2:39
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[23 Oct 2013] Gazans conitue to rally in solidairty with Palestinian prisoners - English
The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine has organized a rally outside the United Nations office and the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza to protest Israeli medical negligence...
The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine has organized a rally outside the United Nations office and the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza to protest Israeli medical negligence against Palestinian prisoners. Hundreds of prisoners are suffering from various life threatening diseases inside Israeli jails. The protesters held banners condemning Israeli inhumane policies towards Palestinian prisoners.
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The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine has organized a rally outside the United Nations office and the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza to protest Israeli medical negligence against Palestinian prisoners. Hundreds of prisoners are suffering from various life threatening diseases inside Israeli jails. The protesters held banners condemning Israeli inhumane policies towards Palestinian prisoners.
21:58
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[23 Oct 2013] The Debate - S Arabia plans to make major shift in its dealings with US - English
Saudi Arabia says it plans to make a major shift in its dealings with the US to protest Washington\\\'s inaction over the war in Syria. The Saudi intelligence chief has also voiced Riyadh\\\'s...
Saudi Arabia says it plans to make a major shift in its dealings with the US to protest Washington\\\'s inaction over the war in Syria. The Saudi intelligence chief has also voiced Riyadh\\\'s concerns over Washington\\\'s overtures to Iran. Bandar Bin Sultan has criticized Washington for failing to back his country when it deployed forces to crush anti-regime protests in Bahrain. How divided are Washington and Riyadh over Syria, Bahrain and Iran? Can Saudi Arabia successfully pursue its foreign policies without US support?
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Saudi Arabia says it plans to make a major shift in its dealings with the US to protest Washington\\\'s inaction over the war in Syria. The Saudi intelligence chief has also voiced Riyadh\\\'s concerns over Washington\\\'s overtures to Iran. Bandar Bin Sultan has criticized Washington for failing to back his country when it deployed forces to crush anti-regime protests in Bahrain. How divided are Washington and Riyadh over Syria, Bahrain and Iran? Can Saudi Arabia successfully pursue its foreign policies without US support?
22:33
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[24 Oct 2013] The Debate - Geneva II talks on Syria - English
Prospects for a Syria peace conference in Geneva next month looks dim: Key opposition leaders, including the so called SNC have rejected efforts by Western and Arab powers to persuade them to...
Prospects for a Syria peace conference in Geneva next month looks dim: Key opposition leaders, including the so called SNC have rejected efforts by Western and Arab powers to persuade them to attend.
In this debate we\'ll discuss the fractured opposition and why even the coalition of countries are also fractured, in particular, Saudi Arabia, who is at loggerheads with the US policies regarding Syria. This is while Assad forces continue to advance against the insurgents in the country.
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Prospects for a Syria peace conference in Geneva next month looks dim: Key opposition leaders, including the so called SNC have rejected efforts by Western and Arab powers to persuade them to attend.
In this debate we\'ll discuss the fractured opposition and why even the coalition of countries are also fractured, in particular, Saudi Arabia, who is at loggerheads with the US policies regarding Syria. This is while Assad forces continue to advance against the insurgents in the country.
5:15
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[24 Oct 2013] Adelson US should nuke Iran before beginning to talk with Tehran - English
The biggest donor to the U-S Republican Party, Sheldon Adelson says America should begin negotiations with Iran only after nuking it.
Adelson made the comments at Yeshiva University in New York,...
The biggest donor to the U-S Republican Party, Sheldon Adelson says America should begin negotiations with Iran only after nuking it.
Adelson made the comments at Yeshiva University in New York, criticizing Washington\'s recent diplomatic outreach to Tehran. The gambling mogul donated nearly a hundred million dollars to Republicans last year. He\'s seen as an influential figure in devising U-S policies in favor of Israel. The 80-year-old is also a powerful figure inside Israel. He owns a Tel Aviv newspaper that frequently magnifies warnings from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Iran would pose an existential threat to Israel.
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The biggest donor to the U-S Republican Party, Sheldon Adelson says America should begin negotiations with Iran only after nuking it.
Adelson made the comments at Yeshiva University in New York, criticizing Washington\'s recent diplomatic outreach to Tehran. The gambling mogul donated nearly a hundred million dollars to Republicans last year. He\'s seen as an influential figure in devising U-S policies in favor of Israel. The 80-year-old is also a powerful figure inside Israel. He owns a Tel Aviv newspaper that frequently magnifies warnings from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Iran would pose an existential threat to Israel.
0:49
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[25 Oct 2013] Rally dubbed US apology for racism and deception after Friday prayers in Tehran - English
A group of protesters have taken to the streets of Tehran for yet another demonstration against the US and its policies.
The protest is the latest in a series of weekly rallies held after Friday...
A group of protesters have taken to the streets of Tehran for yet another demonstration against the US and its policies.
The protest is the latest in a series of weekly rallies held after Friday prayers. The demonstrators have dubbed this week\'s rally as \"the US apology for racism and deception.\" They chanted slogans against the US and torched its flag. The protesters also stepped on pictures of the US Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman to show their anger at her anti-Iran remarks. Earlier this month, Sherman told a group of US senators that deception is part of the DNA, while she was talking about dealing with Iran.
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A group of protesters have taken to the streets of Tehran for yet another demonstration against the US and its policies.
The protest is the latest in a series of weekly rallies held after Friday prayers. The demonstrators have dubbed this week\'s rally as \"the US apology for racism and deception.\" They chanted slogans against the US and torched its flag. The protesters also stepped on pictures of the US Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman to show their anger at her anti-Iran remarks. Earlier this month, Sherman told a group of US senators that deception is part of the DNA, while she was talking about dealing with Iran.
0:49
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[27 Oct 2013] israel stops survey aimed to gauge popularity among American Jews - English
Israel has stopped a survey aimed at reviewing its popularity among American Jews.
An Israeli official says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed to halt the survey without citing a...
Israel has stopped a survey aimed at reviewing its popularity among American Jews.
An Israeli official says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed to halt the survey without citing a reason. Israeli consulates were tasked with distributing questionnaires among American Jews. The survey-- in partnership with two Jewish groups-- included sensitive questions such as relations between American Jews and Israel. People were also asked about their loyalties to Israel as well as their perception of pro-Israel lobbying in Washington. Two recent surveys in the US show a majority of American Jews are critical of Israel\'s policies. In one survey, some eighty percent of American rabbis said they avoided expressing their real stance on Israel and its conflict with Palestinians \"out of fear\".
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Israel has stopped a survey aimed at reviewing its popularity among American Jews.
An Israeli official says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed to halt the survey without citing a reason. Israeli consulates were tasked with distributing questionnaires among American Jews. The survey-- in partnership with two Jewish groups-- included sensitive questions such as relations between American Jews and Israel. People were also asked about their loyalties to Israel as well as their perception of pro-Israel lobbying in Washington. Two recent surveys in the US show a majority of American Jews are critical of Israel\'s policies. In one survey, some eighty percent of American rabbis said they avoided expressing their real stance on Israel and its conflict with Palestinians \"out of fear\".
0:37
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[04 Nov 2013] Rouhani Forum can influence global decision making - Englsih
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the Gas Exporting Countries Forum can play an effective role in global decision-makings.
Rouhani highlighted the importance of gas in the development of...
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the Gas Exporting Countries Forum can play an effective role in global decision-makings.
Rouhani highlighted the importance of gas in the development of countries, as well as expanding the use of clean energy worldwide. He also expressed hope that as the new secretary general of the forum, Iran could play an effective role in coordinating the G-E-C-F policies and goals. Rouhani made the remarks at the 15th ministerial meeting of the forum which was held in Tehran. The G-E-C-F member states control over 70 percent of the world\'s natural gas reserves.
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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the Gas Exporting Countries Forum can play an effective role in global decision-makings.
Rouhani highlighted the importance of gas in the development of countries, as well as expanding the use of clean energy worldwide. He also expressed hope that as the new secretary general of the forum, Iran could play an effective role in coordinating the G-E-C-F policies and goals. Rouhani made the remarks at the 15th ministerial meeting of the forum which was held in Tehran. The G-E-C-F member states control over 70 percent of the world\'s natural gas reserves.
3:42
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[18 Nov 2013] Palestinian leader rejects Palestinian-Israeli talks - English
The head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad says he will never negotiate with Israel in the so-called peace process initiated by the United States.
Ramadan Abdullah Mohammad Shallah says Tel Aviv...
The head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad says he will never negotiate with Israel in the so-called peace process initiated by the United States.
Ramadan Abdullah Mohammad Shallah says Tel Aviv has no intention of giving anything to the Palestinians in the talks and that the only way ahead for Palestinians is resistance. He also says under the pretext of the talks Israelis have been building illegal settler units and undermining Islamic sanctities for decades. Shallah say under the circumstances Palestinians have been left with no other option but to resist Israel\'s expansionist policies in order to ensure their own statehood.
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The head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad says he will never negotiate with Israel in the so-called peace process initiated by the United States.
Ramadan Abdullah Mohammad Shallah says Tel Aviv has no intention of giving anything to the Palestinians in the talks and that the only way ahead for Palestinians is resistance. He also says under the pretext of the talks Israelis have been building illegal settler units and undermining Islamic sanctities for decades. Shallah say under the circumstances Palestinians have been left with no other option but to resist Israel\'s expansionist policies in order to ensure their own statehood.
1:56
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[27 Nov 2013] Pakistan anti-drone protesters block NATO supply route - English
These are activists from Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf or Justice Party which is now governing the country\'s northwestern province bordering with Afghanistan. For several days, the provincial government...
