate Thee by Thy command, and they donate for Thee in order to seek Thy increase; in all this lies their deliverance from Thy wrath and their triumph through Thy good pleasure. 17 Were any creature himself to direct another creature to the like of that to which Thou Thyself hast directed Thy servants, he would be described by beneficence, qualified by kindness, and praised by every tongue. So to Thee belongs praise as long as there is found a way to praise Thee and as long as there remains for praising words by which Thou may be praised and meanings which may be spent in praise! 18 O He who shows Himself praiseworthy to His servants through beneficence and bounty, flooding them with kindness and graciousness! How much Thy favour has been spread about among us, Thy kindness lavished upon us, and Thy goodness singled out for us! 19 Thou hast guided us to Thy religion which Thou hast chosen, Thy creed with which Thou art pleased, and Thy path which Thou hast made smooth, and Thou hast shown us proximity to Thee and arrival at Thy generosity! 20 O God, among the choicest of those duties and the most special of those obligations Thou hast appointed the month of Ramadan, which Thou hast singled out from other months, chosen from among all periods and eras, and preferred over all times of the year through the Qur"an and the Light which Thou sent down within it, the faith which Thou multiplied by means of it, the fasting which Thou obligated therein, the standing in prayer which Thou encouraged at its time, and the Night of Decree which Thou magnified therein, the night which is better than a thousand months. 21 Through it Thou hast preferred us over the other communities and through its excellence Thou hast chosen us to the exclusion of the people of the creeds. We fasted by Thy command in its daylight, we stood in prayer with Thy help in its night, presenting ourselves by its fasting and its standing to the mercy which Thou hast held up before us, and we found through it the means to Thy reward. And Thou art full of what is sought from Thee, munificent with what is asked of Thy bounty, and near to him who strives for Thy nearness. 22 This month stood among us in a standing place of praise, accompanied us with the companionship of one approved, and profited us with the most excellent profit of the world"s creatures. Then it parted from us at the completion of its time, the end of its term, and the fulfilment of its number. 23 So we bid farewell to it with the farewell of one whose parting pains us, whose leaving fills us with gloom and loneliness, and to whom we have come to owe a safeguarded claim, an observed inviolability, and a discharged right. We say: Peace be upon thee, O greatest month of God! O festival of His friends! 24 Peace be upon thee, O most noble of accompanying times! O best of months in days and hours! 25 Peace be upon thee, month in which expectations come near and good works are scattered about! 26 Peace be upon thee, comrade who is great in worth when found and who torments through absence when lost, anticipated friend whose parting gives pain! 27 Peace be upon thee, familiar who brought comfort in coming, thus making happy, who left loneliness in going, thus giving anguish! 28 Peace be upon thee, neighbour in whom hearts became tender and sins became few! 29 Peace be upon thee, helper who aided against Satan, companion who made easy the paths of good-doing! 30 Peace be upon thee - How many became freedmen of God within thee! How happy those who observed the respect due to thee! 31 Peace be upon thee - How many the sins thou erased! How many the kinds of faults thou covered over! 32 Peace be upon thee - How drawn out wert thou for the sinners! How awesome wert thou in the hearts of the faithful! 33 Peace be upon thee, month with which no days compete! 34 Peace be upon thee, month which is peace in all affairs! 35 Peace be upon thee, thou whose companionship is not disliked, thou whose friendly mixing is not blamed! 36 Peace be upon thee, just as thou hast entered upon us with blessings and cleansed us of the defilement of offenses! 37 Peace be upon thee - Thou art not bid farewell in annoyance nor is thy fasting left in weariness! font face=arial size=3> 38 Peace be upon thee, object of seeking before thy time, object of sorrow before thy passing! 39 Peace be upon thee - How much evil was turned away from us through thee! How much good flowed upon us because of thee! 40 Peace be upon thee and upon the Night of Decree which is better than a thousand months! 41 Peace be upon thee - How much we craved thee yesterday! How intensely we shall yearn for thee tomorrow! 42 Peace be upon thee and upon thy bounty which has now been made unlawful to us and upon thy blessings gone by which have now been stripped away from us! 43 O God, we are the people of this month. Through it Thou hast ennobled us and given us success because of Thy kindness, while the wretched are ignorant of its time. Made unlawful to them is its bounty because of their wretchedness. 44 Thou art the patron of the knowledge of it by which Thou hast preferred us, and its prescribed practices to which Thou hast guided us. We have undertaken, through Thy giving success, its fasting and its standing in prayer, but with shortcomings, and we have performed little of much. 45 O God, so to Thee belongs praise, in admission of evil doing and confession of negligence, and to Thee belongs remorse firmly knitted in our hearts and seeking of pardon sincerely uttered by our tongues. Reward us, in spite of the neglect that befell us in this month, with a reward through which we may reach the bounty desired from it and win the varieties of its craved stores! 46 Make incumbent upon us Thy pardon for our falling short of Thy right in this month and make our lives which lie before us reach the coming month of Ramadan! Once Thou hast made us reach it, help us perform the worship of which Thou art worthy, cause us to undertake the obedience which Thou deservest, and grant us righteous works that we may fulfil Thy right in these two months of the months of time. 47 O God, as for the small and large sins which we have committed in this our month, the misdeeds into which we have fallen, and the offenses which we have earned purposefully or in forgetfulness, wronging ourselves thereby or violating the respect due to others, bless Muhammad and his Household, cover us over with Thy covering, pardon us through Thy pardoning, place us not before the eyes of the gloaters because of that, stretch not toward us the tongues of the defamers, and employ us in that which will alleviate and expiate whatever Thou disapprovest from us within it through Thy clemency which does not run out, and Thy bounty which does not diminish! 48 O God, bless Muhammad and his Household, redress our being afflicted by our month, bless us in this day of our festival and our fast-breaking, make it one of the best of days that have passed over us, the greatest in attracting Thy pardon, and the most effacing toward sins, and forgive us our sins, both the concealed and the public! 49 O God, with the passing of this month make us pass forth from our offenses, with its departure make us depart from our evil deeds, and appoint us thereby among its most felicitous people, the most plentiful of them in portion, and the fullest of them in share! 50 O God, when any person observes this month as it should be observed, safeguards its inviolability as it should be safeguarded, attends to its bounds as they should be attended to, fears its misdeeds as they should be feared, or seeks nearness to Thee with any act of nearness-seeking which makes incumbent upon him Thy good pleasure and bends toward him Thy mercy, give to us the like [of that] from Thy wealth and bestow it upon us in multiples through Thy bounty, for Thy bounty does not diminish, Thy treasuries do not decrease but overflow, the mines of Thy beneficence are not exhausted, and Thy bestowal is the bestowal full of delight! 51 O God, bless Muhammad and his Household and write for us the like of the wages of him who fasted in it or worshipped Thee within it until the Day of Resurrection! 52 O God, we repent to Thee in our day of fast-breaking, which Thou hast appointed for the faithful a festival and a joy and for the people of Thy creed a time of assembly and gathering, from every misdeed we did, ill work we sent ahead, or evil thought we secretly conceived, the repentance of one who does not harbour a return to sin and who afterwards will not go back to offense, an unswerving repentance rid of doubt and wavering. So accept it from us, be pleased with us, and fix us within it! 53 O God, provide us with fear of the threatened punishment and yearning for the promised reward, so that we may find the pleasure of that for which we supplicate Thee and the sorrow of that from which we seek sanctuary in Thee! 54 And place us with Thee among the repenters, those upon whom Thou hast made Thy love obligatory and from whom Thou hast accepted the return to obeying Thee! O Most Just of the just! 55 O God, show forbearance toward our fathers and our mothers and all the people of our religion, those who have gone and those who will pass by, until the Day of Resurrection! 56 O God, bless our prophet Muhammad and his Household, as Thou hast blessed Thy angels brought nigh, bless him and his Household, as Thou hast blessed Thy prophets sent out, bless him and his Household, as Thou hast blessed Thy righteous servants - and better than that, O Lord of the worlds! - a blessing whose benediction will reach us, whose benefit will attain to us, and through which our supplication may be granted! Thou art the most generous of those who are beseeched, the most sufficient of those in whom confidence is had, the most bestowing of those from whom bounty is asked, and Thou art powerful over everything!

