The Supreme Leader Says Pope 'Deceived' By 'The Great Satan'

The leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei, described prayer as the basis of individual religious practice, the religious practice of nations, as well as the vital element of every religious community.

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in an address to officials in charge of the Foundation for the Performance of Prayer. The Leader invoked Quranic verses and the words of the Fourteen Infallibles in arguing that prayers help focus attention on the Almighty and that no effort would be spared in promoting the quality people’s performance of prayer.

The Revolutionary Leader said that the motivation of the inner soul and continued adoption of a sound approach are two keys to setting up a monotheistic community and to administer justice.

Ayatollah Khamenei described the Foundation’s major duties as the promotion of prayer by publicly propagating the significance of the divine and mandatory practice of prayer with a heartfelt presence.

Ayatollah Khamenei urged other agencies to assist the foundation in this regard, adding that materializing these goals would consolidate a great global movement, the main pillar of which is the Iranian Islamic System.

The Supreme Leader cordially thanked the head of the foundation, Hojjatoleslam Qara’ati, as well as the revered Ulema [Muslim Scholars ] and other bodies that help promote prayer, calling them to continue the efforts.

“In the promotion of prayer, all useful propaganda tools must be applied,” Ayatollah Khamenei urged.

COMMENTS IN REGARD TO THE POPE

In other remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution expressed deep sorrow over the Pope’s recent remarks on Islam and praised the Islamic world’s reasonable response.

[Editor’s Note: During a speech in Germany on faith and reason, Pope Benedict XVI quoted a 14th century Byzantine emperor, and said in part, “Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached ].

“From one point of view, the remarks are allegations leveled at Islam. But more significant than this is how such remarks assist the World Imperialist [the United States], which seeks to create religious conflict between Muslims and Christians,” Ayatollah Khamenei warned. “To Charge that Islam ignores rationality is like denying the sun, because no other Divine book puts the emphasis on wisdom and prudence as does the Quran. Moreover, the Islamic Umma’s [community’s] shining civilization of science took shape based on Islamic recommendations about wisdom, science and prudence,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

In regard to the Pope’s remarks about Jihad [struggle ] in Islam, Ayatollah Khamenei said that it is the ultimate unfairness to misinterpret Islam’s views about Jihad.

“Islamic Jihad is not a tool for imposing one’s opinions on others, but rather a movement of liberation against those powers that shackle humans with slavery,” Ayatollah Khamenei added.

Ayatollah Khamenei touched on Quranic verses and the words of the Fourteen Infallibles that urge Muslims to treat people of other faiths with magnanimity and saying that in Islam’s view, all people deserve magnanimity.

“Why then is Islam is accused of violence, despite the existence of so many crystal clear verses?” the Leader asked.

“More significant than the Pope’s unfortunate remarks is that behind the scenes, imperialist policies are sparking a religious crisis, causing the followers of different religions to confront one another and halt their cooperation.”

Ayatollah Khamenei warned of America’s attempts to incite rancor and pessimism between Muslims and Christians and to mar the image of Muslim minorities in the West. They do so to repress the Islamic community under the pretext of its perceived support for terrorism.

“The global bullies believe their continued existence depends on maintaining religious conflict within international community. Practically speaking, the Pope aided such policies through his remarks,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Leader added, however, that it is likely the Pope had been deceived, and so had overlooked the specific goals that lay behind such remarks.

The Leader then recalled a meeting he had years ago with a European official who had a role in the attack on Iraq, during which the Leader was surprised when the European touched on the subject of Crusades.

“But when the incident involving the towers in New York took place, the American President spoke of Crusades and the American-Zionist project was launched, the intention of the European official was made clear and we soon realized that the leaders of The Arrogance had earlier drawn up the American-Zionist plot,” Ayatollah Khamenei continued.

The Leader denounced the insulting cartoons [of Muhammad] and the insulting remarks about Islam made by certain politicians and the media in America and Europe, calling these “different branches” of a scheme to incite Crusades, adding “the Pope’s remarks are the latest such branch.”

“We expect as much from Bush, because he works for the global powers and corporate pillager, but such remarks from a senior Christian authority are regrettable and surprising,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Leader of the World’s Muslims cautioned Islamic practitioners that the policies of the Great Satan (the American Government) are behind the Pope’s remarks, adding that protests must be directed at those who benefited from and pursue their imperialist policies through the Pope’s unfair remarks.