These are activists from Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf or Justice Party which is now governing the country\'s northwestern province bordering with Afghanistan. For several days, the provincial government has blocked land routes for trucks carrying war supplies for US-led foreign forces in Afghanistan.
The provincial government has avoided using police force to block the supply lines in order to prevent legal action because defense and foreign policies are the exclusive domains of the federal government.
Legally speaking the federal government in Islamabad can dismiss the provincial government in northwestern region for overstepping its authority to block the NATO supply line. But given the fact that the anti-US sentiment is rising alarmingly, the federal government is hard pressed to decide on a clear policy action that goes beyond routinely condemning U-S drone attacks.
The country\'s Interior Minister Chaudhar Nisar Khan says that it is time for Pakistan to choose between US economic assistance or self respect. The federal government is engaged in consultation process with major political parties to evolve consensus on how to bring an end to the US drone attacks that has effectively derailed the peace process with the pro-Taliban militants.
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These are activists from Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf or Justice Party which is now governing the country\'s northwestern province bordering with Afghanistan. For several days, the provincial government has blocked land routes for trucks carrying war supplies for US-led foreign forces in Afghanistan.
The provincial government has avoided using police force to block the supply lines in order to prevent legal action because defense and foreign policies are the exclusive domains of the federal government.
Legally speaking the federal government in Islamabad can dismiss the provincial government in northwestern region for overstepping its authority to block the NATO supply line. But given the fact that the anti-US sentiment is rising alarmingly, the federal government is hard pressed to decide on a clear policy action that goes beyond routinely condemning U-S drone attacks.
The country\'s Interior Minister Chaudhar Nisar Khan says that it is time for Pakistan to choose between US economic assistance or self respect. The federal government is engaged in consultation process with major political parties to evolve consensus on how to bring an end to the US drone attacks that has effectively derailed the peace process with the pro-Taliban militants.
0:48
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[02 Dec 2013] israel PM is under fire for squandering public money on a posh lifestyle - English
Israel\'s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under fire by Israeli media for squandering public money on a posh lifestyle.
Reports of Netanyahu\'s plush items of interest come at a time when...
Israel\'s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under fire by Israeli media for squandering public money on a posh lifestyle.
Reports of Netanyahu\'s plush items of interest come at a time when Tel Aviv is facing tough austerity measures. In a detailed document released by a civil liberties group, Netanyahu\'s alleged expenses on fancy whim-wham, including scented candles, flowers and ice cream, exceeded 900-thousand dollars in 2013 alone. Israelis have long been weary of Netanyahu\'s lavish lifestyle, and his failure to address the middle class\'s economic woes. Activists have held several large rallies to protest Tel Aviv\'s economic policies. Netanyahu\'s office has responded by saying that this year, they\'ve spent less than last year.
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Israel\'s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under fire by Israeli media for squandering public money on a posh lifestyle.
Reports of Netanyahu\'s plush items of interest come at a time when Tel Aviv is facing tough austerity measures. In a detailed document released by a civil liberties group, Netanyahu\'s alleged expenses on fancy whim-wham, including scented candles, flowers and ice cream, exceeded 900-thousand dollars in 2013 alone. Israelis have long been weary of Netanyahu\'s lavish lifestyle, and his failure to address the middle class\'s economic woes. Activists have held several large rallies to protest Tel Aviv\'s economic policies. Netanyahu\'s office has responded by saying that this year, they\'ve spent less than last year.
0:36
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[11 Dec 2013] Iran non resident envoy to Britain is set to visit London this week - English
British Foreign Secretary William Hague says Hassan Habibollah-Zadeh\'s planned trip to London follows a visit by his British counterpart Ajay Sharma to Tehran last week. Diplomatic ties between...
British Foreign Secretary William Hague says Hassan Habibollah-Zadeh\'s planned trip to London follows a visit by his British counterpart Ajay Sharma to Tehran last week. Diplomatic ties between the two countries turned sour after the storming of the British embassy by students in Tehran two years ago. The students were protesting anti-Iran sanctions and London\'s hostile policies toward Tehran. There\'s been a thaw in bilateral relations though, following the election of Iran\'s President Hassan Rouhani several months ago.
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British Foreign Secretary William Hague says Hassan Habibollah-Zadeh\'s planned trip to London follows a visit by his British counterpart Ajay Sharma to Tehran last week. Diplomatic ties between the two countries turned sour after the storming of the British embassy by students in Tehran two years ago. The students were protesting anti-Iran sanctions and London\'s hostile policies toward Tehran. There\'s been a thaw in bilateral relations though, following the election of Iran\'s President Hassan Rouhani several months ago.
0:38
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[16 Dec 2013] US academic group votes to boycott israel - English
The American Studies Association has endorsed a boycott of Israeli academic institutions over violation of international law and UN resolutions.
In an election that attracted more than...
The American Studies Association has endorsed a boycott of Israeli academic institutions over violation of international law and UN resolutions.
In an election that attracted more than 12-hundred voters, 66 percent said yes to the boycott. The resolution is in solidarity with Palestinian scholars and students deprived of their academic freedom. The ASA cites the documented impact of the Israeli occupation on Palestinian scholars and students for the boycott. The organization also says Israeli institutions of higher education are a party to Tel Aviv\'s policies that violate human rights in occupied Palestinian lands.
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The American Studies Association has endorsed a boycott of Israeli academic institutions over violation of international law and UN resolutions.
In an election that attracted more than 12-hundred voters, 66 percent said yes to the boycott. The resolution is in solidarity with Palestinian scholars and students deprived of their academic freedom. The ASA cites the documented impact of the Israeli occupation on Palestinian scholars and students for the boycott. The organization also says Israeli institutions of higher education are a party to Tel Aviv\'s policies that violate human rights in occupied Palestinian lands.
0:52
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[20 Dec 2013] EU envoy warns Tel Aviv against failure of talks with PA - English
The European Union\\\'s envoy to the Middle East has warned Israel against the failure of the so-called peace talks with the Palestinian Authority.
Andreas Reinicke says support in Europe for...
The European Union\\\'s envoy to the Middle East has warned Israel against the failure of the so-called peace talks with the Palestinian Authority.
Andreas Reinicke says support in Europe for sanctioning Israel over its settlement policies is growing and could intensify IF the talks with Palestinians fail. Reinicke, who is leaving his post next week, said he has been in touch with US mediators. The campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel has been gaining momentum for some time. The EU envoy says over a dozen of states are now in support of the idea of labeling the Israeli goods from the occupied territories. This over Israeli violations - including its settlement expansions. Several academic bodies in the US have already decided to boycott Israeli academia over Tel Aviv\\\'s violation of international law.
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The European Union\\\'s envoy to the Middle East has warned Israel against the failure of the so-called peace talks with the Palestinian Authority.
Andreas Reinicke says support in Europe for sanctioning Israel over its settlement policies is growing and could intensify IF the talks with Palestinians fail. Reinicke, who is leaving his post next week, said he has been in touch with US mediators. The campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel has been gaining momentum for some time. The EU envoy says over a dozen of states are now in support of the idea of labeling the Israeli goods from the occupied territories. This over Israeli violations - including its settlement expansions. Several academic bodies in the US have already decided to boycott Israeli academia over Tel Aviv\\\'s violation of international law.
23:10
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[20 Dec 2013] The Debate - Turkey-s Tug of War? - English
Turkey\\\'s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan is tackling the biggest challenge of his rule from what he describes as a foreign-backed conspiracy to undermine him and create a \\\"state within a...
Turkey\\\'s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan is tackling the biggest challenge of his rule from what he describes as a foreign-backed conspiracy to undermine him and create a \\\"state within a state\\\", in reference to a series of anti-corruption raids and the detention of senior businessmen close to Erdogan as well as sons of three cabinet ministers.
What has led to Erdogan\\\'s declining popularity?
Will he and his party be able to win back public support before the elections next year?
In this debate, we\\\'ll discuss what has gone so wrong for Turkey under AK Party\\\'s rule, including his foreign policies mistakes, and whether what is happening to Erdogan is the result of an evil probe (or) foreign plot.
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Turkey\\\'s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan is tackling the biggest challenge of his rule from what he describes as a foreign-backed conspiracy to undermine him and create a \\\"state within a state\\\", in reference to a series of anti-corruption raids and the detention of senior businessmen close to Erdogan as well as sons of three cabinet ministers.
What has led to Erdogan\\\'s declining popularity?
Will he and his party be able to win back public support before the elections next year?
In this debate, we\\\'ll discuss what has gone so wrong for Turkey under AK Party\\\'s rule, including his foreign policies mistakes, and whether what is happening to Erdogan is the result of an evil probe (or) foreign plot.
3:58
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[22 Dec 2013] EU envoy warns Israel against failure of talks with Palestinian Authority - English
The European Union\'s envoy to the Middle East has warned Israel against the failure of the so-called peace talks with the Palestinian Authority.
Andreas Reinicke says support in Europe for...
The European Union\'s envoy to the Middle East has warned Israel against the failure of the so-called peace talks with the Palestinian Authority.
Andreas Reinicke says support in Europe for sanctioning Israel over its settlement policies is growing and could intensify IF the talks with Palestinians fail. Reinicke, who is leaving his post next week, said he has been in touch with US mediators. The campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel has been gaining momentum for some time. The EU envoy says over a dozen of states are now in support of the idea of labeling the Israeli goods from the occupied territories. This over Israeli violations - including its settlement expansions. Several academic bodies in the US have already decided to boycott Israeli academia over Tel Aviv\'s violation of international law.