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Martyred professor, Allameh Morteza Motahhari, was born on February 2, 1919 in the town of Fariman, 75 kilometers from the holy city of Mashhad. At the age of twelve, he set off for Mashhad seminary to embark on learning the basics of Islamic sciences. In 1937, despite Reza Khan’s intense confrontation with clergymen and also opposition by some of his friends and relatives, he left for Qom seminary to complete his studies. During 15 years of his stay in Qom, he benefited from the presence of Grand Ayatollah Borujerdi (in jurisprudence and the principles of jurisprudence), Imam Khomeini (12 years in the philosophy of Molla Sadra, gnosis, ethics and principles of jurisprudence) and Allameh Seyyed Mohammad Hossein Tabatabaiee (in philosophy). He had also benefited from the presence of the late Ayatollah Haj Mirza Ali Aqa Shirazi in ethics and gnosis. Among other teachers of professor Motahhari mention can be made of the late Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Hojjat (in principles of jurisprudence) and the late Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Mohaqqeqdamad (in jurisprudence). While he was in Qom, in addition to education, he participated in socio-political affairs as well and he was in contact with Fadaiyan-e-Eslam group. In 1952, he migrated to Tehran though he was one of the renowned teachers and among the future hopes of the seminary. In Tehran, he taught at Marvi School and delivered well-researched speeches. In 1955, the first session of the exegesis of the holy Qur’an in the Students\\\' Islamic Association was held by professor Motahhari. In the same year, he began teaching at the faculty of divinity and Islamic teachings of Tehran University. In 1958-59 concurrent with the establishment of the Physicians\\\' Islamic Association, professor Motahhari was one of the main speakers of the Association and during 1961-1971 he was the only speaker of the Association leaving behind a number of important deliberations. In 1962, with the start of Imam Khomeini’s uprising, professor Motahhari accompanied him to the extent that one can consider the organizing of the June 5th uprising in Tehran and its coordination with Imam Khomeini’s leadership as being indebted to him and his companions. Having given an enlightening speech against the Shah on Wednesday, 5th of June 1963, Ayatollah Motahhari was detained by the police at 1 a.m. and sent to the interim police headquarters and was imprisoned with a number of Tehrani clergymen. 43 days later, following the migration of Ulema from other provinces to Tehran and public pressure, he was freed together with other clergymen. After the formation of groups called “Mo’talefe Eslami”, which was among the combatant groups of the time, Imam Khomeini called on martyr Motahhari to lead these groups along with a number of clergymen. Following Imam Khomeini\\\'s exile, professor Motahhari and his companions shouldered a heavier responsibility. At that time, he wrote books covering social requirements and delivering speeches at universities, the Physicians\\\' Islamic Association and mosques. Professor Motahhari made a lot of ideological efforts to Islamicize the content of the movement and strongly fought against diversions and falsehoods. In 1967, he established Hosseinieh Ershad with the help of some friends. In 1969, after releasing an announcement signed by him, Allameh Tabatabai and Ayatollah Haj Seyyed Abolfazl Mojtahed Zanjani calling for collection of aid for the displaced Palestinians and because of publicizing it during a speech in Hosseinieh Ershad, he was detained and held in solitary confinement for a short while. From 1970-72 he supervised publicity works by Al-jawad mosque where he was the main speaker until the mosque and the Hosseinieh were closed and professor Motahhari was detained for a while. Later, Ayatollah Motahhari gave speeches at Javid, Ark and a number of other mosques. After a while Javid mosque was also closed. Around the year 1974 he was forbidden to speak which lasted till the triumph of the Islamic revolution. Presenting genuine Islamic ideology through teaching, speech and writing books were among the valuable activities of professor Motahhari reaching its climax particularly during the years 1972-78; since in those years the leftists had increased their propaganda and groups of leftist Muslims and also those with a hotchpotch of ideas had emerged. After Imam Khomeini, professor Motahhari was the first figure who found out the ideological deviation of the heads of the so-called “Mojahedin-e-Khalq” organization and prevented others from cooperating with them and even foresaw their change of ideology. In those years, upon Imam Khomeini’s recommendation, professor Motahhari traveled to Qom twice a week to teach at its seminary where he taught important courses and at the same time he taught some courses at home in Tehran. In 1976, following an ideological dispute with a communist teacher of the faculty of divinity, he became retired prematurely. Furthermore; in those years Ayatollah Motahhari, in collaboration with some clergymen, established “Jameye Rohaniat-e-Mobarez” of Tehran hoping that such an institution would be gradually established in other cities as well. Although professor Motahhari’s contact with Imam Khomeini continued after the Imam’s exile in France via letters and other means, in the year 1976 he managed to travel to the holy city of Najaf and consulted with Imam Khomeini on the important issues of the revolution and also seminaries. After the martyrdom of Ayatollah Seyyed Mostafa Khomeini and the start of the new phase of the Islamic revolution, professor Motahhari fully devoted himself to the revolution and hence played a fundamental role in all of its phases. At the time of Imam Khomeini’s stay in Paris, Ayatollah Motahhari traveled to France where he spoke with the Imam on the important issues of the revolution and it was then that Imam Khomeini urged him to shape the Islamic Revolution Council. Upon Imam Khomeini’s return to Iran, he personally took the responsibility of the welcoming committee and till the victory of the revolution and after that he always acted as a supporter of the leader of the Islamic revolution and served as a kind and trusted advisor for him. But at 22:20 p.m. of Tuesday, 1st of May 1979 he was martyred by a grouplet called “Forqan” after leaving an ideological and political gathering. This caused profound sorrow and grief for Imam Khomeini and the Islamic Ummah who had a lot of hopes for this great man’s future. There remain tens of works by Ayatollah Motahhari. These works deal with a variety of religious issues and offer responses to many of the important questions of religious society so much so that we can name his works as a reliable source concerning the Islamic ideology system. Some of Imam Khomeini’s Words on Martyr Allameh Morteza Motahhari [Motahhari] was rare in Islamology and different Islamic and Qur’anic sciences. I have lost a very dear child. I am mourning for him who was one of the figures who was considered the fruit of my life. Martyrdom of this righteous child and immortal clergyman created a vacuum in the dear Islam that cannot be filled by any means. Motahhari, who was rare in purifying spirit, the strength of belief and the power of speech, flew to the ethereal world, but the ill-wishers should know that his Islamic, scientific and philosophical personality won’t perish with his departure. Motahhari was a dear child for me and a firm stronghold for the religious and scientific seminaries and a useful servant for people and country. I recommend the students and the committed intellectuals not to let this dear professor’s books be forgotten by non-Islamic schemes. In his short life, [Motahhari] left behind immortal works which stemmed from a wakeful conscience and a spirit filled with the love for religion. He embarked on educating and training the society with an eloquent style and an able thought in analyzing Islamic subjects and explaining philosophical facts with a popular diction and without uncertainty. His oral and written works are unexceptionally instructive and inspiring; and his advice and admonitions, which sprang from a heart filled with faith and belief, are useful both for the Ulema and the laymen. Late Motahhari was an individual who had different aspects of personality; and few people have done the service to the young generation and others as Motahhari has done. All his works are unexceptionally good and I don’t know anybody else whose works I could call unexceptionally good. His works are unexceptionally good and constructive for humans. Professor Motahhari from the Viewpoint of Ayatollah Khamenei Interview with the Supreme Leader on Martyr Motahhari ‘I consider myself Mr. Motahhari’s pupil’ As you know late professor Motahhari was a philosopher; the science sought by him was mostly the philosophical science. Later on; however, he got to the subjects of theology, i.e. he dealt with Islamic issues with new argumentation method of modern philosophy. But he spent most of his time on philosophical matters. He was considered the philosophical student of Imam Khomeini and Allameh Tabatabaiee. Thus what he maintains in theology is Hekmat Mota’aliah, i.e. the Philosophy of Molla Sadra. His behaviour was like that of the mystics who would set out to find a perfect instructor. Basically his spiritual and moral condition was in such a way. He would search to know for example if a perfect elderly instructor is somewhere in the world, and he would go to him to stay by him. Indeed, spiritually, such a situation was fitting him. Yet he had found such a perfect instructor in Iran. He was absorbed in Imam Khomeini and Allameh Tabatabaiee. He was captivated by their love and regarded their scientific and mystic status very high. Morally, late Motahhari was a prominent man; and a pure-hearted, enlightened, just, self-possessed and mature person. In his personal bonds with God he was a mystic, a man of God’s remembrance, journey towards God and worship. He used to say: “I have learnt paying attention to and worship of God from my father.” Professor Motahhari had a lot of historical information especially about the recent history, and particularly on the issues related to the Ulema, seminaries, scientific, spiritual, philosophical and mystic figures. These pieces of information were not registered in any book and are heard from the professors and great figures and kept in mind. Since he knew all professors and Ulema of Najaf, Samarra and Isfahan, he was well-informed about their events and he would talk of them in the gatherings and visits held on different occasions. Supereme Leader’s Words on Professor Motahhari’s Personality and Works “As time passes from his martyrdom, his spiritual and ideological works and bounties manifest more fresh dimensions. The ideological and scientific works of that grand clergyman become clearer in the scene of the country press and religious knowledge; and one understands that an intellectual clergyman with responsibilities could have so fruitful life.” Martyr Motahhari with his strong and decent thought stepped in the fields of Islamic subjects that hitherto nobody had stepped; and considering the ideas that had prevailed or were going to prevail in the country---through translation and import from the west and east, he entered a profound, vast and interminable scientific challenge. He both embarked on a very clever struggle to confront with the Marxists and entered the scene to confront with the western and Liberalist thoughts. This role is very important; it needs both courage and self-confidence, it requires both thinking strength and Ijtihad (being well- qualified in jurisprudence and different theological fields), it both needs certainty and resolute belief. This great man had all these together; he was both a learned man and very faithful, he was firm in his belief and had self-confidence, too; these are all necessary.” Leader’s Visit with Martyr Motahhari’s Family (1996) He had three characteristics regarding ideological issues: First, he had a strong thought and he was a true thinker. Secondly, while presenting and spreading the ideological principles, he had no intention but God’s nearness, promotion of the truth and fighting against the false. There was sincerity in him and his personal actions which would naturally make the second characteristic tangible. For example think of some people who are thinkers, yet do not present their thought for God’s sake, but they present it to show that they are knowledgeable, to draw people’s attention and to say that they are philosophers. Martyr Motahhari was not such. He would present thought for God’s sake and for Islam. He would truly burn up [like a candle] and would gush forth [like a fountain] and would present [Islamic ideas]. The reason for his survival is his second characteristic. It means that sincerity will have its impact and the Almighty God will grace any deed done with sincerity. The third characteristic was his working hard and his inexhaustibility. The truth is that he wouldn’t sit till he might be referred to; but rather he would himself go after activity. He had these three characteristics.” Leader’s Visit with Martyr Motahhari’s Family (1998) “We should introduce Mr. Motahhari to the world especially the Islamic world. And if we want to introduce him, which points should be highlighted? I think this is your most important job. Some aspects of a figure’s personality are either unique that must be highlighted or are very outstanding that should be stressed. In the life of the late Martyr Ayatollah Motahhari, his personality and his scientific identity there are numerous examples of these. One point, that in my opinion has the prime importance, is the new interpretation of the Islamic teachings. This is apart from his philosophical aspect and his strong and compelling arguments in the footnotes of ‘The principles of philosophy’ by ‘Ayatollah Tabatabaiee. This is another point. He elucidated Islamic concepts and teachings with a novel diction and expression which was much needed. I don’t say that if the works of the predecessors were pondered and scrutinized signs of this exegesis would not be found. Really if one had attentively studied the works of the Ulema he would have found some hints and cues; but I want to say that nobody had done this. As far as we know, nobody had done it before Mr. Motahhari. Even the modernist writers, who had emerged in the Arab countries, and we knew some of them, had not done this. These Egyptian authors, who were modernists and would write things with a broader sight and who knew the world somewhat more than Martyr Motahhari, most of them had traveled a lot and had visited different universities. Yet he [Ayatollah Motahhari] was not so, he was confined. I mean he was inside Iran and Tehran but his profound vision of the Islamic issues and his novel understanding of the verses [of Qur’an] and the narrations [of the Ahl-ul-Bayt], in my opinion, was one of his most outstanding aspects. It was he who, for the first time, substantively expressed the subjects related to principles of ideology, piety, patience, love, fairness, justice, and so on in the ideological atmosphere of Iran. We thank God that Mr. Motahhari’s name was not forgotten in our society and the mental atmosphere of this country; but rather it became more prominent day by day. Many of the world phenomena are naturally perishable and by the lapse of time they become older. Most of the world phenomena are such. Yet there are some phenomena that not only do not fall into oblivion via lapse of time but become brighter, more manifest, more spectacular and more impressive. The phenomena based on reality are usually such. I clearly feel that, thank God, Martyr Ayatollah Motahhari’s thoughts are such.” Memoirs of Dr. Ali Motahhari (Martyr Motahhari’s Son) Night Supplication in front of the Word Allah As it is said he didn’t give up midnight vigilance, midnight prayer, and wakefulness since his youth till the end of his life. It was his practice both at the time of studentship and after that and even at the time of martyrdom. I remember that facing our house there was the house of one of the previous regime’s officials which was usually guarded by two police officers. Apparently since the official had seen that the lamp of our house was lit at midnight, had worried to find the reason and it was important for him from the security point of view. He had told the guards to look for the reason. Professor [Motahhari] had a neon board of Allah which was green when lit. He would turn it on and perform his midnight prayer in its light. After the revolution one of the officers said, we had examined several nights and I had looked through the window to see what was going on inside the house. At the end I myself saw that he came at midnight and started worshipping for an hour. We were somehow absorbed by the professor, and despite much negative propaganda against the clergymen and him in particular to make us pessimist to them, we became very interested in him so much so that some would say we got our salary from the government but it was as if we were guarding him. A Voice vis-à-vis MHe was very sensitive against ideological deviations and believed that we were seeking Islamic revolution and not mere revolution. It is not important that Shah goes but it is important to see what system is established after his going. Because if after the ouster of the Shah, for example the Mojahedin-e-Khalq take the lead, it is much better not to stage a revolution at all. Thus the deviated groups had found out professor Motahhari’s sensitiveness and had become his enemy. Three or four months before the victory of the Islamic revolution, a person, who had some tendencies to Mojahedin-e-Khalq and the leftists and was intended to be religious, too, was freed from the prison. Professor [Motahhari] said we had better visit him. I was with the professor. There was a man by the name of Ashuri as one of the heads of the Forqan group. He spoke of Islam and Marxism and said: ‘These two religions say one single thing and their content is the same with different forms. They speak of the laborers and we speak of the oppressed. Therefore our word is the same. We should unite to topple the regime of Shah and basically there is no difference between Islam and Marxism, etc.’ Professor was very upset and that man knew that professor Motahhari would answer him. That’s why he rose to leave. The professor said: ‘No, Be seated! Be seated!’ He made him sit and explained him in detail that our path is fundamentally separate from that of the Marxists. In no way can the forms be different with the same content. And we cannot unite with the Marxists in any way. Immortal among People Prior to the victory of the Islamic revolution, at the time of Imam Khomeini’s staying in Paris, it was heard everywhere that the regime of Shah wanted to arrest the leaders and prominent figures of the revolution. Some people told him [Ayatollah Motahhari] it was better to go somewhere else to hide. He said: ‘Such actions are not good for clergymen. It is not good for us to escape from one place to another to hide; such things are not good for us.’ He stayed at home like before and nothing happened. His Method of Training Children One of the features of the professor’s training method for his children was that he would never resort to force and coercion and he would let them to realize and choose the right path with their own thought and wisdom. About choosing the field of education and the way of spending leisure time and the like he would never force us to do something necessarily; but he would show us the way. As the holy Qur’an says: ‘…be he grateful or ungrateful.’ And it was we who would choose the way. There was never force over our heads and we would choose one way with interest and free will. The Professor’s Arrest after anti-Israel Speech I have another memory from the year 1969 when he delivered the provocative speech on Palestine in Hosseinieh Ershad. This speech has been broadcast many times by IRIB. It was a very provocative, important and interesting speech which shook the regime of Shah; and it required a lot of courage to deliver such a speech when the regime of Shah was in the zenith of power and had the highest level of relations and unity with Israel. When the Israeli planes would refuel in Iran’s airport(s) during the 1967 war and would fly over the heads of the Arabs and Muslims, much bravery was needed to give such a speech and we saw that professor Motahhari gave that speech and was promptly arrested and taken away. When he was freed he said, ‘They made me sit in a car and blindfolded me and the car set out. I told them there is no need to blindfold and I will not look. If you want me not to look I will close my eyes. But they didn’t agree. Yet I realized the route till Ferdowsi square but didn’t realize after that.’ Apparently they had taken him to the committee of the SAVAK which was presumably located in the same Ferdowsi Street. Allameh Tabatabaiee’s Message on the Occasion of Ayatollah Motahhari’s Martyrdom In the name of the Almighty God In memory of a scientific and philosophical personality who cast a world into grief and made the world of science and merit mournful with his departure. Late Motahhari, who was a scientist, a thinker and a researcher with an overflowing intellect, a bright thought and a realistic mind, has left behind marvelous works and researches written about scientific and argumentative purposes that are seen in his books. Late Motahhari, through his precious and blissful life that was abundant with scientific effort and philosophical thinking, sends an expressive and valuable message to the enthusiasts of science and philosophy never to repose from effort towards perfection and never forget scientific struggle for perfection; and in the market of realities turn their life--which is the best human commodity-- to the spiritual life— which is the lofty human life and is lasting till the world exists; and not to be absorbed and deceived by fabricated and imaginary personalities in this short life. Yes, a narrow route opened by a scientist towards realities will bestow eternal life upon him and this is more valuable than the world and what it contains.

