4:56
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[17 Nov 2013] Amnesty Intl censures Qatar for conditions of workers - English
International human rights groups have censured Qatar and Saudi Arabia for their treatment of migrant workers.
Amnesty International has issued a report criticizing the conditions of workers...
International human rights groups have censured Qatar and Saudi Arabia for their treatment of migrant workers.
Amnesty International has issued a report criticizing the conditions of workers preparing venues for the 2022 World Cup. The report details non-payment of wages, harsh working conditions, and poor standards of accommodation. Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch has urged Persian Gulf monarchies to take additional steps to safeguard migrant workers. In a statement, HRW appealed to the Arab states to adopt the new codes of the International Labor Organization. Saudi Arabia is currently conducting a brutal crackdown on undocumented workers. Several people -- including three Ethiopians -- have been killed since the kingdom launched a visa crackdown two weeks ago.
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Description:
International human rights groups have censured Qatar and Saudi Arabia for their treatment of migrant workers.
Amnesty International has issued a report criticizing the conditions of workers preparing venues for the 2022 World Cup. The report details non-payment of wages, harsh working conditions, and poor standards of accommodation. Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch has urged Persian Gulf monarchies to take additional steps to safeguard migrant workers. In a statement, HRW appealed to the Arab states to adopt the new codes of the International Labor Organization. Saudi Arabia is currently conducting a brutal crackdown on undocumented workers. Several people -- including three Ethiopians -- have been killed since the kingdom launched a visa crackdown two weeks ago.
3:19
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[18 Nov 2013] Rights groups urge boycott of Qatar World Cup over labor abuse - English
South Asian rights groups have called for a boycott of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar unless the Persian Gulf state improves conditions for migrant construction workers. Migrant workers, mostly from...
South Asian rights groups have called for a boycott of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar unless the Persian Gulf state improves conditions for migrant construction workers. Migrant workers, mostly from South or Southeast Asia, suffer alarming levels of exploitation. There are many reports of non-payment of wages and hazardous working conditions. Qatar is currently in the middle of a construction boom meant to prepare the gas-rich nation for the world\'s most popular sporting event. Amnesty International has also censured Qatar over its mistreatment of migrant construction workers, describing their conditions as deplorable.
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Description:
South Asian rights groups have called for a boycott of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar unless the Persian Gulf state improves conditions for migrant construction workers. Migrant workers, mostly from South or Southeast Asia, suffer alarming levels of exploitation. There are many reports of non-payment of wages and hazardous working conditions. Qatar is currently in the middle of a construction boom meant to prepare the gas-rich nation for the world\'s most popular sporting event. Amnesty International has also censured Qatar over its mistreatment of migrant construction workers, describing their conditions as deplorable.
2:07
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[20 Nov 2013] 29th session of COMCEC underway in Istanbul - English
The Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Co-operation of the Organization of Islamic Co-operation (COMCEC) was established in Mecca in 1981. The OIC is an organization of 57...
The Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Co-operation of the Organization of Islamic Co-operation (COMCEC) was established in Mecca in 1981. The OIC is an organization of 57 Muslim countries that make up 22% of the world\'s population but only 11% of the world\'s GDP.
The Organization of Islamic Co-operation has been working for four decades to contribute to the economic development of its members. Today the organisation has four trillion dollar economies, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, who together are responsible for nearly half of all the intra-OIC trade and foreign direct investment.
This session of COMCEC covered topics ranging from the expansion of intra-OIC trade, financial co-operation, and better infrastructure to sustainable tourism and poverty eradication.
Over 500 delegates from more than 50 countries and a dozen international organizations have met here today in Istanbul at the 29th international COMCEC conference. The main message of the conference is the need for greater co-operation and co-ordination between the member states of the OIC to increase trade which will be beneficial to all their economies.
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Description:
The Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Co-operation of the Organization of Islamic Co-operation (COMCEC) was established in Mecca in 1981. The OIC is an organization of 57 Muslim countries that make up 22% of the world\'s population but only 11% of the world\'s GDP.
The Organization of Islamic Co-operation has been working for four decades to contribute to the economic development of its members. Today the organisation has four trillion dollar economies, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, who together are responsible for nearly half of all the intra-OIC trade and foreign direct investment.
This session of COMCEC covered topics ranging from the expansion of intra-OIC trade, financial co-operation, and better infrastructure to sustainable tourism and poverty eradication.
Over 500 delegates from more than 50 countries and a dozen international organizations have met here today in Istanbul at the 29th international COMCEC conference. The main message of the conference is the need for greater co-operation and co-ordination between the member states of the OIC to increase trade which will be beneficial to all their economies.
7:59
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[21 Nov 2013] Iran & P5 1 on 2nd day of nuclear talks in Geneva - English
Tough talks over Tehran\'s nuclear program in Geneva; the second day in a new round of negotiations between Iran and the five permanent members of UN Security Council plus Germany has started....
Tough talks over Tehran\'s nuclear program in Geneva; the second day in a new round of negotiations between Iran and the five permanent members of UN Security Council plus Germany has started. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is heading the Iranian delegation. EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton represents the group of five permanent members of the U-N Security Council plus Germany. Zarif and Ashton held a meeting on Thursday. The negotiating sides are working to finalize a draft agreement to resolve the standoff. The U-S Secretary of State John Kerry has said an interim deal will not include the issue of nuclear enrichment inside Iran. Meanwhile, Iran\'s Deputy Foreign Minister told reporters that the P-5 plus one group of countries must take a single common stance to win Iran\'s trust. Seyyed Abbas Araqchi added that any agreement which does not include the issue of enrichment is NOT acceptable.
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Description:
Tough talks over Tehran\'s nuclear program in Geneva; the second day in a new round of negotiations between Iran and the five permanent members of UN Security Council plus Germany has started. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is heading the Iranian delegation. EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton represents the group of five permanent members of the U-N Security Council plus Germany. Zarif and Ashton held a meeting on Thursday. The negotiating sides are working to finalize a draft agreement to resolve the standoff. The U-S Secretary of State John Kerry has said an interim deal will not include the issue of nuclear enrichment inside Iran. Meanwhile, Iran\'s Deputy Foreign Minister told reporters that the P-5 plus one group of countries must take a single common stance to win Iran\'s trust. Seyyed Abbas Araqchi added that any agreement which does not include the issue of enrichment is NOT acceptable.
9:57
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[21 Nov 2013] Iran FM Spokesman Abbas Araqchi delivers press briefing in Geneva ( P. 1 ) - English
Watch the Part 2 here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPRvxa...
Tough talks over Tehran\'s nuclear program in Geneva; the second day in a new round of negotiations between Iran and the five...
Watch the Part 2 here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPRvxa...
Tough talks over Tehran\'s nuclear program in Geneva; the second day in a new round of negotiations between Iran and the five permanent members of UN Security Council plus Germany has started. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is heading the Iranian delegation. EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton represents the group of five permanent members of the U-N Security Council plus Germany. Zarif and Ashton held a meeting on Thursday. The negotiating sides are working to finalize a draft agreement to resolve the standoff. The U-S Secretary of State John Kerry has said an interim deal will not include the issue of nuclear enrichment inside Iran. Meanwhile, Iran\'s Deputy Foreign Minister told reporters that the P-5 plus one group of countries must take a single common stance to win Iran\'s trust. Seyyed Abbas Araqchi added that any agreement which does not include the issue of enrichment is NOT acceptable.
More...
Description:
Watch the Part 2 here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPRvxa...
Tough talks over Tehran\'s nuclear program in Geneva; the second day in a new round of negotiations between Iran and the five permanent members of UN Security Council plus Germany has started. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is heading the Iranian delegation. EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton represents the group of five permanent members of the U-N Security Council plus Germany. Zarif and Ashton held a meeting on Thursday. The negotiating sides are working to finalize a draft agreement to resolve the standoff. The U-S Secretary of State John Kerry has said an interim deal will not include the issue of nuclear enrichment inside Iran. Meanwhile, Iran\'s Deputy Foreign Minister told reporters that the P-5 plus one group of countries must take a single common stance to win Iran\'s trust. Seyyed Abbas Araqchi added that any agreement which does not include the issue of enrichment is NOT acceptable.
10:30
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[21 Nov 2013] Iran FM Spokesman Abbas Araqchi delivers press briefing in Geneva ( P. 2 ) - English
Tough talks over Tehran\'s nuclear program in Geneva; the second day in a new round of negotiations between Iran and the five permanent members of UN Security Council plus Germany has started....
Tough talks over Tehran\'s nuclear program in Geneva; the second day in a new round of negotiations between Iran and the five permanent members of UN Security Council plus Germany has started. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is heading the Iranian delegation. EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton represents the group of five permanent members of the U-N Security Council plus Germany. Zarif and Ashton held a meeting on Thursday. The negotiating sides are working to finalize a draft agreement to resolve the standoff. The U-S Secretary of State John Kerry has said an interim deal will not include the issue of nuclear enrichment inside Iran. Meanwhile, Iran\'s Deputy Foreign Minister told reporters that the P-5 plus one group of countries must take a single common stance to win Iran\'s trust. Seyyed Abbas Araqchi added that any agreement which does not include the issue of enrichment is NOT acceptable.
More...
Description:
Tough talks over Tehran\'s nuclear program in Geneva; the second day in a new round of negotiations between Iran and the five permanent members of UN Security Council plus Germany has started. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is heading the Iranian delegation. EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton represents the group of five permanent members of the U-N Security Council plus Germany. Zarif and Ashton held a meeting on Thursday. The negotiating sides are working to finalize a draft agreement to resolve the standoff. The U-S Secretary of State John Kerry has said an interim deal will not include the issue of nuclear enrichment inside Iran. Meanwhile, Iran\'s Deputy Foreign Minister told reporters that the P-5 plus one group of countries must take a single common stance to win Iran\'s trust. Seyyed Abbas Araqchi added that any agreement which does not include the issue of enrichment is NOT acceptable.
7:49
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[21 Nov 2013] Zarif, Ashton talks very substantial, detailed - English
Heated talks continue between Iran and the permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany over Tehran\\\'s nuclear program.
Iran\\\'s Foreign Minister Mohammad Havad Zarif, who\\\'s...
Heated talks continue between Iran and the permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany over Tehran\\\'s nuclear program.
Iran\\\'s Foreign Minister Mohammad Havad Zarif, who\\\'s heading the Iranian delegation, has met with EU\\\'s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on the second day of a new round of negotiations in Geneva. Ashton represents the so-called P5+1 group. Her spokesman Michael Mann says the latest talks were \\\"very substantial and detailed\\\". Zarif has echoed the same remarks, saying discussions have already delved into content and details. However, he added that differences remain between the two sides. Both sides are working to finalize a draft agreement to resolve the standoff over Tehran\\\'s nuclear program. This, as an Iranian deputy foreign minister says any agreement on the horizon is bound to respect Iran\\\'s right to enrichment.
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Description:
Heated talks continue between Iran and the permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany over Tehran\\\'s nuclear program.
Iran\\\'s Foreign Minister Mohammad Havad Zarif, who\\\'s heading the Iranian delegation, has met with EU\\\'s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on the second day of a new round of negotiations in Geneva. Ashton represents the so-called P5+1 group. Her spokesman Michael Mann says the latest talks were \\\"very substantial and detailed\\\". Zarif has echoed the same remarks, saying discussions have already delved into content and details. However, he added that differences remain between the two sides. Both sides are working to finalize a draft agreement to resolve the standoff over Tehran\\\'s nuclear program. This, as an Iranian deputy foreign minister says any agreement on the horizon is bound to respect Iran\\\'s right to enrichment.
0:34
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[21 Nov 2013] 4 British militants fighting in Syria killed - English
Reports from Syria say four British insurgents fighting alongside other foreign-backed militants have been killed in clashes with army troops.
Three of the British insurgents were from London...
Reports from Syria say four British insurgents fighting alongside other foreign-backed militants have been killed in clashes with army troops.
Three of the British insurgents were from London and died in August when their group attacked Syrian soldiers. The fourth militant was shot dead two weeks later in a failed ambush. The men were reportedly from a group of English insurgents working with al-Qaeda-linked militants. The UK\'s intelligence agency, the MI5, has said that up to 300 British insurgents are fighting government forces in Syria.
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Description:
Reports from Syria say four British insurgents fighting alongside other foreign-backed militants have been killed in clashes with army troops.
Three of the British insurgents were from London and died in August when their group attacked Syrian soldiers. The fourth militant was shot dead two weeks later in a failed ambush. The men were reportedly from a group of English insurgents working with al-Qaeda-linked militants. The UK\'s intelligence agency, the MI5, has said that up to 300 British insurgents are fighting government forces in Syria.
7:23
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[21 Nov 2013] More deliberations between Iran P5 1 over Tehran nuclear program - English
Heated talks continue between Iran and the permanent members of the U-N Security Council plus Germany over Tehran\'s nuclear program. Iran\'s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who\'s heading...
Heated talks continue between Iran and the permanent members of the U-N Security Council plus Germany over Tehran\'s nuclear program. Iran\'s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who\'s heading the Iranian delegation, has met with E-U\'s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on the second day of a new round of negotiations in Geneva. Ashton represents the so-called P-five-plus-one group. Her spokesman Michael Mann says the latest talks were QUOTE \"very substantial and detailed\". Zarif has echoed the same remarks, saying discussions have already delved into content and details. However, he added that differences remain between the two sides. Both sides are working to finalize a draft agreement to resolve the standoff over Tehran\'s nuclear program. This, as the Iranian deputy foreign minister says any agreement on the horizon is bound to respect Iran\'s right to enrichment.
More...
Description:
Heated talks continue between Iran and the permanent members of the U-N Security Council plus Germany over Tehran\'s nuclear program. Iran\'s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who\'s heading the Iranian delegation, has met with E-U\'s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on the second day of a new round of negotiations in Geneva. Ashton represents the so-called P-five-plus-one group. Her spokesman Michael Mann says the latest talks were QUOTE \"very substantial and detailed\". Zarif has echoed the same remarks, saying discussions have already delved into content and details. However, he added that differences remain between the two sides. Both sides are working to finalize a draft agreement to resolve the standoff over Tehran\'s nuclear program. This, as the Iranian deputy foreign minister says any agreement on the horizon is bound to respect Iran\'s right to enrichment.
3:16
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[21 Nov 2013] Reports: 4 British militants fighting in Syria killed - English
Reports from Syria say four British insurgents fighting alongside other foreign-backed militants have been killed in clashes with army troops. Three of the British insurgents were from London and...
Reports from Syria say four British insurgents fighting alongside other foreign-backed militants have been killed in clashes with army troops. Three of the British insurgents were from London and died in August when their group attacked Syrian soldiers. The fourth militant was shot dead two weeks later in a failed ambush. The men were reportedly from a group of English insurgents working with al-Qaeda-linked militants. The UK\'s intelligence agency, the M-I-5, has said that up to 3-hundred British insurgents are fighting government forces in Syria.
More...
Description:
Reports from Syria say four British insurgents fighting alongside other foreign-backed militants have been killed in clashes with army troops. Three of the British insurgents were from London and died in August when their group attacked Syrian soldiers. The fourth militant was shot dead two weeks later in a failed ambush. The men were reportedly from a group of English insurgents working with al-Qaeda-linked militants. The UK\'s intelligence agency, the M-I-5, has said that up to 3-hundred British insurgents are fighting government forces in Syria.
2:05
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[25 Nov 2013] Gaza fuel shortages hinder waste collection - English
Mountains of garbage have accumulated across the streets of Gaza for days as the waste collection vehicles in the coastal Strip stopped working due to severe fuel shortage. Local municipalities...
Mountains of garbage have accumulated across the streets of Gaza for days as the waste collection vehicles in the coastal Strip stopped working due to severe fuel shortage. Local municipalities have started to use donkeys in order to collect waste from cities and villages across the region.
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Description:
Mountains of garbage have accumulated across the streets of Gaza for days as the waste collection vehicles in the coastal Strip stopped working due to severe fuel shortage. Local municipalities have started to use donkeys in order to collect waste from cities and villages across the region.
0:50
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[29 Nov 2013] Iranian scientists develop liquid repellent nano-coating technology - English
It\'s not hard to imagine the day you\'ll have no worries about spilling things on your clothes! A group of Iranian scientists have developed a special nano-technology process to produce...
It\'s not hard to imagine the day you\'ll have no worries about spilling things on your clothes! A group of Iranian scientists have developed a special nano-technology process to produce water-proof and anti-stain textile!
The process has been developed by researchers working at the Materials and Energy Research Center in Karaj, north-west of Tehran. This is the first time Iranian scientists have created the liquid repellent nano-coating. The material could easily be applied to different kinds of textiles, making them water and stain proof. It also preserves the original color and form of the textile. Researchers have also successfully tested the chemical on old carpets, concluding that it works as a barrier against bacteria that cause the carpet to wear out. The team aims to use the substance to make water-resistant paper and concrete.
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Description:
It\'s not hard to imagine the day you\'ll have no worries about spilling things on your clothes! A group of Iranian scientists have developed a special nano-technology process to produce water-proof and anti-stain textile!
The process has been developed by researchers working at the Materials and Energy Research Center in Karaj, north-west of Tehran. This is the first time Iranian scientists have created the liquid repellent nano-coating. The material could easily be applied to different kinds of textiles, making them water and stain proof. It also preserves the original color and form of the textile. Researchers have also successfully tested the chemical on old carpets, concluding that it works as a barrier against bacteria that cause the carpet to wear out. The team aims to use the substance to make water-resistant paper and concrete.
2:06
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[15 Dec 2013] UK housing crisis grows - English
Keeping a roof over your head in the UK is becoming increasingly more expensive and problematic. A new \\\'state of the nation\\\' report by homeless charity Crisis and the Joseph Rowntree...
Keeping a roof over your head in the UK is becoming increasingly more expensive and problematic. A new \\\'state of the nation\\\' report by homeless charity Crisis and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation paint an alarming picture of the country\\\'s growing housing crisis.
There\\\'s been a 10% rise in those housed in temporary accommodation and a 6% spike in those forced to sleep rough.Dawn Butler is a Labour politician working in Dawn Butler, west London. As the debate continues about how to alleviate the effects of the growing housing crisis, thousands of families in the capital and throughout the UK will be facing an uncertain future. Spiraling house prices, limited affordable accommodation options and benefits caps have all converged to heap more misery on already over stretched British budgets. The government disputes this stating £190m extra has been allocated to local councils.With a shortfall in available housing and a squeezing of existing budgets, many more families will find themselves without a roof over their heads before the crisis is addressed.
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Description:
Keeping a roof over your head in the UK is becoming increasingly more expensive and problematic. A new \\\'state of the nation\\\' report by homeless charity Crisis and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation paint an alarming picture of the country\\\'s growing housing crisis.
There\\\'s been a 10% rise in those housed in temporary accommodation and a 6% spike in those forced to sleep rough.Dawn Butler is a Labour politician working in Dawn Butler, west London. As the debate continues about how to alleviate the effects of the growing housing crisis, thousands of families in the capital and throughout the UK will be facing an uncertain future. Spiraling house prices, limited affordable accommodation options and benefits caps have all converged to heap more misery on already over stretched British budgets. The government disputes this stating £190m extra has been allocated to local councils.With a shortfall in available housing and a squeezing of existing budgets, many more families will find themselves without a roof over their heads before the crisis is addressed.
0:59
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[24 Dec 2013] US whistleblower happy with leaking NSA surveillance documents - English
Six months ago, American whistleblower Edward Snowden started leaking the US National Security Agency\\\'s surveillance documents. Now the former NSA contractor says his mission has been...
Six months ago, American whistleblower Edward Snowden started leaking the US National Security Agency\\\'s surveillance documents. Now the former NSA contractor says his mission has been accomplished.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Snowden has said he\\\'s happy because the public is now informed about the US massive sweep of Internet and phone records. This is Snowden\\\'s first in-person interview since his June arrival in Russia under temporary asylum, that will expire in August. US federal prosecutors have filed a criminal complaint against Snowden, charging him with espionage and felony theft of government property. But Snowden says he\\\'s working to improve the NSA, adding this is the only thing Washington does not realize. Snowden\\\'s revelations have outraged civil liberties advocates. Even US allies have been angered by reports that Washington has been monitoring their leaders\\\' cellphone calls and other virtual communications.