More...
Description:
The European Union\'s envoy to the Middle East has warned Israel against the failure of the so-called peace talks with the Palestinian Authority.
Andreas Reinicke says support in Europe for sanctioning Israel over its settlement policies is growing and could intensify IF the talks with Palestinians fail. Reinicke, who is leaving his post next week, said he has been in touch with US mediators. The campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel has been gaining momentum for some time. The EU envoy says over a dozen of states are now in support of the idea of labeling the Israeli goods from the occupied territories. This over Israeli violations - including its settlement expansions. Several academic bodies in the US have already decided to boycott Israeli academia over Tel Aviv\'s violation of international law.
0:56
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[05 Jan 2014] It appears that mutual interests are drawing israel and Saudi Arabia closer together - English
A report by The Jerusalem Post suggests that the Saudi Ambassador to the US Adel al-Jubeir plays an important role in boosting relations between Tel Aviv and Riyadh. He frequently holds secrets...
A report by The Jerusalem Post suggests that the Saudi Ambassador to the US Adel al-Jubeir plays an important role in boosting relations between Tel Aviv and Riyadh. He frequently holds secrets meetings with the leaders of Jewish organizations in Washington. Based on the leaked information from their latest meeting, al-Jubeir has harshly criticized the US government\'s policies in the Middle East. He has even mentioned that Washington has betrayed Riyadh in some cases. The Saudi ambassador\'s remarks come as political norms usually prevent a diplomat from openly criticizing the host country. The report suggests that the Saudi diplomat made those comments despite being aware that the conversation was probably being monitored by the NSA. As the gap between Riyadh and Washington becomes deeper, the Arab country has apparently turned to Israel for support.
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A report by The Jerusalem Post suggests that the Saudi Ambassador to the US Adel al-Jubeir plays an important role in boosting relations between Tel Aviv and Riyadh. He frequently holds secrets meetings with the leaders of Jewish organizations in Washington. Based on the leaked information from their latest meeting, al-Jubeir has harshly criticized the US government\'s policies in the Middle East. He has even mentioned that Washington has betrayed Riyadh in some cases. The Saudi ambassador\'s remarks come as political norms usually prevent a diplomat from openly criticizing the host country. The report suggests that the Saudi diplomat made those comments despite being aware that the conversation was probably being monitored by the NSA. As the gap between Riyadh and Washington becomes deeper, the Arab country has apparently turned to Israel for support.
22:34
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[15 Jan 2014] The Debate - Failing Extremism - English
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...
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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Description:
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?
3:53
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[20 Jan 2014] Iran envoy says NAM supports Palestinians - English
Iran is the current President of the Non-Aligned Movement. Iran\'s envoy to UN, Mohammad Khazaee, has emphasized NAM\'s support for the Palestinian people at the UN General Assembly.
Khazaee went...
Iran is the current President of the Non-Aligned Movement. Iran\'s envoy to UN, Mohammad Khazaee, has emphasized NAM\'s support for the Palestinian people at the UN General Assembly.
Khazaee went on to speak about the dire situation Palestinians are in, and the unjust Israeli policies being imposed on them. He mentioned Tel Aviv\'s occupation of Palestinian lands and the Israelis aggression and violation of international law, including illegal settlement building. He also cited detaining children, arbitrary arrests and use of excessive force as other violations being committed by the Israelis. The Iranian diplomat went on to reiterate the plan presented by President Hassan Rouhani at the 68th session of the UN General Assembly, which called for utmost efforts in order to materialize a world against violence and extremism.
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Iran is the current President of the Non-Aligned Movement. Iran\'s envoy to UN, Mohammad Khazaee, has emphasized NAM\'s support for the Palestinian people at the UN General Assembly.
Khazaee went on to speak about the dire situation Palestinians are in, and the unjust Israeli policies being imposed on them. He mentioned Tel Aviv\'s occupation of Palestinian lands and the Israelis aggression and violation of international law, including illegal settlement building. He also cited detaining children, arbitrary arrests and use of excessive force as other violations being committed by the Israelis. The Iranian diplomat went on to reiterate the plan presented by President Hassan Rouhani at the 68th session of the UN General Assembly, which called for utmost efforts in order to materialize a world against violence and extremism.
0:46
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[27 Jan 2014] Former global leaders meet Iranian FM in Tehran - English
Members of the group of former global leaders, known as the Elders, have met with Iran\'s foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
During the meeting, Zarif detailed Iran\'s regional policies and...
Members of the group of former global leaders, known as the Elders, have met with Iran\'s foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
During the meeting, Zarif detailed Iran\'s regional policies and said Tehran is ready to take part in promoting peace and stability in the region. The two sides expressed concerns over the current turmoil in the region and emphasized Iran\'s pivotal role in resolving tensions. The Elders also voiced their concerns over the spread of extremism and sectarian violence in the region and urged collective cooperation to counter them. Finding a diplomatic solution to the war in Syria was also another major topic discussed during the meeting. The delegation, headed by Kofi Annan is on a three-day visit to Tehran to meet senior Iranian leaders.
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Description:
Members of the group of former global leaders, known as the Elders, have met with Iran\'s foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
During the meeting, Zarif detailed Iran\'s regional policies and said Tehran is ready to take part in promoting peace and stability in the region. The two sides expressed concerns over the current turmoil in the region and emphasized Iran\'s pivotal role in resolving tensions. The Elders also voiced their concerns over the spread of extremism and sectarian violence in the region and urged collective cooperation to counter them. Finding a diplomatic solution to the war in Syria was also another major topic discussed during the meeting. The delegation, headed by Kofi Annan is on a three-day visit to Tehran to meet senior Iranian leaders.
1:51
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[10 Feb 2014] Report slams UK government\'s counter terror policy - English
The British government\'s anti-terror policy has long been criticized as ineffective and discriminatory against the country\'s Muslim community. Now, a new report details how those policies have...
The British government\'s anti-terror policy has long been criticized as ineffective and discriminatory against the country\'s Muslim community. Now, a new report details how those policies have impacted every aspect of British Muslims\' lives.
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Description:
The British government\'s anti-terror policy has long been criticized as ineffective and discriminatory against the country\'s Muslim community. Now, a new report details how those policies have impacted every aspect of British Muslims\' lives.
11:00
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[11 Feb 2014] The Debate - Iran Anniversary (P.1) - English
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....
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?
More...
Description:
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?
12:13
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[11 Feb 2014] The Debate - Iran Anniversary (P.2) - English
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....
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?
More...
Description:
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?
4:03
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[18 Feb 2014] At least 5 protesters are killed, and 150 others injured in clashes with police in Kiev - English
Deadly clashes in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. At least five anti-government protesters are killed and scores of others-- including police officers-- are injured.
Reports say over 47 police...
Deadly clashes in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. At least five anti-government protesters are killed and scores of others-- including police officers-- are injured.
Reports say over 47 police officers and 150 protesters were injured in the clashes. Violence erupted as protesters gathered outside the parliament building. Opposition lawmakers unsuccessfully attempted to pass constitutional changes stripping President Viktor Yanukovych of some of his powers. A group of protesters also attacked the ruling-party headquarters. Russia blamed the policies of Western countries for the latest clashes between pro-E-U protesters and police. The E-U and the U-S on the one side and Russia on the other, have accused each other of interfering in Ukraine\'s internal affairs.
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Description:
Deadly clashes in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. At least five anti-government protesters are killed and scores of others-- including police officers-- are injured.
Reports say over 47 police officers and 150 protesters were injured in the clashes. Violence erupted as protesters gathered outside the parliament building. Opposition lawmakers unsuccessfully attempted to pass constitutional changes stripping President Viktor Yanukovych of some of his powers. A group of protesters also attacked the ruling-party headquarters. Russia blamed the policies of Western countries for the latest clashes between pro-E-U protesters and police. The E-U and the U-S on the one side and Russia on the other, have accused each other of interfering in Ukraine\'s internal affairs.
11:53
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[25 Feb 2014] The Debate - Israeli Apartheid Week (P.2) - English
The Tenth Annual Israeli Apartheid Week has kicked off: an international event that raises awareness about Israel\'s apartheid policies towards the Palestinians and to build support for the growing...
The Tenth Annual Israeli Apartheid Week has kicked off: an international event that raises awareness about Israel\'s apartheid policies towards the Palestinians and to build support for the growing Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign. In this edition of the debate, we\'ll discuss why this event has gained popularity around the world, and why perhaps at no other juncture in time, today Israel has become more isolated than ever before. Does the threat of economic boycotts will affect Israel\'s continued occupation of Palestinian territories? What should be done to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands?
Guests
- Political Commentator, Randy Short (Washington).
- President, Middle East Research Center, Richard Hellman (Washington).
More...
Description:
The Tenth Annual Israeli Apartheid Week has kicked off: an international event that raises awareness about Israel\'s apartheid policies towards the Palestinians and to build support for the growing Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign. In this edition of the debate, we\'ll discuss why this event has gained popularity around the world, and why perhaps at no other juncture in time, today Israel has become more isolated than ever before. Does the threat of economic boycotts will affect Israel\'s continued occupation of Palestinian territories? What should be done to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands?
Guests
- Political Commentator, Randy Short (Washington).
- President, Middle East Research Center, Richard Hellman (Washington).
3:23
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[25 Feb 2014] Jordan main opposition party asks the government to scrap a 19-94 peace treaty with Israel - English
Jordan\'s main opposition party is asking the government to scrap a 1994 peace treaty with Israel.