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http://farsi.khamenei.ir/news-content?id=19228 حضرت آیت‌الله خامنه‌ای رهبر معظم انقلاب اسلامی صبح 18 اسفند 1390، در دیدار رئیس و نمایندگان مجلس خبرگان، ضمن سپاس و تجلیل بی‌دریغ از حركت عظیم، به هنگام، هوشمندانه و همراه با بصیرت مردم در انتخابات 12 اسفند، به تبیین تأثیرها و پیام‌های این حضور پرشكوه پرداختند و تأكید كردند: رأی اكثریت قاطع مردم در انتخابات مجلس نهم، در واقع رأی به اصل نظام اسلامی و نشان‌دهنده اعتماد كامل آنان به نظام بود و همچون سیلی هوشیاركننده، افرادی را كه درخصوص اصل نظام و آینده آن و مردم، در توهم و خیال‌پردازی بسر می‌بردند، بیدار، و حقیقت را آشكار كرد. رهبر انقلاب اسلامی با تأكید بر اینكه حقیقتاً مردم عزیز كشور در این انتخابات سنگ تمام گذاشتند، افزودند: مردم در انتخابات 12 اسفند و در عرصه رویارویی با جبهه مخالفان، قدرت ناشی از ایمان و بصیرت خود را به میدان آوردند و با این حركت عظیم، طراحی‌های چندین ماهه معاندان را برای انتخاباتی بی‌رونق، نقش بر آب كردند. حضرت آیت‌الله خامنه‌ای خاطرنشان كردند: حضور گسترده مردم در انتخابات در واقع جاری شدن رحمت الهی در كشور بود كه به همین دلیل باید شكرگزار خداوند متعال بود و پیشانی سپاس را در مقابل این رحمت الهی، بر خاك سائید. ایشان لازمه نزول رحمت الهی را فراهم كردن موجبات رحمت الهی دانستند و افزودند: ملت ایران با حضور در صحنه، بصیرت و ایستادگی خود، موجبات رحمت الهی را فراهم كرد كه برای این توفیق نیز باید شكرگزاری كرد. رهبر انقلاب اسلامی بار دیگر تأكید كردند: با همه وجود از مردم عزیز ایران تشكر می‌كنم. حضرت آیت‌الله خامنه‌ای از همه دست‌اندركاران انتخابات مجلس نهم، بویژه شورای نگهبان كه وظیفه‌ای سنگین و دقیق بر عهده دارد، قدردانی كردند و افزودند: در این انتخابات، دولت، وزارت كشور، مسئولان و دستگاه‌های امنیتی، دستگاه‌های تبلیغاتی و صداوسیما واقعاً كار بزرگ و برجسته‌ای انجام دادند و توانستند این موضوع بسیار حیاتی را به بهترین وجه به سرانجام برسانند. در ابتدای این دیدار آیت‌الله مهدوی كنی رئیس مجلس خبرگان در سخنانی ضمن قدردانی از حضور با شكوه مردم در انتخابات 12 اسفند، راهنمایی‌های رهبر انقلاب اسلامی را در شكل‌گیری این حضور حماسی بسیار مؤثر دانست و گفت: یكی از اركان انقلاب و نظام، حضور مردم در صحنه است كه امام (ره) بارها بر آن تأكید می‌كردند. آیت‌الله مهدوی كنی با تأكید بر اینكه حفظ و استمرار نظام اسلامی منوط به حفظ ستون آن یعنی ولایت و رهبری است، افزود: نمایندگان مجلس خبرگان بر عهدی كه با رهبری بسته‌اند، باقی هستند و حراست از جایگاه رهبری و ولایت فقیه را وظیفه خود می دانند. http://english.khamenei.ir//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1598 Supreme Leader: High Turnout in Parliamentary Elections Showed That People Trust Islamic Republic 08/03/2012 Ayatollah Khamenei the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with the chairman and members of the Assembly of Experts. Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence praised the people of Iran for their large turnout in the parliamentary elections and added that every vote in the parliamentary elections was a vote for the Islamic Republic. \"Although the elections which were held on Friday were parliamentary elections, every vote by the people was in fact a vote for the Islamic system. The presence of the vast majority of the people at the polling stations and the large turnout - which was one of the highest rates over the past 33 years - showed that the people fully trust the Islamic system.\" Ayatollah Khamenei added: \"In the elections that were held on the 12th of Esfand and in the arena of confronting the camp of the enemies, the people brought in their power which originates from their religious faith and insight. And with this massive movement, they foiled the plots that the enemies had been designing for months in order to minimize voter turnout.\" He added: \"With their presence on the scene and with their insight and steadfastness, the people of Iran prepared the ground for divine blessings and it is necessary to thank God for this.\" Referring to the paradigm of religious democracy and the position of elections in this paradigm, His Eminence reiterated: \"Elections are an important pillar of the system, and religious democracy is founded on elections. Therefore, anybody who believes in the Islamic system considers participating in the elections as his duty even if he has objections to certain issues.\" The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution added: \"In fact, all those who participated in the elections fulfilled an obligatory duty and they also showed their accurate understanding. This is because in a religious democracy, a person cannot refuse to take part in the elections under the pretext that he has certain criticisms.\" Elsewhere in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the outcomes of the recent parliamentary elections and stressed: \"This election acted like a slap and awakened certain people who were cherishing illusions about the Islamic Republic and the people. It opened their eyes to the truth.\" His Eminence referred to the recent statements by the US President and stated: \"The US President has said that they are not thinking about going to war with Iran. This statement is a good and wise statement. It shows that the illusion has been dispelled. But he has also said that they will bring the people of Iran to their knees by imposing sanctions, which shows that the illusion has not been fully dispelled in this regard.\" The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution reiterated: \"The persistence of this illusion will harm US government officials and it will ruin their calculations because the camp of our enemies, particularly America, has been trying since 33 years ago to separate the people from the Islamic system by imposing sanctions on the Iranian nation and particularly by intensifying the sanctions over the past year. But everybody saw the commitment of the people to the Islamic system on the 12th of Esfand.\" Ayatollah Khamenei said that the election also proved that the people trust the Islamic Republic, further adding: \"After the controversial elections of the year 1388, certain people concluded that the people would lose their trust in the Islamic Republic, but the recent election was a decisive and clear response to this wrong conclusion.\" Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that in an Islamic democracy everything is based on the votes of the people. \"Islam is the main component and the spirit of religious democracy and there must be no deviation from Islam.\" He added: \"The experience we have gained over the past 33 years has shown that Islam can bring about dignity and honor for a nation. It can specify good goals and it can also prepare the way for achieving these goals. It can give rise to a scientific movement. It can give rise to a technological and industrial movement. It can give rise to a religious and ethical movement. It can make a nation feel proud in front of other nations.\" Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the nature of religious democracy and added that in a religious democracy, democracy originates from Islam. \"It is wrong to think that democracy has been adopted from the west. This is because although the form of democracy is the same in the Islamic Republic and in western systems, the origin is different.\" His Eminence stressed that a religious democracy respects the votes of the people and added: \"In a religious democracy, the frameworks are completely different from the frameworks of western democracy because the frameworks of western democracy are oppressive.\" Ayatollah Khamenei said that one example of this oppression is that it is illegal to deny the Holocaust in the west while nobody is allowed to protest about the deliberate insults against the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.w.a.). He added that another example is that women are not allowed to wear hijab to work.