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Description:
Six months ago, American whistleblower Edward Snowden started leaking the US National Security Agency\\\'s surveillance documents. Now the former NSA contractor says his mission has been accomplished.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Snowden has said he\\\'s happy because the public is now informed about the US massive sweep of Internet and phone records. This is Snowden\\\'s first in-person interview since his June arrival in Russia under temporary asylum, that will expire in August. US federal prosecutors have filed a criminal complaint against Snowden, charging him with espionage and felony theft of government property. But Snowden says he\\\'s working to improve the NSA, adding this is the only thing Washington does not realize. Snowden\\\'s revelations have outraged civil liberties advocates. Even US allies have been angered by reports that Washington has been monitoring their leaders\\\' cellphone calls and other virtual communications.
[02] Safar 1435 | Practical Advice from Ahlulbayt (as) for living in the West - Sh. Salim Yusufali - English
Sheikh Salim Yusufali: Ashra-e-Zainabiyya 1435 Topic: Practical advice from Ahlul Bayt (A.S) for Muslims living in the West
[English] 02 - 31st Eve After Ashura - 14 December 2013
Lecture...
Sheikh Salim Yusufali: Ashra-e-Zainabiyya 1435 Topic: Practical advice from Ahlul Bayt (A.S) for Muslims living in the West
[English] 02 - 31st Eve After Ashura - 14 December 2013
Lecture 2 Summary: Sheikh Salim Yusufali
The topic we are covering is practical advise for Muslims in a minority from the Ahlul Bayt (as) from teachings which are relevant to our situation, living with non-Muslims.
• We should try and benefit from lecturers/ scholars; the minbar is one way of communication. We should also benefit in a less formal environment and try to make the most of these opportunities. Sometimes what we hear is repetition but we shouldn’t perceive that as a negative, it can be treated as a reminder and that can encourage us to practical application.
• We should also partake emotionally in these majalis the best way possible. They are a source of Barakah (blessings) and we are strongly advised by scholars to try and mourn on the Masaib (gham) of Imam Hussain (as) and his family in whatever capacity.
• There is a hadith of Imam Ali which is found also Nahjul Balagha and other sources which is advice to Malik Ahtar (a close companion) on the governance. He guides Malik to feel love in his heart for the people and not to act barbarically. He further says that people are of two types: either your brethren in faith and or peer in humanity/creation
• This hadith clear shows that there is a level of respect one earns just by being a human being. There is a principle of Ahsan (kindness) and A’dl (Justice) for all humans. 6th Imam witnessed a man insulting a person of another religion and rebukes him as that religion is worthy to him
• Holy Quran mentions about those that come from of different religions that if they are not an enemy than you should treat in kindness and justice and Allah loves those who are just
• Justice is part of innate and core beliefs especially as Shias and this should be looked at material and spiritual level. The common idea is that if I am not causing injustice physically to others then that is enough, but there is a higher level of injustice as well and that this doing injustice to oneself
• We perform injustice to ourselves when we follow our base desires without regards to the Shariah and there is always a battle going on between the Aql and the base desires. Committing sin doing is injustice to own self.
• There is a difference between a brother in faith and a peer in humanity but we should have friendly relations to all
• Holy Prophet (sa) in Medina lives with different tribes and different religions and was able to have a working relationship with all of them but still is able to preserve the Muslim identity
• We also need to take care of people with whom we have close relationship. One of the main criteria of choosing close associates is that they are not performing injustice (both material and spiritual) and also not supporting it
• Holy prophet (sa) said famously that whoever wakes up in the morning and is not concerned over the affairs of Muslims is NOT A MUSLIM. Hence we should have a special affinity to a Muslim and we should care for them irrespective of their geographical location
• Sometimes the injustice we perform is in the choice of careers. If we are choosing a career that is not helping the cause of justice, at least we shouldn’t choose something that is going to increase injustice. Also, don’t compromise your religion for wealth and go against your principles. For e.g. avoid being involved in the system of interest and advertising of haram material or alcohol.
Link to Summary - hujjat.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=938:lecture-2-summary-sheikh-salim-yusufali&catid=30&Itemid=100012
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Description:
Sheikh Salim Yusufali: Ashra-e-Zainabiyya 1435 Topic: Practical advice from Ahlul Bayt (A.S) for Muslims living in the West
[English] 02 - 31st Eve After Ashura - 14 December 2013
Lecture 2 Summary: Sheikh Salim Yusufali
The topic we are covering is practical advise for Muslims in a minority from the Ahlul Bayt (as) from teachings which are relevant to our situation, living with non-Muslims.
• We should try and benefit from lecturers/ scholars; the minbar is one way of communication. We should also benefit in a less formal environment and try to make the most of these opportunities. Sometimes what we hear is repetition but we shouldn’t perceive that as a negative, it can be treated as a reminder and that can encourage us to practical application.
• We should also partake emotionally in these majalis the best way possible. They are a source of Barakah (blessings) and we are strongly advised by scholars to try and mourn on the Masaib (gham) of Imam Hussain (as) and his family in whatever capacity.
• There is a hadith of Imam Ali which is found also Nahjul Balagha and other sources which is advice to Malik Ahtar (a close companion) on the governance. He guides Malik to feel love in his heart for the people and not to act barbarically. He further says that people are of two types: either your brethren in faith and or peer in humanity/creation
• This hadith clear shows that there is a level of respect one earns just by being a human being. There is a principle of Ahsan (kindness) and A’dl (Justice) for all humans. 6th Imam witnessed a man insulting a person of another religion and rebukes him as that religion is worthy to him
• Holy Quran mentions about those that come from of different religions that if they are not an enemy than you should treat in kindness and justice and Allah loves those who are just
• Justice is part of innate and core beliefs especially as Shias and this should be looked at material and spiritual level. The common idea is that if I am not causing injustice physically to others then that is enough, but there is a higher level of injustice as well and that this doing injustice to oneself
• We perform injustice to ourselves when we follow our base desires without regards to the Shariah and there is always a battle going on between the Aql and the base desires. Committing sin doing is injustice to own self.
• There is a difference between a brother in faith and a peer in humanity but we should have friendly relations to all
• Holy Prophet (sa) in Medina lives with different tribes and different religions and was able to have a working relationship with all of them but still is able to preserve the Muslim identity
• We also need to take care of people with whom we have close relationship. One of the main criteria of choosing close associates is that they are not performing injustice (both material and spiritual) and also not supporting it
• Holy prophet (sa) said famously that whoever wakes up in the morning and is not concerned over the affairs of Muslims is NOT A MUSLIM. Hence we should have a special affinity to a Muslim and we should care for them irrespective of their geographical location
• Sometimes the injustice we perform is in the choice of careers. If we are choosing a career that is not helping the cause of justice, at least we shouldn’t choose something that is going to increase injustice. Also, don’t compromise your religion for wealth and go against your principles. For e.g. avoid being involved in the system of interest and advertising of haram material or alcohol.
Link to Summary - hujjat.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=938:lecture-2-summary-sheikh-salim-yusufali&catid=30&Itemid=100012
7:06
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Houston, TX Protest against the incident of Mastung Blast on Zaireen Bus - 22 January 2014 - Urdu
Around 200 people protested in front of Pakistani Consulate in Houston, TX. The protest call was given 3 hours before the assembly time on a working day. It was amazing how the people of conscience...
Around 200 people protested in front of Pakistani Consulate in Houston, TX. The protest call was given 3 hours before the assembly time on a working day. It was amazing how the people of conscience rushed to this protest with their families.
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Description:
Around 200 people protested in front of Pakistani Consulate in Houston, TX. The protest call was given 3 hours before the assembly time on a working day. It was amazing how the people of conscience rushed to this protest with their families.
1:05
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[28 Jan 2014] Brahimi says Iran presence in the peace talks on Syria could be useful - English
Brahimi also admitted that there has not been any breakthrough yet in the talks between the delegations from the Syrian government and foreign-backed opposition. The two sides have been negotiating...
Brahimi also admitted that there has not been any breakthrough yet in the talks between the delegations from the Syrian government and foreign-backed opposition. The two sides have been negotiating in Geneva over the the past few days, with talks deadlocked over the opposition\'s insistence that President Bashar al-Assad resign. Brahimi has also said that the U-S and Russia are vehemently working to find a solution to the current conflict in Syria. The U-N-Arab League envoy says the talks will continue through Friday.
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Brahimi also admitted that there has not been any breakthrough yet in the talks between the delegations from the Syrian government and foreign-backed opposition. The two sides have been negotiating in Geneva over the the past few days, with talks deadlocked over the opposition\'s insistence that President Bashar al-Assad resign. Brahimi has also said that the U-S and Russia are vehemently working to find a solution to the current conflict in Syria. The U-N-Arab League envoy says the talks will continue through Friday.
11:00
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[29 Jan 2014] The Debate - Fuelling the Carnage (P.1) - English
As if the Syrian talks in Geneva did not face enough challenges, a new one came into the picture, when US Congress approved continued support for what it called moderate Syrian rebels, raising the...
As if the Syrian talks in Geneva did not face enough challenges, a new one came into the picture, when US Congress approved continued support for what it called moderate Syrian rebels, raising the question again about a good and a bad terrorist. It also upped the bar on what type of aid: previously from non-lethal like night goggles, to small arms, as well as some more powerful weapons, such as anti-tank rockets. In this edition of the debate, we\'ll ask doesn\'t this contradict the United States\' role as a sponsor of the peace talks?
Guests:
- National Coordinator, A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, Brian Becker (WASHINGTON).
- Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress, Lawrence Korb (WASHINGTON).
Subjects:
1. From non-lethal aid, like nigh vision goggles and army uniforms, to a variety of small arms, as well as some more powerful weapons, such as anti-tank rockets.
- Funded by the U-S Congress, in votes behind closed doors, through the end of government fiscal year 2014, which ends on September 30: THAT MEANS FOR THE NEXT 8 MONTHS.
- Also the issue that arms may fall into the hands of \"bad terrorists\", something US experienced in Afghanistan, Iraq and in Syria.
2. What about the good terrorist/bad terrorist scenario: this differentiation just can\'t apply, especially to the terrorists inside Syria, which the US calls the moderate Syrian rebels?
3. American military aid, now with explicit congressional approval: Doesn\'t it contradict the United States\' role as a sponsor of the peace talks? Whatever happened to US Sec. of State John Kerry saying repeatedly that there is no military solution?
- Russia is working with the US to find a political solution, and suddenly US arms supplies, which contradicts the initiative
4. On terrorists: John Kerry said during opening of Geneva talks: in reference to the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad: \"The Assad regime is a magnet for terrorists. The regime\'s brutality is the source of the violent extremism in Syria today: Is the US completely turning a blind eye to Saudi Arabia\'s support for terrorists?
5. Timeline: Beg. Dec.: the US and Britain announced that they had suspended non-lethal aid: Why? Reports that their aid supplies could end up in hostile hands. Then in late December, reversed that decision: Yet US Congress \"secretly\" approved sending small arms, as well as some more powerful weapons, such as anti-tank rockets, also in Dec.: the US was not telling the truth, or given that this was done in secret, did not want it to be made public?
6. On the Syrian talks in Geneva: According to the divided opposition: the Syrian delegation has accepted the establishment of a transitional government body for the first time: Were it true, how what are the chances for the divided opposition to accept the govt. red line: Assad\'s departure?
7. Syria\'s divided opposition criticized a document presented by the Syrian govt which presented a statement of principles, calling for Syria \'s sovereignty to be respected, rejecting \"foreign interference\" and \"terrorism.\"?
8. Are we looking at u-turn from Turkey on Syria: AS we speak, PM Erodogan is in Iran holding talks with Ian\'s leader, its pres. and FM?
9. What may have happened if Iran was present?
More...
Description:
As if the Syrian talks in Geneva did not face enough challenges, a new one came into the picture, when US Congress approved continued support for what it called moderate Syrian rebels, raising the question again about a good and a bad terrorist. It also upped the bar on what type of aid: previously from non-lethal like night goggles, to small arms, as well as some more powerful weapons, such as anti-tank rockets. In this edition of the debate, we\'ll ask doesn\'t this contradict the United States\' role as a sponsor of the peace talks?
Guests:
- National Coordinator, A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, Brian Becker (WASHINGTON).
- Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress, Lawrence Korb (WASHINGTON).
Subjects:
1. From non-lethal aid, like nigh vision goggles and army uniforms, to a variety of small arms, as well as some more powerful weapons, such as anti-tank rockets.
- Funded by the U-S Congress, in votes behind closed doors, through the end of government fiscal year 2014, which ends on September 30: THAT MEANS FOR THE NEXT 8 MONTHS.
- Also the issue that arms may fall into the hands of \"bad terrorists\", something US experienced in Afghanistan, Iraq and in Syria.
2. What about the good terrorist/bad terrorist scenario: this differentiation just can\'t apply, especially to the terrorists inside Syria, which the US calls the moderate Syrian rebels?
3. American military aid, now with explicit congressional approval: Doesn\'t it contradict the United States\' role as a sponsor of the peace talks? Whatever happened to US Sec. of State John Kerry saying repeatedly that there is no military solution?
- Russia is working with the US to find a political solution, and suddenly US arms supplies, which contradicts the initiative
4. On terrorists: John Kerry said during opening of Geneva talks: in reference to the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad: \"The Assad regime is a magnet for terrorists. The regime\'s brutality is the source of the violent extremism in Syria today: Is the US completely turning a blind eye to Saudi Arabia\'s support for terrorists?
5. Timeline: Beg. Dec.: the US and Britain announced that they had suspended non-lethal aid: Why? Reports that their aid supplies could end up in hostile hands. Then in late December, reversed that decision: Yet US Congress \"secretly\" approved sending small arms, as well as some more powerful weapons, such as anti-tank rockets, also in Dec.: the US was not telling the truth, or given that this was done in secret, did not want it to be made public?
6. On the Syrian talks in Geneva: According to the divided opposition: the Syrian delegation has accepted the establishment of a transitional government body for the first time: Were it true, how what are the chances for the divided opposition to accept the govt. red line: Assad\'s departure?
7. Syria\'s divided opposition criticized a document presented by the Syrian govt which presented a statement of principles, calling for Syria \'s sovereignty to be respected, rejecting \"foreign interference\" and \"terrorism.\"?
8. Are we looking at u-turn from Turkey on Syria: AS we speak, PM Erodogan is in Iran holding talks with Ian\'s leader, its pres. and FM?
9. What may have happened if Iran was present?
11:26
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[29 Jan 2014] The Debate - Fuelling the Carnage (P.2) - English
1. From non-lethal aid, like nigh vision goggles and army uniforms, to a variety of small arms, as well as some more powerful weapons, such as anti-tank rockets.
- Funded by the U-S Congress, in...
1. From non-lethal aid, like nigh vision goggles and army uniforms, to a variety of small arms, as well as some more powerful weapons, such as anti-tank rockets.
- Funded by the U-S Congress, in votes behind closed doors, through the end of government fiscal year 2014, which ends on September 30: THAT MEANS FOR THE NEXT 8 MONTHS.
- Also the issue that arms may fall into the hands of \"bad terrorists\", something US experienced in Afghanistan, Iraq and in Syria.
2. What about the good terrorist/bad terrorist scenario: this differentiation just can\'t apply, especially to the terrorists inside Syria, which the US calls the moderate Syrian rebels?
3. American military aid, now with explicit congressional approval: Doesn\'t it contradict the United States\' role as a sponsor of the peace talks? Whatever happened to US Sec. of State John Kerry saying repeatedly that there is no military solution?
- Russia is working with the US to find a political solution, and suddenly US arms supplies, which contradicts the initiative
4. On terrorists: John Kerry said during opening of Geneva talks: in reference to the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad: \"The Assad regime is a magnet for terrorists. The regime\'s brutality is the source of the violent extremism in Syria today: Is the US completely turning a blind eye to Saudi Arabia\'s support for terrorists?
5. Timeline: Beg. Dec.: the US and Britain announced that they had suspended non-lethal aid: Why? Reports that their aid supplies could end up in hostile hands. Then in late December, reversed that decision: Yet US Congress \"secretly\" approved sending small arms, as well as some more powerful weapons, such as anti-tank rockets, also in Dec.: the US was not telling the truth, or given that this was done in secret, did not want it to be made public?
6. On the Syrian talks in Geneva: According to the divided opposition: the Syrian delegation has accepted the establishment of a transitional government body for the first time: Were it true, how what are the chances for the divided opposition to accept the govt. red line: Assad\'s departure?
7. Syria\'s divided opposition criticized a document presented by the Syrian govt which presented a statement of principles, calling for Syria \'s sovereignty to be respected, rejecting \"foreign interference\" and \"terrorism.\"?
8. Are we looking at u-turn from Turkey on Syria: AS we speak, PM Erodogan is in Iran holding talks with Ian\'s leader, its pres. and FM?
9. What may have happened if Iran was present?
More...
Description:
1. From non-lethal aid, like nigh vision goggles and army uniforms, to a variety of small arms, as well as some more powerful weapons, such as anti-tank rockets.
- Funded by the U-S Congress, in votes behind closed doors, through the end of government fiscal year 2014, which ends on September 30: THAT MEANS FOR THE NEXT 8 MONTHS.
- Also the issue that arms may fall into the hands of \"bad terrorists\", something US experienced in Afghanistan, Iraq and in Syria.
2. What about the good terrorist/bad terrorist scenario: this differentiation just can\'t apply, especially to the terrorists inside Syria, which the US calls the moderate Syrian rebels?
3. American military aid, now with explicit congressional approval: Doesn\'t it contradict the United States\' role as a sponsor of the peace talks? Whatever happened to US Sec. of State John Kerry saying repeatedly that there is no military solution?
- Russia is working with the US to find a political solution, and suddenly US arms supplies, which contradicts the initiative
4. On terrorists: John Kerry said during opening of Geneva talks: in reference to the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad: \"The Assad regime is a magnet for terrorists. The regime\'s brutality is the source of the violent extremism in Syria today: Is the US completely turning a blind eye to Saudi Arabia\'s support for terrorists?
5. Timeline: Beg. Dec.: the US and Britain announced that they had suspended non-lethal aid: Why? Reports that their aid supplies could end up in hostile hands. Then in late December, reversed that decision: Yet US Congress \"secretly\" approved sending small arms, as well as some more powerful weapons, such as anti-tank rockets, also in Dec.: the US was not telling the truth, or given that this was done in secret, did not want it to be made public?
6. On the Syrian talks in Geneva: According to the divided opposition: the Syrian delegation has accepted the establishment of a transitional government body for the first time: Were it true, how what are the chances for the divided opposition to accept the govt. red line: Assad\'s departure?
7. Syria\'s divided opposition criticized a document presented by the Syrian govt which presented a statement of principles, calling for Syria \'s sovereignty to be respected, rejecting \"foreign interference\" and \"terrorism.\"?
8. Are we looking at u-turn from Turkey on Syria: AS we speak, PM Erodogan is in Iran holding talks with Ian\'s leader, its pres. and FM?
9. What may have happened if Iran was present?
4:25
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[02 Feb 2014] Iran FM: US illusion about dismantling Iran nuclear facilities had thwarted deal - English
Iran\'s foreign minister says the US had an illusion that it could totally dismantle Tehran\'s nuclear facilities and this illusion had thwarted any possible deal.
Zarif says there\'s still deep...
Iran\'s foreign minister says the US had an illusion that it could totally dismantle Tehran\'s nuclear facilities and this illusion had thwarted any possible deal.
Zarif says there\'s still deep mistrust between the two sides and both need to work to build trust. At a meeting with the presence of the IAEA chief, Zarif also noted that it would be a big mistake to assume Iran has participated in talks because of sanctions. He says when sanctions were first imposed only 200 centrifuges were working, but now Tehran has 19-thousand centrifuges. Zarif says nuclear technology is now localized in Iran, and Tehran does not need the help of other countries. For his part, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukia Amano said Tehran is meeting its commitments within the framework of the Geneva agreement.
