"Confiscating other nations' masks, emptying shops, fighting over toilet paper and long lines for buying guns during the coronavirus outbreak are the logical and natural outcome of the philosophy that governs western civilization," the Supreme Leader said addressing the nation today in a live televised speech.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that today, humanity is in dire need of a savior more than any other time.
Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks through a live televised speech delivered to the nation on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi- the twelfth and last Shia Imam.
Congratulating the world Muslims on the occasion, the Supreme Leader said that in the history of humanity, people may rarely witness a situation like today in which all in human society need a savior.
"Today, after experiencing various ideologies from communism to pretentious, western, liberal democracy, mankind does not feel at peace. Mankind is not happy. Few eras in the history of mankind have witnessed such a strong desire for the sublime truth, for a Savior," he added.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that today, mankind is afflicted with poverty, disease, injustice, and wide class divisions, adding, "And, mankind witnesses the abuse of science, discoveries, and nature by world powers. These have led to mankind’s exhaustion and frustration and their desire for a savior, a redeeming hand."
"There are probably few eras in the history of mankind where the whole of mankind has felt the need for a savior as much as they do today, whether consciously or subconsciously. This is the feeling of a need for a savior, a powerful divine guide," the Supreme Leader further said.
He pointed out that human beings’ wisdom is a great blessing, which can solve many problems but not all of them, and said, "For example, today science is serving injustice and warmongering in the world. There is a need for spiritual and divine power, the powerful hand of the Infallible Imam."
Ayatollah Khamenei recalled that all religions have promised the coming of a Savior, adding, "In Islam, people have been told to await the Savior. Awaiting does not mean sitting idly; awaiting means having hope and preparing. It means taking actions."
"Another part of my speech concerns Coronavirus. The Corona outbreak is a test for all the world, both for governments and for nations. The Iranian nation shone brightly in this test, and at the peak of this national pride are the health professionals," the Supreme Leader said.
Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated that health professionals are risking their lives to serve the people, "This is very important and great. Tolerating being away from their families during the Nowruz holidays, sleepless hours and the mental pressures they have endured are all a source of pride for Iran's medical community."
The Supreme Leader said that besides the health professionals, volunteers, university students, and Basij forces have entered the battlefield against Coronavirus and their services are indescribable.
"Employing the administrative and scientific abilities of the Army and the IRGC in this battle are also sources of pride," Ayatollah Khamenei added.
He added people's participation in the fight against Corona was truly amazing: 1) people feeding the needy; 2) turning houses into workshops to sew masks; 3) disinfecting public areas; 4) talking to landlords and shop owners to exempt people from their rents, and tens of other measures.
The Supreme Leader said that all of this participation in the fight against coronavirus are signs of the roots of Islamic culture in people of Iran, adding that in contrast, Western civilization showed its outcome too, one of the most appalling of which is the US and some European countries' confiscation of other nations' masks and gloves.
"Confiscating other nations' masks, emptying shops, fighting over toilet paper and long lines for buying guns during the Coronavirus outbreak are the logical and natural outcome of the philosophy that governs western civilization," Ayatollah Khamenei said.
"Confiscating other nations' masks, emptying shops, fighting over toilet paper and long lines for buying guns during the Coronavirus outbreak are the logical and natural outcome of the philosophy that governs western civilization.
The Supreme Leader went on to state: "Or, for example, in some western countries, they have said that the elderly, the disabled and people with major problems are not a priority to receive medical care, pointing out that all of this is a result and product of the dominance of western culture, which is based on materialism and atheism."
Ayatollah Khamenei recalled that a few days ago, a western official said that with the Corona outbreak we are witnessing rule by the wild west, and said, "Some were surprised when we said that western civilization has a savage spirit that comes together with a perfumed, smart appearance. Now they're confessing to this."
The Supreme Leader said that coronavirus is a major, dangerous problem for mankind; but, it is not bigger than problems the Iranian nation has endured.
"During the war, Saddam—with help from western governments—dropped chemical bombs on the Iranian nation, killing thousands, injuring hundreds of thousands," he added.
Ayatollah Khamenei said coronavirus is a major problem for mankind, adding, "But we won't forget that in Vietnam, Iraq, etc. hundreds of thousands of people were killed by the US. Even now, millions suffer from the tyranny of the US and its allies in Yemen, Palestine, etc. Mankind has worse problems than Corona. Because, in recent years, the world and our country have been faced with bigger problems and incidents.”
He noted one of these tragedies was the chemical weapon attack launched by Saddam’s airplanes on the city of Halabcheh and some border areas of Iran, adding that "at that time, some of the countries, which were making big claims about civilization and progress, provided Saddam with chemical weapons. Up until today, none of them has given any answers for the crimes they committed back then.”
According to Ayatollah Khamenei, WWI, WWII, the Vietnam War and the US attacks on Iraq are examples of other important and grave events in recent decades.
“The Coronavirus outbreak should not cause us to neglect the oppression and tyranny of the superpowers in the world against different nations including the Palestinian and Yemeni nations. We should also not neglect the conspiracies and enmity of the Arrogant Powers, because unlike the notion that some people have – saying that if we don’t show enmity, they won’t either – the enmity of the Arrogant Powers is based on the essence of the Islamic Republic and religious democracy," the Supreme Leader added.
Pointing out the serious efforts made by the officials in the National Committee on Combating Coronavirus, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “In the National Committee on Combating Coronavirus, some decisions have been made for the underprivileged classes of society. I advise them to implement these plans as soon as possible and in the best way they can. Of course, the people are responsible for helping the underprivileged classes as well.”
The Coronavirus outbreak has made life difficult for some classes of society. Referring to these problems, the Supreme Leader said, “People who are well off financially should start large-scale activities to help the needy, especially on the eve of the auspicious month of Ramadan, which is the month of giving alms and helping others.”
His Eminence stressed, “In the holy month of Ramadan, it would be good to carry out an extensive maneuver to give help, show sympathy and provide sincere assistance to the needy and the poor in society. In order to show our love for the Imam of the Age (‘a.j.), we should create an image and reflection of the society of Imam Mahdi, which is a society of justice, dignity, science, brotherhood and cooperation.”
At the end of his statements, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution offered some words of advice to the officials and the youth who are active in the areas of science and technology, “The issue of a surge in production is vital and should not be forgotten. Furthermore, the youth who are active in the areas of science and technology should seriously pursue work in the laboratory and producing the needs of the country.”
Today coincides with the 15th of Sha’ban which is the auspicious anniversary of the birth of the Imam of the Age (may Allah hasten his long-awaited reappearance).
The televised speech of His Eminence was broadcast live on national television networks as well as his official website Khamenei.ir, and on his Instagram and Twitter accounts in different languages.
The celebration of the birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi is a popular occasion in Iran.
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