The Islamic Action Front has urged the government to freeze and eventually cancel the peace...
Jordan\'s main opposition party is asking the government to scrap a 1994 peace treaty with Israel.
The Islamic Action Front has urged the government to freeze and eventually cancel the peace deal, according to the demands of the people. Meanwhile, the Islamic Action Front says the Israeli Knesset\'s planned debate on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound proves that Jordan\'s policies in dealing with the enemy have failed. The opposition party has also previously called on Jordan\'s government to close the Israeli embassy in the kingdom.
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Description:
Jordan\'s main opposition party is asking the government to scrap a 1994 peace treaty with Israel.
The Islamic Action Front has urged the government to freeze and eventually cancel the peace deal, according to the demands of the people. Meanwhile, the Islamic Action Front says the Israeli Knesset\'s planned debate on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound proves that Jordan\'s policies in dealing with the enemy have failed. The opposition party has also previously called on Jordan\'s government to close the Israeli embassy in the kingdom.
8:01
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[English] [08 Aug 13] Speech to Government Officials and Ambassadors of Islamic Countries | Sayed Ali Khamenei
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on August 9, 2013 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with government officials of the Islamic...
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on August 9, 2013 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with government officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran and ambassadors of Islamic countries. The meeting was held on the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I would like to congratulate the great Islamic Ummah throughout the world and the great and courageous people of Iran - who proved their worth and competence, in different arenas, in benefiting from divine guidance and blessings - on the occasion of the auspicious Eid ul-Fitr. I would like to extend my congratulations to you dear audience, the glorious officials of the country and our guests, the honorable ambassadors of Islamic countries, on the occasion of this auspicious Eid. Also, it is necessary to congratulate the people of Iran who spent the entire month of Ramadan - which is auspicious in the real sense of the word - fasting.
By engaging in wajib and mustahab deeds, once again the people of Iran made themselves worthy of divine mercy. The people fasted on such long and hot days. At night, they engaged in dhikr, prayer and worship of God. Many Quranic meetings were held throughout the country in which all the people, particularly youth and teenagers, showed their love for the Holy Quran. During the Nights of Qadr, glorious and meaningful meetings were held and all the people from different social backgrounds, with different occupations, with different opinions and with different appearances were attracted towards centers of dhikr, prayer and supplication. These things are very valuable. We should appreciate the value of this spirit of faith which, thankfully, exists in our country and which is manifested more visibly during many occasions, particularly during the auspicious month of Ramadan, the Nights of Qadr and other such valuable occasions.
Because of the greatness of such days and the value of divine dhikr and remembrance, I deem it necessary to advise the honorable officials of the country and these fresh group of people - who have taken on different responsibilities in the country and who, by Allah\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s favor, will move forward on this path with steadfastness and firm determination - to benefit, on this difficult path, from the weapon of dhikr, supplication, attention to God and reliance on Him. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"O He who does not refuse the requests of his servants although they have many expectations.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" [Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya, Dua 46] This is a dua which has been narrated in the auspicious Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya for the day of Eid ul-Fitr. Allah the Exalted even bestows his Mercy on those who speak impolitely when they address Him. God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s infinite mercy is available to those who want and ask for it. What is important is to want and ask for divine guidance and mercy. If we do this, it will be achieved.
All the officials of the country, particularly the high-ranking officials of the country, should pay attention to Allah the Exalted and get close to Him. The responsibility of safeguarding the people\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s rights and other heavy and important responsibilities fall on their shoulders. With divine assistance, these responsibilities can be carried out in a perfect way. If we can open up the path of divine assistance for ourselves, there will be no problem which is insolvable. The officials of the country should pin their hopes on Allah the Exalted and bring all their efforts to the arena. It is not possible to be lazy and idle and, at the same time, be hopeful about divine mercy. Divine guidance, divine assistance and divine blessings will be bestowed on us when we bring all our power - which God has bestowed on us - to the arena. We should benefit from our thoughts and wisdom, our physical capabilities, the great human resources of the country and we should use all resources. If we do this, then Allah the Exalted will definitely bestow His blessings on us.
There were many people who, at certain times, became hopeless about the future of the country. In these thirty-something years, we have many experiences in this regard. There were people who were short-sighted, who were not optimistic about divine promises and who suffered from a lack of belief in divine assistance. At certain times, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"They encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Messenger and those of faith who were with him cried: \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"When (will come) the help of Allah?\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" [The Holy Quran, 2: 214] Such things have happened throughout history. At such times, Allah the Exalted has immediately helped us. Today, you can see that, compared to previous eras, our people and our country have reached many peaks. Progress has become an inseparable part of the movement of the Iranian nation. Thankfully, our nation has made progress on a daily basis. It will continue to make progress. What is important is to strengthen our relationship with Allah the Exalted.
Today, the world of Islam is faced with great problems. Unfortunately, we are located in a region in which there are certain problems in countries around us. Many of these problems have been injected and imposed by foreigners. If it was not for the intervention of foreigners, if it was not for the hostile policies of global powers, the events that are taking place in West Asia and North Africa today would definitely not be as complex as they are in the present time. Today, the cure for these problems lies in the fact that nations should make a decision on their own. Others should not intervene. Foreigners should not intervene. This is the only cure for the events that occur in the region today. The same cure can be used for Egypt, Libya and Syria. If foreigners do not intervene and if they do not inject discord, nations can find the way out of such conditions with the wisdom of their own outstanding personalities and with the guidance of their own leaders and wise personalities.
The people of Iran have managed to tread this path with divine blessings and power and with the spirit of faith, unity and solidarity which is available to them in the shade of religion. By Allah\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s favor, it will be the same in the future.
The plot which they hatched in other countries has no effect in our country. They have pitted people and Muslim brothers against one another either with sectarian and tribal conflicts or with partisan conflicts. None of these dangerous and poisonous weapons is useful in Islamic Iran. In Iran, different religions and different tribes have joined hands and different groups and orientations move forward with unity on the most important issues.
And I advise the officials of the country, political and religious personalities and those who are influential among the people to lay emphasis, as much as they can, on the valuable unity and solidarity of the Iranian nation. Faith in God and solidarity, and religion and unity are the two things which can help nations stand on their own feet and put up a resistance. Thankfully, the Iranian nation benefits from these things. I really hope that officials in charge of political and cultural affairs in other countries pay careful attention to this point and solve the problems which have occurred in regional countries with wisdom.
Let us pray that Allah the Exalted makes the Islamic Ummah glorious and steadfast. Dear God, by the blessedness of Muhammad (s.w.a.) and his household (a.s.), keep bestowing Your blessings and mercy on the Islamic Ummah throughout the world. Dear God, cut off the hands of foreigners from the lives of people in Islamic countries.
Greetings be upon you and Allah\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s mercy and blessings
More...
Description:
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on August 9, 2013 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with government officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran and ambassadors of Islamic countries. The meeting was held on the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I would like to congratulate the great Islamic Ummah throughout the world and the great and courageous people of Iran - who proved their worth and competence, in different arenas, in benefiting from divine guidance and blessings - on the occasion of the auspicious Eid ul-Fitr. I would like to extend my congratulations to you dear audience, the glorious officials of the country and our guests, the honorable ambassadors of Islamic countries, on the occasion of this auspicious Eid. Also, it is necessary to congratulate the people of Iran who spent the entire month of Ramadan - which is auspicious in the real sense of the word - fasting.
By engaging in wajib and mustahab deeds, once again the people of Iran made themselves worthy of divine mercy. The people fasted on such long and hot days. At night, they engaged in dhikr, prayer and worship of God. Many Quranic meetings were held throughout the country in which all the people, particularly youth and teenagers, showed their love for the Holy Quran. During the Nights of Qadr, glorious and meaningful meetings were held and all the people from different social backgrounds, with different occupations, with different opinions and with different appearances were attracted towards centers of dhikr, prayer and supplication. These things are very valuable. We should appreciate the value of this spirit of faith which, thankfully, exists in our country and which is manifested more visibly during many occasions, particularly during the auspicious month of Ramadan, the Nights of Qadr and other such valuable occasions.
Because of the greatness of such days and the value of divine dhikr and remembrance, I deem it necessary to advise the honorable officials of the country and these fresh group of people - who have taken on different responsibilities in the country and who, by Allah\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s favor, will move forward on this path with steadfastness and firm determination - to benefit, on this difficult path, from the weapon of dhikr, supplication, attention to God and reliance on Him. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"O He who does not refuse the requests of his servants although they have many expectations.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" [Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya, Dua 46] This is a dua which has been narrated in the auspicious Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya for the day of Eid ul-Fitr. Allah the Exalted even bestows his Mercy on those who speak impolitely when they address Him. God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s infinite mercy is available to those who want and ask for it. What is important is to want and ask for divine guidance and mercy. If we do this, it will be achieved.
All the officials of the country, particularly the high-ranking officials of the country, should pay attention to Allah the Exalted and get close to Him. The responsibility of safeguarding the people\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s rights and other heavy and important responsibilities fall on their shoulders. With divine assistance, these responsibilities can be carried out in a perfect way. If we can open up the path of divine assistance for ourselves, there will be no problem which is insolvable. The officials of the country should pin their hopes on Allah the Exalted and bring all their efforts to the arena. It is not possible to be lazy and idle and, at the same time, be hopeful about divine mercy. Divine guidance, divine assistance and divine blessings will be bestowed on us when we bring all our power - which God has bestowed on us - to the arena. We should benefit from our thoughts and wisdom, our physical capabilities, the great human resources of the country and we should use all resources. If we do this, then Allah the Exalted will definitely bestow His blessings on us.