More...
Description:
Iran\'s foreign minister says the US had an illusion that it could totally dismantle Tehran\'s nuclear facilities and this illusion had thwarted any possible deal.
Zarif says there\'s still deep mistrust between the two sides and both need to work to build trust. At a meeting with the presence of the IAEA chief, Zarif also noted that it would be a big mistake to assume Iran has participated in talks because of sanctions. He says when sanctions were first imposed only 200 centrifuges were working, but now Tehran has 19-thousand centrifuges. Zarif says nuclear technology is now localized in Iran, and Tehran does not need the help of other countries. For his part, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukia Amano said Tehran is meeting its commitments within the framework of the Geneva agreement.
2:11
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[23 Feb 2014] Afghanistan preparing for presidential election - English
Afghanistan is preparing for a new chapter in its politics!
Things are getting ready for the upcoming presidential and provincial councils elections across 34 provinces. Afghanistan\'s...
Afghanistan is preparing for a new chapter in its politics!
Things are getting ready for the upcoming presidential and provincial councils elections across 34 provinces. Afghanistan\'s presidential election will be held on the 5th of April. Security officials have promised to take full control of the security situation. The Independent Election Commission is also working seriously, so, if all goes well, Afghanistan gets a peaceful and democratic transition of power in its political history. In the meantime, the United Nation Mission in Afghanistan has also welcomed the coming vote, The UNAMA believes \"This election is a major step in developing the democratic system and bringing more stability and predictability to the nation.\"
More...
Description:
Afghanistan is preparing for a new chapter in its politics!
Things are getting ready for the upcoming presidential and provincial councils elections across 34 provinces. Afghanistan\'s presidential election will be held on the 5th of April. Security officials have promised to take full control of the security situation. The Independent Election Commission is also working seriously, so, if all goes well, Afghanistan gets a peaceful and democratic transition of power in its political history. In the meantime, the United Nation Mission in Afghanistan has also welcomed the coming vote, The UNAMA believes \"This election is a major step in developing the democratic system and bringing more stability and predictability to the nation.\"
0:55
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[24 Feb 2014] UK FM: Bilateral relations with Iran improving - English
Britain\'s foreign secretary says bilateral relations with Iran are improving and that the UK plans to continue the expansion of ties provided that it remains reciprocal.
William Hague added...
Britain\'s foreign secretary says bilateral relations with Iran are improving and that the UK plans to continue the expansion of ties provided that it remains reciprocal.
William Hague added that Tehran and London are working together to make it easier for Iranian and British citizens to obtain consular and visa services. However, the foreign secretary said sanctions against Tehran would remain intact and will be enforced robustly. On nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1, Hague said last week\'s talks were constructive. He said the two sides plan to meet monthly with the next round of talks due in Vienna mid-March.
More...
Description:
Britain\'s foreign secretary says bilateral relations with Iran are improving and that the UK plans to continue the expansion of ties provided that it remains reciprocal.
William Hague added that Tehran and London are working together to make it easier for Iranian and British citizens to obtain consular and visa services. However, the foreign secretary said sanctions against Tehran would remain intact and will be enforced robustly. On nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1, Hague said last week\'s talks were constructive. He said the two sides plan to meet monthly with the next round of talks due in Vienna mid-March.
10:23
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How to make lollipops (with/without a mold) - with Yoyomax12 - English
How to make homemade hard-candy lollipops using a candy mold, a cornstarch mold and no mold at all :)
2 cups white granulated sugar (200g)
2/3 cups corn syrup (160 ml)
1/4...
How to make homemade hard-candy lollipops using a candy mold, a cornstarch mold and no mold at all :)
2 cups white granulated sugar (200g)
2/3 cups corn syrup (160 ml)
1/4 cup water (60 ml)
flavouring (like almond, lemon, orange extracts) or candy oils. I used 1 tsp (5ml)
food colour if desired
Combine sugar, corn syrup, water, flavouring and food colouring in a large saucepan. Heat over high heat, stirring constantly until mixture starts to boil. After the mixture boils, stop stirring and reduce heat slightly keeping the mixture at a vigorous boil. You can use a pastry brush dipped in cold water to wipe down the sides of the saucepan to dissolve sugar crystals. This is supposed to help sudden crystallization of the sugar mixture, but this has never happened to me in all the years I have been making candy.
Cook the candy until it reaches a temperature of 310 F (154 C). If you are making free-form lollipops, place the hot saucepan into an ice bath to cool it down. Let sit about 20 seconds. Swirl pan 2 minutes more to cool.
Pour syrup into another container with a spout if desired. Working quickly, pour syrup onto baking sheets covered with silicone mat or parchment paper, forming circles and spacing circles about 3 inches apart. Press a lollipop stick into each circle. Add sprinkles to lollipops if desired, pressing them into the candy (carefully) with fingers or wooden skewer.
Here is an excellent tutorial on how to make many small candies using the cornstarch method.
NOTES:
This candy will become sticky at room temperature very quickly especially in a humid room/climate. I find that if you put the in the refrigerator (not freezer) UNCOVERED they will stay dry.
I mention in the video that I added the colour at the beginning and that this was okay, after reading a little about this I have found the following on this website:
http://baking911.com/learn/baked-good...
\"And also (I could go on and on about colors) color should be added *late* in the cooking process, after the syrup reaches 275 degrees. The reason is that trace amounts of acid in food colors tend to \"invert\" the sucrose, a side-effect of which is to soften it, making the end result sticky. The longer the acid is in contact with the hot syrup, the more pronounced the inversion.\"
I recommend adding the colour after the syrup reaches 275F and maybe that will help with the stickiness.
Corn starch molds:
Sifting the corn starch into the container may help achieving a smooth mold, also properly smoothing the top will help too.
Contact me here:
http://yoyomax12.weebly.com/contact-m...
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http://tinyurl.com/kq7mwn6
My favourite channel here on YouTube is CookingAndCrafting. Beth lives in Hawaii and makes great meals, desserts and crafts. We met here on YouTube by commenting on each others videos and have since met each other several times in \"real life\". She is a lovely person and a great friend. Please check her out :)
http://www.youtube.com/cookingandcraf...
More...
Description:
How to make homemade hard-candy lollipops using a candy mold, a cornstarch mold and no mold at all :)
2 cups white granulated sugar (200g)
2/3 cups corn syrup (160 ml)
1/4 cup water (60 ml)
flavouring (like almond, lemon, orange extracts) or candy oils. I used 1 tsp (5ml)
food colour if desired
Combine sugar, corn syrup, water, flavouring and food colouring in a large saucepan. Heat over high heat, stirring constantly until mixture starts to boil. After the mixture boils, stop stirring and reduce heat slightly keeping the mixture at a vigorous boil. You can use a pastry brush dipped in cold water to wipe down the sides of the saucepan to dissolve sugar crystals. This is supposed to help sudden crystallization of the sugar mixture, but this has never happened to me in all the years I have been making candy.
Cook the candy until it reaches a temperature of 310 F (154 C). If you are making free-form lollipops, place the hot saucepan into an ice bath to cool it down. Let sit about 20 seconds. Swirl pan 2 minutes more to cool.
Pour syrup into another container with a spout if desired. Working quickly, pour syrup onto baking sheets covered with silicone mat or parchment paper, forming circles and spacing circles about 3 inches apart. Press a lollipop stick into each circle. Add sprinkles to lollipops if desired, pressing them into the candy (carefully) with fingers or wooden skewer.
Here is an excellent tutorial on how to make many small candies using the cornstarch method.
NOTES:
This candy will become sticky at room temperature very quickly especially in a humid room/climate. I find that if you put the in the refrigerator (not freezer) UNCOVERED they will stay dry.
I mention in the video that I added the colour at the beginning and that this was okay, after reading a little about this I have found the following on this website:
http://baking911.com/learn/baked-good...
\"And also (I could go on and on about colors) color should be added *late* in the cooking process, after the syrup reaches 275 degrees. The reason is that trace amounts of acid in food colors tend to \"invert\" the sucrose, a side-effect of which is to soften it, making the end result sticky. The longer the acid is in contact with the hot syrup, the more pronounced the inversion.\"
I recommend adding the colour after the syrup reaches 275F and maybe that will help with the stickiness.
Corn starch molds:
Sifting the corn starch into the container may help achieving a smooth mold, also properly smoothing the top will help too.
Contact me here:
http://yoyomax12.weebly.com/contact-m...
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/TammyYoyomax...
Pinterest
http://pinterest.com/yoyomax12
Google Plus:
http://tinyurl.com/kq7mwn6
My favourite channel here on YouTube is CookingAndCrafting. Beth lives in Hawaii and makes great meals, desserts and crafts. We met here on YouTube by commenting on each others videos and have since met each other several times in \"real life\". She is a lovely person and a great friend. Please check her out :)
http://www.youtube.com/cookingandcraf...
21:54
|
[11 May 13] Supreme Leader Speech to Outstanding Women - Full Speech by Sayed Ali Khamenei - [English]
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on May 11, 2013 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with a group of outstanding women who are...
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on May 11, 2013 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with a group of outstanding women who are active in seminary and academic areas.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I sincerely thank the honorable ladies who organized this good and fruitful meeting. Today, I really benefited from the ladies\\\\\\\' statements and I thank God for the depth of issues, thoughts and efforts which can be seen in the speeches of outstanding women throughout our country. The issues which you discussed were mostly good. There were certain suggestions which, by Allah\\\\\\\'s favor, will be examined. By Allah\\\\\\\'s favor, I will follow up the part which is related to me.
There are many things to say about the issue of women and what is related to women. We suffer from a kind of backwardness in this regard which you ladies - the ones who delivered a speech - referred to. Backwardness in this area is not similar to backwardness in scientific areas, which we suffer from. When we say that we suffer from backwardness in this area, this means we have many outstanding points to make on the issue of women, the issue of gender and issues which are related to women - such as the issue of family, children, marriage, settling down, tranquility in the family environment and other such issues - but we have not managed to convey these points to the world and discuss them with the public opinion throughout the world. We mean backwardness from this point of view. This is while the world needs valuable, comprehensive and clear ideas and concepts in this regard. As a number of ladies pointed out, when we discuss these points in international arenas, they receive a good reception. Or as a number of ladies said, research findings in psychological and other areas confirm that Islamic rules are true on the issue of women.
Well, this is only part of the capabilities of Islamic philosophy on this sensitive issue. But we failed to define and show these capabilities in the right way. The same is true of many other areas which are related to reasoning and thinking. In many of these areas, we failed to truly convey the opinion of Islam to the world. When I say, \\\\\\\"We failed\\\\\\\", it should not be thought that the Islamic Republic is responsible for this due to the fact that what has been already done in this regard is because of the Islamic Republic, the name of the Revolution and Imam (r.a.), the influence of their ideas and other such things. Thankfully, these ideas were developed to some extent, but we should work more than this. In order to do this, we need certain things which I will speak about later on. In order to form a front which is ready to attack and which is immune from others\\\\\\\' attack and in order to take up an offensive position, we need to promote and convey these ideas and thoughts. We really need this.
In fact, our attack is launched for the sake of immunity and defense. Therefore, in my opinion, the more you work in order to make up for this backwardness, the more valuable it will be. It is necessary to do this. We should not hesitate and stop in treading the path of this movement which is an awakening movement related to the issues of women. We should not stop in the middle of the way. Despite the fact that we benefit from a perfect, valuable and convincing Islamic discourse, we have adopted a passive outlook in the face of the western discourse on the issue of women.
The western discourse on the issue of women has adopted a very calculated and political outlook. That is to say, the day when this idea and this discourse on women started to develop in the west, there was a careful calculation behind it. Of course, this is not based on fact and what I am saying is not based on precise information, but there are clear signs which support this interpretation. Since the beginning of Renaissance in the west and the emergence of industrialism and the development of new industries in the west, this discourse gradually achieved growth. And it reached its peak during our own times. Of course, this peak will be accompanied by decline and, by Allah\\\\\\\'s favor, disgrace and destruction.
The western discourse on the issue of women has different dimensions, but it has two distinct dimensions. One is that it wants to give women a masculine identity. That is to say, it wants to make women behave like men. This is an important dimension of this discourse. Another is that it wants to make women prepare the ground for men to indulge in pleasure, whether the pleasure of watching women or other kinds of pleasure which are beyond this. This is another dimension of the western discourse on the issue of women. The issue of feminism and other such things - which have become popular in the world today - are, in fact, the products of western discourse. These are the consequences of what western discourse has done.
They wanted to give women a masculine identity. That is to say, they were trying to make women do jobs which are more compatible with the physical and intellectual characteristics of men. They consider it as a source of honor and they would like to describe it as an advantage and a source of honor for women. We have adopted a passive outlook in the face of this. We have been deceived and we have unwillingly and unknowingly accepted this. As you see, today we are proud of having such and such a number of women in certain executive positions. What I am saying should not be misunderstood. I do not have any problems with the idea of giving women executive positions. That is to say, I do not forbid women from doing this and I do not deny this right. I do not think it is wrong. Our minister of health and vice presidents were female and women have positions in different sectors. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with this. What is wrong is to be proud of this, to boast about this in the world and say, \\\\\\\"See, we have such and such a number of women in executive positions\\\\\\\". This is the same as being deceived and passive. This is not a source of honor.
Take the case of a lady who has certain qualifications, who has developed her capabilities and who is suitable for a specific position. She can be allowed to hold this position because it is not illegal, but if we are proud of having such and such a number of female officials in charge of executive affairs, this is wrong. If we feel proud of having a large number of intellectual and educated women, this is good and it is alright. If we say that we have a large number of women who are active in cultural and political areas, this is alright. If we say that we have a large number of mujahid women in different areas, who are ready to be martyred, this is good. If we say that we have a large number of women who are active in political and revolutionary arenas and who write and deliver speeches, this is good.
Being proud of these things is good, but being proud of having such and such a number of female ministers, MPs, deputies and managers in financial organizations, is wrong. This means adopting a passive outlook in the face of the enemies. Are we supposed to entrust women with masculine occupations? No, the position, identity and characteristics of women are very noble and respectable. This identity is, in certain ways, superior to men\\\\\\\'s identity. If we adopt a comprehensive outlook, we see that men and women have no differences. Certain privileges have been granted to women and certain other privileges have been granted to men and this is based on their natural characteristics which Allah the Exalted has bestowed on them. Allah the Exalted has given each gender certain characteristics. Each gender benefits from certain outstanding qualities. Therefore, they have no differences in terms of human qualities. They have no differences in terms of the privileges which Allah the Exalted has bestowed on humanity such as human rights, social rights, spiritual values and spiritual perfection. That is to say, a man can become Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) and a woman can become Fatima Zahra (s.a.). A man can become Jesus (a.s.) and a woman can become Mary (s.a.). They are not different from each other. Therefore, it is the right outlook to know women - the way they are, as true women and true females - by taking their gender into consideration and we should see what values can help a female individual or the female community achieve growth and transcendence. This outlook is the right outlook. We should not have adopted a passive outlook in the face of western outlook but, unfortunately, we did.
As for the second dimension of western discourse - in which women are made to prepare the ground for men to indulge in pleasure - it struck defenseless Islamic countries like a flood with the purpose of helping men to easily indulge in sexual pleasure. And this was done by the west. It also struck our country. By pleasure, I do not mean spiritual, psychological and scientific pleasure. Two people may sit and enjoy speaking to one another or increasing each other\\\\\\\'s knowledge. But this is not the case in western pleasure. Fortunately, the Revolution came and it prevented this to a great extent. This should be prevented because this is a big danger and a big disaster. The issue of hijab is one of the preconditions for this. The way we should dress and the way men and women should interact are among the preconditions for this issue. These things should be done so that this great disaster - for both men and women - can be prevented.
Of course, this moral corruption humiliates women, while they are not aware of it. Today, this issue is thoroughly discussed in the world. I know and I have read in a number of texts, newspapers and books that western intellectuals have started to feel fear and distress because of this condition. They are right, but they have understood this late. The issue of encouraging people to indulge in lust - which is centered around women - is not something of little importance. Today, you can see that the situation is getting worse in the world with issues such as homosexuality and marriages between two people with the same gender. These are great, deep and dangerous abysses for western civilization and for those who are managing this civilization. This is an unusual precipice and it will completely annihilate them. And they are just in the middle of the path of destruction.
In my opinion, they will not be able to prevent this because their problems are far beyond these things. A few years ago - around seven, eight, ten years ago - I read in foreign newspapers that the Americans are trying to make a movie based on the books of such and such a novelist who writes about the family. They want to do this so that they can draw filmmaking, cinema and other such things to these issues. Well, they have done and are doing certain things, but these efforts are like thin streams against a great flood which has struck them because of what they themselves did. And it will continue to strike them. Of course, we enjoy a kind of immunity from this event which is because of hijab and other such things. But we should not underestimate this issue and we should regard it as very important. As a number of ladies pointed out in their speeches - and they are working on these issues - the issue of sexual attraction and the danger it has for women, men, society and the family should be taken very seriously.
Well, I said that Islam speaks about women in the real sense of the word. As I pointed out, we should promote this discourse by taking up an offensive position. We should not at all take up a defensive position. A number of ladies said that those who are members of a so-called women\\\\\\\'s convention or organizations affiliated with the United Nations threaten to issue a resolution against us if we do such and such a thing. Well, who cares? They can issue resolutions. The Islamic discourse on the issue of women should be promoted by taking an offensive position and behaving in a determined way. If they say, \\\\\\\"Why do you not give women the freedom to appear without hijab?\\\\\\\" we should answer, \\\\\\\"Why do you give them this harmful and threatening freedom in such a way?\\\\\\\" What is being pursued in the west regarding the issue of immodesty and lack of hijab makes one distressed. One wonders what they want to do and where they want to go.
You may have more information in this regard but I also have a lot of information about what is being done on this issue. These things are done at different levels which range from higher levels to occupational levels, living conditions and other such things. In the Islamic discourse, respect towards women and the characteristics, dignity and delicacy of women should be highlighted. By delicacy, I do not only mean physical delicacy. As well as physical delicacy, I mean the delicacy of women\\\\\\\'s psychological and intellectual structure and also the delicacy of their responsibilities. It is only the delicate and gentle fingers of the mother which can separate the extremely thin nerve fibers of a child\\\\\\\'s nervous system from one another so that he will not have any emotional complexes or problems. Nobody else can do this. That is to say, nobody else except for a woman can do this. This is a feminine task. A number of tasks require such delicacy that one wonders how the divine will has bestowed such a great capability and such delicacy on women. I always say to my friends and relatives and to women that, contrary to the idea that has been established, women are the stronger gender. Women are stronger than men. Women can completely control and influence men with their wisdom and delicacy. We can see this in practice and we can prove it by reasoning. This is a reality.
Of course, there are a number of women who do not adopt wise measures and who, as a result, cannot do this. But if a woman is wise enough, she can tame a man. This is like the situation in which a person can bridle and ride on a wild lion. This does not mean that he is physically stronger than the lion. Rather, this means that he has managed to use his mental power. Women have this capability, but they should do this with delicacy and subtlety. When I say delicacy, I do not only mean physical delicacy. As well as physical delicacy, I mean delicacy in implementing thoughts and ideas, showing acumen and making decisions. These are capabilities which Allah the Exalted has bestowed on women. In my opinion, this should be the basis. This discourse should be improved and pursued.
The second point that I want to discuss is that, in my opinion, there are two issues regarding the current situation of women in our country which are more important than other issues. Or, let us say they are more crucial than other issues and they require more attention. One issue is the significance and the value of the home and the family. We should regard the home in which we live as important. One cannot imagine human beings without a home and without a place to live. Any human being needs a home and the family environment. The family is like the soul of the home. This should be regarded as important. This should be thought about in a careful way.
The second issue is that we should prevent women from being weakened and oppressed at different levels. We have women who are weak and deprived of many things. We also have women who are oppressed. This oppression should be prevented. It is necessary to pass important laws in this regard. There are essential behavioral rules which should be enforced. It is necessary to establish certain social conventions and customs so that women will not be oppressed in different areas such as - I have written them down - social, sexual, familial, cultural and intellectual areas. These kinds of oppression, which women may be faced with, range from individual and private issues - that is to say, sexual issues - to social issues, such as social interactions, and familial issues. I have written down certain points about familial issues.
