Statements at the First Islamic Awakening Conference

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.

Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad and his pure family and his chosen companions. God, the Almighty and Wise, says: "O Prophet, fear God and do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites. Indeed, God is Knowing and Wise. And follow what is revealed to you from your Lord. Indeed, God is All-Aware of what you do. And put your trust in God, and sufficient is God as a Disposer of affairs."

I welcome the esteemed attendees and dear guests. What has gathered us here is the Islamic Awakening, which is a state of awakening and awareness in the Islamic Ummah that has now led to a great transformation among the nations of this region, resulting in uprisings and revolutions that were never accounted for by the calculating devils of regional and international dominance; massive movements that have shattered the barriers of despotism and global arrogance and have defeated their guardians.

There is no doubt that great social transformations are always based on historical and civilizational foundations and are the product of accumulated knowledge and experiences. Over the past one hundred and fifty years, the presence of great intellectual and jihadist figures and Islamic movements in Egypt, Iraq, Iran, India, and other countries in Asia and Africa has laid the groundwork for the current state of the Islamic world.

Just as the transformations of the 1950s and 1960s in some of these countries, which led to regimes often inclined towards materialistic thoughts and ideologies, eventually fell into the trap of the arrogant and colonial powers of the West, these experiences serve as valuable lessons that have significantly shaped the current public and profound thought of the Islamic world.

The story of the great Islamic Revolution in Iran, where, in the words of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified), blood triumphed over the sword and the establishment of a lasting, powerful, courageous, and progressive Islamic Republic, and its impact on today's Islamic Awakening, is also a detailed narrative worthy of discussion and research that will undoubtedly occupy a significant chapter in the analysis and historiography of the current state of the Islamic world.

The essence is that the increasing realities in the Islamic world are not events detached from historical roots and social and intellectual backgrounds, so that the enemies or superficial thinkers can regard them as a transient wave or an incident at the surface, and with distorted and biased analyses, extinguish the torch of hope in the hearts of nations.

In this brotherly discourse, I wish to dwell on three essential points:

1. A brief look at the identity of these uprisings and revolutions.

2. The significant dangers and harms that lie ahead.

3. Proposals for remedy and prevention of these harms and dangers.

1. Regarding the first topic, in my opinion, the most important element in these revolutions is the genuine and public presence of the people in the field of action and the arena of struggle and jihad, not only with their hearts, wills, and faith, but also, in addition, with their bodies and selves. There is a profound distance between such a presence and an uprising that is carried out by a military group or even an armed fighting group in front of the indifferent eyes of the people or even with their approval.

In the events of the 1950s and 1960s in several African and Asian countries, the heavy burden of revolution was not borne by various segments of the people and youth from all over the countries, but rather by coup groups or small and limited armed factions. They decided and acted, and when they or the generations after them changed their course due to countable motivations and factors, the revolutions turned against themselves, and the enemy regained control over those countries.

This is entirely different from a transformation that is borne on the shoulders of the masses, where they bring their bodies and souls to the field and, through struggle and sacrifice, drive the enemy out of the scene.

Here, it is the people who create the slogans, determine the goals, identify and pursue the enemy, and sketch the desired future, albeit in general terms, and consequently do not allow deviation and compromise with the enemy and change of course by the compromising and tainted elites, and even more so by the infiltrators of the enemy.

In a popular movement, the work of the revolution may take time, but it is far from superficiality and instability; it is a good word, a manifestation of God's saying: "Have you not seen how God presents an example of a good word? It is like a good tree whose root is firmly established and its branches are in the sky."

When I saw the brave body of the proud Egyptian nation on television in Tahrir Square, I was certain that this revolution would succeed. Let me tell you a truth: after the victory of the Islamic Revolution and the establishment of the Islamic system in Iran, which created a tremendous earthquake in the governments of the worldly seekers of the East and West and threw the Muslim nations into an unprecedented turmoil, we often expected that Egypt would rise first. The history of jihad, enlightenment, and the nurturing of great jihadist and intellectual figures in Egypt stirred this expectation in our hearts. However, no clear voice was heard from Egypt. In my heart, I whispered this poem of Abu Faras to the Egyptian nation:

"I see your tears restrained, your trait is patience — but is there no prohibition or command for love upon you?"

