Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in a Meeting with Various Segments of the People

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

We welcome all the brothers and sisters present in this sincere and brotherly gathering; especially the esteemed families of the dear martyrs and the brothers and sisters who have come from other regions and cities. We also welcome the Iraqi brothers, among whom are a group of Iraqi academics.

The last days of Safar are memorable days for the Shia world and Islam. We are approaching the days of the passing of the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). The life of the Noble Prophet - a life for God, in the way of God, dedicated to the spread of divine teachings - and the unique and unparalleled character of that great man serve as a model and lesson for all periods of Islamic history; "Indeed, in the Messenger of God, you have a good example." Through this struggle, the teachings of Islam have spread throughout history. These teachings are not only for Muslims; all of humanity benefits from the spread of Islamic teachings. If we Muslims appreciate the teachings of Islam and delve into their depths, we will be able to create a new world that aligns with the true and innate desires of humanity. The Islamic Ummah, by adhering to Islam, can save the world from being engulfed in lust, anger, ignorance, selfishness, and self-worship. The essence of all Islamic knowledge and teachings is that human behavior and movement in life should not be controlled by lust and anger; rather, it should be guided by reason and piety. Look at the sufferings of humanity; the poverty, deprivation, discrimination, corruption, ignorance, and baseless prejudices stem from what? The killings, wars, injustices, and cruelties in human society arise from where? The root of all these issues is that individuals who do not control their desires and are enslaved by lust, anger, selfishness, ambition, and greed, whenever they dominate the fate of humanity anywhere in the world, lead humanity to poverty, war, ignorance, discrimination, corruption, and sedition; Islam seeks to remedy this. Islam says that the reins of human will, decision, and choice - which is one of the greatest gifts of God to humanity - should not be handed over to ignorance, cruelty, materialism, selfishness, and self-worship; rather, it should be entrusted to reason and piety.

When we say that this year is the year of accountability, accountability is not a Western concept; it is an Islamic concept. Some people, whenever they like something, try to attribute it to the products of Western thoughts and civilization. No, accountability is an Islamic truth; it is the same as responsibility. Responsibility means that every person, at any level they are at, should first question themselves, to see whether their behavior, speech, and decision-making were influenced by what; whether it was rational and based on piety, or selfish and for personal desires. If a person can calm their conscience and respond to the call of their inner self, they will be able to be accountable to others as well. "Indeed, the hearing, sight, and heart - all of these will be questioned." This very eye you have - which can see, recognize, and discern - this very ear you have - which can hear the truth and convey it to your heart and influence your limbs - this very heart you have - which can feel, decide, and choose the path (which is referred to as the "heart" in the true identity of a human) - is a means by which the Almighty God holds you accountable. We all must answer with our own eyes what we have seen; did we see? Did we pay attention? Did we want to see? Did we want to hear? Did we want to decide and act? This is accountability. It was said: "All of you are shepherds and all of you are responsible for your flock"; all of you are responsible. Of course, someone whose extensive domain of human life is influenced by their pen, tongue, and decisions has a greater responsibility; hence, I said that high-ranking officials of the country, the three branches of government, from the leadership to all agents and managers, must all be accountable; accountable for their actions, accountable for their decisions, accountable for the words they have spoken and the decisions they have made; this is the meaning of accountability; this is an Islamic truth and we must all adhere to it. Whenever a person wants to speak, if they know they will be held accountable for this speech, they will speak in a certain way; but if they know they are absolute and unaccountable, they will speak differently. When a person wants to decide and act, if they know they will be accountable for their actions, they will act in a certain way; but if they feel that they are absolute and will not be questioned and will not be held accountable, they will act differently. We officials must be very careful about our speech and decision-making. Responsibility is respected for this reason, and this is why people hold respect for officials; because behind their actions and decisions lies a world of responsibility that they accept. If this person considers themselves responsible, they truly deserve this honor and respect; but if they do not consider themselves responsible, everything becomes problematic.

