Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei addressed a statement to the pilgrims currently performing the rites of pilgrimage in Mecca asking them to have determination, courage and firmness to reach the goals that Allah has drawn for the mank

Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei addressed a statement to the pilgrims currently performing the rites of pilgrimage in Mecca, asking them to make use of these days to purify their spirits, and to have determination, courage and firmness in order to reach the goals that Allah has drawn for the mankind.

His Eminence further called upon all the Muslims to deny the West from regaining control over the region, its destinies, and its political track, especially amid the public revolutions that have taken place in the region. In addition, he urged the Muslims in his yearly address to the pilgrims of Mecca to be aware of the “enemy’s” plots.

“It will be worthy of the Hajj pilgrims at this great assembly of the Islamic nation to address the most important issues of the Islamic world. The uprisings and revolutions in some important Islamic countries are at the head of these issues. The events that have taken place in the Islamic world in the interval between the previous and present Hajj pilgrimages can change the destiny of the Islamic nation, and they forebode a bright future accompanied with dignity and progress, a material and spiritual one. Dictators and corrupt tyrants, allied with foreign powers, have been overthrown in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, and the stormy waves of popular uprising in some other countries threaten to bring down the castles of wealth and power… This new chapter in the history of Our Ummah reveals certain truths which are all manifest Divine signs and give us vital lessons. These truths should be taken into account by Muslim nations in all their calculations,” IRNA quoted Imam Khamenei as saying.

His eminence continued explaining the lessons learned from this Arab experience, saying that “a young generation has emerged from the bowels of these nations after decades of political subjugation to foreign powers, which with its admirable self-confidence, is ready to face dangers, confront the dominant powers and is determined to change the status-quo.”

In parallel, he noted that the tactics of arrogant powers led by the United States had failed to prevent obstacles for their rising economic, cultural and political domination over this part of the world, and rather created hatred and disgust against them in this region.

Furthermore, the leader of the Islamic Republic pointed out that “the crafty nature of the hypocritical Western powers has become all too apparent for the people of these countries. The U.S. and Europe made their utmost efforts to retain their pawns in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, each of them in a particular way. But when their wishes had to give in before the resolve of the nations, they cast a wily friendly smile at the triumphant public.”

Consequently, his eminence called upon the youth, intellects, and religious scholars to have “vigilance with regard to the plots of the arrogant international powers who have suffered a setback from these uprisings and revolutions. They will not sit idle. They will reenter the arena with all their political, financial and security outfits to reestablish their influence and control in these countries. Their outfits are carrot and stick and deceit. Experience has shown there are some among the elite who are susceptible to these gimmicks. Fear, greed or negligence prompt them to serve the enemy. The vigilant eyes of the youth, intellectuals and religious scholars should be closely watchful.”

Imam Khamenei gave the Libyan situation as an example, explaining that “for months , the United States and NATO dropped bombs on the heads of the Libyan people making Gaddafi, a vicious dictator, an excuse. Gaddafi was someone who was considered their close friend before the valiant uprising of the Libyan people. They used to coddle him, steal the wealth of Libya through his hands and press or kiss his hand in order to dupe him. Following the people’s uprising, they made him an excuse to destroy the entire infrastructure of Libya. Which state could stop the tragic massacre of the Libyan people and destruction of the country at the hands of NATO?”

In conclusion he emphasized that the West, United States and Zionism are now much weaker than ever, as they are facing “economic troubles, successive failures in Afghanistan and Iraq, deep-running public outrage in America and other Western countries.”

He proceeded: “The struggles and sacrifices of the people of Palestine and Lebanon, the daring popular uprisings in Yemen, Bahrain and some other countries under American influence—all these are significant portents for the Islamic nation, especially for the emergent revolutionary nations. Faithful men and women throughout the Islamic world, particularly in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya should make the most of this opportunity for the formation of an international Islamic power block. The vanguard and the elite of the uprisings should place their trust in Almighty God and, with reliance on His promise of help, adorn the new chapter in the history of the Islamic nation with their lasting achievements, thus earning God’s approval and fulfilling the prerequisites of His help.”