When I saw the Egyptian nation in Tahrir Square and other squares in Egypt, I heard my answer. The Egyptian nation was speaking to me with the same language of the heart:

"Yes, I am eager and I have a burning desire — but someone like me cannot have a secret revealed."

This sacred secret, meaning the motivation and determination for uprising, gradually solidified and took shape in the mentality of the Egyptian nation and, at the historic moment, came forth openly in a magnificent scene.

Tunisia, Yemen, Libya, and Bahrain are also precisely subject to this same decree, and among them are those who wait, and they have not changed their course.

In such revolutions, the principles, values, and goals are not inscribed in pre-made manifestos of groups and parties, but rather in the minds, hearts, and wills of the individuals present in the scene, declared and established in the form of slogans and their behaviors.

With this calculation, it can be clearly discerned that the principles of the current revolutions in the region, Egypt, and other countries are primarily these:

- The revival and renewal of national dignity and honor that has been shattered and trampled over time by the dictatorship of corrupt rulers and the political dominance of America and the West.

- Raising the banner of Islam, which is the deep belief and long-standing attachment of the people, and achieving psychological security, justice, progress, and prosperity that can only be attained under the shade of Islamic law.

- Standing firm against the influence and dominance of America and Europe, which have inflicted the greatest damage, losses, and humiliation upon the people of these countries over the past two centuries.

- Struggling against the usurping regime and the fake Zionist state that has plunged its colonial dagger into the sides of the countries in the region and has used it as a means to continue its diabolical dominance, driving a nation from its historical land.

Undoubtedly, this truth that the revolutions in the region are based on these principles and seek their realization is not pleasing to America, the West, and Zionism, and they exert all their efforts to deny it, but reality does not change with denial.

The popular nature of these revolutions is the most important element in forming their identity. Foreign powers that, with all their capabilities and tricks, tried to maintain the tyrannical, corrupt, and dependent rulers in these countries, only withdrew their support when the uprising and determination of the people left them with no hope. They have no right to consider themselves partners in the victory of these revolutions. In a place like Libya, too, the entry and intervention of America and NATO cannot obscure the truth. In Libya, NATO has caused irreparable losses. If it were not for the military intervention of NATO and America, the people might have triumphed a little later, but in return, all this infrastructure would not have been destroyed, and so many innocent lives, including women and children, would not have been lost, and then enemies who have been companions and accomplices of Gaddafi for years would not have claimed the right to intervene in this oppressed and war-torn country.

The people and the popular elites, those who have emerged from the people, are the true owners of these revolutions and are committed to safeguarding them and charting their future path towards evolution, God willing.

2. Regarding the harms and dangers... First, I must emphasize that there is danger, but there is also a way to safeguard against it. Attention to danger should not frighten nations. Let your enemies fear you and know that: "Indeed, the plot of Satan is weak." God speaks about a group of the early Islamic Mujahideen: "Those to whom the people said, 'Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them.' But it increased them in faith, and they said, 'Sufficient for us is God, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.' So they returned with grace from God and bounty; no harm touched them, and they followed the pleasure of God. And God is the Possessor of great bounty."

Dangers must be recognized so that there is no astonishment or doubt when facing them, and the remedy and solution are known.

We faced these dangers after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, recognized them, and experienced them, and by God's will and the leadership of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) and the insight and sacrifice of our people, we passed through most of them safely. Of course, the plots from the enemy and the firm determination from the nation continue.

I categorize these harms into two types: those that have their roots within us and arise from our weaknesses, and those that the enemy directly plans.

The first category includes things like the feeling and assumption that with the fall of the dependent, corrupt, and dictatorial ruler, the work is done. The complacency resulting from the feeling of victory and the subsequent decrease in motivation and weakening of resolve is the first danger, and this danger becomes more severe when individuals seek to claim a special share of the spoils obtained.