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The Black Panther Party originally the Black Panther Party for Self Defense was an African American organization established to promote Black Power and self defense through acts of social agitation It was active in the United States from the mid 1960s into the 1970s Founded in Oakland California by Huey P Newton and Bobby Seale on October 15 1966 the organization initially set forth a doctrine calling for the protection of African American neighborhoods from police brutality in the interest of African American justice Its objectives and philosophy changed radically during the party s existence While the organization s leaders passionately espoused socialist doctrine the Party s black nationalist reputation attracted an ideologically diverse membership Ideological consensus within the party was difficult to achieve Some members openly disagreed with the views of the leaders In 1967 the organization marched on the California State Capitol in Sacramento in protest of a ban on weapons The official newspaper The Black Panther was also first circulated that year By 1968 the party had expanded into many cities throughout the United States including Chicago Los Angeles San Diego Denver Newark New York City Philadelphia Seattle and Baltimore That same year membership reached 5 000 and their newspaper had grown to a circulation of 250 000 The group created a Ten Point Program a document that called for Land Bread Housing Education Clothing Justice and Peace as well as exemption from military service for African American men among other demands While firmly grounded in black nationalism and begun as an organization that accepted only African Americans as members the party changed as it grew to national prominence and became an icon of the counterculture of the 1960s The Black Panthers ultimately condemned black nationalism as black racism They became more focused on socialism without racial exclusivity They instituted a variety of community programs to alleviate poverty and improve health among communities deemed most needful of aid While the party retained its all black membership it recognized that different minority communities those it deemed oppressed by the American government needed to organize around their own set of issues and encouraged alliances with such organizations The group s political goals were often overshadowed by their confrontational and militant tactics and by their suspicions of law enforcement agents The Black Panthers considered them as oppressors to be overcome by a willingness to take up armed self defense After party membership started to decline during Huey Newtons 1968 manslaughter trial the Black Panther Party collapsed in the early 1970s Writers such as Black Panther and Socialist Angela Davis and American writer and political activist Ward Churchill have alleged that law enforcement officials went to great lengths to discredit and destroy the organization including assassination

Description:

The Black Panther Party originally the Black Panther Party for Self Defense was an African American organization established to promote Black Power and self defense through acts of social agitation It was active in the United States from the mid 1960s into the 1970s Founded in Oakland California by Huey P Newton and Bobby Seale on October 15 1966 the organization initially set forth a doctrine calling for the protection of African American neighborhoods from police brutality in the interest of African American justice Its objectives and philosophy changed radically during the party s existence While the organization s leaders passionately espoused socialist doctrine the Party s black nationalist reputation attracted an ideologically diverse membership Ideological consensus within the party was difficult to achieve Some members openly disagreed with the views of the leaders In 1967 the organization marched on the California State Capitol in Sacramento in protest of a ban on weapons The official newspaper The Black Panther was also first circulated that year By 1968 the party had expanded into many cities throughout the United States including Chicago Los Angeles San Diego Denver Newark New York City Philadelphia Seattle and Baltimore That same year membership reached 5 000 and their newspaper had grown to a circulation of 250 000 The group created a Ten Point Program a document that called for Land Bread Housing Education Clothing Justice and Peace as well as exemption from military service for African American men among other demands While firmly grounded in black nationalism and begun as an organization that accepted only African Americans as members the party changed as it grew to national prominence and became an icon of the counterculture of the 1960s The Black Panthers ultimately condemned black nationalism as black racism They became more focused on socialism without racial exclusivity They instituted a variety of community programs to alleviate poverty and improve health among communities deemed most needful of aid While the party retained its all black membership it recognized that different minority communities those it deemed oppressed by the American government needed to organize around their own set of issues and encouraged alliances with such organizations The group s political goals were often overshadowed by their confrontational and militant tactics and by their suspicions of law enforcement agents The Black Panthers considered them as oppressors to be overcome by a willingness to take up armed self defense After party membership started to decline during Huey Newtons 1968 manslaughter trial the Black Panther Party collapsed in the early 1970s Writers such as Black Panther and Socialist Angela Davis and American writer and political activist Ward Churchill have alleged that law enforcement officials went to great lengths to discredit and destroy the organization including assassination

Description:

The Black Panther Party originally the Black Panther Party for Self Defense was an African American organization established to promote Black Power and self defense through acts of social agitation It was active in the United States from the mid 1960s into the 1970s Founded in Oakland California by Huey P Newton and Bobby Seale on October 15 1966 the organization initially set forth a doctrine calling for the protection of African American neighborhoods from police brutality in the interest of African American justice Its objectives and philosophy changed radically during the party s existence While the organization s leaders passionately espoused socialist doctrine the Party s black nationalist reputation attracted an ideologically diverse membership Ideological consensus within the party was difficult to achieve Some members openly disagreed with the views of the leaders In 1967 the organization marched on the California State Capitol in Sacramento in protest of a ban on weapons The official newspaper The Black Panther was also first circulated that year By 1968 the party had expanded into many cities throughout the United States including Chicago Los Angeles San Diego Denver Newark New York City Philadelphia Seattle and Baltimore That same year membership reached 5 000 and their newspaper had grown to a circulation of 250 000 The group created a Ten Point Program a document that called for Land Bread Housing Education Clothing Justice and Peace as well as exemption from military service for African American men among other demands While firmly grounded in black nationalism and begun as an organization that accepted only African Americans as members the party changed as it grew to national prominence and became an icon of the counterculture of the 1960s The Black Panthers ultimately condemned black nationalism as black racism They became more focused on socialism without racial exclusivity They instituted a variety of community programs to alleviate poverty and improve health among communities deemed most needful of aid While the party retained its all black membership it recognized that different minority communities those it deemed oppressed by the American government needed to organize around their own set of issues and encouraged alliances with such organizations The group s political goals were often overshadowed by their confrontational and militant tactics and by their suspicions of law enforcement agents The Black Panthers considered them as oppressors to be overcome by a willingness to take up armed self defense After party membership started to decline during Huey Newtons 1968 manslaughter trial the Black Panther Party collapsed in the early 1970s Writers such as Black Panther and Socialist Angela Davis and American writer and political activist Ward Churchill have alleged that law enforcement officials went to great lengths to discredit and destroy the organization including assassination

Description:

The Black Panther Party originally the Black Panther Party for Self Defense was an African American organization established to promote Black Power and self defense through acts of social agitation It was active in the United States from the mid 1960s into the 1970s Founded in Oakland California by Huey P Newton and Bobby Seale on October 15 1966 the organization initially set forth a doctrine calling for the protection of African American neighborhoods from police brutality in the interest of African American justice Its objectives and philosophy changed radically during the party s existence While the organization s leaders passionately espoused socialist doctrine the Party s black nationalist reputation attracted an ideologically diverse membership Ideological consensus within the party was difficult to achieve Some members openly disagreed with the views of the leaders In 1967 the organization marched on the California State Capitol in Sacramento in protest of a ban on weapons The official newspaper The Black Panther was also first circulated that year By 1968 the party had expanded into many cities throughout the United States including Chicago Los Angeles San Diego Denver Newark New York City Philadelphia Seattle and Baltimore That same year membership reached 5 000 and their newspaper had grown to a circulation of 250 000 The group created a Ten Point Program a document that called for Land Bread Housing Education Clothing Justice and Peace as well as exemption from military service for African American men among other demands While firmly grounded in black nationalism and begun as an organization that accepted only African Americans as members the party changed as it grew to national prominence and became an icon of the counterculture of the 1960s The Black Panthers ultimately condemned black nationalism as black racism They became more focused on socialism without racial exclusivity They instituted a variety of community programs to alleviate poverty and improve health among communities deemed most needful of aid While the party retained its all black membership it recognized that different minority communities those it deemed oppressed by the American government needed to organize around their own set of issues and encouraged alliances with such organizations The group s political goals were often overshadowed by their confrontational and militant tactics and by their suspicions of law enforcement agents The Black Panthers considered them as oppressors to be overcome by a willingness to take up armed self defense After party membership started to decline during Huey Newtons 1968 manslaughter trial the Black Panther Party collapsed in the early 1970s Writers such as Black Panther and Socialist Angela Davis and American writer and political activist Ward Churchill have alleged that law enforcement officials went to great lengths to discredit and destroy the organization including assassination

Description:

The Black Panther Party originally the Black Panther Party for Self Defense was an African American organization established to promote Black Power and self defense through acts of social agitation It was active in the United States from the mid 1960s into the 1970s Founded in Oakland California by Huey P Newton and Bobby Seale on October 15 1966 the organization initially set forth a doctrine calling for the protection of African American neighborhoods from police brutality in the interest of African American justice Its objectives and philosophy changed radically during the party s existence While the organization s leaders passionately espoused socialist doctrine the Party s black nationalist reputation attracted an ideologically diverse membership Ideological consensus within the party was difficult to achieve Some members openly disagreed with the views of the leaders In 1967 the organization marched on the California State Capitol in Sacramento in protest of a ban on weapons The official newspaper The Black Panther was also first circulated that year By 1968 the party had expanded into many cities throughout the United States including Chicago Los Angeles San Diego Denver Newark New York City Philadelphia Seattle and Baltimore That same year membership reached 5 000 and their newspaper had grown to a circulation of 250 000 The group created a Ten Point Program a document that called for Land Bread Housing Education Clothing Justice and Peace as well as exemption from military service for African American men among other demands While firmly grounded in black nationalism and begun as an organization that accepted only African Americans as members the party changed as it grew to national prominence and became an icon of the counterculture of the 1960s The Black Panthers ultimately condemned black nationalism as black racism They became more focused on socialism without racial exclusivity They instituted a variety of community programs to alleviate poverty and improve health among communities deemed most needful of aid While the party retained its all black membership it recognized that different minority communities those it deemed oppressed by the American government needed to organize around their own set of issues and encouraged alliances with such organizations The group s political goals were often overshadowed by their confrontational and militant tactics and by their suspicions of law enforcement agents The Black Panthers considered them as oppressors to be overcome by a willingness to take up armed self defense After party membership started to decline during Huey Newtons 1968 manslaughter trial the Black Panther Party collapsed in the early 1970s Writers such as Black Panther and Socialist Angela Davis and American writer and political activist Ward Churchill have alleged that law enforcement officials went to great lengths to discredit and destroy the organization including assassination

Description:

The Black Panther Party originally the Black Panther Party for Self Defense was an African American organization established to promote Black Power and self defense through acts of social agitation It was active in the United States from the mid 1960s into the 1970s Founded in Oakland California by Huey P Newton and Bobby Seale on October 15 1966 the organization initially set forth a doctrine calling for the protection of African American neighborhoods from police brutality in the interest of African American justice Its objectives and philosophy changed radically during the party s existence While the organization s leaders passionately espoused socialist doctrine the Party s black nationalist reputation attracted an ideologically diverse membership Ideological consensus within the party was difficult to achieve Some members openly disagreed with the views of the leaders In 1967 the organization marched on the California State Capitol in Sacramento in protest of a ban on weapons The official newspaper The Black Panther was also first circulated that year By 1968 the party had expanded into many cities throughout the United States including Chicago Los Angeles San Diego Denver Newark New York City Philadelphia Seattle and Baltimore That same year membership reached 5 000 and their newspaper had grown to a circulation of 250 000 The group created a Ten Point Program a document that called for Land Bread Housing Education Clothing Justice and Peace as well as exemption from military service for African American men among other demands While firmly grounded in black nationalism and begun as an organization that accepted only African Americans as members the party changed as it grew to national prominence and became an icon of the counterculture of the 1960s The Black Panthers ultimately condemned black nationalism as black racism They became more focused on socialism without racial exclusivity They instituted a variety of community programs to alleviate poverty and improve health among communities deemed most needful of aid While the party retained its all black membership it recognized that different minority communities those it deemed oppressed by the American government needed to organize around their own set of issues and encouraged alliances with such organizations The group s political goals were often overshadowed by their confrontational and militant tactics and by their suspicions of law enforcement agents The Black Panthers considered them as oppressors to be overcome by a willingness to take up armed self defense After party membership started to decline during Huey Newtons 1968 manslaughter trial the Black Panther Party collapsed in the early 1970s Writers such as Black Panther and Socialist Angela Davis and American writer and political activist Ward Churchill have alleged that law enforcement officials went to great lengths to discredit and destroy the organization including assassination

Description:

The Black Panther Party originally the Black Panther Party for Self Defense was an African American organization established to promote Black Power and self defense through acts of social agitation It was active in the United States from the mid 1960s into the 1970s Founded in Oakland California by Huey P Newton and Bobby Seale on October 15 1966 the organization initially set forth a doctrine calling for the protection of African American neighborhoods from police brutality in the interest of African American justice Its objectives and philosophy changed radically during the party s existence While the organization s leaders passionately espoused socialist doctrine the Party s black nationalist reputation attracted an ideologically diverse membership Ideological consensus within the party was difficult to achieve Some members openly disagreed with the views of the leaders In 1967 the organization marched on the California State Capitol in Sacramento in protest of a ban on weapons The official newspaper The Black Panther was also first circulated that year By 1968 the party had expanded into many cities throughout the United States including Chicago Los Angeles San Diego Denver Newark New York City Philadelphia Seattle and Baltimore That same year membership reached 5 000 and their newspaper had grown to a circulation of 250 000 The group created a Ten Point Program a document that called for Land Bread Housing Education Clothing Justice and Peace as well as exemption from military service for African American men among other demands While firmly grounded in black nationalism and begun as an organization that accepted only African Americans as members the party changed as it grew to national prominence and became an icon of the counterculture of the 1960s The Black Panthers ultimately condemned black nationalism as black racism They became more focused on socialism without racial exclusivity They instituted a variety of community programs to alleviate poverty and improve health among communities deemed most needful of aid While the party retained its all black membership it recognized that different minority communities those it deemed oppressed by the American government needed to organize around their own set of issues and encouraged alliances with such organizations The group s political goals were often overshadowed by their confrontational and militant tactics and by their suspicions of law enforcement agents The Black Panthers considered them as oppressors to be overcome by a willingness to take up armed self defense After party membership started to decline during Huey Newtons 1968 manslaughter trial the Black Panther Party collapsed in the early 1970s Writers such as Black Panther and Socialist Angela Davis and American writer and political activist Ward Churchill have alleged that law enforcement officials went to great lengths to discredit and destroy the organization including assassination

Description:

The Black Panther Party originally the Black Panther Party for Self Defense was an African American organization established to promote Black Power and self defense through acts of social agitation It was active in the United States from the mid 1960s into the 1970s Founded in Oakland California by Huey P Newton and Bobby Seale on October 15 1966 the organization initially set forth a doctrine calling for the protection of African American neighborhoods from police brutality in the interest of African American justice Its objectives and philosophy changed radically during the party s existence While the organization s leaders passionately espoused socialist doctrine the Party s black nationalist reputation attracted an ideologically diverse membership Ideological consensus within the party was difficult to achieve Some members openly disagreed with the views of the leaders In 1967 the organization marched on the California State Capitol in Sacramento in protest of a ban on weapons The official newspaper The Black Panther was also first circulated that year By 1968 the party had expanded into many cities throughout the United States including Chicago Los Angeles San Diego Denver Newark New York City Philadelphia Seattle and Baltimore That same year membership reached 5 000 and their newspaper had grown to a circulation of 250 000 The group created a Ten Point Program a document that called for Land Bread Housing Education Clothing Justice and Peace as well as exemption from military service for African American men among other demands While firmly grounded in black nationalism and begun as an organization that accepted only African Americans as members the party changed as it grew to national prominence and became an icon of the counterculture of the 1960s The Black Panthers ultimately condemned black nationalism as black racism They became more focused on socialism without racial exclusivity They instituted a variety of community programs to alleviate poverty and improve health among communities deemed most needful of aid While the party retained its all black membership it recognized that different minority communities those it deemed oppressed by the American government needed to organize around their own set of issues and encouraged alliances with such organizations The group s political goals were often overshadowed by their confrontational and militant tactics and by their suspicions of law enforcement agents The Black Panthers considered them as oppressors to be overcome by a willingness to take up armed self defense After party membership started to decline during Huey Newtons 1968 manslaughter trial the Black Panther Party collapsed in the early 1970s Writers such as Black Panther and Socialist Angela Davis and American writer and political activist Ward Churchill have alleged that law enforcement officials went to great lengths to discredit and destroy the organization including assassination

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Moharram - Season of the Dear Ones Quick, get dressed in black Days of mourning have approached It ’s the season of dear ones Once again Moharram’s turn Let your heart - let weep blood Let your hands beat your chest Head towards the ocean By your presence prepare the shore Quick, get dressed in black Days of mourning have approached It ’s the season of dear ones Once again Moharram’s turn Sprinkle tears like rose water The flower’s falling to ground Fragrance of dear ones is smelt Ali is hunched - sure The pulse of the path is beating Fragrance of the sun’s blood is felt Muslim’s setting off to Koofa - seems to be certain The month of blood and dust has come Gushing of tears and water has come The black banners have come Karbala’s repeated once more Sprinkle tears like rose water The flower’s falling to ground Fragrance of dear ones is smelt Ali is hunched - sure Whoever sought the ocean Gained fame and became the shore Forgets his laughter To weeping becomes familiar Quick, get dressed in black Days of mourning have approached It ’s the season of dear ones Once again Moharram’s turn Sprinkle tears like rose water The flower’s falling to ground Fragrance of dear ones is smelt Ali is hunched - sure Thirst and dehydration Abbas is shaken Though Euphrates is now Khaibar Murtaza is determined Then it was Hussein’s turn Faces the battle front The nine planets were in rage The two worlds then shook The sand in flares The creation in rage The sky roared Isme Azam perishes For the agony of Zahra Maryam throws dust - look With the agony of Khatam Refreshes the grief of Adam Quick, get dressed in black Days of mourning have approached It ’s the season of dear ones Once again Moharram’s turn Sprinkle tears like rose water The flower’s falling to ground Fragrance of dear ones is smelt Ali is hunched - sure Sprinkle tears like rose water The flower’s falling to ground Fragrance of dear ones is smelt Ali is hunched - sure For the agony of Zahra Maryam throws dust - look With the agony of Khatam Refreshes the grief of Adam Quick, get dressed in black Days of mourning have approached It ’s the season of dear ones Once again Moharram’s turn Sprinkle tears like rose water The flower’s falling to ground Fragrance of dear ones is smelt Ali is hunched - sure Iltemase Dua – Hayder Shirazi

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Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has described the flood disaster in Pakistan as the \\\"most urgent\\\" issue of the Muslim world. Addressing crowds of worshippers at Tehran University after Eid al-Fitr prayers on Friday, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed deep sorrow over the catastrophic floods in Pakistan and the lingering humanitarian crisis it has brought to the country. Iran has so far sent more than 400 tons of humanitarian aid including tents, blankets, food and medicine to Pakistan, and has also announced its readiness to play an active role in the reconstruction of the country\\\'s flood-ravaged regions. Ayatollah Khamenei said the measures taken so far to relieve the disaster-hit Pakistanis was far from enough and appealed to all Muslims across the globe to help their brothers in Pakistan. \\\"The Iranian nation and government, other Muslim nations and governments, and Islamic societies including the Organization of the Islamic Conference and Muslims communities in any corner of the world [must] rush to help the Pakistani nation and government and meet the various needs of the flood victims in Pakistan,\\\" the Leader said. The international community has also pleaded for a boost in global relief efforts to help some 800,000 Pakistanis stranded in areas only accessible by air in the aftermath of the country\\\'s worst-ever natural disaster. The floods washed through one-fifth of Pakistan in August, leaving at least 1,760 people dead and affecting at least another 17 million. Ayatollah Khamenei further warned about efforts by some powers to take advantage of the political unrest and security gap in the violence-wracked country. \\\"Some are seeking to turn Pakistan into their military base,\\\" the Leader cautioned, expressing hope that Islamabad would resolve the predicament by fulfilling its obligations.