Husbands, children, fathers and brothers should behave in a respectful way towards women. If women are regarded as respectable in the family environment, an important part of problems in our society will be solved. We should do something to encourage children to kiss their mother\\\\\\\'s hands. This is what Islam is after. We can see this behavior in deeply religious and moral families which have a close relationship with religious concepts. The children in a family should behave towards their mother in a respectful way. There is no contradiction between such a respectful behavior and the emotional and warm relationship between a mother and a child. There should be such respect and women should be respected in the family environment. This is the way to prevent oppression against women. Imagine that in a family and in a home, the man hurls all kinds of insults at his own wife, including behavioral and verbal insults and physical abuse. Unfortunately, there are certain places in our country in which there are still instances of physical abuse. This issue should not occur. Of course, this occurs many times in western countries. And this is not unexpected. Westerners, particularly European races, are wild. They have a neat appearance, they wear ties and they use perfume and other such things, but they still have the same wild nature and they still behave in the same wild way that they have always behaved throughout history. They easily kill people and they coldheartedly commit crimes. Therefore, it is not surprising if women are beaten in the home by the Europeans and by the Americans. But such a thing should not be even imagined in an Islamic environment although it unfortunately exists. Therefore, these are two fundamental issues. In my opinion, there is room for detailed planning in this regard.
Besides these two issues, there are other important issues such as the issue of marriage and liberating oneself from being single. Obstacles in the way of marriage should be removed. As the ladies in this meeting pointed out, certain things are being done in this regard and I really became happy to know that, thankfully, these issues are receiving attention. On the issue of hijab and social relationships, things should be carried out in a fundamental and serious way. You should pay attention to the issue of financial and legal support for oppressed women who are deprived of their rights. The lady from Razavi Khorasan province pointed out that the issue of courts of law - which was one of my worries - has been addressed by the legal system. I hope that this will be done in practice.
One of my anxieties and worries is that women may not be able to defend themselves in courts of law and such legal environments. They may not have the money to hire a competent lawyer, nor may they be able to defend themselves and their rights may be violated. This is one of the important issues. It should be followed up. The issue of women\\\\\\\'s employment, limitations for their employment, the kind of job that they should do and the way they should do it - that is to say, the delicacy and flexibility that I spoke about on the issue of women\\\\\\\'s employment - are things which should be addressed. However, the most crucial issues are the two issues that I discussed.
One of the issues which occupies my mind is that all the different activities which are done on the issue of women in our country - ranging from legal issues and issues related to Islamic jurisprudence to social, executive, emotional and all the other issues which are discussed about women - should be done in a systematic way. It should have a coherent structure.
Of course, a number of the reports which were presented to me or the points which were discussed in this meeting show that certain ideas have been developed in this regard. But, I believe that a comprehensive plan should be formulated in this regard. We should delineate the issues of women in a completely systemic way and we should give it a proper form. Moreover, there should be an outstanding and permanent center [for this matter] with competent personnel and with a long-term plan. I do not at all believe in short-term plans in this regard. After this, certain organizations and institutes should be formed to work for different parts of this prominent and permanent center. They should inform one another of what they are doing and there should be a suitable databank. Many things are being done by women in our country about which even ladies participating in this meeting may not be aware of. Well, thankfully, we have so many outstanding and knowledgeable women in different sections and with different outlooks. We should benefit from this large number of women.
Another point - I will make this the last point because it is noon and there is no time - is that active women in the camp of the Islamic Republic played an outstanding role immediately after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, during the early years after the Revolution and during the Sacred Defense Era. They showed their presence in an outstanding way. You should not let this outstanding presence of active women in the camp of the Revolution be undermined. Those who confront and oppose the Revolution try to benefit from competent women. The camp of the Revolution has far more competent, active and knowledgeable women who are authors, orators and scholars. It enjoys women who are ready to take action and who are interested in thinking, writing, delivering speeches and conveying their ideas and thoughts. They should not leave the arena of the Revolution and defending the Revolution. This is one point.
I will finish the last point by saying that the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) should play a completely fundamental role in promoting the things which I discussed and the issues which you raised. I believe and I recommend that the IRIB should definitely play a fundamental role in this regard. It can do this. In society, the IRIB can build the culture of respecting religious, active and mujahid women who wear hijab and who enjoy Islamic characteristics. Other people want the opposite to happen. Unfortunately, a number of the programs of the IRIB are in line with the goals of these people. The opposite should be done. That is to say, the IRIB should be completely at the service of this idea.
In any case, the conclusion that we can draw from all these things is that, thankfully, we have made certain achievements on the issue of women in the Islamic Republic, but these achievements do not meet the needs and the expectations of Islam and they are not compatible with the possibilities and resources that exist in Islam. We are backward in this regard. By Allah\\\\\\\'s favor, you ladies should make up for this backwardness in the best way possible.
I hope that Allah the Exalted will protect you and increase your achievements on a daily basis. And I hope that we can move towards what Islam wants in this regard on a daily basis.
Greetings be upon you and Allah\\\\\\\'s mercy and blessings
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Description:
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on May 11, 2013 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with a group of outstanding women who are active in seminary and academic areas.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I sincerely thank the honorable ladies who organized this good and fruitful meeting. Today, I really benefited from the ladies\\\\\\\' statements and I thank God for the depth of issues, thoughts and efforts which can be seen in the speeches of outstanding women throughout our country. The issues which you discussed were mostly good. There were certain suggestions which, by Allah\\\\\\\'s favor, will be examined. By Allah\\\\\\\'s favor, I will follow up the part which is related to me.
There are many things to say about the issue of women and what is related to women. We suffer from a kind of backwardness in this regard which you ladies - the ones who delivered a speech - referred to. Backwardness in this area is not similar to backwardness in scientific areas, which we suffer from. When we say that we suffer from backwardness in this area, this means we have many outstanding points to make on the issue of women, the issue of gender and issues which are related to women - such as the issue of family, children, marriage, settling down, tranquility in the family environment and other such issues - but we have not managed to convey these points to the world and discuss them with the public opinion throughout the world. We mean backwardness from this point of view. This is while the world needs valuable, comprehensive and clear ideas and concepts in this regard. As a number of ladies pointed out, when we discuss these points in international arenas, they receive a good reception. Or as a number of ladies said, research findings in psychological and other areas confirm that Islamic rules are true on the issue of women.
Well, this is only part of the capabilities of Islamic philosophy on this sensitive issue. But we failed to define and show these capabilities in the right way. The same is true of many other areas which are related to reasoning and thinking. In many of these areas, we failed to truly convey the opinion of Islam to the world. When I say, \\\\\\\"We failed\\\\\\\", it should not be thought that the Islamic Republic is responsible for this due to the fact that what has been already done in this regard is because of the Islamic Republic, the name of the Revolution and Imam (r.a.), the influence of their ideas and other such things. Thankfully, these ideas were developed to some extent, but we should work more than this. In order to do this, we need certain things which I will speak about later on. In order to form a front which is ready to attack and which is immune from others\\\\\\\' attack and in order to take up an offensive position, we need to promote and convey these ideas and thoughts. We really need this.
In fact, our attack is launched for the sake of immunity and defense. Therefore, in my opinion, the more you work in order to make up for this backwardness, the more valuable it will be. It is necessary to do this. We should not hesitate and stop in treading the path of this movement which is an awakening movement related to the issues of women. We should not stop in the middle of the way. Despite the fact that we benefit from a perfect, valuable and convincing Islamic discourse, we have adopted a passive outlook in the face of the western discourse on the issue of women.
The western discourse on the issue of women has adopted a very calculated and political outlook. That is to say, the day when this idea and this discourse on women started to develop in the west, there was a careful calculation behind it. Of course, this is not based on fact and what I am saying is not based on precise information, but there are clear signs which support this interpretation. Since the beginning of Renaissance in the west and the emergence of industrialism and the development of new industries in the west, this discourse gradually achieved growth. And it reached its peak during our own times. Of course, this peak will be accompanied by decline and, by Allah\\\\\\\'s favor, disgrace and destruction.
The western discourse on the issue of women has different dimensions, but it has two distinct dimensions. One is that it wants to give women a masculine identity. That is to say, it wants to make women behave like men. This is an important dimension of this discourse. Another is that it wants to make women prepare the ground for men to indulge in pleasure, whether the pleasure of watching women or other kinds of pleasure which are beyond this. This is another dimension of the western discourse on the issue of women. The issue of feminism and other such things - which have become popular in the world today - are, in fact, the products of western discourse. These are the consequences of what western discourse has done.
They wanted to give women a masculine identity. That is to say, they were trying to make women do jobs which are more compatible with the physical and intellectual characteristics of men. They consider it as a source of honor and they would like to describe it as an advantage and a source of honor for women. We have adopted a passive outlook in the face of this. We have been deceived and we have unwillingly and unknowingly accepted this. As you see, today we are proud of having such and such a number of women in certain executive positions. What I am saying should not be misunderstood. I do not have any problems with the idea of giving women executive positions. That is to say, I do not forbid women from doing this and I do not deny this right. I do not think it is wrong. Our minister of health and vice presidents were female and women have positions in different sectors. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with this. What is wrong is to be proud of this, to boast about this in the world and say, \\\\\\\"See, we have such and such a number of women in executive positions\\\\\\\". This is the same as being deceived and passive. This is not a source of honor.
Take the case of a lady who has certain qualifications, who has developed her capabilities and who is suitable for a specific position. She can be allowed to hold this position because it is not illegal, but if we are proud of having such and such a number of female officials in charge of executive affairs, this is wrong. If we feel proud of having a large number of intellectual and educated women, this is good and it is alright. If we say that we have a large number of women who are active in cultural and political areas, this is alright. If we say that we have a large number of mujahid women in different areas, who are ready to be martyred, this is good. If we say that we have a large number of women who are active in political and revolutionary arenas and who write and deliver speeches, this is good.
Being proud of these things is good, but being proud of having such and such a number of female ministers, MPs, deputies and managers in financial organizations, is wrong. This means adopting a passive outlook in the face of the enemies. Are we supposed to entrust women with masculine occupations? No, the position, identity and characteristics of women are very noble and respectable. This identity is, in certain ways, superior to men\\\\\\\'s identity. If we adopt a comprehensive outlook, we see that men and women have no differences. Certain privileges have been granted to women and certain other privileges have been granted to men and this is based on their natural characteristics which Allah the Exalted has bestowed on them. Allah the Exalted has given each gender certain characteristics. Each gender benefits from certain outstanding qualities. Therefore, they have no differences in terms of human qualities. They have no differences in terms of the privileges which Allah the Exalted has bestowed on humanity such as human rights, social rights, spiritual values and spiritual perfection. That is to say, a man can become Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) and a woman can become Fatima Zahra (s.a.). A man can become Jesus (a.s.) and a woman can become Mary (s.a.). They are not different from each other. Therefore, it is the right outlook to know women - the way they are, as true women and true females - by taking their gender into consideration and we should see what values can help a female individual or the female community achieve growth and transcendence. This outlook is the right outlook. We should not have adopted a passive outlook in the face of western outlook but, unfortunately, we did.
As for the second dimension of western discourse - in which women are made to prepare the ground for men to indulge in pleasure - it struck defenseless Islamic countries like a flood with the purpose of helping men to easily indulge in sexual pleasure. And this was done by the west. It also struck our country. By pleasure, I do not mean spiritual, psychological and scientific pleasure. Two people may sit and enjoy speaking to one another or increasing each other\\\\\\\'s knowledge. But this is not the case in western pleasure. Fortunately, the Revolution came and it prevented this to a great extent. This should be prevented because this is a big danger and a big disaster. The issue of hijab is one of the preconditions for this. The way we should dress and the way men and women should interact are among the preconditions for this issue. These things should be done so that this great disaster - for both men and women - can be prevented.
Of course, this moral corruption humiliates women, while they are not aware of it. Today, this issue is thoroughly discussed in the world. I know and I have read in a number of texts, newspapers and books that western intellectuals have started to feel fear and distress because of this condition. They are right, but they have understood this late. The issue of encouraging people to indulge in lust - which is centered around women - is not something of little importance. Today, you can see that the situation is getting worse in the world with issues such as homosexuality and marriages between two people with the same gender. These are great, deep and dangerous abysses for western civilization and for those who are managing this civilization. This is an unusual precipice and it will completely annihilate them. And they are just in the middle of the path of destruction.
In my opinion, they will not be able to prevent this because their problems are far beyond these things. A few years ago - around seven, eight, ten years ago - I read in foreign newspapers that the Americans are trying to make a movie based on the books of such and such a novelist who writes about the family. They want to do this so that they can draw filmmaking, cinema and other such things to these issues. Well, they have done and are doing certain things, but these efforts are like thin streams against a great flood which has struck them because of what they themselves did. And it will continue to strike them. Of course, we enjoy a kind of immunity from this event which is because of hijab and other such things. But we should not underestimate this issue and we should regard it as very important. As a number of ladies pointed out in their speeches - and they are working on these issues - the issue of sexual attraction and the danger it has for women, men, society and the family should be taken very seriously.
Well, I said that Islam speaks about women in the real sense of the word. As I pointed out, we should promote this discourse by taking up an offensive position. We should not at all take up a defensive position. A number of ladies said that those who are members of a so-called women\\\\\\\'s convention or organizations affiliated with the United Nations threaten to issue a resolution against us if we do such and such a thing. Well, who cares? They can issue resolutions. The Islamic discourse on the issue of women should be promoted by taking an offensive position and behaving in a determined way. If they say, \\\\\\\"Why do you not give women the freedom to appear without hijab?\\\\\\\" we should answer, \\\\\\\"Why do you give them this harmful and threatening freedom in such a way?\\\\\\\" What is being pursued in the west regarding the issue of immodesty and lack of hijab makes one distressed. One wonders what they want to do and where they want to go.
You may have more information in this regard but I also have a lot of information about what is being done on this issue. These things are done at different levels which range from higher levels to occupational levels, living conditions and other such things. In the Islamic discourse, respect towards women and the characteristics, dignity and delicacy of women should be highlighted. By delicacy, I do not only mean physical delicacy. As well as physical delicacy, I mean the delicacy of women\\\\\\\'s psychological and intellectual structure and also the delicacy of their responsibilities. It is only the delicate and gentle fingers of the mother which can separate the extremely thin nerve fibers of a child\\\\\\\'s nervous system from one another so that he will not have any emotional complexes or problems. Nobody else can do this. That is to say, nobody else except for a woman can do this. This is a feminine task. A number of tasks require such delicacy that one wonders how the divine will has bestowed such a great capability and such delicacy on women. I always say to my friends and relatives and to women that, contrary to the idea that has been established, women are the stronger gender. Women are stronger than men. Women can completely control and influence men with their wisdom and delicacy. We can see this in practice and we can prove it by reasoning. This is a reality.
Of course, there are a number of women who do not adopt wise measures and who, as a result, cannot do this. But if a woman is wise enough, she can tame a man. This is like the situation in which a person can bridle and ride on a wild lion. This does not mean that he is physically stronger than the lion. Rather, this means that he has managed to use his mental power. Women have this capability, but they should do this with delicacy and subtlety. When I say delicacy, I do not only mean physical delicacy. As well as physical delicacy, I mean delicacy in implementing thoughts and ideas, showing acumen and making decisions. These are capabilities which Allah the Exalted has bestowed on women. In my opinion, this should be the basis. This discourse should be improved and pursued.
The second point that I want to discuss is that, in my opinion, there are two issues regarding the current situation of women in our country which are more important than other issues. Or, let us say they are more crucial than other issues and they require more attention. One issue is the significance and the value of the home and the family. We should regard the home in which we live as important. One cannot imagine human beings without a home and without a place to live. Any human being needs a home and the family environment. The family is like the soul of the home. This should be regarded as important. This should be thought about in a careful way.
The second issue is that we should prevent women from being weakened and oppressed at different levels. We have women who are weak and deprived of many things. We also have women who are oppressed. This oppression should be prevented. It is necessary to pass important laws in this regard. There are essential behavioral rules which should be enforced. It is necessary to establish certain social conventions and customs so that women will not be oppressed in different areas such as - I have written them down - social, sexual, familial, cultural and intellectual areas. These kinds of oppression, which women may be faced with, range from individual and private issues - that is to say, sexual issues - to social issues, such as social interactions, and familial issues. I have written down certain points about familial issues.
Husbands, children, fathers and brothers should behave in a respectful way towards women. If women are regarded as respectable in the family environment, an important part of problems in our society will be solved. We should do something to encourage children to kiss their mother\\\\\\\'s hands. This is what Islam is after. We can see this behavior in deeply religious and moral families which have a close relationship with religious concepts. The children in a family should behave towards their mother in a respectful way. There is no contradiction between such a respectful behavior and the emotional and warm relationship between a mother and a child. There should be such respect and women should be respected in the family environment. This is the way to prevent oppression against women. Imagine that in a family and in a home, the man hurls all kinds of insults at his own wife, including behavioral and verbal insults and physical abuse. Unfortunately, there are certain places in our country in which there are still instances of physical abuse. This issue should not occur. Of course, this occurs many times in western countries. And this is not unexpected. Westerners, particularly European races, are wild. They have a neat appearance, they wear ties and they use perfume and other such things, but they still have the same wild nature and they still behave in the same wild way that they have always behaved throughout history. They easily kill people and they coldheartedly commit crimes. Therefore, it is not surprising if women are beaten in the home by the Europeans and by the Americans. But such a thing should not be even imagined in an Islamic environment although it unfortunately exists. Therefore, these are two fundamental issues. In my opinion, there is room for detailed planning in this regard.
Besides these two issues, there are other important issues such as the issue of marriage and liberating oneself from being single. Obstacles in the way of marriage should be removed. As the ladies in this meeting pointed out, certain things are being done in this regard and I really became happy to know that, thankfully, these issues are receiving attention. On the issue of hijab and social relationships, things should be carried out in a fundamental and serious way. You should pay attention to the issue of financial and legal support for oppressed women who are deprived of their rights. The lady from Razavi Khorasan province pointed out that the issue of courts of law - which was one of my worries - has been addressed by the legal system. I hope that this will be done in practice.
One of my anxieties and worries is that women may not be able to defend themselves in courts of law and such legal environments. They may not have the money to hire a competent lawyer, nor may they be able to defend themselves and their rights may be violated. This is one of the important issues. It should be followed up. The issue of women\\\\\\\'s employment, limitations for their employment, the kind of job that they should do and the way they should do it - that is to say, the delicacy and flexibility that I spoke about on the issue of women\\\\\\\'s employment - are things which should be addressed. However, the most crucial issues are the two issues that I discussed.
One of the issues which occupies my mind is that all the different activities which are done on the issue of women in our country - ranging from legal issues and issues related to Islamic jurisprudence to social, executive, emotional and all the other issues which are discussed about women - should be done in a systematic way. It should have a coherent structure.
Of course, a number of the reports which were presented to me or the points which were discussed in this meeting show that certain ideas have been developed in this regard. But, I believe that a comprehensive plan should be formulated in this regard. We should delineate the issues of women in a completely systemic way and we should give it a proper form. Moreover, there should be an outstanding and permanent center [for this matter] with competent personnel and with a long-term plan. I do not at all believe in short-term plans in this regard. After this, certain organizations and institutes should be formed to work for different parts of this prominent and permanent center. They should inform one another of what they are doing and there should be a suitable databank. Many things are being done by women in our country about which even ladies participating in this meeting may not be aware of. Well, thankfully, we have so many outstanding and knowledgeable women in different sections and with different outlooks. We should benefit from this large number of women.
Another point - I will make this the last point because it is noon and there is no time - is that active women in the camp of the Islamic Republic played an outstanding role immediately after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, during the early years after the Revolution and during the Sacred Defense Era. They showed their presence in an outstanding way. You should not let this outstanding presence of active women in the camp of the Revolution be undermined. Those who confront and oppose the Revolution try to benefit from competent women. The camp of the Revolution has far more competent, active and knowledgeable women who are authors, orators and scholars. It enjoys women who are ready to take action and who are interested in thinking, writing, delivering speeches and conveying their ideas and thoughts. They should not leave the arena of the Revolution and defending the Revolution. This is one point.