The story of the Battle of Uhud and the greed of the defenders of the pass, which led to the defeat of the Muslims and the Mujahideen being reproached by God, is a symbolic example that should never be forgotten. Being intimidated by the apparent might of the arrogant and feeling fear from America and other interfering powers is another harm of this category that must be avoided. Brave elites and youth must expel this fear from their hearts. Trusting the enemy and falling into the trap of their smiles, promises, and support is another significant harm that especially the leaders and elites must be wary of. The enemy must be recognized by its signs in every guise, and the nation and revolution must be safeguarded from its plots, which in some cases hide behind the appearance of friendship and assistance. The other side of this coin is becoming arrogant and thinking the enemy is oblivious; courage must be blended with wisdom and prudence. Against the devil of both jinn and mankind, all divine resources within oneself must be employed. Creating discord and pitting revolutionaries against each other and infiltrating behind the lines of struggle is also a great affliction that must be avoided with all one's might.

The harms of the second category have often been experienced by the nations of this region in various events. The first harm is bringing to power elements that consider themselves committed to America and the West. The West seeks to preserve the original system and the main levers of power after the inevitable fall of dependent pawns and to place another head on this body, thereby continuing its dominance. This means wasting all efforts and struggles. At this stage, if they face resistance and vigilance from the people, they will try to present various diversionary alternatives in front of the movement and the people. This scenario could involve proposing models of governance and constitutions that would once again plunge Islamic countries into the trap of cultural, political, and economic dependency on the West, and could involve infiltrating among revolutionaries and financially and media-wise strengthening an unreliable current while sidelining the authentic movements in the revolution. This also means restoring Western dominance and solidifying Westernized models alien to the principles of the revolution and ultimately controlling the situation.

If this tactic also fails, experiences tell us that then methods such as chaos, terrorism, and civil war among followers of religions or ethnicities or tribes and parties, or even among nations and neighboring governments, along with economic blockade, sanctions, and the complete onslaught of propaganda and media will be adopted. Their aim with all this is to exhaust and demoralize the people and to make the fighters hesitant and regretful, knowing that in this case, defeating the revolution will be possible and easy. The assassination of effective and righteous elites or discrediting some of them and on the other hand, buying off some of the weak elements is also among the common methods of Western powers and self-proclaimed advocates of civilization and ethics.

In Islamic Iran, the documents of the den of espionage that fell into the hands of the revolution showed that all these plots were meticulously planned by the regime of the United States of America for the Iranian nation. For them, restoring reaction and despotism and dependent rule in revolutionary countries is a principle that prescribes all these dirty methods.

3. In the final section of my speech, I present recommendations based on our own empirical experience in Iran and what has been gleaned from careful study of other countries for your consideration and choice. There is no doubt that the conditions of nations and countries are not the same in everything, but there are evidences that can be beneficial for all.

The first point is that with reliance on God and trust and good opinion in the confirmed promises of divine assistance in the Quran, and by employing wisdom, determination, and courage, one can overcome all these obstacles and triumphantly pass through them. Of course, the task you have undertaken is very great and decisive, so great efforts must be endured for it. Amir al-Mu'minin Ali (peace be upon him) said: "Indeed, God has never crushed a tyrant of the age except after a period of respite and ease, and He has never restored the dignity of any nation except after a period of humiliation and affliction."

An important recommendation is to always consider yourselves in the field: "When you have finished, then strive." Always regard God as present and your helper: "And to your Lord, turn your longing." And let victories not lead us to arrogance and negligence: "When the victory of God and the conquest comes, and you see the people entering into the religion of God in multitudes, then glorify the praises of your Lord and seek His forgiveness; indeed, He is the Accepting of repentance." These are the true supports of a believing nation.

Another recommendation is the constant re-examination of the principles of the revolution. The slogans and principles must be refined and aligned with the foundations and certainties of Islam. Independence, freedom, justice-seeking, not submitting to despotism and colonialism, rejecting ethnic, racial, and religious discrimination, and a clear rejection of Zionism. These are the pillars of today's movements in Islamic countries and all are derived from Islam and the Quran.