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Islamic Supplication / Lamentation / Eulogy Oh Our Lord! Place us in the proximity of the Guided Ones, from Bani Hashim إلهي بالميامين هداتي من بني هاشم English Translation (as per Video): In His Name, the Most High Oh Our Lord, Place Us In The Proximity the Divinely Guided Ones From Bani Hashim (Family of the Prophet Muhammad(S)) - A Poetic Translation (Islamic Supplication / Lamentation) Oh Our Lord! Place us in the proximity of the Divinely Guided Ones from Bani Hashim (Bani Hashim is the family of Prophet Muhammad(S)) For the sake of the Seal of the Prophets(S), the Father of Revelation, Abal Qassim(S) (These are amongst the titles of the Prophet Muhammad(S)) From those who fasted, and who prayed, and who were always sincere to the Seal [Of the Prophets](S) Those who endured three continuous days of fasting [for the sake of Allah] (Reference: Quran, Surah al-Insaan (#76), Verses 7-10) Save us from the blazing fire, Oh Most Merciful, Oh Most Compassionate Save us from the blazing fire, and protect us from all evil. For who's sake you returned the Sun, and who is the Gate [to the City of Knowledge (Prophet Muhammad(S)] (Ref: Imam Ali(A) is the Gate to the City of Knowledge) For the sake of her who is a part of the Prophet(S), the Leader of the Women, [Lady] Fatimah(A) (Ref: Prophet(S) said Fatimah(A) is a part of me) And for the sake of those who were poisoned and murdered by the oppressors, may Your mercy be removed from all the oppressors! And for the sake of as-Sajjad(A), and al-Baqir(A), and as-Sadiq(A) and al-Kadhim(A) (Ref: Grandsons of the Prophet(S) and Imams of the Muslims) And for the sake on the one [poisoned and] buried in Tus, Ali(A) [ar-Ridha], and his son - the Learned One(A) (Ref: Grandsons of the Prophet(S) and Imams of Muslims) For the sake of the two guards [al-Askariyain(A)], who [guard and are with] the Awaited One who will Rise(AJ) (Ref: Imam al-Mahdi(AJ), the Awaited Imam) Lamentation based on a supplication, Arabic with English subtitles: Approximate Arabic wording is below: إلهي بالميامين هداتي من بني هاشم بخاتم النبيين أخي الوحي أبي القاسم ، بمن صام بمن صلى بمن صدق بالخاتم بمن آثر بالقرص ثلاثاً وطوى صائم بمن ردت له الشمس ببال والملأ عالم بحق البضعة الزهراء وهي ست النسا فاطم بالمسموم والمقتول ظلماً فلعن الظالم بالسجاد والباقر والصادق والكاظم بالمدفون في طوساًَ علياً وابنه العالم بحق العسكريين مع المنتظر القائم أجرنا من لظى النيران يا رحمن يا راحم أجرنا من لظى النيران بل من شرها الحاطم برحمتك يا أرحم الراحيمن

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April 25, marks the anniversary of failure of US military aggression to Tabas. Thirty years ago on April 25, 1980, the US staged a military aggression against Iran's soil with a number of choppers and planes. The US administration, whose different plots to defeat the sacred Islamic system had failed, launched this military aggression with the goal of releasing the spies that had been detained throughout the seizure of US spy den in Tehran. Meanwhile, despite precise planning, usage of advanced equipment, and numerous exercises that the Americans had done in similar locations, this military assault failed due to occurrence of a sand storm throughout the deserts in the vicinity of the city of Tabas, central Iran, while a number of US choppers and planes caught fire; a number of US troopers were killed; and the rest of these US troopers fled Iran's soil. The Americans had planned to fly to Tehran with a chopper, after landing in the city of Tabas. The occurrence of a sand storm astounded the American officials, who had made all the essential arrangements and had even studied the weather conditions. In fact, with divine blessings, US military aggression was doomed to fail. Meanwhile, in reference to the humiliating military failure of the US in Tabas, the Founder of Islamic Republic of Iran late Imam Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace) noted now that the Great Satan has committed such an absurd act, the honorable Iranian nation should become fully prepared for confrontation with the enemies, with all its potential and through reliance on God's strength. April 25, 1980 is a memorable day for the Iranian nation. This date is unforgettable for the Iranian nation because on this day the Iranian people were blessed by the Almighty in the face of the enemy's plot and conspiracy. This day will also not be forgotten in US history, because it showed that sole reliance on military equipment in confrontation with faithful people will not bring about victory. Tabas incident paved the way for further unity and solidarity of Iran's revolutionary forces, while also proving Islamic Revolution's righteousness throughout the international community. Throughout the course of this incident, the true ominous visage of the enemy was revealed more than ever and the divine nature of Islamic Revolution was proved to the international community. In fact, this sand storm unveiled the ugly visage of Washington's rulers and displayed their clear aggression, which was in violation to international rules and regulations.

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Al-Nebras (The Lantern) is a greatly anticipated motion picture film masterfully depicting various events and occurrences in the remarkable life of Imam Ali (as). The film sheds immense light on the prominent role Imam Ali occupied during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (saw) as well as comprehensively highlighting the pivotal and fundamental position he held in regards to the Islamic Message. The highly captivating film, which artistically recreates a number of scenes from the council meeting (Shura) of the election of Uthman ibn Affan to the military expeditions embarked upon under the command of the Holy Prophet as well as the momentous occasion which unfolded on the plains of Ghadir presents numerous dimensions of Imam Ali\'s matchless and unparalleled personality and attributes which shook the very foundation of disbelief and awoke the hearts of the faithful from the slumber of this world. For the virtues of Imam Ali are like that of no other, they are innumerable, insurmountable and his distinctions over others are such that he surpasses all near him like the sun does to a candle in the midst of the day. From birth he was under the unique tutelage and mentorship of the best of creation and the most beloved to Allah, the Holy Prophet, and as a youth there was none greater in zeal than him in propagating the call to the one true God. On the battlefield his bravery and courage new no boundaries, and in the mosque his worship was a sight of true marvel. His certainty in Allah was unshakeable and his piety was a source of guidance to all. In administering justice there was none more just than him, and in knowledge, he was more precious than a fountain of treasure. Through his exemplary characteristics he has opened for us the doors of success, and by his unyielding efforts in the way of Allah he has handed down the banner of righteousness, for all those willing to uphold it... \"He who wants to see Noah in his determination, Adam in his knowledge, Abraham in his perseverance, Moses in his awe and Jesus in his worship, should look at Ali\" - Prophet Mohammed (saw) Al-Nebras (The Lantern) has been subtitled and presented by Al-Masumeen.com in conjunction with Ahlulbayt TV (Sky Channel 842)

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The comments made by Iran\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei are crystal-clear: No bilateral talks with the United States as long as Washington\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s words do not match its deeds. Ayatollah Khamenei made the comments just days after US Vice President Joe Biden said Washington was prepared to hold direct talks with Iran. The Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has rejected any talks with the United States under pressure and threats. “I am not a diplomat. I am a revolutionary and speak frankly, honestly, and firmly. An offer of talks makes sense only when the side [that makes the offer] shows its goodwill,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with the officials and commanders of Iran Navy on Thursday. “Negotiation is meaningful when the two sides talk with goodwill, under equal conditions and without seeking to deceive each other. Therefore, ‘negotiation for the sake of negotiation’, ‘tactical negotiation’ and negotiation offer in order to sell a superpower\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s gesture to the world is a deceptive move,” the Leader stated. Ayatollah Khamenei also noted that during the past four years, nothing has been seen from the United States but continuation of conspiracies, abetting seditionists and supporting the terrorists which assassinated Iranian nation’s scientists. “You (the Americans) point the gun at Iran and say either negotiations or we pull the trigger! You should know that pressure and negotiations do not go together, and the [Iranian] nation will not be intimidated by such things.” Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the remarks by American officials that ‘the ball is now in Iran\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s court,’ and noted, “The ball is in your court, because you should answer the question of whether speaking of negotiations at the same time as continuing pressure and threats makes any sense at all.” The Leader pointed out, however, that, “We, of course, understand their (the Americans’) need for negotiations, because the Middle East policy of the Americans has failed, and in order to compensate for this failure, they need to play a trump card.” Taking Iran to the negotiating table is the trump card that the US needs, Ayatollah Khamenei noted, adding that the US seeks to tell the world it has good will. “However, no one sees any goodwill.” “Negotiation with the United States does not solve any problem because they have not fulfilled any of their promises in the past 60 years.” Referring to the conspiracies by the enemies of the Iran including coups, military provocation, all-out support for the aggressor enemies, hard war, soft war, intensive pressure by the West’s evil media empire as well as harsh and increasing sanctions, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that for the past 30 years the enemies have tried to make Iranian nation disappointed at the Islamic Republic, but they have failed. The Leader also stressed that the Iranian nation will castigate anybody who would renounce the national interests, sovereignty and progress of the country in order to satisfy the United States. Speaking at the 49th annual Munich Security Conference in Germany on February 2, US Vice President Joe Biden said Washington was ready to hold direct talks with Iran over the country’s nuclear energy program. The United States, the Israeli regime and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program. Iran argues that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it is entitled to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

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The Unites States of America is proudly described as \\\"The land of the free and the home of the brave\\\" in its national anthem. But it is almost 200 years since these words were written and times have certainly changed. Perhaps many may now agree that the United States of America is no longer the land where all people are free and entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness of their own choice. In the decade since Sept. 11, 2001, the US has comprehensively reduced civil liberties in the name of an expanded security state. The most noticeable example of this was the USA PATRIOT act signed into law October 26, 2001.Only Six weeks after the 9/11 attacks the US Congress enacted the sweeping new law that was passed in great haste and secrecy, and that many regard as riddled with flaws that seriously compromise fundamental freedoms. In The Deported we look at the lives of three immigrants to the United States who had come to America to live the dream in a land they thought to be free and fair. Yet in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks their lives spiraled into misery as the US government rushed to wage a war on terror, terrorizing innocent citizens instead.