There were many people who, at certain times, became hopeless about the future of the country. In these thirty-something years, we have many experiences in this regard. There were people who were short-sighted, who were not optimistic about divine promises and who suffered from a lack of belief in divine assistance. At certain times, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"They encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Messenger and those of faith who were with him cried: \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"When (will come) the help of Allah?\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" [The Holy Quran, 2: 214] Such things have happened throughout history. At such times, Allah the Exalted has immediately helped us. Today, you can see that, compared to previous eras, our people and our country have reached many peaks. Progress has become an inseparable part of the movement of the Iranian nation. Thankfully, our nation has made progress on a daily basis. It will continue to make progress. What is important is to strengthen our relationship with Allah the Exalted.
Today, the world of Islam is faced with great problems. Unfortunately, we are located in a region in which there are certain problems in countries around us. Many of these problems have been injected and imposed by foreigners. If it was not for the intervention of foreigners, if it was not for the hostile policies of global powers, the events that are taking place in West Asia and North Africa today would definitely not be as complex as they are in the present time. Today, the cure for these problems lies in the fact that nations should make a decision on their own. Others should not intervene. Foreigners should not intervene. This is the only cure for the events that occur in the region today. The same cure can be used for Egypt, Libya and Syria. If foreigners do not intervene and if they do not inject discord, nations can find the way out of such conditions with the wisdom of their own outstanding personalities and with the guidance of their own leaders and wise personalities.
The people of Iran have managed to tread this path with divine blessings and power and with the spirit of faith, unity and solidarity which is available to them in the shade of religion. By Allah\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s favor, it will be the same in the future.
The plot which they hatched in other countries has no effect in our country. They have pitted people and Muslim brothers against one another either with sectarian and tribal conflicts or with partisan conflicts. None of these dangerous and poisonous weapons is useful in Islamic Iran. In Iran, different religions and different tribes have joined hands and different groups and orientations move forward with unity on the most important issues.
And I advise the officials of the country, political and religious personalities and those who are influential among the people to lay emphasis, as much as they can, on the valuable unity and solidarity of the Iranian nation. Faith in God and solidarity, and religion and unity are the two things which can help nations stand on their own feet and put up a resistance. Thankfully, the Iranian nation benefits from these things. I really hope that officials in charge of political and cultural affairs in other countries pay careful attention to this point and solve the problems which have occurred in regional countries with wisdom.
Let us pray that Allah the Exalted makes the Islamic Ummah glorious and steadfast. Dear God, by the blessedness of Muhammad (s.w.a.) and his household (a.s.), keep bestowing Your blessings and mercy on the Islamic Ummah throughout the world. Dear God, cut off the hands of foreigners from the lives of people in Islamic countries.
Greetings be upon you and Allah\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s mercy and blessings
22:25
|
[05 Sep 13] Speech in Meeting with Members of Assembly of Experts - Sayed Ali Khamenei - [English]
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on September 5, 2013 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with the chairman and members of the...
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on September 5, 2013 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with the chairman and members of the Assembly of Experts.The meeting was held on the occasion of the 14th Congress of the Assembly of Experts which was held on the 12th and 13th of Shahrivar.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I would like to welcome the honorable gentlemen and the ulama and seminary scholars who are outstanding personalities from throughout the country and who have thankfully gathered in this meeting. Although the responsibilities of the Assembly of Experts have been defined in the Constitution, the arrangement of this meeting has resulted in the generation of different discussions about different arenas of the country and the expression of different opinions by the gentlemen.
Well, executive officials are also present in this meeting. Fortunately, the esteemed President and a number of other honorable officials are also members of this assembly and this has boosted the hope that the opinions of the gentlemen in this meeting will receive more attention. I hope that this will be done and we too will help, within the scope of our capabilities and responsibilities, for the gentlemen to achieve the stated matters.
I deem it necessary to point out that your participation in the funeral procession of the [unknown war] martyrs - which was held in the beginning of this congress - was very valuable and constructive. When the people see that honorable and great personalities, such as the esteemed chairman of the Assembly of Experts and other personalities, pay their respects to the bodies and graves of martyrs - whom they do not know - and participate in their funeral procession because of the fact that they are the martyrs of the path of the Revolution and the path of righteousness, this will be a lesson for our society. And I will say that our country and our society will be in need of keeping the memory of the martyrs alive and preserving their path for a very long time.
The point that I would like to make is that on different levels of decision- making for the Islamic Republic, it is our responsibility to adopt a comprehensive outlook towards the issues of the country. It is obvious that different events - on regional, international and domestic levels - occur which are beyond our power to prevent. The Islamic Republic, the officials, the people and those who protect the foundations of the Islamic Republic have certain responsibilities. These responsibilities cannot be defined on the basis of the events which occur. That is to say, when something happens, we cannot make a certain move and adopt a certain position in an inactive way. This should not be done. This means that the Islamic Republic is being dragged into different events. It is necessary to preserve our comprehensive outlook towards the issues of the country and we should adopt positions and identify events with this comprehensive outlook. Thankfully, this comprehensive outlook has dominated the country until today. It is not the case that officials have ignored this issue since the beginning of the Revolution until today.
The Islamic Republic was formed amid a whirlwind of events. This has been repeatedly mentioned, but we should not forget that the heart of this statement is the preservation of God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s religion in people\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s lives, in society and in our country. The heart of this statement is the formation of our social lives on the basis of sharia, the divine religion and the divine values and rules. The formation of such a government in a world which was quickly moving towards materialism was like a miracle and this miracle happened.
When the Islamic Republic was formed, there was an opposition to the issue of reliance on Islam. We should not say that their opposition and enmity was because of our independence or because our policy of fighting against global arrogance. Of course, this is true and this is one reason for their enmity, but fighting against global arrogance grew out of the heart of Islam. Our democracy grew out of the heart of Islam as well. It has been said many times that when we speak about religious democracy, this does not mean an unusual combination between democracy and religion. This is not the case. Our democracy has originated from religion and Islam has shown us this path. We managed to form the Islamic Republic with the guidance of Islam. By Allah\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s favor, it will be the same in the future. As a result of this belief in Islam, the enemies have focused their attention on Islam. If they can take Islam away from the Islamic Republic, the products of Islam will naturally be destroyed and undermined. Issues should be analyzed by adopting this outlook.
There are certain deployments in the world and we are always one side of things in many of these deployments. We should see who and what our opposing side is. We should see why it shows hostility towards us and why we put up a resistance against it. We should take a look at these things with a comprehensive outlook. Allah the Exalted says, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"Is then one who walks headlong, with his face groveling, better guided- or one who walks evenly on a straight path?\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" [The Holy Quran, 67: 22] The meaning of \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"walks evenly on a straight path\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" is that we should see - with open eyes, with wisdom and foresight and by considering all aspects - what the goal is, how we should achieve it and what the existing realities are. We should make a decision and move forward by paying attention to these things.
Today, you can see that different events are happening in our region. For several years up until today, global arrogance has chosen West Asia as a place where it can launch its attacks. But despite the presence of arrogant powers in the region and despite their activities, Islamic Awakening has emerged. And I will tell you that Islamic Awakening has not come to an end. It is not the case that we can think Islamic Awakening has been destroyed by the events which have taken place in a number of countries. Islamic Awakening is not like a mere political event or a coup d\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'état. It is not like a process in which power is transferred from one individual to another.
Islamic Awakening means the emergence of a kind of awareness and self-confidence which is based on Islam. Under certain circumstances, this Islamic Awakening created certain events in North Africa, Egypt, Tunisia and, before these countries, in Sudan. In other countries too, there is an enormous potential for such events.
We should not think that Islamic Awakening has been destroyed. Islamic Awakening is a reality which is hidden beneath the outer layers of Islamic societies. This is why the people in any country which claims to be oriented towards Islam vote for an Islamic government. This is a sign of people\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s orientation towards and attention to Islam. Therefore, Islamic Awakening is a very great event and despite the efforts of global arrogance, this event has taken place. It was not what global arrogance wanted. Therefore, it is natural for the opposing side to react to it. Today, we are witnessing the reactions of the camp of the enemies. These reactions and responses can be seen in East Asia - that is to say, in Pakistan and Afghanistan - and the farthest corners of West Asia such as Syria and Lebanon.
Arrogant powers - the government of the United States of America being the outstanding power among these arrogant powers - have defined certain interests for themselves based on their colonial outlook. This outlook is the same as the colonial outlook which they adopted in the 19th century, but it has a different form. And they are trying to solve all the regional issues by promoting the interests which they have defined for themselves. They are doing the same thing in Syria and Bahrain. The presence of global arrogance in the region is one which is based on transgression, oppression and greed and which wants to destroy every resistance which is put up against arrogant powers. Of course, thankfully, they have not managed and will not manage to do this.
This region has enormous wealth and it has a very important geographical and natural location. Therefore, it is natural for them to pay attention to this region. If one takes a look at what they say and what they have already done, he will see that their goal is to possess and establish their domination over the region by making the Zionist regime play a pivotal role. They are after achieving this goal. As you can see, on the issue of the latest events in Syria, the excuse which they have recently made for their interference is the use of chemical weapons in this country. Of course, with sophistry and clever use of reasons, they are trying to pretend that they want to interfere on humanitarian grounds. Who in the world does not know that this is a false claim?