I will finish the last point by saying that the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) should play a completely fundamental role in promoting the things which I discussed and the issues which you raised. I believe and I recommend that the IRIB should definitely play a fundamental role in this regard. It can do this. In society, the IRIB can build the culture of respecting religious, active and mujahid women who wear hijab and who enjoy Islamic characteristics. Other people want the opposite to happen. Unfortunately, a number of the programs of the IRIB are in line with the goals of these people. The opposite should be done. That is to say, the IRIB should be completely at the service of this idea.
In any case, the conclusion that we can draw from all these things is that, thankfully, we have made certain achievements on the issue of women in the Islamic Republic, but these achievements do not meet the needs and the expectations of Islam and they are not compatible with the possibilities and resources that exist in Islam. We are backward in this regard. By Allah\\\\\\\'s favor, you ladies should make up for this backwardness in the best way possible.
I hope that Allah the Exalted will protect you and increase your achievements on a daily basis. And I hope that we can move towards what Islam wants in this regard on a daily basis.
Greetings be upon you and Allah\\\\\\\'s mercy and blessings
2:19
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31:26
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دیدار جمعی از مداحان اهل بیت علیهمالسلام - Aytaullah Khamenei | 20 Apr 2014 - Farsi
Translated speech Link
http://english.khamenei.ir//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1897&Itemid=4
April 20 2014,
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I...
Translated speech Link
http://english.khamenei.ir//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1897&Itemid=4
April 20 2014,
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I congratulate all of you dear brothers - who are lyrical nightingales in the garden of love for the Holy Prophet\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s (s.w.a.) household (a.s.) - on the occasion of the auspicious birthday anniversary of Sayyidah Taherah Masoumeh (God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s greetings be upon her) and the birthday anniversary of the great and glorious leader of the Revolution.
We thank God because this is one of His great blessings for us and it is a source of inspiration for our Islamic and Shia society. He repeatedly and constantly inspires our society with birthday anniversaries, biographies, and martyrdom eras. This should really be appreciated.
During the birthday anniversaries of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.), Imam Hassan (a.s.), Imam Hussein (a.s.) and Fatima Zahra (s.a.), the memory of these shining stars and these guiding flags are revived in hearts. This is very valuable. And thank God it is many years that we have been holding this meeting in the shade of Fatemi enlightenment (God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s purest greetings be upon her). It is many years that this meeting has been bestowing its blessings on us, on our working and living environments and on the environment of the country.
Man\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s limited mind cannot definitely evaluate and measure the characteristics of heavenly personalities like Fatima Zahra (God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s greetings be upon her). People\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s minds do not have the capability to evaluate and measure these spiritual dimensions. However, we can make their behavior a model for ourselves. This was also pointed out in the poems that the friends in this meeting recited.
The spiritual positions of these personalities are one thing and the patterns of behavior which are in front of our eyes are quite another. This does not mean that we can emulate these personalities by displaying a second version of their patterns of behavior. This is not what it means. However, we can follow them at least.
The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) said, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"I know that to adopt such a hard way of life is beyond you, but at least try to be pious. Help me and be my companion in virtue, diligence and simple living\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" [Nahjul Balaghah, Letter 45]. After he describes his lifestyle - although he had a lofty position and had access to many resources, he lived a life of piety and abstinence - he says, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"You cannot behave like me, but you can help me\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\". With what? We can help him with piety, avoidance of sins, effort and diligence. These are our responsibilities.
They have illustrated the goals for us, both individual and personal goals, and social, political and general goals. In personal goals, our lofty ideal is reaching the peak of human dignity. Everyone has been promised that they can take this lofty and limitless flight. You youth are more capable than us. These are the personal goals.
And our great social goals are creating a pure Islamic life and Islamic society, one that allows individuals to move towards this goal. Such a society is well-developed, free, independent, highly moral, united, unanimous, pious and religious. These are the goals of Islamic society. The main social and political goal of Islam is creating a world which is an introduction to the afterlife and which helps individuals to achieve paradise easily. They have illustrated these goals for us.
What is the way to achieve these goals? How can we reach these goals? As Imam Ali (a.s.) said, we should help him to reach this goal - this is the Commander of the Faithful\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s (a.s.) command. This goal is what the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) did in his entire life and during his efforts and jihad, which is creating such a world for all the people throughout history. How can we help him? We can help him with virtue, diligence and effort. Laziness is forbidden. Idleness is forbidden. Feeling tired is forbidden. Becoming desperate is forbidden. When this great movement is launched, you have gladdened the blessed heart of Fatima Zahra (God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s greetings be upon her) and the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) because they made all these efforts in order to reach this goal.
My dear ones, dear youth, this opportunity is available to the people of Iran today. In the past, it was not available and it was difficult. Today in the Islamic Republic, the opportunity to move forward in the right way and to lead a good, pious and pure life is available to all the people in society. This does not mean that the path of committing sins is closed. This is not the case because the path of sins is always open, but the path of living a good, pious and pure life in the shade of Islam is open as well.
Of course, living such a life has its own pleasures and difficulties. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"And thus did We make for every prophet an enemy, the shaitans from among men and jinn, some of them suggesting to others varnished falsehood to deceive them\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" [The Holy Quran, 6: 112]. There have always been certain enemies against the camp of prophets. Who are these enemies? These enemies are the shaitans from among men and jinn. Against this seemingly long line of shaitans, there is the steel and strong line of believers. The people of Iran experienced this and it became clear that people can achieve victory over their enemies, as the people of Iran have thankfully moved forward until today.
We should make efforts. The lesson of the life of Siddiqat al-Taherah - Fatima Zahra (God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s greetings be upon her) - is to make efforts, show diligence and lead a pure life, as that great personality was the manifestation of enlightenment and purity: she was \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"pure, clean, immaculate, virtuous, pious and moral\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" [Kamel al-Ziarat, page 310]. The purity, cleanliness, piety and enlightenment of that great person are what have influenced our Islamic teachings throughout the history of Shiaism.
What is appropriate to be discussed in this meeting is related to the heavy responsibility that falls on the shoulders of today\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s society of panegyrists. This issue has priority over other issues. Dear brothers, the tradition of praising and eulogizing the Holy Prophet\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s (s.w.a.) household (a.s.) - which is a great honor - has fortunately become common and deep-rooted in our society. This tradition existed in the past as well, but it was limited in scope. However today, this banquet has spread and this arena has opened to everyone.
Today, thousands of people throughout the country are active in this arena by utilizing their artistic taste and benefitting from different methods of eloquence. Well, this is an opportunity and any opportunity is accompanied by a responsibility. When you cannot communicate with someone, your responsibility remains at a limited level, but when you can, your responsibility will naturally increase to the extent that your capability for communication allows.
When you can speak to the people and when you have the capability to address them with the art of poetry, singing and melody, this makes you responsible. All these opportunities and capacities are accompanied by a responsibility. You should be able to carry out this responsibility in an efficient way. If the society of panegyrists in the country can carry out its responsibility as befits its position, then a significant development will take place throughout the country.
I have repeatedly said that if you recite a poem in an artistic way and if the poem itself is meaningful and instructive, then this will exert more influence than the speech that we deliver for two, three hours. Sometimes, this is the case. Well, this is a very good opportunity. Notice what will happen if the thousands of panegyrists, eulogists and religious singers who address the people and who sing to them on different occasions observe the principles and requirements of this great task.
Our enemies are after destroying our beliefs, actions and paths with hundreds of weapons and discourses and with various kinds of measures. Primarily, they are doing this in the Islamic Republic and secondly, they are doing it in the world of Islam. Many of the people understand, see and know about the enemy\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s measures. There are different TV and radio channels and different electronic means of communication.
However, there are certain propaganda measures about which we have more information than the people. The masses of the people do not know what complex measures are being adopted in our country to make the minds of the people deviate from the right path, to divert their movement, to bring the world of Islam to its knees and to prevent Shia community and Shia teachings from becoming a model in the world of Islam. Such measures are being adopted.
We have unique and exclusive resources against this effort of the enemy. We can respond through the internet and through the methods that they themselves employ - of course, their work is much broader in scope - but we have certain means which are exclusive to us.
One of these means is you society of panegyrists. Your face-to-face communication and your utilization of art for conveying concepts to the audience in a comprehensive and wide-ranging way - that is to say, the issue is not about two, three, ten panegyrists, rather thousands of panegyrists are doing this throughout the country - is an exclusive means that we enjoy. It is a means that they do not have.
Minbars are one of these unique means. The same is true of mourning ceremonies. The same is true of religious heyats. If the content of our minbars, eulogies, heyats and nohas are appropriate, then no means can confront and oppose them. That is to say, this means is completely unique and exclusive. Notice that this is an opportunity. Therefore, it should not be wasted and missed.
What is worse than missing this opportunity is using it in a bad way. If our religious ceremonies and eulogies make the people lose their belief in the future, we have wasted this opportunity and we have not appreciated the value of this blessing. If the people leave our minbars and our eulogies while they have not gained any understanding about their conditions and their responsibilities, we have wasted this opportunity. If, God forbid, our meetings shatter unity, we have missed this opportunity. If the way we speak or the content of our speech helps the enemies succeed in their goals, we have turned this divine blessing into blasphemy and ungratefulness: \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"They have changed Allah\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s favor for ungratefulness\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" [The Holy Quran, 14: 28].
We should be careful about this. We have said many times that today\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s denominational discord among Muslims is a weapon and a trump card in the hands of our enemies. This is completely clear to those people who are well-informed about global developments. Such denominational discord is a sword in the hands of our enemies. Publicizing differences, expressing them in an outspoken way and speaking about issues which fuel fitna is one of the means which our enemy makes maximum use of.
Now if we act in a way that the enemy\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s goal is achieved, this is changing Allah\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s favor for ungratefulness. In religious ceremonies, denominational discourse should not be highlighted. How many times should this be repeated? We have said this many times, but some people do not want to listen.
What do you do if you want to guide those people who do not believe in your denomination and your true beliefs? Do you begin to curse and speak ill of their sacred beliefs? This will make them completely drift away from you and it will destroy all hopes of guiding them. The way to guide them is not this. As you can see today, the world of Shia Islam is under attack. Those who had not heard the name of Shia and Sunni Islam - the leaders of arrogance - are constantly highlighting the name of Shia Islam in their propaganda. They constantly speak about Shia Iran, Shia groups in Iraq and other Shia countries. They constantly highlight the issue of Shia and Sunni.
Why do they do this? It is because they have found a good tool for provoking grudge among Muslims. Well, we are proud that we are Alavi Shias. We are proud that we have gained understanding about the position of Wilayat. Our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) carried the flag of the Commander of the Faithful\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s (a.s.) Wilayat and this became a means for the world of Islam - whether Shia or non-Shia Islam - to feel proud of Islam.
Now, should we do something to turn this feeling of pride and the interest of the world of Islam in Shia community and Shia honor into enmity, hostility and grudge? This is exactly what the enemy wants. We should not allow him to achieve his goal. This is a very important point. You should be careful about this. You should be careful more than other people. We should not do something to help the enemy succeed in his goal and sharpen his sword. Our great personalities, our ulama, our marja taqlids and the great personalities of the world of Islam have always advised us to be careful about this issue. So, this is a very fundamental point.
The second point is that you should take care not to do anything in religious environments and ceremonies which is beyond the principles of sharia. You should be careful about this. The environment of panegyric and religious singing is a pure and clean environment. We should not allow the impurities which have unfortunately been promoted in the world of art among decadent and immoral people to penetrate into the environment of Islamic and religious art. You should be careful about this. Such environments should be clean, pure, untainted and moral. The environment in which we want to convey Islamic teachings with the language of poetry should be such an environment.
Every word that we use in our poems as content and meaning should be instructive. We should try to do this and it does not matter what occasion it is. Sometimes, it is a mourning ceremony and sometimes, it is a eulogy. All of the words that we select can be instructive. In the last Muharram during the time of taghut - it was during the time of revolutionary enthusiasm and excitement and the Revolution became victorious immediately after this Muharram - religious heyats in different cities used to perform certain nohas, each of which enlightened and informed the people as strongly as a long and eloquent speech. Nohas should always be like this.
The task that noha performers carry out is a very remarkable and interesting task. The tradition of performing nohas and the kind of behavior which is witnessed in nohas are very important. These are exclusive to Shia community. That is to say, they are particular to us. Such religious ceremonies do not exist in other countries. This is one of our privileges and therefore, such ceremonies should have strong content.
If, by Allah\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s favor, these things receive attention, the society of panegyrists will be one of the most influential pioneers of change in the intellectual and practical system of Iranian society. This can be achieved as in the present time, one can see that whenever a responsible and committed panegyrist recites a good poem in a proper way, this will exert influence over the audience and it will awaken and inform them.
It is not clear whether any charitable act can be as valuable as this task in improving society. There are few tasks on which one can place such a high value before Allah the Exalted. This is a very important task. Thankfully, you benefit from this blessing. You have a good voice and you have the capability to perform in a good and melodious way. If you accompany this with the characteristics that were referred to, it seems that a great task for furthering the goals of the Islamic government and the Islamic Republic will be carried out.
Fortunately today, we do not have a shortage of good poems. We have very good religious and ayini poets. These poets compose poems about different issues and their poems are good. Thankfully today, we benefited from some of these good poems. It was very good.
In the past, panegyrists had to memorize poems. Today, you broke this tradition. You made it easier by using a piece of paper. Well, good poems can be written and recited. Thankfully, this opportunity exists today. This is one of God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s greatest blessings which is available to us today.
In my opinion, the society of panegyrists with its enormous capabilities is a divine blessing for our country and our people and the poets who compose poems and who prepare panegyrists for carrying out this responsibility are really accomplishing a great feat. I ask Allah the Exalted to bestow His blessings on all you dear ones - particularly you youth who have a wide arena of work ahead of you. I hope that all of you will be rewarded by the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake) and that you will receive his attention.
Greetings be upon you and Allah\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s mercy and blessings
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Description:
Translated speech Link
http://english.khamenei.ir//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1897&Itemid=4
April 20 2014,
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I congratulate all of you dear brothers - who are lyrical nightingales in the garden of love for the Holy Prophet\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s (s.w.a.) household (a.s.) - on the occasion of the auspicious birthday anniversary of Sayyidah Taherah Masoumeh (God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s greetings be upon her) and the birthday anniversary of the great and glorious leader of the Revolution.
We thank God because this is one of His great blessings for us and it is a source of inspiration for our Islamic and Shia society. He repeatedly and constantly inspires our society with birthday anniversaries, biographies, and martyrdom eras. This should really be appreciated.
During the birthday anniversaries of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.), Imam Hassan (a.s.), Imam Hussein (a.s.) and Fatima Zahra (s.a.), the memory of these shining stars and these guiding flags are revived in hearts. This is very valuable. And thank God it is many years that we have been holding this meeting in the shade of Fatemi enlightenment (God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s purest greetings be upon her). It is many years that this meeting has been bestowing its blessings on us, on our working and living environments and on the environment of the country.
Man\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s limited mind cannot definitely evaluate and measure the characteristics of heavenly personalities like Fatima Zahra (God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s greetings be upon her). People\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s minds do not have the capability to evaluate and measure these spiritual dimensions. However, we can make their behavior a model for ourselves. This was also pointed out in the poems that the friends in this meeting recited.
The spiritual positions of these personalities are one thing and the patterns of behavior which are in front of our eyes are quite another. This does not mean that we can emulate these personalities by displaying a second version of their patterns of behavior. This is not what it means. However, we can follow them at least.
The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) said, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"I know that to adopt such a hard way of life is beyond you, but at least try to be pious. Help me and be my companion in virtue, diligence and simple living\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" [Nahjul Balaghah, Letter 45]. After he describes his lifestyle - although he had a lofty position and had access to many resources, he lived a life of piety and abstinence - he says, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"You cannot behave like me, but you can help me\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\". With what? We can help him with piety, avoidance of sins, effort and diligence. These are our responsibilities.
They have illustrated the goals for us, both individual and personal goals, and social, political and general goals. In personal goals, our lofty ideal is reaching the peak of human dignity. Everyone has been promised that they can take this lofty and limitless flight. You youth are more capable than us. These are the personal goals.
And our great social goals are creating a pure Islamic life and Islamic society, one that allows individuals to move towards this goal. Such a society is well-developed, free, independent, highly moral, united, unanimous, pious and religious. These are the goals of Islamic society. The main social and political goal of Islam is creating a world which is an introduction to the afterlife and which helps individuals to achieve paradise easily. They have illustrated these goals for us.
What is the way to achieve these goals? How can we reach these goals? As Imam Ali (a.s.) said, we should help him to reach this goal - this is the Commander of the Faithful\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s (a.s.) command. This goal is what the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) did in his entire life and during his efforts and jihad, which is creating such a world for all the people throughout history. How can we help him? We can help him with virtue, diligence and effort. Laziness is forbidden. Idleness is forbidden. Feeling tired is forbidden. Becoming desperate is forbidden. When this great movement is launched, you have gladdened the blessed heart of Fatima Zahra (God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s greetings be upon her) and the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) because they made all these efforts in order to reach this goal.
My dear ones, dear youth, this opportunity is available to the people of Iran today. In the past, it was not available and it was difficult. Today in the Islamic Republic, the opportunity to move forward in the right way and to lead a good, pious and pure life is available to all the people in society. This does not mean that the path of committing sins is closed. This is not the case because the path of sins is always open, but the path of living a good, pious and pure life in the shade of Islam is open as well.
Of course, living such a life has its own pleasures and difficulties. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"And thus did We make for every prophet an enemy, the shaitans from among men and jinn, some of them suggesting to others varnished falsehood to deceive them\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" [The Holy Quran, 6: 112]. There have always been certain enemies against the camp of prophets. Who are these enemies? These enemies are the shaitans from among men and jinn. Against this seemingly long line of shaitans, there is the steel and strong line of believers. The people of Iran experienced this and it became clear that people can achieve victory over their enemies, as the people of Iran have thankfully moved forward until today.
We should make efforts. The lesson of the life of Siddiqat al-Taherah - Fatima Zahra (God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s greetings be upon her) - is to make efforts, show diligence and lead a pure life, as that great personality was the manifestation of enlightenment and purity: she was \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"pure, clean, immaculate, virtuous, pious and moral\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" [Kamel al-Ziarat, page 310]. The purity, cleanliness, piety and enlightenment of that great person are what have influenced our Islamic teachings throughout the history of Shiaism.
What is appropriate to be discussed in this meeting is related to the heavy responsibility that falls on the shoulders of today\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s society of panegyrists. This issue has priority over other issues. Dear brothers, the tradition of praising and eulogizing the Holy Prophet\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s (s.w.a.) household (a.s.) - which is a great honor - has fortunately become common and deep-rooted in our society. This tradition existed in the past as well, but it was limited in scope. However today, this banquet has spread and this arena has opened to everyone.
Today, thousands of people throughout the country are active in this arena by utilizing their artistic taste and benefitting from different methods of eloquence. Well, this is an opportunity and any opportunity is accompanied by a responsibility. When you cannot communicate with someone, your responsibility remains at a limited level, but when you can, your responsibility will naturally increase to the extent that your capability for communication allows.
When you can speak to the people and when you have the capability to address them with the art of poetry, singing and melody, this makes you responsible. All these opportunities and capacities are accompanied by a responsibility. You should be able to carry out this responsibility in an efficient way. If the society of panegyrists in the country can carry out its responsibility as befits its position, then a significant development will take place throughout the country.
I have repeatedly said that if you recite a poem in an artistic way and if the poem itself is meaningful and instructive, then this will exert more influence than the speech that we deliver for two, three hours. Sometimes, this is the case. Well, this is a very good opportunity. Notice what will happen if the thousands of panegyrists, eulogists and religious singers who address the people and who sing to them on different occasions observe the principles and requirements of this great task.