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Dey 9th in the Iranian calendar or December 30th marks a very special day in the history of Iran\\\'s Islamic Revolution. On that day in 2009, an epic was created by the mass turnout of the nation to show their support for the Islamic establishment following post-election unrest in the country in that year. On December 30, 2009, Iranians took to the streets in the millions to condemn what was called the \\\"seditious movement\\\" and to show anger for the unrest that took place after the June\\\'s presidential election especially on Ashura-- a day Shia Muslims mark the martyrdom anniversary of Prophet Muhammad\\\'s grandson, Imam Hussein (PBUH). After the presidential election, supporters of two of the defeated candidates made allegations of vote fraud. But such allegations were dismissed by the country\\\'s election officials. The guardian council -which based on Iran\\\'s constitution, supervises election- concluded there were no irregularities, dismissing election complaints. But the street protests -supported by foreign powers- continued on different occasions for more than six months. Then on December 30th, the nation poured to the streets to show support for the establishment. That day, the Iranians once more proved that if the Islamic establishment is threatened by the western-backed soft war, they are ready to sacrifice. They sent the message of unity to the entire world. The 2009 post-election unrest and the following incidents proved that the nation has enough insight and they firmly stand against foreign threats.

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Beirut has filed a complaint to the United Nations against Israel over its spying on Lebanon. If Israel\'s spying, along with its violation of Lebanese airspace, \"constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and continuous aggression on Lebanese lands, Lebanese people, the military, security, and civilian institutions, then why hasn\'t the UN done anything about it? That\'s one of the questions we\'ll be asking in this edition of the debate. We\'ll also discuss the row over gas between Israel and Lebanon, and see what the chances are of a clash between Israel and Hezbollah. Guests: - Historian & Political Adviser, Geoffrey Alderman, (LONDON). - Prof., Notre Dame University, George Labaki (BEIRUT). Subjects: 1) Lebanon\'s caretaker Fm has not only filed a complaint to the UN: He has sent similar letters to foreign ministers of nations belonging to the 15-member Security Council, as well as to the Arab League, European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement Iranian President Hassan Rouhani: Will any action be taken against Israel that will change Israel\'s behavior? - \"Israel\'s continuous aggression constitutes a violation of international law and relevant international resolutions, particularly Resolution 1701 2) On Israel\'s illegal spying activities: the Dangers of the Israeli Telecomm Towers in Lebanese Territory, along with the Telecommunications Ministry announcement that Israel had installed surveillance posts along the border with Lebanon capable of monitoring the entire country: Why such interest in spying on such a vast scale over Lebanon? 3) REAX: \"Israel\'s next war must start in Lebanon\": Headline a few days of the Jewish Press: The next confrontation must start with heavy bombing attacks that would minimize later damage to Israeli cities like Kiryat Shmona, Tzfat, Nahariya and Tveria. - Israel air attacks inside Syria took place 5 times in 2013: Israel said to stop transfer of weapons to Hezbollah: Yet, other reports indicate most of the long-range surface to surface missiles has reached Hezbolah: Why has Israel not attacked Lebanon, or Hezbollah strongholds? - Syria spillover increasing chances of Israel attacking Lebanon: Two rockets fired from Lebanon landed close to the northern Israel: Israel responded to the attack immediately by shelling the area from which the attack originated. Possibility: that a Jihad group launched the attack in order to get Israel to attack Hezbollah and to force Hezbollah to divert some of its troops from Syria back to Lebanon. 4) The United States and Hezbollah are in secret talks to deal with the fight against al-Qaida, regional stability, and Lebanese political issues? - Talks, brokered by the UK, \"are aimed at keeping tabs on the changes in the region and the world, and prepare for the upcoming return of Iran to the international community 5) The Eastern Mediterranean\'s Oil And Gas: Israel and Lebanon have been at odds over their maritime borders for decades, and recent discoveries in what\'s called the Levant Basin could create more conflict? 6) Israel has found comfort in one of its enemies: Saudi Arabia (who has just given 3 billion in military aid to Lebanon): how do u view this alliance vis-à-vis Lebanon? 7) Terrorist attacks inside Lebanon have been on the rise recently, one twin bombings claiming the life of an Iranian diplomat: Do you agree with the Iranian ambassador to Beirut says all recent terrorist attacks in Lebanon were carried out to serve the interests of the Israeli regime?

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On the war on Syria: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, warned that Saudi Arabia\'s political and religious ideology is \"a threat to the world\". Has Saudi Arabia\'s support for terrorists reached such an alarming level that UN Sec. Gen. Ban Ki Moon has said it will discuss Saudi support for terrorists in Iraq with UN members? In this edition of the debate, we\'ll discuss how isolated Saudi Arabia and its policy in Syria have become. Turkey, that has long called for the ouster of President Bashar Assad, is now calling for a shift in government policy towards Syria. In addition, we\'ll discuss how the U-S has come to recognize that their support for these insurgents has backfired, and further analyze reports of Western intel. agencies wanting to cooperate with Syria, Iran, and Russia in battling these extremists. Guests: - Journalist & Middle East Analyst, Sharif Nashashibi (LONDON). - Author & Historian, Webster Griffin Tarpley (WASHINGTON). Subjects: 1. REAX: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, warned that Saudi Arabia\'s political and religious ideology is \"a threat to the world\". - He was referring to Wahhabism, an ultra-conservative tradition which is predominant in Saudi Arabia, a key backer of insurgents fighting the Syrian government. 2. Saudi Arabia\'s ambassador to Britain wrote an op-ed in the New York Times entitled Saudi Arabia Will Go It Alone: with statements like \"Nothing is ruled out in our pursuit of peace in the Arab World... Act independently by rejecting a seat on the UN. The way to prevent the rise of extremism: is to support the champions of moderation: financially, materially and yes, militarily, if necessary. Saudi Arabia will continue on this new track for as long as proves necessary - This seemed to reiterate the sentiment expressed by Saudi intelligence chief Bandar bin Sultan back in October when he talked of shifting away from the alliance with the U.S.: 3. It appears Saudi support for insurgents from AL Qaeda groups to otherwise, has created havoc in the region: From Syria, to Lebanon, to Iraq: And partly in Jordan, so much so that the UN chief Ban Ki Moon has said it may discuss this with security council members? 4. Turkey, has been a supporter of President Bashar Assad\'s ouster. But now Turkish President Abdullah Gul is now calling for a shift in government policy towards Syria. President Abdullah Gul said on Tuesday that \"I am of the opinion that we should recalibrate our diplomacy and security policies given the facts in the south of our country (in Syria).\" What do you make of Gul\'s call for a change in his country\'s policy? 5. MAJOR DEVELOPMENT: The Syrian deputy foreign minister says Western intelligence agencies have been recently visiting Damascus for talks on combating extremist insurgents. Mekdad: Mekdad said that the contacts appeared to show a rift between the political and security authorities in some countries opposed to Assad. Has the US and other Western countries like France and the UK realized that support for these insurgents have now backfired? 6. If Western intel. agencies are cooperating with Syria, which by default will include Iran, then why is the US then insisting Iran not to participate n Geneva 2, or only participate on the sidelines, a precondition that Iran has rejected? 7. United States, the West, Iran, Russia, Syria and the geopolitical shift, which has left Saudi Arabia isolated: Yet the pattern of global terrorism has been sponsored by the US, Israel, and their Arab partners Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Will the US stop its support for terrorists? 8. How far will the US go to counter Saudi Arabia\'s destructive role at least regionally: Are the 2 countries headed for a clash?

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As if the Syrian talks in Geneva did not face enough challenges, a new one came into the picture, when US Congress approved continued support for what it called moderate Syrian rebels, raising the question again about a good and a bad terrorist. It also upped the bar on what type of aid: previously from non-lethal like night goggles, to small arms, as well as some more powerful weapons, such as anti-tank rockets. In this edition of the debate, we\'ll ask doesn\'t this contradict the United States\' role as a sponsor of the peace talks? Guests: - National Coordinator, A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, Brian Becker (WASHINGTON). - Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress, Lawrence Korb (WASHINGTON). Subjects: 1. From non-lethal aid, like nigh vision goggles and army uniforms, to a variety of small arms, as well as some more powerful weapons, such as anti-tank rockets. - Funded by the U-S Congress, in votes behind closed doors, through the end of government fiscal year 2014, which ends on September 30: THAT MEANS FOR THE NEXT 8 MONTHS. - Also the issue that arms may fall into the hands of \"bad terrorists\", something US experienced in Afghanistan, Iraq and in Syria. 2. What about the good terrorist/bad terrorist scenario: this differentiation just can\'t apply, especially to the terrorists inside Syria, which the US calls the moderate Syrian rebels? 3. American military aid, now with explicit congressional approval: Doesn\'t it contradict the United States\' role as a sponsor of the peace talks? Whatever happened to US Sec. of State John Kerry saying repeatedly that there is no military solution? - Russia is working with the US to find a political solution, and suddenly US arms supplies, which contradicts the initiative 4. On terrorists: John Kerry said during opening of Geneva talks: in reference to the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad: \"The Assad regime is a magnet for terrorists. The regime\'s brutality is the source of the violent extremism in Syria today: Is the US completely turning a blind eye to Saudi Arabia\'s support for terrorists? 5. Timeline: Beg. Dec.: the US and Britain announced that they had suspended non-lethal aid: Why? Reports that their aid supplies could end up in hostile hands. Then in late December, reversed that decision: Yet US Congress \"secretly\" approved sending small arms, as well as some more powerful weapons, such as anti-tank rockets, also in Dec.: the US was not telling the truth, or given that this was done in secret, did not want it to be made public? 6. On the Syrian talks in Geneva: According to the divided opposition: the Syrian delegation has accepted the establishment of a transitional government body for the first time: Were it true, how what are the chances for the divided opposition to accept the govt. red line: Assad\'s departure? 7. Syria\'s divided opposition criticized a document presented by the Syrian govt which presented a statement of principles, calling for Syria \'s sovereignty to be respected, rejecting \"foreign interference\" and \"terrorism.\"? 8. Are we looking at u-turn from Turkey on Syria: AS we speak, PM Erodogan is in Iran holding talks with Ian\'s leader, its pres. and FM? 9. What may have happened if Iran was present?