Undoubtedly, what is not important at all for American politicians is humanitarian needs. These are the people who kept, for many years, thousands of prisoners in Guantanamo prisons and, before that, in Abu Ghraib in Iraq while there were not any trials for these prisoners. They were imprisoned just because of certain allegations. A number of them are still in prison. Well, is this humanitarian? These are the people who saw the heavy bombardment [with chemical weapons] of the region - whether what happened in Iraq\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Halabja or what happened in our cities such as Sardasht and other cities - which was conducted by Saddam, but who did not at all react. Not only did they not react, but they also helped Saddam.
Given that the Americans did not help Saddam by giving him chemical weapons - of course, westerners gave him chemical weapons and there is no doubt about this because we have the information which is related to this issue - they at least saw what happened. They became aware of this, but they did not express any opposition. This is the way they show their humanitarian support.
In Afghanistan and Pakistan, they fire a volley of bullets at wedding caravans and kill many people. In Iraq, they killed hundreds of thousands of people with oppressive measures. Today too, their agents are still doing the same things, but they behave in an indifferent way. No one in the world believes that the Americans care about humanitarian issues. Of course, they use sophistry and give clever reasons, but they say such things to justify their own moves. We believe that they are doing is a mistake. On this issue, they will receive a serious blow and they will feel it. They will definitely suffer a loss in this regard and there is no doubt about this. Well, this is the condition of the region.
The Islamic Republic was formed amid a whirlwind of events. At that time, it stood up against different hostile groups for many years. Not only was the Islamic Republic and its slogans not weakened and undermined, but it also became stronger, in the real sense of the word, on a daily basis. Today, the Islamic Republic is completely different - in terms of power, influence and domestic capabilities - from the Islamic Republic which existed 25, 30 years ago and today, its slogans are firm. Therefore, it should know what it wants to do by taking a look at its miraculous background and paying attention to the plots of the enemy in the region. Our responsibility, the responsibility of all the officials of the country and the responsibility of the Islamic Republic\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s government is to pay attention to three great criteria for all decisions and actions:
The first criterion is the ideals and goals of the Islamic Republic. These ideals and goals should never be ignored. We can refer to one of the most important ideals of the Islamic Republic in a short phrase: ‘Creating an Islamic civilization\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'. Islamic civilization means an environment in which we can achieve growth in spiritual and material areas and in which we can attain the ultimate goal for which Allah the Exalted has created us. It means living a good and dignified life. Islamic civilization means building a dignified, powerful, confident and innovative individual who can improve the natural world. This is the goal and ideal of the Islamic Republic.
The second criterion is the methods and guidelines which help us achieve these goals. These are general guidelines and they should be identified. These guidelines are relying on Islam and taking care not to become the oppressor or the oppressed in different interactions. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"Be an enemy of tyrants and oppressors and be a friend and helper of those who are oppressed and tyrannized.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" [Nahjul Balaghah, Letter 47] This is a responsibility. This is a general guideline. Reliance on the votes of the people and reliance on what helps us establish democracy and other such things constitute the main policies and the major guidelines of the Islamic Republic for achieving ideals. Other guidelines are communal work, communal effort, communal innovation, national unity and other such things.
And the third criterion is taking realities into consideration. We should see realities. In a meeting which was held in the auspicious month of Ramadan, I said to officials of the Islamic Republic that what we need is a kind of idealism which takes realities into consideration. We should gain a proper understanding of realities. We should take a look at realities and see what our weak and strong points are and we should know what prevents us from moving forward. We should gain a proper understanding of realities. In that meeting, I referred to a number of sweet realities which exist in our country. We should not always take a look at our weak points and shortcomings.
The emergence of outstanding ideas and thoughts, the existence of active and innovative elements, the promotion of religious teachings and spiritual concepts among many youth, the preservation of religious and Islamic slogans, and the increasing influence of the Islamic Republic in the region and in the entire world constitute a number of the existing realities. These realities should be seen. Of course, besides these sweet realities, there are a number of bitter realities. This is similar to our [personal] lives which is a combination of sweetness and bitterness. By relying on and strengthening sweet realities, we should try to decrease bitter realities or make them fade away.
These three elements should receive attention. Ideals and the guidelines which are necessary to achieve these ideals should not be ignored. Of course, realities should be taken into consideration as well. If we do not take realities into consideration, we will not tread our path in the right way. However, realities should not prevent us from treading our path. If the existence of a rock makes us turn back from our path, we have made a mistake. Also, if the existence of this rock is ignored and if we tread the path in a careless way, we have made another mistake. But if we take a look and see what ways we can find around this rock or how we can take the rock away from our path, make a hole in it or find an alternative path, then we have adopted the right outlook on realities.
This is what our magnanimous Imam did in the first chapter of the Revolution - that is to say during the first 10 years of the Revolution which were very fateful and sensitive years. Our magnanimous Imam did not close his eyes to realities, but he did not back down and did not forget about the guidelines either. You should take a look at Imam\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s life and slogans. Our magnanimous Imam was a person who was not afraid of anyone on the issue of the Zionist regime. The idea that the Zionist regime is a cancer and should be destroyed was expressed by Imam. He was not afraid of anyone on the issue of the evil, arrogant and meddling moves of America. It was Imam who said, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"America is the Great Satan.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" It was Imam who said, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"The attack of Muslim youth and Muslim students on the U.S. embassy and taking their documents and tools - which were used for spying - is like conducting a second revolution and is perhaps better and more important than the first revolution\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\". These are the methods of Imam. One the issue of the war, he said, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"We fight until we end the fitna.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" This is what Imam said. Other people used to say, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"We should continue fighting until we can achieve victory.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" But Imam said that \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"We fight until we end the fitna.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" It was such resistance which strengthened the foundations of the Islamic Republic.
You can see what happened to those people who did not know this path, who acted in a different way in their own countries and who compromised their principles and forgot about their main slogans in order to please arrogant powers. If the slogan of fighting against Israel had been advocated in Egypt and if they had not accepted the false promises of America and its agents, the situation would definitely not have been like this. Today, the dictator of the Egyptian people, who destroyed their dignity for 30 years, has been released from prison and those who had been elected with the votes of the people may be sentenced to death.
If they had not done these things, such a situation would never have been brought about. If the elected officials had adopted proper positions, those who gathered around Tahrir Square and chanted slogans against the elected officials- half or more than half of them would have started to support these elected officials. That is to say, they were not the kind of people to confront and oppose the elected government, but when one stops adopting correct and appropriate positions, such things happen. These are things which should receive attention.
What we feel we should do to solve problems is that we should strengthen the Islamic Republic from inside the country. It is not only in this era that problems exist. Problems have always existed. Problems exist in all countries. If anyone thinks that there are no problems in such and such an advanced country, or in such and such a wealthy European or western country which is densely or sparsely populated, then they are wrong. Problems exist everywhere. Naturally, each nation faces certain problems when it wants to do something. The officials in such a country should solve the problems and move forward.
Now, some people may want to solve problems by asking for help, by relying on others, by bribing other people and by suffering humiliation. And a number of people may want to solve problems with their own power and with the capabilities which exist in their own country. We believe that we should strengthen the Islamic Republic from inside the country. This is the essence of our work. We should strengthen ourselves from the inside. It is possible to strengthen ourselves from inside the country by thinking rationally and adopting a wise outlook. It can be done by making scientific progress and by building economic infrastructures and managing economic issues in the right way. In my opinion, these are things which are possible.
Today, you can see that when they exert pressures on our oil industry, we will face certain problems. What is the reason for this? This is because since the war ended until today, we have not managed to reduce our dependence on oil. If we had reduced our dependence on oil, such pressures would not have brought about this situation. Therefore, we should take a look at ourselves and we should want to solve problems with our willpower.
Thankfully, there is a new administration in our country today. One of the advantages of the current condition is that a fresh administration has entered the arena. With new ideas and thoughts, with new innovations and with a competent group of people, it wants to carry out its responsibilities and move things forward. It wants to move towards the goals which it has highlighted. The honorable President is a cleric who is active and experienced in different revolutionary arenas. This is also one of the advantages which we enjoy today.
Naturally, all of us should help the administration. I think it is my responsibility to help. As we helped and supported all administrations, we will definitely help and support this administration as well. And officials will do this too. Of course, my support for different administrations does not mean that I agree with all the things that they do. In different eras, there were different administrations. We both supported and criticized all these administrations. But, such criticisms should not make us think that the administration is an outsider and it should not make us withdraw the support that we should provide to all administrations. It is necessary to provide such support and help. It is also necessary to pray for all administrations and offer our advice to them. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"Advice is necessary for all believers\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" [speaking in Arabic].
A friendly piece of advice may sometimes be offered in a harsh and severe way. I believe that if the officials who receive such a harsh and severe piece of advice think carefully, they will be happy to have received such advice. Even this harsh and severe piece of advice is to their advantage.
Anyway, when I take a look at the current conditions in the country, I see that the future is very promising despite the problems which were referred to by the friends in this meeting - of course, they did not refer to many of the existing problems. I see that we have a clear path ahead of us and we have clear and definite ideals. We know what we want to do. Also, the path to achieving these ideals is clear and well-defined and there is no ambiguity and confusion in our guidelines and it is clear what should be done.
During the recent years, it has become clear where alignments - on a regional and international level - lie. Of course, flexibility and clever maneuvers in all political arenas are good and acceptable, but such maneuvers should not make us cross certain red lines, stop pursuing the main guidelines and ignore ideals. These things should be observed. Of course, each administration and each individual uses specific methods and implements specific ideas and they move things forward with these ideas. I am completely optimistic and I believe that all the existing problems - including economic, political and security problems and cultural problems which are deeper and more important than economic problems although a number of economic problems have a higher priority - can be solved and the path to achieving this goal can be taken. I ask Allah the Exalted to help us do this.