Write your principles on paper; preserve your authenticities with high sensitivity; do not let your future system's principles be written by your enemies; do not let Islamic principles be sacrificed for transient interests. Deviations in revolutions begin with deviations in slogans and goals. Never trust America and NATO and the criminal regimes like Britain, France, and Italy that once divided and plundered your land among themselves; be suspicious of them and do not believe their smiles; behind these smiles and promises lie plots and treachery. Find your own solutions by utilizing the abundant source of Islam and return the foreign prescriptions to them.

Another important recommendation is to avoid religious, ethnic, racial, tribal, and border disputes. Recognize differences and manage them. Understanding among Islamic sects is the key to salvation. Those who fan the flames of religious discord by excommunicating this and that, if they do not know themselves, are mercenaries and agents of Satan.

Nation-building is your great and primary task. This is a complex and difficult task. Do not let secular or Western liberal models, or extreme nationalism, or Marxist leftist tendencies impose themselves upon you.

The Eastern bloc has collapsed, and the Western bloc remains only through violence, war, and deception, and no good outcome is envisioned for it.

The passage of time is to their detriment and to the benefit of the Islamic movement.

The ultimate goal must be the united Islamic Ummah and the establishment of a new Islamic civilization based on religion, rationality, science, and ethics, with the liberation of Palestine from the clutches of the predatory Zionists also being a great goal. The countries of the Balkans, the Caucasus, and Western Asia have been liberated from the grip of the former Soviet Union after eighty years; why can the oppressed Palestine not be liberated after seventy years from the captivity of the oppressive Zionists?

The current generation of Islamic countries has the capacity to undertake such great tasks. The youth of today are the pride of their preceding generations. As the Arab poet says:

"They said: Abu al-Sakhr is from the old men; I said to them, 'No, by my life, but he is from the young men.' And how many a father has elevated his son to a position of honor, just as the Messenger of God has elevated Adnan."

Trust in your youth, revive the spirit of self-confidence in them, and benefit them from the experiences of the experienced and the elders.

There are two important points here:

First, the nations that have revolted and been liberated have one of their most important demands being the presence and decisive role of the people and their votes in managing the country, and since they are believers in Islam, their desired system is "Islamic democracy," meaning that rulers are elected by the people's vote and the values and principles governing society are based on knowledge and Islamic law. This can be realized in various countries according to conditions, with various methods and forms, but it must be carefully monitored that this is not confused with Western liberal democracy. Secular democracy, which is sometimes anti-religious, has no relation to Islamic democracy, which is committed to the values and main lines of Islam in the governance of the country.

The second point is that Islamism should not be confused with rigidity, sectarianism, and ignorant and extremist prejudices. The boundary between these two must also be emphasized. Religious extremism, which is often accompanied by blind violence, is a factor of backwardness and a departure from the lofty goals of the revolution, and this, in turn, will lead to the alienation of the people and ultimately the failure of the revolution.

To summarize: The discourse of Islamic Awakening is not a vague and ambiguous concept that can be interpreted and reinterpreted; it is a tangible and evident external reality that has filled the atmosphere and has produced great uprisings and revolutions, toppling dangerous pieces from the enemy's front and driving them out of the scene. Nevertheless, the scene remains fluid and requires shaping and finalization. The verses recited at the beginning of the speech are a complete and effective guideline; for all time and especially in this sensitive and decisive period. Addressed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), but in reality, we are all addressed and obliged by it. In these verses, piety, in its high and broad meaning, is the first recommendation, followed by refraining from obeying the disbelievers and hypocrites, following divine revelation, and ultimately relying on and trusting in God.

Let us revisit these verses: In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, "O Prophet, fear God and do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites. Indeed, God is Knowing and Wise. And follow what is revealed to you from your Lord. Indeed, God is All-Aware of what you do. And put your trust in God, and sufficient is God as a Disposer of affairs."

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.