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1. From non-lethal aid, like nigh vision goggles and army uniforms, to a variety of small arms, as well as some more powerful weapons, such as anti-tank rockets. - Funded by the U-S Congress, in votes behind closed doors, through the end of government fiscal year 2014, which ends on September 30: THAT MEANS FOR THE NEXT 8 MONTHS. - Also the issue that arms may fall into the hands of \"bad terrorists\", something US experienced in Afghanistan, Iraq and in Syria. 2. What about the good terrorist/bad terrorist scenario: this differentiation just can\'t apply, especially to the terrorists inside Syria, which the US calls the moderate Syrian rebels? 3. American military aid, now with explicit congressional approval: Doesn\'t it contradict the United States\' role as a sponsor of the peace talks? Whatever happened to US Sec. of State John Kerry saying repeatedly that there is no military solution? - Russia is working with the US to find a political solution, and suddenly US arms supplies, which contradicts the initiative 4. On terrorists: John Kerry said during opening of Geneva talks: in reference to the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad: \"The Assad regime is a magnet for terrorists. The regime\'s brutality is the source of the violent extremism in Syria today: Is the US completely turning a blind eye to Saudi Arabia\'s support for terrorists? 5. Timeline: Beg. Dec.: the US and Britain announced that they had suspended non-lethal aid: Why? Reports that their aid supplies could end up in hostile hands. Then in late December, reversed that decision: Yet US Congress \"secretly\" approved sending small arms, as well as some more powerful weapons, such as anti-tank rockets, also in Dec.: the US was not telling the truth, or given that this was done in secret, did not want it to be made public? 6. On the Syrian talks in Geneva: According to the divided opposition: the Syrian delegation has accepted the establishment of a transitional government body for the first time: Were it true, how what are the chances for the divided opposition to accept the govt. red line: Assad\'s departure? 7. Syria\'s divided opposition criticized a document presented by the Syrian govt which presented a statement of principles, calling for Syria \'s sovereignty to be respected, rejecting \"foreign interference\" and \"terrorism.\"? 8. Are we looking at u-turn from Turkey on Syria: AS we speak, PM Erodogan is in Iran holding talks with Ian\'s leader, its pres. and FM? 9. What may have happened if Iran was present?

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Millions of Iranians have taken to the streets to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. Demonstrators chanted slogans against Israel and the hostile policies of the US. President Hassan Rouhani said threats against Iran are worthless and childish. On this edition of the Debate we will discuss the level of public support for the Islamic Republic and the amount of pressure exerted on the country from the west. Guests: - Professor, University of Tehran, Mohammad Marandi (Tehran). - Center for American Progress & former US Assistant Secretary of Defense, Lawrence J. Korb (Washington). Subjects: 1) What do you think about the level of public support for the Islamic Republic? 2) How has the western approach encompassing threats and pressure affected Iranian public opinion? 3) Why is the US saying all options are still on the table? 4) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the rhetoric of threat against the Iranian nation is "worthless and childish." Do you agree? 5) What is the aim of the sanctions? Has the US been trying to fuel dissent in Iran? Is the US after regime change in Iran? 6) Do you think that if Iran ends its nuclear activities the US enmity will also end? 7) What is the position of the west versus Iran? Will it consider engaging in a win-win situation if not giving concessions? 8) Iran argues if the west was truly concerned about nuclear weapons in the region it would have confronted Israel...what is it about Iran that the west is attempting to confront?

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Millions of Iranians have taken to the streets to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. Demonstrators chanted slogans against Israel and the hostile policies of the US. President Hassan Rouhani said threats against Iran are worthless and childish. On this edition of the Debate we will discuss the level of public support for the Islamic Republic and the amount of pressure exerted on the country from the west. Guests: - Professor, University of Tehran, Mohammad Marandi (Tehran). - Center for American Progress & former US Assistant Secretary of Defense, Lawrence J. Korb (Washington). Subjects: 1) What do you think about the level of public support for the Islamic Republic? 2) How has the western approach encompassing threats and pressure affected Iranian public opinion? 3) Why is the US saying all options are still on the table? 4) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the rhetoric of threat against the Iranian nation is \"worthless and childish.\" Do you agree? 5) What is the aim of the sanctions? Has the US been trying to fuel dissent in Iran? Is the US after regime change in Iran? 6) Do you think that if Iran ends its nuclear activities the US enmity will also end? 7) What is the position of the west versus Iran? Will it consider engaging in a win-win situation if not giving concessions? 8) Iran argues if the west was truly concerned about nuclear weapons in the region it would have confronted Israel...what is it about Iran that the west is attempting to confront?

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\"As talks continue in Geneva, we\'ll continue to strengthen the moderate opposition\" that was what President Barak Obama said while hosting France in a lavish ceremony in Washington, a stance that was shared by France as well. Why does the US continue to think that arming the opposition will lead to a positive outcome, never mind what they call the moderate opposition? In this edition of the debate, we\'ll discuss the prospects of the Geneva conference, which the Syrian delegation says the focus should be terrorism, not the transitional governing body, and why the prospects of parallel talks between Russia, US and int. mediator Lakhdar Brahimi also look to lead no-where. Guests: - Journalist & Political Commentator, Richard Millet (LONDON). - Author & Historian, Webster Griffin Tarpley (WASHINGTON). Subjects: 1. The US is adamant in its arming of the opposition, the moderate one: Does the US even know who the moderate opposition is, why this persistence, again, making this announcement again during Geneva talks? 2. Another repeated announcement, by the US: the threat of foreign fighters 7,000 of them from some 50 countries, including Europe, with some American, tied to al-Qaeda, the al-Nusra Front, who aspire to attack the United States 3. This piece of news did not make it to major for a variety of reasons: that the intel. Western intelligence agencies have visited Damascus for talks on combating terrorist groups: Faisal Mekdad told state TV BBC that there was a schism between Western security officials and politicians who are pressing President Bashar al-Assad to step down; the growing numbers of foreign terrorists from Europe means there are common concerns 4. On the Geneva negotiations: the divided SNC: today we presented our main document which includes the steps and principles in transitional process: 22 points: formation of transitional governing body, made by the 2 parties...and some other points. The Syrian delegation response: comprehensive document detailing the horrendous deaths by the hands of these foreign backed insurgents: Why such resistance against first rooting out terrorism inside Syria/ 5. Parallel talks seemed like a good idea: Originally a Russian proposal, floated again, to originally include Turkey Saudi Arabia and IRan, along with the US and Russia: now narrowed to the US and Russia, with int. mediator Lakhdar Brahimi, slated for Friday? 6. Get Iran involved in the peace talks: Increase chances for a solution: Geneva track record obviously proves these talks have failed, except for the evacuation of some civilians trapped in Homs: What\'s the hold-up? 7. Reaction: Syria Media advisor: Botheina Sha\'aban: The West and Israel wanted to change regional balance and power to their own benefit: the outcome of the conflict: a proxy war, with Turkey Qatar and Saudi Arabia as the main supporters of the war under western and US influence: Has this failed, or is that still the goal?

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\"As talks continue in Geneva, we\'ll continue to strengthen the moderate opposition\" that was what President Barak Obama said while hosting France in a lavish ceremony in Washington, a stance that was shared by France as well. Why does the US continue to think that arming the opposition will lead to a positive outcome, never mind what they call the moderate opposition? In this edition of the debate, we\'ll discuss the prospects of the Geneva conference, which the Syrian delegation says the focus should be terrorism, not the transitional governing body, and why the prospects of parallel talks between Russia, US and int. mediator Lakhdar Brahimi also look to lead no-where. Guests: - Journalist & Political Commentator, Richard Millet (LONDON). - Author & Historian, Webster Griffin Tarpley (WASHINGTON). Subjects: 1. The US is adamant in its arming of the opposition, the moderate one: Does the US even know who the moderate opposition is, why this persistence, again, making this announcement again during Geneva talks? 2. Another repeated announcement, by the US: the threat of foreign fighters 7,000 of them from some 50 countries, including Europe, with some American, tied to al-Qaeda, the al-Nusra Front, who aspire to attack the United States 3. This piece of news did not make it to major for a variety of reasons: that the intel. Western intelligence agencies have visited Damascus for talks on combating terrorist groups: Faisal Mekdad told state TV BBC that there was a schism between Western security officials and politicians who are pressing President Bashar al-Assad to step down; the growing numbers of foreign terrorists from Europe means there are common concerns 4. On the Geneva negotiations: the divided SNC: today we presented our main document which includes the steps and principles in transitional process: 22 points: formation of transitional governing body, made by the 2 parties...and some other points. The Syrian delegation response: comprehensive document detailing the horrendous deaths by the hands of these foreign backed insurgents: Why such resistance against first rooting out terrorism inside Syria/ 5. Parallel talks seemed like a good idea: Originally a Russian proposal, floated again, to originally include Turkey Saudi Arabia and IRan, along with the US and Russia: now narrowed to the US and Russia, with int. mediator Lakhdar Brahimi, slated for Friday? 6. Get Iran involved in the peace talks: Increase chances for a solution: Geneva track record obviously proves these talks have failed, except for the evacuation of some civilians trapped in Homs: What\'s the hold-up? 7. Reaction: Syria Media advisor: Botheina Sha\'aban: The West and Israel wanted to change regional balance and power to their own benefit: the outcome of the conflict: a proxy war, with Turkey Qatar and Saudi Arabia as the main supporters of the war under western and US influence: Has this failed, or is that still the goal?

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Iran and the P5+1 resume nuclear talks some three months after reaching an interim deal. Iran says the dismantling of its nuclear facilities is not on the agenda. Just a few days ago, the country\'s leader, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said he was \"not optimistic\" about the negotiations but would not oppose them. Does Iran have good reasons to distrust the US? Is a final agreement within reach? I\'m Homa Lezgee and you\'re watching the Debate. Guests: -Press TV Newsroom Director, Hamid Reza Emadi (Tehran). - American Institute for Foreign Policy, Michael Linn (Washington). Subjects: 1) In Geneva both parties agreed that \"the Iranian nuclear program will be treated in the same manner as that of any non-nuclear weapon state party to the non-proliferation treaty\". Yet Wendy Sherman, the US nuclear negotiator, told Congress she believes that Iran has no need for either a heavy water reactor or the second enrichment facilities in Fordo. She added that Iran should give up some centrifuges. All these demands go beyond the requirements of the NPT. How do you explain the duplicity? 2) Iran has announced it won\'t suspend activities in the Arak heavy water reactor, will not reduce the number of its centrifuges or stop RD-related projects...so is there going to be major disagreements about the agenda of the talks? 3) American insistence on \"zero enrichment in Iran\" is one reason for the failure of past talks. Last November\'s deal was only possible because the US was prepared to be more realistic. 4) Measures that go beyond the NPT may be required for a time to build confidence. 5) As long as the US keeps repeating its threat that \"all options are on the table\", including military action, compromise seems uncertain... 6) What is a compromise? Iran will probably have to accept temporary limitations on its nuclear program and submit to extra inspections. In return, world powers must respect the country\'s right to the peaceful use of nuclear technology, including enrichment. 7) How do you interpret the recent remarks by Iran\'s leader that he is \"not optimistic\" about the negotiations? Does Tehran have good reasons to distrust the US? 8) Is a final agreement within reach?