There is a certain point that I have written down to discuss. You should pay attention to the fact that one of the main methods used by the enemies of Islam, particularly the enemies of the Islamic Republic in the region, is to create sectarian and denominational discord between Shia and Sunni Muslims. You should pay attention to this issue. There are two groups of people who have turned into the agents and mercenaries of the enemy. The first group is made up of a number of Sunni Muslims and the second group is made of a number of Shia Muslims. The first group engages in takfirism and has deviated from the essence of religion and the second group is made up of people who work for the enemy. In the name of Shia, these people provoke the feelings of other Muslims, justify their enmity and fuel the fire of fitna.
Each group, each institution and each government which is deceived by this great plot, which involves itself in this issue and which makes a mistake in this regard will certainly harm the Islamic movement and the Islamic government. Our country in particular will be harmed if this happens. I insist that outstanding ulama - whether Shia or Sunni ulama and whether those who live in Iran or those who live in other countries - should pay attention to the fact that differences between Islamic denominations should not make us create a new camp against ourselves. Such differences should not make us ignore the main enemy which is the enemy of the essence of Islam and the enemy of the independence and welfare of the people of the region.
I hope that Allah the Exalted will help all of us and I hope that all of you and us benefit from the blessings and prayers of the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake).
Greetings be upon you and Allah\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s mercy and blessings
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The following is the full text of the speech delivered on September 5, 2013 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with the chairman and members of the Assembly of Experts.The meeting was held on the occasion of the 14th Congress of the Assembly of Experts which was held on the 12th and 13th of Shahrivar.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I would like to welcome the honorable gentlemen and the ulama and seminary scholars who are outstanding personalities from throughout the country and who have thankfully gathered in this meeting. Although the responsibilities of the Assembly of Experts have been defined in the Constitution, the arrangement of this meeting has resulted in the generation of different discussions about different arenas of the country and the expression of different opinions by the gentlemen.
Well, executive officials are also present in this meeting. Fortunately, the esteemed President and a number of other honorable officials are also members of this assembly and this has boosted the hope that the opinions of the gentlemen in this meeting will receive more attention. I hope that this will be done and we too will help, within the scope of our capabilities and responsibilities, for the gentlemen to achieve the stated matters.
I deem it necessary to point out that your participation in the funeral procession of the [unknown war] martyrs - which was held in the beginning of this congress - was very valuable and constructive. When the people see that honorable and great personalities, such as the esteemed chairman of the Assembly of Experts and other personalities, pay their respects to the bodies and graves of martyrs - whom they do not know - and participate in their funeral procession because of the fact that they are the martyrs of the path of the Revolution and the path of righteousness, this will be a lesson for our society. And I will say that our country and our society will be in need of keeping the memory of the martyrs alive and preserving their path for a very long time.
The point that I would like to make is that on different levels of decision- making for the Islamic Republic, it is our responsibility to adopt a comprehensive outlook towards the issues of the country. It is obvious that different events - on regional, international and domestic levels - occur which are beyond our power to prevent. The Islamic Republic, the officials, the people and those who protect the foundations of the Islamic Republic have certain responsibilities. These responsibilities cannot be defined on the basis of the events which occur. That is to say, when something happens, we cannot make a certain move and adopt a certain position in an inactive way. This should not be done. This means that the Islamic Republic is being dragged into different events. It is necessary to preserve our comprehensive outlook towards the issues of the country and we should adopt positions and identify events with this comprehensive outlook. Thankfully, this comprehensive outlook has dominated the country until today. It is not the case that officials have ignored this issue since the beginning of the Revolution until today.
The Islamic Republic was formed amid a whirlwind of events. This has been repeatedly mentioned, but we should not forget that the heart of this statement is the preservation of God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s religion in people\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s lives, in society and in our country. The heart of this statement is the formation of our social lives on the basis of sharia, the divine religion and the divine values and rules. The formation of such a government in a world which was quickly moving towards materialism was like a miracle and this miracle happened.
When the Islamic Republic was formed, there was an opposition to the issue of reliance on Islam. We should not say that their opposition and enmity was because of our independence or because our policy of fighting against global arrogance. Of course, this is true and this is one reason for their enmity, but fighting against global arrogance grew out of the heart of Islam. Our democracy grew out of the heart of Islam as well. It has been said many times that when we speak about religious democracy, this does not mean an unusual combination between democracy and religion. This is not the case. Our democracy has originated from religion and Islam has shown us this path. We managed to form the Islamic Republic with the guidance of Islam. By Allah\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s favor, it will be the same in the future. As a result of this belief in Islam, the enemies have focused their attention on Islam. If they can take Islam away from the Islamic Republic, the products of Islam will naturally be destroyed and undermined. Issues should be analyzed by adopting this outlook.
There are certain deployments in the world and we are always one side of things in many of these deployments. We should see who and what our opposing side is. We should see why it shows hostility towards us and why we put up a resistance against it. We should take a look at these things with a comprehensive outlook. Allah the Exalted says, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"Is then one who walks headlong, with his face groveling, better guided- or one who walks evenly on a straight path?\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" [The Holy Quran, 67: 22] The meaning of \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"walks evenly on a straight path\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" is that we should see - with open eyes, with wisdom and foresight and by considering all aspects - what the goal is, how we should achieve it and what the existing realities are. We should make a decision and move forward by paying attention to these things.
Today, you can see that different events are happening in our region. For several years up until today, global arrogance has chosen West Asia as a place where it can launch its attacks. But despite the presence of arrogant powers in the region and despite their activities, Islamic Awakening has emerged. And I will tell you that Islamic Awakening has not come to an end. It is not the case that we can think Islamic Awakening has been destroyed by the events which have taken place in a number of countries. Islamic Awakening is not like a mere political event or a coup d\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'état. It is not like a process in which power is transferred from one individual to another.
Islamic Awakening means the emergence of a kind of awareness and self-confidence which is based on Islam. Under certain circumstances, this Islamic Awakening created certain events in North Africa, Egypt, Tunisia and, before these countries, in Sudan. In other countries too, there is an enormous potential for such events.
We should not think that Islamic Awakening has been destroyed. Islamic Awakening is a reality which is hidden beneath the outer layers of Islamic societies. This is why the people in any country which claims to be oriented towards Islam vote for an Islamic government. This is a sign of people\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s orientation towards and attention to Islam. Therefore, Islamic Awakening is a very great event and despite the efforts of global arrogance, this event has taken place. It was not what global arrogance wanted. Therefore, it is natural for the opposing side to react to it. Today, we are witnessing the reactions of the camp of the enemies. These reactions and responses can be seen in East Asia - that is to say, in Pakistan and Afghanistan - and the farthest corners of West Asia such as Syria and Lebanon.
Arrogant powers - the government of the United States of America being the outstanding power among these arrogant powers - have defined certain interests for themselves based on their colonial outlook. This outlook is the same as the colonial outlook which they adopted in the 19th century, but it has a different form. And they are trying to solve all the regional issues by promoting the interests which they have defined for themselves. They are doing the same thing in Syria and Bahrain. The presence of global arrogance in the region is one which is based on transgression, oppression and greed and which wants to destroy every resistance which is put up against arrogant powers. Of course, thankfully, they have not managed and will not manage to do this.
This region has enormous wealth and it has a very important geographical and natural location. Therefore, it is natural for them to pay attention to this region. If one takes a look at what they say and what they have already done, he will see that their goal is to possess and establish their domination over the region by making the Zionist regime play a pivotal role. They are after achieving this goal. As you can see, on the issue of the latest events in Syria, the excuse which they have recently made for their interference is the use of chemical weapons in this country. Of course, with sophistry and clever use of reasons, they are trying to pretend that they want to interfere on humanitarian grounds. Who in the world does not know that this is a false claim?
Undoubtedly, what is not important at all for American politicians is humanitarian needs. These are the people who kept, for many years, thousands of prisoners in Guantanamo prisons and, before that, in Abu Ghraib in Iraq while there were not any trials for these prisoners. They were imprisoned just because of certain allegations. A number of them are still in prison. Well, is this humanitarian? These are the people who saw the heavy bombardment [with chemical weapons] of the region - whether what happened in Iraq\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Halabja or what happened in our cities such as Sardasht and other cities - which was conducted by Saddam, but who did not at all react. Not only did they not react, but they also helped Saddam.
Given that the Americans did not help Saddam by giving him chemical weapons - of course, westerners gave him chemical weapons and there is no doubt about this because we have the information which is related to this issue - they at least saw what happened. They became aware of this, but they did not express any opposition. This is the way they show their humanitarian support.
In Afghanistan and Pakistan, they fire a volley of bullets at wedding caravans and kill many people. In Iraq, they killed hundreds of thousands of people with oppressive measures. Today too, their agents are still doing the same things, but they behave in an indifferent way. No one in the world believes that the Americans care about humanitarian issues. Of course, they use sophistry and give clever reasons, but they say such things to justify their own moves. We believe that they are doing is a mistake. On this issue, they will receive a serious blow and they will feel it. They will definitely suffer a loss in this regard and there is no doubt about this. Well, this is the condition of the region.