Our enemies are after destroying our beliefs, actions and paths with hundreds of weapons and discourses and with various kinds of measures. Primarily, they are doing this in the Islamic Republic and secondly, they are doing it in the world of Islam. Many of the people understand, see and know about the enemy\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s measures. There are different TV and radio channels and different electronic means of communication.
However, there are certain propaganda measures about which we have more information than the people. The masses of the people do not know what complex measures are being adopted in our country to make the minds of the people deviate from the right path, to divert their movement, to bring the world of Islam to its knees and to prevent Shia community and Shia teachings from becoming a model in the world of Islam. Such measures are being adopted.
We have unique and exclusive resources against this effort of the enemy. We can respond through the internet and through the methods that they themselves employ - of course, their work is much broader in scope - but we have certain means which are exclusive to us.
One of these means is you society of panegyrists. Your face-to-face communication and your utilization of art for conveying concepts to the audience in a comprehensive and wide-ranging way - that is to say, the issue is not about two, three, ten panegyrists, rather thousands of panegyrists are doing this throughout the country - is an exclusive means that we enjoy. It is a means that they do not have.
Minbars are one of these unique means. The same is true of mourning ceremonies. The same is true of religious heyats. If the content of our minbars, eulogies, heyats and nohas are appropriate, then no means can confront and oppose them. That is to say, this means is completely unique and exclusive. Notice that this is an opportunity. Therefore, it should not be wasted and missed.
What is worse than missing this opportunity is using it in a bad way. If our religious ceremonies and eulogies make the people lose their belief in the future, we have wasted this opportunity and we have not appreciated the value of this blessing. If the people leave our minbars and our eulogies while they have not gained any understanding about their conditions and their responsibilities, we have wasted this opportunity. If, God forbid, our meetings shatter unity, we have missed this opportunity. If the way we speak or the content of our speech helps the enemies succeed in their goals, we have turned this divine blessing into blasphemy and ungratefulness: \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"They have changed Allah\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s favor for ungratefulness\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" [The Holy Quran, 14: 28].
We should be careful about this. We have said many times that today\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s denominational discord among Muslims is a weapon and a trump card in the hands of our enemies. This is completely clear to those people who are well-informed about global developments. Such denominational discord is a sword in the hands of our enemies. Publicizing differences, expressing them in an outspoken way and speaking about issues which fuel fitna is one of the means which our enemy makes maximum use of.
Now if we act in a way that the enemy\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s goal is achieved, this is changing Allah\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s favor for ungratefulness. In religious ceremonies, denominational discourse should not be highlighted. How many times should this be repeated? We have said this many times, but some people do not want to listen.
What do you do if you want to guide those people who do not believe in your denomination and your true beliefs? Do you begin to curse and speak ill of their sacred beliefs? This will make them completely drift away from you and it will destroy all hopes of guiding them. The way to guide them is not this. As you can see today, the world of Shia Islam is under attack. Those who had not heard the name of Shia and Sunni Islam - the leaders of arrogance - are constantly highlighting the name of Shia Islam in their propaganda. They constantly speak about Shia Iran, Shia groups in Iraq and other Shia countries. They constantly highlight the issue of Shia and Sunni.
Why do they do this? It is because they have found a good tool for provoking grudge among Muslims. Well, we are proud that we are Alavi Shias. We are proud that we have gained understanding about the position of Wilayat. Our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) carried the flag of the Commander of the Faithful\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s (a.s.) Wilayat and this became a means for the world of Islam - whether Shia or non-Shia Islam - to feel proud of Islam.
Now, should we do something to turn this feeling of pride and the interest of the world of Islam in Shia community and Shia honor into enmity, hostility and grudge? This is exactly what the enemy wants. We should not allow him to achieve his goal. This is a very important point. You should be careful about this. You should be careful more than other people. We should not do something to help the enemy succeed in his goal and sharpen his sword. Our great personalities, our ulama, our marja taqlids and the great personalities of the world of Islam have always advised us to be careful about this issue. So, this is a very fundamental point.
The second point is that you should take care not to do anything in religious environments and ceremonies which is beyond the principles of sharia. You should be careful about this. The environment of panegyric and religious singing is a pure and clean environment. We should not allow the impurities which have unfortunately been promoted in the world of art among decadent and immoral people to penetrate into the environment of Islamic and religious art. You should be careful about this. Such environments should be clean, pure, untainted and moral. The environment in which we want to convey Islamic teachings with the language of poetry should be such an environment.
Every word that we use in our poems as content and meaning should be instructive. We should try to do this and it does not matter what occasion it is. Sometimes, it is a mourning ceremony and sometimes, it is a eulogy. All of the words that we select can be instructive. In the last Muharram during the time of taghut - it was during the time of revolutionary enthusiasm and excitement and the Revolution became victorious immediately after this Muharram - religious heyats in different cities used to perform certain nohas, each of which enlightened and informed the people as strongly as a long and eloquent speech. Nohas should always be like this.
The task that noha performers carry out is a very remarkable and interesting task. The tradition of performing nohas and the kind of behavior which is witnessed in nohas are very important. These are exclusive to Shia community. That is to say, they are particular to us. Such religious ceremonies do not exist in other countries. This is one of our privileges and therefore, such ceremonies should have strong content.
If, by Allah\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s favor, these things receive attention, the society of panegyrists will be one of the most influential pioneers of change in the intellectual and practical system of Iranian society. This can be achieved as in the present time, one can see that whenever a responsible and committed panegyrist recites a good poem in a proper way, this will exert influence over the audience and it will awaken and inform them.
It is not clear whether any charitable act can be as valuable as this task in improving society. There are few tasks on which one can place such a high value before Allah the Exalted. This is a very important task. Thankfully, you benefit from this blessing. You have a good voice and you have the capability to perform in a good and melodious way. If you accompany this with the characteristics that were referred to, it seems that a great task for furthering the goals of the Islamic government and the Islamic Republic will be carried out.
Fortunately today, we do not have a shortage of good poems. We have very good religious and ayini poets. These poets compose poems about different issues and their poems are good. Thankfully today, we benefited from some of these good poems. It was very good.
In the past, panegyrists had to memorize poems. Today, you broke this tradition. You made it easier by using a piece of paper. Well, good poems can be written and recited. Thankfully, this opportunity exists today. This is one of God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s greatest blessings which is available to us today.
In my opinion, the society of panegyrists with its enormous capabilities is a divine blessing for our country and our people and the poets who compose poems and who prepare panegyrists for carrying out this responsibility are really accomplishing a great feat. I ask Allah the Exalted to bestow His blessings on all you dear ones - particularly you youth who have a wide arena of work ahead of you. I hope that all of you will be rewarded by the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake) and that you will receive his attention.
Greetings be upon you and Allah\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s mercy and blessings
31:26
|
Ayatollah Khamenei speech on the birthday anniversary of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (s.a.) April 20,2014 - Farsi
Ayatollah Khamenei\\\'s speech on the birthday anniversary of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (s.a.) April 20,2014
Translation
Source : English.Khamenei.ir
Supreme Leader\\\'s Speech in Meeting...
Ayatollah Khamenei\\\'s speech on the birthday anniversary of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (s.a.) April 20,2014
Translation
Source : English.Khamenei.ir
Supreme Leader\\\'s Speech in Meeting with Panegyrists Print
20/04/2014
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on April 20, 2014 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with a group of panegyrists on the occasion of the birthday anniversary of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (s.a.).
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I congratulate all of you dear brothers - who are lyrical nightingales in the garden of love for the Holy Prophet\\\'s (s.w.a.) household (a.s.) - on the occasion of the auspicious birthday anniversary of Sayyidah Taherah Masoumeh (God\\\'s greetings be upon her) and the birthday anniversary of the great and glorious leader of the Revolution.
We thank God because this is one of His great blessings for us and it is a source of inspiration for our Islamic and Shia society. He repeatedly and constantly inspires our society with birthday anniversaries, biographies, and martyrdom eras. This should really be appreciated.
During the birthday anniversaries of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.), Imam Hassan (a.s.), Imam Hussein (a.s.) and Fatima Zahra (s.a.), the memory of these shining stars and these guiding flags are revived in hearts. This is very valuable. And thank God it is many years that we have been holding this meeting in the shade of Fatemi enlightenment (God\\\'s purest greetings be upon her). It is many years that this meeting has been bestowing its blessings on us, on our working and living environments and on the environment of the country.
Man\\\'s limited mind cannot definitely evaluate and measure the characteristics of heavenly personalities like Fatima Zahra (God\\\'s greetings be upon her). People\\\'s minds do not have the capability to evaluate and measure these spiritual dimensions. However, we can make their behavior a model for ourselves. This was also pointed out in the poems that the friends in this meeting recited.
The spiritual positions of these personalities are one thing and the patterns of behavior which are in front of our eyes are quite another. This does not mean that we can emulate these personalities by displaying a second version of their patterns of behavior. This is not what it means. However, we can follow them at least.
The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) said, \\\"I know that to adopt such a hard way of life is beyond you, but at least try to be pious. Help me and be my companion in virtue, diligence and simple living\\\" [Nahjul Balaghah, Letter 45]. After he describes his lifestyle - although he had a lofty position and had access to many resources, he lived a life of piety and abstinence - he says, \\\"You cannot behave like me, but you can help me\\\". With what? We can help him with piety, avoidance of sins, effort and diligence. These are our responsibilities.
They have illustrated the goals for us, both individual and personal goals, and social, political and general goals. In personal goals, our lofty ideal is reaching the peak of human dignity. Everyone has been promised that they can take this lofty and limitless flight. You youth are more capable than us. These are the personal goals.
And our great social goals are creating a pure Islamic life and Islamic society, one that allows individuals to move towards this goal. Such a society is well-developed, free, independent, highly moral, united, unanimous, pious and religious. These are the goals of Islamic society. The main social and political goal of Islam is creating a world which is an introduction to the afterlife and which helps individuals to achieve paradise easily. They have illustrated these goals for us.
What is the way to achieve these goals? How can we reach these goals? As Imam Ali (a.s.) said, we should help him to reach this goal - this is the Commander of the Faithful\\\'s (a.s.) command. This goal is what the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) did in his entire life and during his efforts and jihad, which is creating such a world for all the people throughout history. How can we help him? We can help him with virtue, diligence and effort. Laziness is forbidden. Idleness is forbidden. Feeling tired is forbidden. Becoming desperate is forbidden. When this great movement is launched, you have gladdened the blessed heart of Fatima Zahra (God\\\'s greetings be upon her) and the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) because they made all these efforts in order to reach this goal.
My dear ones, dear youth, this opportunity is available to the people of Iran today. In the past, it was not available and it was difficult. Today in the Islamic Republic, the opportunity to move forward in the right way and to lead a good, pious and pure life is available to all the people in society. This does not mean that the path of committing sins is closed. This is not the case because the path of sins is always open, but the path of living a good, pious and pure life in the shade of Islam is open as well.
Of course, living such a life has its own pleasures and difficulties. \\\"And thus did We make for every prophet an enemy, the shaitans from among men and jinn, some of them suggesting to others varnished falsehood to deceive them\\\" [The Holy Quran, 6: 112]. There have always been certain enemies against the camp of prophets. Who are these enemies? These enemies are the shaitans from among men and jinn. Against this seemingly long line of shaitans, there is the steel and strong line of believers. The people of Iran experienced this and it became clear that people can achieve victory over their enemies, as the people of Iran have thankfully moved forward until today.
We should make efforts. The lesson of the life of Siddiqat al-Taherah - Fatima Zahra (God\\\'s greetings be upon her) - is to make efforts, show diligence and lead a pure life, as that great personality was the manifestation of enlightenment and purity: she was \\\"pure, clean, immaculate, virtuous, pious and moral\\\" [Kamel al-Ziarat, page 310]. The purity, cleanliness, piety and enlightenment of that great person are what have influenced our Islamic teachings throughout the history of Shiaism.
What is appropriate to be discussed in this meeting is related to the heavy responsibility that falls on the shoulders of today\\\'s society of panegyrists. This issue has priority over other issues. Dear brothers, the tradition of praising and eulogizing the Holy Prophet\\\'s (s.w.a.) household (a.s.) - which is a great honor - has fortunately become common and deep-rooted in our society. This tradition existed in the past as well, but it was limited in scope. However today, this banquet has spread and this arena has opened to everyone.
Today, thousands of people throughout the country are active in this arena by utilizing their artistic taste and benefitting from different methods of eloquence. Well, this is an opportunity and any opportunity is accompanied by a responsibility. When you cannot communicate with someone, your responsibility remains at a limited level, but when you can, your responsibility will naturally increase to the extent that your capability for communication allows.
When you can speak to the people and when you have the capability to address them with the art of poetry, singing and melody, this makes you responsible. All these opportunities and capacities are accompanied by a responsibility. You should be able to carry out this responsibility in an efficient way. If the society of panegyrists in the country can carry out its responsibility as befits its position, then a significant development will take place throughout the country.
I have repeatedly said that if you recite a poem in an artistic way and if the poem itself is meaningful and instructive, then this will exert more influence than the speech that we deliver for two, three hours. Sometimes, this is the case. Well, this is a very good opportunity. Notice what will happen if the thousands of panegyrists, eulogists and religious singers who address the people and who sing to them on different occasions observe the principles and requirements of this great task.
Our enemies are after destroying our beliefs, actions and paths with hundreds of weapons and discourses and with various kinds of measures. Primarily, they are doing this in the Islamic Republic and secondly, they are doing it in the world of Islam. Many of the people understand, see and know about the enemy\\\'s measures. There are different TV and radio channels and different electronic means of communication.
However, there are certain propaganda measures about which we have more information than the people. The masses of the people do not know what complex measures are being adopted in our country to make the minds of the people deviate from the right path, to divert their movement, to bring the world of Islam to its knees and to prevent Shia community and Shia teachings from becoming a model in the world of Islam. Such measures are being adopted.
We have unique and exclusive resources against this effort of the enemy. We can respond through the internet and through the methods that they themselves employ - of course, their work is much broader in scope - but we have certain means which are exclusive to us.
One of these means is you society of panegyrists. Your face-to-face communication and your utilization of art for conveying concepts to the audience in a comprehensive and wide-ranging way - that is to say, the issue is not about two, three, ten panegyrists, rather thousands of panegyrists are doing this throughout the country - is an exclusive means that we enjoy. It is a means that they do not have.
Minbars are one of these unique means. The same is true of mourning ceremonies. The same is true of religious heyats. If the content of our minbars, eulogies, heyats and nohas are appropriate, then no means can confront and oppose them. That is to say, this means is completely unique and exclusive. Notice that this is an opportunity. Therefore, it should not be wasted and missed.
What is worse than missing this opportunity is using it in a bad way. If our religious ceremonies and eulogies make the people lose their belief in the future, we have wasted this opportunity and we have not appreciated the value of this blessing. If the people leave our minbars and our eulogies while they have not gained any understanding about their conditions and their responsibilities, we have wasted this opportunity. If, God forbid, our meetings shatter unity, we have missed this opportunity. If the way we speak or the content of our speech helps the enemies succeed in their goals, we have turned this divine blessing into blasphemy and ungratefulness: \\\"They have changed Allah\\\'s favor for ungratefulness\\\" [The Holy Quran, 14: 28].
We should be careful about this. We have said many times that today\\\'s denominational discord among Muslims is a weapon and a trump card in the hands of our enemies. This is completely clear to those people who are well-informed about global developments. Such denominational discord is a sword in the hands of our enemies. Publicizing differences, expressing them in an outspoken way and speaking about issues which fuel fitna is one of the means which our enemy makes maximum use of.
Now if we act in a way that the enemy\\\'s goal is achieved, this is changing Allah\\\'s favor for ungratefulness. In religious ceremonies, denominational discourse should not be highlighted. How many times should this be repeated? We have said this many times, but some people do not want to listen.
What do you do if you want to guide those people who do not believe in your denomination and your true beliefs? Do you begin to curse and speak ill of their sacred beliefs? This will make them completely drift away from you and it will destroy all hopes of guiding them. The way to guide them is not this. As you can see today, the world of Shia Islam is under attack. Those who had not heard the name of Shia and Sunni Islam - the leaders of arrogance - are constantly highlighting the name of Shia Islam in their propaganda. They constantly speak about Shia Iran, Shia groups in Iraq and other Shia countries. They constantly highlight the issue of Shia and Sunni.
Why do they do this? It is because they have found a good tool for provoking grudge among Muslims. Well, we are proud that we are Alavi Shias. We are proud that we have gained understanding about the position of Wilayat. Our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) carried the flag of the Commander of the Faithful\\\'s (a.s.) Wilayat and this became a means for the world of Islam - whether Shia or non-Shia Islam - to feel proud of Islam.
Now, should we do something to turn this feeling of pride and the interest of the world of Islam in Shia community and Shia honor into enmity, hostility and grudge? This is exactly what the enemy wants. We should not allow him to achieve his goal. This is a very important point. You should be careful about this. You should be careful more than other people. We should not do something to help the enemy succeed in his goal and sharpen his sword. Our great personalities, our ulama, our marja taqlids and the great personalities of the world of Islam have always advised us to be careful about this issue. So, this is a very fundamental point.
The second point is that you should take care not to do anything in religious environments and ceremonies which is beyond the principles of sharia. You should be careful about this. The environment of panegyric and religious singing is a pure and clean environment. We should not allow the impurities which have unfortunately been promoted in the world of art among decadent and immoral people to penetrate into the environment of Islamic and religious art. You should be careful about this. Such environments should be clean, pure, untainted and moral. The environment in which we want to convey Islamic teachings with the language of poetry should be such an environment.
Every word that we use in our poems as content and meaning should be instructive. We should try to do this and it does not matter what occasion it is. Sometimes, it is a mourning ceremony and sometimes, it is a eulogy. All of the words that we select can be instructive. In the last Muharram during the time of taghut - it was during the time of revolutionary enthusiasm and excitement and the Revolution became victorious immediately after this Muharram - religious heyats in different cities used to perform certain nohas, each of which enlightened and informed the people as strongly as a long and eloquent speech. Nohas should always be like this.
The task that noha performers carry out is a very remarkable and interesting task. The tradition of performing nohas and the kind of behavior which is witnessed in nohas are very important. These are exclusive to Shia community. That is to say, they are particular to us. Such religious ceremonies do not exist in other countries. This is one of our privileges and therefore, such ceremonies should have strong content.
If, by Allah\\\'s favor, these things receive attention, the society of panegyrists will be one of the most influential pioneers of change in the intellectual and practical system of Iranian society. This can be achieved as in the present time, one can see that whenever a responsible and committed panegyrist recites a good poem in a proper way, this will exert influence over the audience and it will awaken and inform them.
It is not clear whether any charitable act can be as valuable as this task in improving society. There are few tasks on which one can place such a high value before Allah the Exalted. This is a very important task. Thankfully, you benefit from this blessing. You have a good voice and you have the capability to perform in a good and melodious way. If you accompany this with the characteristics that were referred to, it seems that a great task for furthering the goals of the Islamic government and the Islamic Republic will be carried out.
Fortunately today, we do not have a shortage of good poems. We have very good religious and ayini poets. These poets compose poems about different issues and their poems are good. Thankfully today, we benefited from some of these good poems. It was very good.
In the past, panegyrists had to memorize poems. Today, you broke this tradition. You made it easier by using a piece of paper. Well, good poems can be written and recited. Thankfully, this opportunity exists today. This is one of God\\\'s greatest blessings which is available to us today.
In my opinion, the society of panegyrists with its enormous capabilities is a divine blessing for our country and our people and the poets who compose poems and who prepare panegyrists for carrying out this responsibility are really accomplishing a great feat. I ask Allah the Exalted to bestow His blessings on all you dear ones - particularly you youth who have a wide arena of work ahead of you. I hope that all of you will be rewarded by the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake) and that you will receive his attention.
Greetings be upon you and Allah\\\'s mercy and blessings
More...
Description:
Ayatollah Khamenei\\\'s speech on the birthday anniversary of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (s.a.) April 20,2014
Translation
Source : English.Khamenei.ir
Supreme Leader\\\'s Speech in Meeting with Panegyrists Print
20/04/2014
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on April 20, 2014 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with a group of panegyrists on the occasion of the birthday anniversary of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (s.a.).
