RNA – Speaking at a ceremony marking the beginning of the new Iranian year of 1396 at the Holy Shrine of Lady Fatimah al-Ma’sumah in Qom, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi congratulated the believers gathered on Norouz, which celebrates the beginning of the new Iranian year, and noted that the Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, has entitled this year, “The Resistance Economy: Production and Employment.”
The revered source of emulation said that this designation explains the proper identity in four dimensions – ethical, social, political and economic and added, “The consumption of Iranian-produced products has led to boom in the country’s factories, an increase in employment and a reduction in corruption in society which was caused by unemployment.”
He said that the consumption of foreign products protects foreign economies and stressed that officials must seek to solve the economic problems of the people and added, “On this basis, the divisiveness among various social groups in the country won’t transform the economic situation into the ‘best of states.’”
Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi considered friendship, love and forgiveness as the identity of the ethical dimension of the new year and added, “The standard Islamic behaviour must be the foremost form of behaviour among all believers. On this basis, assistance to prisoners of unintentional crimes, hospitality to orphans, communication with friends and neighbours are excellent examples of ‘the best of states’ in the social dimension.”
The teacher in the Islamic Seminary of Qom said in regard to social issues, the interests of the greater society should be considered superior to individual interests and added, “This pattern of behaviour is the preface of unity and solidarity in society which will further advance the country.”
He criticized the rising divorce rate in Iranian society and said, “If young couples treat each other with integrity, forgiveness and truthfulness, without doubt, the divorce rate will be reduced dramatically.”
Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi said that the aim of the West and the United States is to achieve the interests of the arrogant regimes and said, “The US and the West only care about their own interests and in order to achieve these interests, they seek to stoke the fires of war in the region and world.”
His Eminence stressed upon the importance of the awareness of the political situation in the region, the country and the world and said that participation in the upcoming Iranian presidential elections and huge gatherings such as those of 22 Bahman are movements towards ‘the best of states’ and added, “Widespread participation in the elections must accompanied by proper recognition and awareness and accurate elections.”
Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi stressed the necessity of striving to achieve the ‘best of states’ in all aspects by trusting in God and added, “The [beginning of] the year 1396 has been blessed with the birth anniversary of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra. I hope that this year will be a year of happiness and prosperity wherein the problems facing the Muslim world and Iran will be solved.”
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