The Islamic Republic was formed amid a whirlwind of events. At that time, it stood up against different hostile groups for many years. Not only was the Islamic Republic and its slogans not weakened and undermined, but it also became stronger, in the real sense of the word, on a daily basis. Today, the Islamic Republic is completely different - in terms of power, influence and domestic capabilities - from the Islamic Republic which existed 25, 30 years ago and today, its slogans are firm. Therefore, it should know what it wants to do by taking a look at its miraculous background and paying attention to the plots of the enemy in the region. Our responsibility, the responsibility of all the officials of the country and the responsibility of the Islamic Republic\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s government is to pay attention to three great criteria for all decisions and actions:
The first criterion is the ideals and goals of the Islamic Republic. These ideals and goals should never be ignored. We can refer to one of the most important ideals of the Islamic Republic in a short phrase: ‘Creating an Islamic civilization\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'. Islamic civilization means an environment in which we can achieve growth in spiritual and material areas and in which we can attain the ultimate goal for which Allah the Exalted has created us. It means living a good and dignified life. Islamic civilization means building a dignified, powerful, confident and innovative individual who can improve the natural world. This is the goal and ideal of the Islamic Republic.
The second criterion is the methods and guidelines which help us achieve these goals. These are general guidelines and they should be identified. These guidelines are relying on Islam and taking care not to become the oppressor or the oppressed in different interactions. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"Be an enemy of tyrants and oppressors and be a friend and helper of those who are oppressed and tyrannized.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" [Nahjul Balaghah, Letter 47] This is a responsibility. This is a general guideline. Reliance on the votes of the people and reliance on what helps us establish democracy and other such things constitute the main policies and the major guidelines of the Islamic Republic for achieving ideals. Other guidelines are communal work, communal effort, communal innovation, national unity and other such things.
And the third criterion is taking realities into consideration. We should see realities. In a meeting which was held in the auspicious month of Ramadan, I said to officials of the Islamic Republic that what we need is a kind of idealism which takes realities into consideration. We should gain a proper understanding of realities. We should take a look at realities and see what our weak and strong points are and we should know what prevents us from moving forward. We should gain a proper understanding of realities. In that meeting, I referred to a number of sweet realities which exist in our country. We should not always take a look at our weak points and shortcomings.
The emergence of outstanding ideas and thoughts, the existence of active and innovative elements, the promotion of religious teachings and spiritual concepts among many youth, the preservation of religious and Islamic slogans, and the increasing influence of the Islamic Republic in the region and in the entire world constitute a number of the existing realities. These realities should be seen. Of course, besides these sweet realities, there are a number of bitter realities. This is similar to our [personal] lives which is a combination of sweetness and bitterness. By relying on and strengthening sweet realities, we should try to decrease bitter realities or make them fade away.
These three elements should receive attention. Ideals and the guidelines which are necessary to achieve these ideals should not be ignored. Of course, realities should be taken into consideration as well. If we do not take realities into consideration, we will not tread our path in the right way. However, realities should not prevent us from treading our path. If the existence of a rock makes us turn back from our path, we have made a mistake. Also, if the existence of this rock is ignored and if we tread the path in a careless way, we have made another mistake. But if we take a look and see what ways we can find around this rock or how we can take the rock away from our path, make a hole in it or find an alternative path, then we have adopted the right outlook on realities.
This is what our magnanimous Imam did in the first chapter of the Revolution - that is to say during the first 10 years of the Revolution which were very fateful and sensitive years. Our magnanimous Imam did not close his eyes to realities, but he did not back down and did not forget about the guidelines either. You should take a look at Imam\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s life and slogans. Our magnanimous Imam was a person who was not afraid of anyone on the issue of the Zionist regime. The idea that the Zionist regime is a cancer and should be destroyed was expressed by Imam. He was not afraid of anyone on the issue of the evil, arrogant and meddling moves of America. It was Imam who said, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"America is the Great Satan.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" It was Imam who said, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"The attack of Muslim youth and Muslim students on the U.S. embassy and taking their documents and tools - which were used for spying - is like conducting a second revolution and is perhaps better and more important than the first revolution\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\". These are the methods of Imam. One the issue of the war, he said, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"We fight until we end the fitna.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" This is what Imam said. Other people used to say, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"We should continue fighting until we can achieve victory.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" But Imam said that \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"We fight until we end the fitna.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" It was such resistance which strengthened the foundations of the Islamic Republic.
You can see what happened to those people who did not know this path, who acted in a different way in their own countries and who compromised their principles and forgot about their main slogans in order to please arrogant powers. If the slogan of fighting against Israel had been advocated in Egypt and if they had not accepted the false promises of America and its agents, the situation would definitely not have been like this. Today, the dictator of the Egyptian people, who destroyed their dignity for 30 years, has been released from prison and those who had been elected with the votes of the people may be sentenced to death.
If they had not done these things, such a situation would never have been brought about. If the elected officials had adopted proper positions, those who gathered around Tahrir Square and chanted slogans against the elected officials- half or more than half of them would have started to support these elected officials. That is to say, they were not the kind of people to confront and oppose the elected government, but when one stops adopting correct and appropriate positions, such things happen. These are things which should receive attention.
What we feel we should do to solve problems is that we should strengthen the Islamic Republic from inside the country. It is not only in this era that problems exist. Problems have always existed. Problems exist in all countries. If anyone thinks that there are no problems in such and such an advanced country, or in such and such a wealthy European or western country which is densely or sparsely populated, then they are wrong. Problems exist everywhere. Naturally, each nation faces certain problems when it wants to do something. The officials in such a country should solve the problems and move forward.
Now, some people may want to solve problems by asking for help, by relying on others, by bribing other people and by suffering humiliation. And a number of people may want to solve problems with their own power and with the capabilities which exist in their own country. We believe that we should strengthen the Islamic Republic from inside the country. This is the essence of our work. We should strengthen ourselves from the inside. It is possible to strengthen ourselves from inside the country by thinking rationally and adopting a wise outlook. It can be done by making scientific progress and by building economic infrastructures and managing economic issues in the right way. In my opinion, these are things which are possible.
Today, you can see that when they exert pressures on our oil industry, we will face certain problems. What is the reason for this? This is because since the war ended until today, we have not managed to reduce our dependence on oil. If we had reduced our dependence on oil, such pressures would not have brought about this situation. Therefore, we should take a look at ourselves and we should want to solve problems with our willpower.
Thankfully, there is a new administration in our country today. One of the advantages of the current condition is that a fresh administration has entered the arena. With new ideas and thoughts, with new innovations and with a competent group of people, it wants to carry out its responsibilities and move things forward. It wants to move towards the goals which it has highlighted. The honorable President is a cleric who is active and experienced in different revolutionary arenas. This is also one of the advantages which we enjoy today.
Naturally, all of us should help the administration. I think it is my responsibility to help. As we helped and supported all administrations, we will definitely help and support this administration as well. And officials will do this too. Of course, my support for different administrations does not mean that I agree with all the things that they do. In different eras, there were different administrations. We both supported and criticized all these administrations. But, such criticisms should not make us think that the administration is an outsider and it should not make us withdraw the support that we should provide to all administrations. It is necessary to provide such support and help. It is also necessary to pray for all administrations and offer our advice to them. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"Advice is necessary for all believers\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" [speaking in Arabic].
A friendly piece of advice may sometimes be offered in a harsh and severe way. I believe that if the officials who receive such a harsh and severe piece of advice think carefully, they will be happy to have received such advice. Even this harsh and severe piece of advice is to their advantage.
Anyway, when I take a look at the current conditions in the country, I see that the future is very promising despite the problems which were referred to by the friends in this meeting - of course, they did not refer to many of the existing problems. I see that we have a clear path ahead of us and we have clear and definite ideals. We know what we want to do. Also, the path to achieving these ideals is clear and well-defined and there is no ambiguity and confusion in our guidelines and it is clear what should be done.
During the recent years, it has become clear where alignments - on a regional and international level - lie. Of course, flexibility and clever maneuvers in all political arenas are good and acceptable, but such maneuvers should not make us cross certain red lines, stop pursuing the main guidelines and ignore ideals. These things should be observed. Of course, each administration and each individual uses specific methods and implements specific ideas and they move things forward with these ideas. I am completely optimistic and I believe that all the existing problems - including economic, political and security problems and cultural problems which are deeper and more important than economic problems although a number of economic problems have a higher priority - can be solved and the path to achieving this goal can be taken. I ask Allah the Exalted to help us do this.
There is a certain point that I have written down to discuss. You should pay attention to the fact that one of the main methods used by the enemies of Islam, particularly the enemies of the Islamic Republic in the region, is to create sectarian and denominational discord between Shia and Sunni Muslims. You should pay attention to this issue. There are two groups of people who have turned into the agents and mercenaries of the enemy. The first group is made up of a number of Sunni Muslims and the second group is made of a number of Shia Muslims. The first group engages in takfirism and has deviated from the essence of religion and the second group is made up of people who work for the enemy. In the name of Shia, these people provoke the feelings of other Muslims, justify their enmity and fuel the fire of fitna.
Each group, each institution and each government which is deceived by this great plot, which involves itself in this issue and which makes a mistake in this regard will certainly harm the Islamic movement and the Islamic government. Our country in particular will be harmed if this happens. I insist that outstanding ulama - whether Shia or Sunni ulama and whether those who live in Iran or those who live in other countries - should pay attention to the fact that differences between Islamic denominations should not make us create a new camp against ourselves. Such differences should not make us ignore the main enemy which is the enemy of the essence of Islam and the enemy of the independence and welfare of the people of the region.
I hope that Allah the Exalted will help all of us and I hope that all of you and us benefit from the blessings and prayers of the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake).
Greetings be upon you and Allah\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s mercy and blessings
3:04
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