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I congratulate all of you dear brothers - who are lyrical nightingales in the garden of love for the Holy Prophet\\\'s (s.w.a.) household (a.s.) - on the occasion of the auspicious birthday anniversary of Sayyidah Taherah Masoumeh (God\\\'s greetings be upon her) and the birthday anniversary of the great and glorious leader of the Revolution.
We thank God because this is one of His great blessings for us and it is a source of inspiration for our Islamic and Shia society. He repeatedly and constantly inspires our society with birthday anniversaries, biographies, and martyrdom eras. This should really be appreciated.
During the birthday anniversaries of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.), Imam Hassan (a.s.), Imam Hussein (a.s.) and Fatima Zahra (s.a.), the memory of these shining stars and these guiding flags are revived in hearts. This is very valuable. And thank God it is many years that we have been holding this meeting in the shade of Fatemi enlightenment (God\\\'s purest greetings be upon her). It is many years that this meeting has been bestowing its blessings on us, on our working and living environments and on the environment of the country.
Man\\\'s limited mind cannot definitely evaluate and measure the characteristics of heavenly personalities like Fatima Zahra (God\\\'s greetings be upon her). People\\\'s minds do not have the capability to evaluate and measure these spiritual dimensions. However, we can make their behavior a model for ourselves. This was also pointed out in the poems that the friends in this meeting recited.
The spiritual positions of these personalities are one thing and the patterns of behavior which are in front of our eyes are quite another. This does not mean that we can emulate these personalities by displaying a second version of their patterns of behavior. This is not what it means. However, we can follow them at least.
The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) said, \\\"I know that to adopt such a hard way of life is beyond you, but at least try to be pious. Help me and be my companion in virtue, diligence and simple living\\\" [Nahjul Balaghah, Letter 45]. After he describes his lifestyle - although he had a lofty position and had access to many resources, he lived a life of piety and abstinence - he says, \\\"You cannot behave like me, but you can help me\\\". With what? We can help him with piety, avoidance of sins, effort and diligence. These are our responsibilities.
They have illustrated the goals for us, both individual and personal goals, and social, political and general goals. In personal goals, our lofty ideal is reaching the peak of human dignity. Everyone has been promised that they can take this lofty and limitless flight. You youth are more capable than us. These are the personal goals.
And our great social goals are creating a pure Islamic life and Islamic society, one that allows individuals to move towards this goal. Such a society is well-developed, free, independent, highly moral, united, unanimous, pious and religious. These are the goals of Islamic society. The main social and political goal of Islam is creating a world which is an introduction to the afterlife and which helps individuals to achieve paradise easily. They have illustrated these goals for us.
What is the way to achieve these goals? How can we reach these goals? As Imam Ali (a.s.) said, we should help him to reach this goal - this is the Commander of the Faithful\\\'s (a.s.) command. This goal is what the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) did in his entire life and during his efforts and jihad, which is creating such a world for all the people throughout history. How can we help him? We can help him with virtue, diligence and effort. Laziness is forbidden. Idleness is forbidden. Feeling tired is forbidden. Becoming desperate is forbidden. When this great movement is launched, you have gladdened the blessed heart of Fatima Zahra (God\\\'s greetings be upon her) and the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) because they made all these efforts in order to reach this goal.
My dear ones, dear youth, this opportunity is available to the people of Iran today. In the past, it was not available and it was difficult. Today in the Islamic Republic, the opportunity to move forward in the right way and to lead a good, pious and pure life is available to all the people in society. This does not mean that the path of committing sins is closed. This is not the case because the path of sins is always open, but the path of living a good, pious and pure life in the shade of Islam is open as well.
Of course, living such a life has its own pleasures and difficulties. \\\"And thus did We make for every prophet an enemy, the shaitans from among men and jinn, some of them suggesting to others varnished falsehood to deceive them\\\" [The Holy Quran, 6: 112]. There have always been certain enemies against the camp of prophets. Who are these enemies? These enemies are the shaitans from among men and jinn. Against this seemingly long line of shaitans, there is the steel and strong line of believers. The people of Iran experienced this and it became clear that people can achieve victory over their enemies, as the people of Iran have thankfully moved forward until today.
We should make efforts. The lesson of the life of Siddiqat al-Taherah - Fatima Zahra (God\\\'s greetings be upon her) - is to make efforts, show diligence and lead a pure life, as that great personality was the manifestation of enlightenment and purity: she was \\\"pure, clean, immaculate, virtuous, pious and moral\\\" [Kamel al-Ziarat, page 310]. The purity, cleanliness, piety and enlightenment of that great person are what have influenced our Islamic teachings throughout the history of Shiaism.
What is appropriate to be discussed in this meeting is related to the heavy responsibility that falls on the shoulders of today\\\'s society of panegyrists. This issue has priority over other issues. Dear brothers, the tradition of praising and eulogizing the Holy Prophet\\\'s (s.w.a.) household (a.s.) - which is a great honor - has fortunately become common and deep-rooted in our society. This tradition existed in the past as well, but it was limited in scope. However today, this banquet has spread and this arena has opened to everyone.
Today, thousands of people throughout the country are active in this arena by utilizing their artistic taste and benefitting from different methods of eloquence. Well, this is an opportunity and any opportunity is accompanied by a responsibility. When you cannot communicate with someone, your responsibility remains at a limited level, but when you can, your responsibility will naturally increase to the extent that your capability for communication allows.
When you can speak to the people and when you have the capability to address them with the art of poetry, singing and melody, this makes you responsible. All these opportunities and capacities are accompanied by a responsibility. You should be able to carry out this responsibility in an efficient way. If the society of panegyrists in the country can carry out its responsibility as befits its position, then a significant development will take place throughout the country.
I have repeatedly said that if you recite a poem in an artistic way and if the poem itself is meaningful and instructive, then this will exert more influence than the speech that we deliver for two, three hours. Sometimes, this is the case. Well, this is a very good opportunity. Notice what will happen if the thousands of panegyrists, eulogists and religious singers who address the people and who sing to them on different occasions observe the principles and requirements of this great task.
Our enemies are after destroying our beliefs, actions and paths with hundreds of weapons and discourses and with various kinds of measures. Primarily, they are doing this in the Islamic Republic and secondly, they are doing it in the world of Islam. Many of the people understand, see and know about the enemy\\\'s measures. There are different TV and radio channels and different electronic means of communication.
However, there are certain propaganda measures about which we have more information than the people. The masses of the people do not know what complex measures are being adopted in our country to make the minds of the people deviate from the right path, to divert their movement, to bring the world of Islam to its knees and to prevent Shia community and Shia teachings from becoming a model in the world of Islam. Such measures are being adopted.
We have unique and exclusive resources against this effort of the enemy. We can respond through the internet and through the methods that they themselves employ - of course, their work is much broader in scope - but we have certain means which are exclusive to us.
One of these means is you society of panegyrists. Your face-to-face communication and your utilization of art for conveying concepts to the audience in a comprehensive and wide-ranging way - that is to say, the issue is not about two, three, ten panegyrists, rather thousands of panegyrists are doing this throughout the country - is an exclusive means that we enjoy. It is a means that they do not have.
Minbars are one of these unique means. The same is true of mourning ceremonies. The same is true of religious heyats. If the content of our minbars, eulogies, heyats and nohas are appropriate, then no means can confront and oppose them. That is to say, this means is completely unique and exclusive. Notice that this is an opportunity. Therefore, it should not be wasted and missed.
What is worse than missing this opportunity is using it in a bad way. If our religious ceremonies and eulogies make the people lose their belief in the future, we have wasted this opportunity and we have not appreciated the value of this blessing. If the people leave our minbars and our eulogies while they have not gained any understanding about their conditions and their responsibilities, we have wasted this opportunity. If, God forbid, our meetings shatter unity, we have missed this opportunity. If the way we speak or the content of our speech helps the enemies succeed in their goals, we have turned this divine blessing into blasphemy and ungratefulness: \\\"They have changed Allah\\\'s favor for ungratefulness\\\" [The Holy Quran, 14: 28].
We should be careful about this. We have said many times that today\\\'s denominational discord among Muslims is a weapon and a trump card in the hands of our enemies. This is completely clear to those people who are well-informed about global developments. Such denominational discord is a sword in the hands of our enemies. Publicizing differences, expressing them in an outspoken way and speaking about issues which fuel fitna is one of the means which our enemy makes maximum use of.
Now if we act in a way that the enemy\\\'s goal is achieved, this is changing Allah\\\'s favor for ungratefulness. In religious ceremonies, denominational discourse should not be highlighted. How many times should this be repeated? We have said this many times, but some people do not want to listen.
What do you do if you want to guide those people who do not believe in your denomination and your true beliefs? Do you begin to curse and speak ill of their sacred beliefs? This will make them completely drift away from you and it will destroy all hopes of guiding them. The way to guide them is not this. As you can see today, the world of Shia Islam is under attack. Those who had not heard the name of Shia and Sunni Islam - the leaders of arrogance - are constantly highlighting the name of Shia Islam in their propaganda. They constantly speak about Shia Iran, Shia groups in Iraq and other Shia countries. They constantly highlight the issue of Shia and Sunni.
Why do they do this? It is because they have found a good tool for provoking grudge among Muslims. Well, we are proud that we are Alavi Shias. We are proud that we have gained understanding about the position of Wilayat. Our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) carried the flag of the Commander of the Faithful\\\'s (a.s.) Wilayat and this became a means for the world of Islam - whether Shia or non-Shia Islam - to feel proud of Islam.
Now, should we do something to turn this feeling of pride and the interest of the world of Islam in Shia community and Shia honor into enmity, hostility and grudge? This is exactly what the enemy wants. We should not allow him to achieve his goal. This is a very important point. You should be careful about this. You should be careful more than other people. We should not do something to help the enemy succeed in his goal and sharpen his sword. Our great personalities, our ulama, our marja taqlids and the great personalities of the world of Islam have always advised us to be careful about this issue. So, this is a very fundamental point.
The second point is that you should take care not to do anything in religious environments and ceremonies which is beyond the principles of sharia. You should be careful about this. The environment of panegyric and religious singing is a pure and clean environment. We should not allow the impurities which have unfortunately been promoted in the world of art among decadent and immoral people to penetrate into the environment of Islamic and religious art. You should be careful about this. Such environments should be clean, pure, untainted and moral. The environment in which we want to convey Islamic teachings with the language of poetry should be such an environment.
Every word that we use in our poems as content and meaning should be instructive. We should try to do this and it does not matter what occasion it is. Sometimes, it is a mourning ceremony and sometimes, it is a eulogy. All of the words that we select can be instructive. In the last Muharram during the time of taghut - it was during the time of revolutionary enthusiasm and excitement and the Revolution became victorious immediately after this Muharram - religious heyats in different cities used to perform certain nohas, each of which enlightened and informed the people as strongly as a long and eloquent speech. Nohas should always be like this.
The task that noha performers carry out is a very remarkable and interesting task. The tradition of performing nohas and the kind of behavior which is witnessed in nohas are very important. These are exclusive to Shia community. That is to say, they are particular to us. Such religious ceremonies do not exist in other countries. This is one of our privileges and therefore, such ceremonies should have strong content.
If, by Allah\\\'s favor, these things receive attention, the society of panegyrists will be one of the most influential pioneers of change in the intellectual and practical system of Iranian society. This can be achieved as in the present time, one can see that whenever a responsible and committed panegyrist recites a good poem in a proper way, this will exert influence over the audience and it will awaken and inform them.
It is not clear whether any charitable act can be as valuable as this task in improving society. There are few tasks on which one can place such a high value before Allah the Exalted. This is a very important task. Thankfully, you benefit from this blessing. You have a good voice and you have the capability to perform in a good and melodious way. If you accompany this with the characteristics that were referred to, it seems that a great task for furthering the goals of the Islamic government and the Islamic Republic will be carried out.
Fortunately today, we do not have a shortage of good poems. We have very good religious and ayini poets. These poets compose poems about different issues and their poems are good. Thankfully today, we benefited from some of these good poems. It was very good.
In the past, panegyrists had to memorize poems. Today, you broke this tradition. You made it easier by using a piece of paper. Well, good poems can be written and recited. Thankfully, this opportunity exists today. This is one of God\\\'s greatest blessings which is available to us today.
In my opinion, the society of panegyrists with its enormous capabilities is a divine blessing for our country and our people and the poets who compose poems and who prepare panegyrists for carrying out this responsibility are really accomplishing a great feat. I ask Allah the Exalted to bestow His blessings on all you dear ones - particularly you youth who have a wide arena of work ahead of you. I hope that all of you will be rewarded by the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake) and that you will receive his attention.
Greetings be upon you and Allah\\\'s mercy and blessings
34:55
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دیدار معلمان و فر ھنگیان سراسر کشور - Ayatollah Khamenei - 07th May 2014 - Farsi
Ayatollah Khamenei describes three main elements of the noble vocation of teaching 07th May 2014
Translation of speeech
souce: english.khamenei.ir
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the...
Ayatollah Khamenei describes three main elements of the noble vocation of teaching 07th May 2014
Translation of speeech
souce: english.khamenei.ir
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I would like to welcome you dear teachers and managers of the educational system, who imbued our working environment and our life with your warm and friendly presence.
First of all, it is the month of Rajab which is an opportunity to serve God. Our entire life can be an opportunity for serving God in a proper way and true happiness lies in this. Some occasions increase our opportunities and the month of Rajab is one of these opportunities. We should prepare ourselves in this month. We should pray for one another so that Allah the Exalted helps us prepare ourselves in this month and in the month of Sha\\\\\\\'ban and Ramadan and so that He helps us take one step forward and achieve transcendence.
Reviving the memory of a number of martyrs is one of the opportunities of this meeting and this day as well. Primarily, I would like to revive the memory of our dear martyr, Shahid Ayatollah Motahhari, who was our great thinker, our teacher and a mujahid on the path of Islamic thought and belief. With his martyrdom, he achieved the blessing to obtain the approval of Allah the Exalted for his long jihad. Good for him!
I would also like to revive the memory of Shahid Rajai and Shahid Bahonar who spent their lives in the educational system. They were two mujahid, pious and sincere individuals who were at the service of the educational system. We witnessed up close the efforts of these two dear personalities in these areas for many years and for a short time after the Revolution.
Our annual meeting with teachers has a major goal and several minor goals. The major goal is expressing respect for teachers. With this meeting, we want to show our respect to the position of teachers. This symbolic move is necessary. Respecting teachers and teaching should become a widespread practice in our society. Everyone should feel proud of being a teacher. Everyone should be proud of greeting and respecting teachers. The higher the position of teachers is, the higher the position of education will be in our society.
Adopting a narrow-minded outlook towards teachers is a loss for society. This should be prevented. The outlook towards teachers should be a respectful one. There are many different professions in the country which are seemingly very prestigious, but the position of all of these professions is much lower than the position and the profession of teaching. All of us should know and understand this.
The Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) is quoted as saying, \\\\\\\"I was sent as a teacher\\\\\\\" [Usul al-Kafi, Volume 2, page 95]. The fact that the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) considered himself to be a teacher is the greatest honor. Of course, teaching exists at different levels, but the truth of teaching is only one thing. This is a source of honor. This is our issue. With this meeting, we want to show that we hold teachers in great respect and that we are indebted to them because of what they did for ourselves and because of what they do for our children and for those whose future is important to us. This feeling is shared by all the people. All of us are indebted to teachers. This is our main issue.
There are some minor issues as well. One issue is addressed to teachers themselves. Another issue is addressed to the managers and officials of the large educational system. What is related to teachers is that the dear teachers should know their job is not only teaching. In other words, their job is not only to teach the textbooks that are available to them. Teachers should promote knowledge, teach the way to think and strengthen morality in themselves. If we consider teaching to have a broad meaning, it will include these three tasks:
The first task is promoting knowledge and teaching the textbooks that our children - the future men and women of the country - should learn. This is one task.
The second task, which is more important, is teaching how to think. Our children should learn how to think in a proper and reasonable way. They should be properly guided about how to think. Shallow outlooks and shallow learning of the issues of life cripple a society. In the long run, it destroys a people. Thinking should be firmly established in society.
This is why when we mention someone like Shahid Motahhari, we do not only speak about his knowledge. We speak about his thinking as well. If someone knows how to think, this spirit will help them to discover the important issues of knowledge. If our youth, our scholars and our scientists are thinkers, they will use the knowledge that they have to pose tens and hundreds of new questions and to get answers for these questions. So, using knowledge is only possible with thinking.
The third task is behavioral and moral education and what the honorable minister referred to in his statements: lifestyle and behavior. We are a people with lofty ideals, with great slogans and with clear and definite peaks that we want to reach - if there is time, I will briefly address this issue later on. This requires patient, wise, religious, innovative, kind, compassionate, courageous, polite and pious individuals who are ready to take action, who avoid laziness and who consider others\\\\\\\' pains to be their own pains.
The mold and make-up of a person that Islam wants to build is shaped through education. All people can be educated. Some people may learn late and some may learn sooner than others. Some learn more efficiently and some learn less efficiently than others. But all individuals are subject to change and this change takes place with education. Primarily, this falls on the shoulders of certain main elements one of which is a teacher. Of course, parents, friends and other such people are influential as well, but the influence that a teacher exerts is deeper and more permanent. This is a task that teachers should carry out.
Therefore, teachers teach how to acquire knowledge, how to think and how to be moral. Learning morality is not like acquiring knowledge. That is to say, one cannot be moral by reading books. Morality cannot be taught with books. Behavior is more influential than books and words. You teach with your behavior in your classrooms and among your students. Of course, you teach with words as well. You should provide verbal advice, but behavior has a deeper and more comprehensive influence. It is one\\\\\\\'s behavior which makes it clear whether one\\\\\\\'s words are sincere or not. This is what we wanted to say to teachers.
The society of teachers has been entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of children. We should pay attention to this issue. If, by Allah\\\\\\\'s favor, our teachers decide to build children and teenagers with this method - that is to say, by paying attention to these three elements - then I believe that this will exert great influence on the future of society.
Of course, after the Revolution, certain good measures were adopted in this regard. The society of teachers exerted great influence with their commitment and by showing their presence in the revolutionary environment - whether during the Sacred Defense Era or afterwards. I sometimes read the books which are about teachers. A teacher who took part in the front lines of the Sacred Defense and who was martyred exerted great influence on the minds of his students. One can see this.
One issue about the educational system and its management is the issue of the transformation plan. The transformation plan - which has thankfully been prepared and established - was not something that was created all of a sudden. This plan was one of our desires from the beginning of the Revolution. Because the educational system in our country was created by imitating western educational systems with the same form, content and order, there was a need for a fundamental change in the educational system of the country, whether in terms of form or in terms of content.
Well, many people shared this thought for many years. Then, it was developed gradually and it led to the transformation plan. I am not saying that this transformation plan is the peak of our desires. This is not the case. For everything, there is a higher form. It is possible that by Allah\\\\\\\'s favor, you take action, move forward and gain experience in a way that you can add something to what is available to you today.
However, this transformation plan is what is available to us in the present time and therefore, it should be taken seriously. My advice to the honorable officials and managers of the educational system is that we should take the transformation plan seriously. And this seriousness should be beyond formal statements. It should be shown in practice.
Well, as the friends in this meeting quoted what I had said before, if we want this transformation plan to be implemented, we need a roadmap and a plan. If our thoughts and the general ideas that officials and sympathetic personalities have in mind do not take the form of a practical plan, then it will remain a mere idea and it will decay. Therefore, it requires a practical plan.
You should prepare and implement this practical plan in collaboration with the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution - which is a great cultural center and a reference point for making decisions and in which officials are present. You should feel that this step has been taken. Then, you should go to the next step. Of course, some tasks should be carried out simultaneously and in line with one another.
An issue for the management of the educational system is the issue of manpower. As was pointed out in this meeting, the educational system is the greatest decision-making organization in the Islamic Republic. More than one million officials exist in this great system. These officials are directly involved with more than 12 million people and they are indirectly involved with tens of millions of people - that is to say, families. Such a great network is very important.