Look at the scene of the world. What is the situation in Iraq today due to? It is due to an unrestrained and unaccountable power feeling irresponsible in a part of the world; that is, the United States. What is happening in Iraq today is a horrific and savage crime and a truly astonishing act. A foreign power, for its political and economic interests and to fill the stomachs of the heads of oil companies and Zionists, has planned and given it a name: fighting terrorism! They entered Iraq and subdued a country with a rich and profound culture and a historical and proud nation with an identity, and they have subjected it to various humiliations; they expect this nation not to rise against them and for the situation you see today not to arise. We predicted this situation and told public opinion months ago that the Americans are gradually pushing the people of Iraq towards an angry armed confrontation. If you see today that a young Iraqi - whether Shia or Sunni - looks angrily at the Americans in Najaf, Fallujah, Baghdad, and other areas, and if they have the chance, they will undoubtedly strike, this is the result of the actions of the Americans; it is no one's fault. Like a madman who jumps at this and that, accusing others without reason; "They were incited from such and such a place, they intervened from such and such a place"; no, no one is inciting; it is the identity of the Iraqi nation that is coming to the fore. Take away the homeland of a nation, let your soldiers roam in their streets, disrespect their women, lay their young men down on the ground in front of everyone, and place the sole of your boot on their heads; I, who am sitting here, cannot bear to see this situation; how can a faithful and proud Iraqi endure this situation? There is no need for anyone to incite; you yourselves are the greatest and most vile instigator of the Iraqi nation. Why did you enter their homes? Why did you lie? You said you were looking for weapons of mass destruction. Where are the weapons of mass destruction? Why didn't you find them?! Are we saying these words now? In America and Europe, prominent political figures have raised their voices; they said you lied; they told Bush and his gang that you lied. You entered Iraq with lies. Your intention was not to fight weapons of mass destruction; your intention was to occupy Iraq and its oil and to get closer to the heart of the Islamic world; you wanted to seize the heart of the Islamic world. It is these very people who, with their lies, are committing crimes and killings everywhere in Iraq. For them, there is no difference between Sunni and Shia; they are enemies of all segments of the Iraqi nation - unless they fall to the ground before them - they say you must fall to the ground before us; do not speak, close your eyes so that we can do whatever we want with you; otherwise, you are enemies and terrorists! This is the logic of the occupiers and the logic of America in Iraq. They are mistaken; they think the people of the world do not understand; they think they can continue like this. They mention the name of democracy: we have come to Iraq for popular governance! Governance without people! It is not governance; it is a massacre of the people. They have come seeking democracy and human rights! Is this human rights?! They have darkened the face of Western civilization and culture from what it was. They are mistaken; they will not succeed.

I tell you; today the American government wants to do to the people of Iraq what Sharon wants to do to the Palestinians; that is, to respond to every word and aggressive action of theirs with an iron fist. Whatever the Zionists have succeeded in, they too will succeed. They have been dominating Palestine for sixty years. There were years when the Palestinians had no movement or activity; but now life has become difficult for the Zionists; their situation has reached a point where they cannot even tolerate the existence of a paralyzed elderly cleric who must be wheeled around. They cannot tolerate someone like Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. The Americans have adopted the same policy in Iraq; they think this policy will lead somewhere. They close newspapers, suspend the press; from here to the massacre of the people.

Based on all human principles and standards, the actions of the Americans are condemned, detestable, and loathsome; and according to all the laws of the natural world, their actions are doomed to failure. The Americans should know that sooner or later they will exit Iraq in disgrace and humiliation. Our Iraqi brothers can shorten this period; they can bring this great danger closer to resolution; with what? With unity of word, with adherence to Islam, with maintaining their Islamic and faithful spirit, and by employing reason, wisdom, and prudence. They should appreciate the scholars; they should appreciate the position and status of religious authority; they should appreciate these gathering and unifying centers; they should appreciate their faith and not fall into the trap of the enemy's divisiveness. Today in Iraq, one of the certain programs of the enemies - namely the Americans, the British, and their followers and supporters - is to sow discord; they must not fall into this trap. We, God willing, will witness a day when an independent and free Iraq lives under the will of its people and under the banner of Islam.

O Lord! Honor all Muslims in all parts of the world. O Lord! Include the pure supplications of the Awaited Savior (may our souls be sacrificed for him) for all of us and all of the Islamic Ummah and bring the hearts of the Muslim brothers closer together and remove the evil of the enemies from them.

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