The forces that should be employed in this great network should have certain characteristics. One of these characteristics is that they should be motivated and enthusiastic. You should not give priority to tired, old and unimaginative forces - those who tried whatever they knew and who do not have new methods anymore. The priority should be given to young, enthusiastic, motivated, pious and revolutionary forces and to those for whom the main goal is what the main issue of the educational system is - which is building individuals.
You should benefit from these forces. This is one issue. Therefore, in my opinion, the first issue about the macro-management of the educational system is that they should see what forces they are using. They should benefit from religious, revolutionary, enthusiastic and zealous forces who love their job and who are ready to enter difficult arenas for the sake of the goals of the educational system. This is the most important task.
The second issue is the issue of support. All governmental organizations are responsible for supporting the educational system, whether the organizations which are in charge of the budget or the organizations which are formed on the basis of the laws that the Majlis passes. The outlook of all these organizations should be such an outlook. They should not think that the educational system is only a consumer. Sometimes, there is such an outlook. Some people say that the educational system is only a consumer. But this is not the case. The more you spend money on it, the more results you will achieve. The educational system is such a system.
This is an organization which creates the future generators of wealth, knowledge and civilization and the future managers of the country. It is not the case that we think the educational system is a costly organization. There is no achievement which is greater than the one the educational system makes. Whatever achievement and innovation you see throughout the country is rooted in the educational system. You should improve this organization so that everything will be improved. Therefore, spending money on the educational system and expanding the financial resources of this organization is one of the tasks that we hope government officials pay attention to.
Another issue is that - as I mentioned in the middle of my speech - the managers that we choose should be managers whose focus is on the main issue of the educational system. Adopting partisan, political and other such outlooks is poison for the educational system. Over the course of these long years, we have witnessed certain eras during which there was more attention to such issues. As a result of this, the educational system suffered a loss. You should be careful about this. You should adopt such an outlook towards the different issues of the educational system that for each manager in each sector of this large and vast organization, the main issue is the issue of education and building revolutionary forces.
Dear brothers and sisters, the reason why we stress the issue of building revolutionary and religious forces is that we have a long way ahead of us. Our people have a long way ahead of them. The goal that we have in mind for the Islamic Republic - which is based on the general guidelines of the Revolution - is a very lofty goal. When I say \\\\\\\"we\\\\\\\", I do not mean this humble person. Rather, I mean the people of Iran, officials and the owners of the Revolution. This goal is creating an exemplary society. You want to build a society in dear Iran - which has been located in a very sensitive geographical area in the world - which is a model in the shade of Islam and under the flag of the Holy Quran. This model is both in material areas and in spiritual and moral areas.
Westerners made a leap in material areas. They made a leap in a certain era, but this leap was separated from and opposed to the moral movement. It was a hundred percent materialistic leap. In the beginning, no one understood what had happened, but now they are beginning to understand. They are gradually feeling the irreversible damage of what they did. No one should think that a purely materialistic and secular civilization can help its people achieve happiness. This is not the case. The people in this civilization will face a great disaster.
In the present time, they are witnessing this disaster. This disaster is not because of the demonstrations which are held in European streets. For the west, this disaster is much deeper than this. Primarily, what humanity needs is psychological, moral and conscience-based security. Primarily, what it needs is the satisfaction of its conscience. Such satisfaction does not exist in western environments and it will get even worse.
If you are familiar with western writers, critics and thinkers, you will see that it is several years now that they have been raising their voices. These people are showing some aspects of increasing corruption in their societies. A materialistic lifestyle is like this. Although they have moved forward in the area of science, technological achievements and the like and although they have accomplished great feats in this regard, they have collapsed in the area of morality and they will continue to collapse because of this.
The society that Islam wants to build is a society that is at an advanced level in terms of wealth, knowledge and welfare. But it also wants this society to be at this level or even at a higher level in terms of morality and spirituality. This is an Islamic society. You want to build this society. So, you have a long way ahead of you. But it is possible. No one should say that it is not. Many things were considered to be impossible, but they happened.
When a people show determination, they can accomplish great and historical feats. Our societies have shown that they can be great, that they can blossom and that they can grow and exert influence. Man is an endless and infinite creature. Knowledge has made so much progress, but the main parts of man\\\\\\\'s brain are still unknown. This is what the scientists who work on this say. This physical aspect of man is unknown, let alone his spiritual, psychological and inner aspect. Man has many capabilities. We can carry out many tasks. An individual can simultaneously achieve great material and spiritual growth.
Well, we want to reach these goals. Reaching these goals requires manpower more than anything else. What is more important than the path is the person who takes this path. If there is not such a person, then even a well-paved road is useless. But if there is a determined person, then lack of a well-paved road will not be problematic. You have seen that mountaineers climb so high while there is no road. But they have feet and determination. So, it is possible to move forward and to reach peaks. It is possible to know and utilize unknown talents. It is possible to solve problems in a constant way.
All of these things require human resources. These human resources should be created in the educational system. Universities are important in this regard. The same is true of society and the IRIB. But none of these is as important as primary school. The teachers and managers of this great organization have such a responsibility. Therefore, we stress that they should be religious and revolutionary.
It is with this religious and revolutionary spirit that we can take this path. Even if there is a hard obstacle ahead of us, we can move forward. Even if there are certain hurdles, we can jump over them provided that this revolutionary spirit, this piety and this commitment to religious and revolutionary steadfastness exist. This is one point.
Another issue is the issue of textbooks. We should be very careful about textbooks. They should be well-developed. If they are poor in content, this is harmful. Not only is it not beneficial, but it is also harmful. If they contain deviant statements - whether political, religious or factual deviation - this is harmful. Those who are responsible for this should carry out their responsibility with complete trustworthiness and precision.
Another issue is the issue of the teachers\\\\\\\' training university. On my way to this meeting, I spoke with the honorable minister about this issue. This university is different from ordinary universities. As well as the advantages that other universities have, this university has the advantage of producing teachers. This has certain requirements. Great significance should be attached to this university.
Another issue is the issue of moral education and the deputy of moral education. This issue was neglected. This deputy was closed at one point. Later on, they opened and closed it again and again. The deputy of moral education is an organization in charge of attending to the issue of moral education - spiritual, revolutionary, behavioral and moral aspects of education. This deputy is important both at a ministerial level and at lower levels.
I hope that Allah the Exalted bestows His blessings and mercy on all of you. I hope that, God willing, the immaculate soul of our dear Imam (r.a.) - who opened this path for us - is pleased with you. I hope that the pure souls of our dear martyrs - particularly those martyrs who were teachers and students - benefit from divine blessings.
Greetings be upon you and Allah\\\\\\\'s mercy and blessings
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Description:
Ayatollah Khamenei describes three main elements of the noble vocation of teaching 07th May 2014
Translation of speeech
souce: english.khamenei.ir
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I would like to welcome you dear teachers and managers of the educational system, who imbued our working environment and our life with your warm and friendly presence.
First of all, it is the month of Rajab which is an opportunity to serve God. Our entire life can be an opportunity for serving God in a proper way and true happiness lies in this. Some occasions increase our opportunities and the month of Rajab is one of these opportunities. We should prepare ourselves in this month. We should pray for one another so that Allah the Exalted helps us prepare ourselves in this month and in the month of Sha\\\\\\\'ban and Ramadan and so that He helps us take one step forward and achieve transcendence.
Reviving the memory of a number of martyrs is one of the opportunities of this meeting and this day as well. Primarily, I would like to revive the memory of our dear martyr, Shahid Ayatollah Motahhari, who was our great thinker, our teacher and a mujahid on the path of Islamic thought and belief. With his martyrdom, he achieved the blessing to obtain the approval of Allah the Exalted for his long jihad. Good for him!
I would also like to revive the memory of Shahid Rajai and Shahid Bahonar who spent their lives in the educational system. They were two mujahid, pious and sincere individuals who were at the service of the educational system. We witnessed up close the efforts of these two dear personalities in these areas for many years and for a short time after the Revolution.
Our annual meeting with teachers has a major goal and several minor goals. The major goal is expressing respect for teachers. With this meeting, we want to show our respect to the position of teachers. This symbolic move is necessary. Respecting teachers and teaching should become a widespread practice in our society. Everyone should feel proud of being a teacher. Everyone should be proud of greeting and respecting teachers. The higher the position of teachers is, the higher the position of education will be in our society.
Adopting a narrow-minded outlook towards teachers is a loss for society. This should be prevented. The outlook towards teachers should be a respectful one. There are many different professions in the country which are seemingly very prestigious, but the position of all of these professions is much lower than the position and the profession of teaching. All of us should know and understand this.
The Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) is quoted as saying, \\\\\\\"I was sent as a teacher\\\\\\\" [Usul al-Kafi, Volume 2, page 95]. The fact that the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) considered himself to be a teacher is the greatest honor. Of course, teaching exists at different levels, but the truth of teaching is only one thing. This is a source of honor. This is our issue. With this meeting, we want to show that we hold teachers in great respect and that we are indebted to them because of what they did for ourselves and because of what they do for our children and for those whose future is important to us. This feeling is shared by all the people. All of us are indebted to teachers. This is our main issue.
There are some minor issues as well. One issue is addressed to teachers themselves. Another issue is addressed to the managers and officials of the large educational system. What is related to teachers is that the dear teachers should know their job is not only teaching. In other words, their job is not only to teach the textbooks that are available to them. Teachers should promote knowledge, teach the way to think and strengthen morality in themselves. If we consider teaching to have a broad meaning, it will include these three tasks:
The first task is promoting knowledge and teaching the textbooks that our children - the future men and women of the country - should learn. This is one task.
The second task, which is more important, is teaching how to think. Our children should learn how to think in a proper and reasonable way. They should be properly guided about how to think. Shallow outlooks and shallow learning of the issues of life cripple a society. In the long run, it destroys a people. Thinking should be firmly established in society.
This is why when we mention someone like Shahid Motahhari, we do not only speak about his knowledge. We speak about his thinking as well. If someone knows how to think, this spirit will help them to discover the important issues of knowledge. If our youth, our scholars and our scientists are thinkers, they will use the knowledge that they have to pose tens and hundreds of new questions and to get answers for these questions. So, using knowledge is only possible with thinking.
The third task is behavioral and moral education and what the honorable minister referred to in his statements: lifestyle and behavior. We are a people with lofty ideals, with great slogans and with clear and definite peaks that we want to reach - if there is time, I will briefly address this issue later on. This requires patient, wise, religious, innovative, kind, compassionate, courageous, polite and pious individuals who are ready to take action, who avoid laziness and who consider others\\\\\\\' pains to be their own pains.
The mold and make-up of a person that Islam wants to build is shaped through education. All people can be educated. Some people may learn late and some may learn sooner than others. Some learn more efficiently and some learn less efficiently than others. But all individuals are subject to change and this change takes place with education. Primarily, this falls on the shoulders of certain main elements one of which is a teacher. Of course, parents, friends and other such people are influential as well, but the influence that a teacher exerts is deeper and more permanent. This is a task that teachers should carry out.
Therefore, teachers teach how to acquire knowledge, how to think and how to be moral. Learning morality is not like acquiring knowledge. That is to say, one cannot be moral by reading books. Morality cannot be taught with books. Behavior is more influential than books and words. You teach with your behavior in your classrooms and among your students. Of course, you teach with words as well. You should provide verbal advice, but behavior has a deeper and more comprehensive influence. It is one\\\\\\\'s behavior which makes it clear whether one\\\\\\\'s words are sincere or not. This is what we wanted to say to teachers.
The society of teachers has been entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of children. We should pay attention to this issue. If, by Allah\\\\\\\'s favor, our teachers decide to build children and teenagers with this method - that is to say, by paying attention to these three elements - then I believe that this will exert great influence on the future of society.
Of course, after the Revolution, certain good measures were adopted in this regard. The society of teachers exerted great influence with their commitment and by showing their presence in the revolutionary environment - whether during the Sacred Defense Era or afterwards. I sometimes read the books which are about teachers. A teacher who took part in the front lines of the Sacred Defense and who was martyred exerted great influence on the minds of his students. One can see this.
One issue about the educational system and its management is the issue of the transformation plan. The transformation plan - which has thankfully been prepared and established - was not something that was created all of a sudden. This plan was one of our desires from the beginning of the Revolution. Because the educational system in our country was created by imitating western educational systems with the same form, content and order, there was a need for a fundamental change in the educational system of the country, whether in terms of form or in terms of content.
Well, many people shared this thought for many years. Then, it was developed gradually and it led to the transformation plan. I am not saying that this transformation plan is the peak of our desires. This is not the case. For everything, there is a higher form. It is possible that by Allah\\\\\\\'s favor, you take action, move forward and gain experience in a way that you can add something to what is available to you today.
However, this transformation plan is what is available to us in the present time and therefore, it should be taken seriously. My advice to the honorable officials and managers of the educational system is that we should take the transformation plan seriously. And this seriousness should be beyond formal statements. It should be shown in practice.
Well, as the friends in this meeting quoted what I had said before, if we want this transformation plan to be implemented, we need a roadmap and a plan. If our thoughts and the general ideas that officials and sympathetic personalities have in mind do not take the form of a practical plan, then it will remain a mere idea and it will decay. Therefore, it requires a practical plan.
You should prepare and implement this practical plan in collaboration with the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution - which is a great cultural center and a reference point for making decisions and in which officials are present. You should feel that this step has been taken. Then, you should go to the next step. Of course, some tasks should be carried out simultaneously and in line with one another.
An issue for the management of the educational system is the issue of manpower. As was pointed out in this meeting, the educational system is the greatest decision-making organization in the Islamic Republic. More than one million officials exist in this great system. These officials are directly involved with more than 12 million people and they are indirectly involved with tens of millions of people - that is to say, families. Such a great network is very important.
The forces that should be employed in this great network should have certain characteristics. One of these characteristics is that they should be motivated and enthusiastic. You should not give priority to tired, old and unimaginative forces - those who tried whatever they knew and who do not have new methods anymore. The priority should be given to young, enthusiastic, motivated, pious and revolutionary forces and to those for whom the main goal is what the main issue of the educational system is - which is building individuals.
You should benefit from these forces. This is one issue. Therefore, in my opinion, the first issue about the macro-management of the educational system is that they should see what forces they are using. They should benefit from religious, revolutionary, enthusiastic and zealous forces who love their job and who are ready to enter difficult arenas for the sake of the goals of the educational system. This is the most important task.
The second issue is the issue of support. All governmental organizations are responsible for supporting the educational system, whether the organizations which are in charge of the budget or the organizations which are formed on the basis of the laws that the Majlis passes. The outlook of all these organizations should be such an outlook. They should not think that the educational system is only a consumer. Sometimes, there is such an outlook. Some people say that the educational system is only a consumer. But this is not the case. The more you spend money on it, the more results you will achieve. The educational system is such a system.
This is an organization which creates the future generators of wealth, knowledge and civilization and the future managers of the country. It is not the case that we think the educational system is a costly organization. There is no achievement which is greater than the one the educational system makes. Whatever achievement and innovation you see throughout the country is rooted in the educational system. You should improve this organization so that everything will be improved. Therefore, spending money on the educational system and expanding the financial resources of this organization is one of the tasks that we hope government officials pay attention to.
Another issue is that - as I mentioned in the middle of my speech - the managers that we choose should be managers whose focus is on the main issue of the educational system. Adopting partisan, political and other such outlooks is poison for the educational system. Over the course of these long years, we have witnessed certain eras during which there was more attention to such issues. As a result of this, the educational system suffered a loss. You should be careful about this. You should adopt such an outlook towards the different issues of the educational system that for each manager in each sector of this large and vast organization, the main issue is the issue of education and building revolutionary forces.
Dear brothers and sisters, the reason why we stress the issue of building revolutionary and religious forces is that we have a long way ahead of us. Our people have a long way ahead of them. The goal that we have in mind for the Islamic Republic - which is based on the general guidelines of the Revolution - is a very lofty goal. When I say \\\\\\\"we\\\\\\\", I do not mean this humble person. Rather, I mean the people of Iran, officials and the owners of the Revolution. This goal is creating an exemplary society. You want to build a society in dear Iran - which has been located in a very sensitive geographical area in the world - which is a model in the shade of Islam and under the flag of the Holy Quran. This model is both in material areas and in spiritual and moral areas.
Westerners made a leap in material areas. They made a leap in a certain era, but this leap was separated from and opposed to the moral movement. It was a hundred percent materialistic leap. In the beginning, no one understood what had happened, but now they are beginning to understand. They are gradually feeling the irreversible damage of what they did. No one should think that a purely materialistic and secular civilization can help its people achieve happiness. This is not the case. The people in this civilization will face a great disaster.
In the present time, they are witnessing this disaster. This disaster is not because of the demonstrations which are held in European streets. For the west, this disaster is much deeper than this. Primarily, what humanity needs is psychological, moral and conscience-based security. Primarily, what it needs is the satisfaction of its conscience. Such satisfaction does not exist in western environments and it will get even worse.
If you are familiar with western writers, critics and thinkers, you will see that it is several years now that they have been raising their voices. These people are showing some aspects of increasing corruption in their societies. A materialistic lifestyle is like this. Although they have moved forward in the area of science, technological achievements and the like and although they have accomplished great feats in this regard, they have collapsed in the area of morality and they will continue to collapse because of this.
The society that Islam wants to build is a society that is at an advanced level in terms of wealth, knowledge and welfare. But it also wants this society to be at this level or even at a higher level in terms of morality and spirituality. This is an Islamic society. You want to build this society. So, you have a long way ahead of you. But it is possible. No one should say that it is not. Many things were considered to be impossible, but they happened.
When a people show determination, they can accomplish great and historical feats. Our societies have shown that they can be great, that they can blossom and that they can grow and exert influence. Man is an endless and infinite creature. Knowledge has made so much progress, but the main parts of man\\\\\\\'s brain are still unknown. This is what the scientists who work on this say. This physical aspect of man is unknown, let alone his spiritual, psychological and inner aspect. Man has many capabilities. We can carry out many tasks. An individual can simultaneously achieve great material and spiritual growth.
Well, we want to reach these goals. Reaching these goals requires manpower more than anything else. What is more important than the path is the person who takes this path. If there is not such a person, then even a well-paved road is useless. But if there is a determined person, then lack of a well-paved road will not be problematic. You have seen that mountaineers climb so high while there is no road. But they have feet and determination. So, it is possible to move forward and to reach peaks. It is possible to know and utilize unknown talents. It is possible to solve problems in a constant way.
All of these things require human resources. These human resources should be created in the educational system. Universities are important in this regard. The same is true of society and the IRIB. But none of these is as important as primary school. The teachers and managers of this great organization have such a responsibility. Therefore, we stress that they should be religious and revolutionary.
It is with this religious and revolutionary spirit that we can take this path. Even if there is a hard obstacle ahead of us, we can move forward. Even if there are certain hurdles, we can jump over them provided that this revolutionary spirit, this piety and this commitment to religious and revolutionary steadfastness exist. This is one point.
Another issue is the issue of textbooks. We should be very careful about textbooks. They should be well-developed. If they are poor in content, this is harmful. Not only is it not beneficial, but it is also harmful. If they contain deviant statements - whether political, religious or factual deviation - this is harmful. Those who are responsible for this should carry out their responsibility with complete trustworthiness and precision.
Another issue is the issue of the teachers\\\\\\\' training university. On my way to this meeting, I spoke with the honorable minister about this issue. This university is different from ordinary universities. As well as the advantages that other universities have, this university has the advantage of producing teachers. This has certain requirements. Great significance should be attached to this university.
Another issue is the issue of moral education and the deputy of moral education. This issue was neglected. This deputy was closed at one point. Later on, they opened and closed it again and again. The deputy of moral education is an organization in charge of attending to the issue of moral education - spiritual, revolutionary, behavioral and moral aspects of education. This deputy is important both at a ministerial level and at lower levels.
I hope that Allah the Exalted bestows His blessings and mercy on all of you. I hope that, God willing, the immaculate soul of our dear Imam (r.a.) - who opened this path for us - is pleased with you. I hope that the pure souls of our dear martyrs - particularly those martyrs who were teachers and students - benefit from divine blessings.
Greetings be upon you and Allah\\\\\\\'s mercy and blessings