RNA - Tensions are still high at Islam's third holiest site in Jerusalem al-Quds where Israel deployed troops last week to restrict access to Palestinian worshipers but had to climb down amid fears that the standoff could turn to a large-scale revolt.
"The Zionists have become emboldened and rude, giving themselves the right to get tough with the owners of the al-Aqsa Mosque and prevent them," Ayatollah Khamenei told a group of officials in charge of annual Hajj in Tehran Sunday. "Where can the Islamic Ummah find a better venue than Hajj to comment on the al-Aqsa Mosque? Where is the place to take a position against the mischievous presence of America in the region? Hajj is the best venue," the Leader added.
Ayatollah Khamenei also recommended that the pilgrims focus on the issue of unity, saying no one should do anything which may help create friction. The Iranian Leader further asked pilgrims to participate in congregational prayers in the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca which surrounds Islam's holiest site and the Masjid al-Nabawi which is the second holiest site to Muslims, situated in Medina.
No doubt billions of dollars are spent to create disunity, friction and hostility among Muslims. That’s why Muslims should be careful not to help this effort, “because each Islamic nation that contributes to this plot will be a partner in the consequences of this great sin."
Mind you, one of these issues is the case of al-Aqsa Mosque and al-Quds, which these days “because of the insolence, brazenness and wickedness of the usurious and fake Zionist regime, has become the focus of attention more than before. "The meddling and mischievous presence of America in the Islamic countries and the region and the creation of Takfiri terrorist groups is another important issue that Muslim nations should take a stand on during the Hajj," Ayatollah Khamenei said.
Ayatollah Khamenei’s call for unity is judicious, because it’s Hajj time - the pilgrimage to Mecca, the largest annual congregation in the world:
- The United States and its allies are creating crisis and havoc in the Muslim world through terrorism, sectarianism, and the so-called war on terror. They seek to offset the region’s socio-economic and political affairs, and provoke an all-out war between Shiites and Sunnis. Out of the current clutter and discord, Muslims are duty-bound to find simplicity and unity.
- The warmongers have failed to fulfill their stated objectives, but that doesn’t mean they will stop short of pursuing their main goal: Sowing discord and distrust, and ultimately formulating an all-out war based on a complex mix of nationalism, terrorism and religion. By using the proxy forces of ISIL, their plan is now well underway.
- If Muslim nations do arrange an acceptable attempt, they can defeat Washington’s ISIL proxy forces and revoke their problems and sufferings. If the directive motion of their leaders is delayed and ignored, even for a day, they will all get wronged.
- At a time when the United States and Israel - the real enemies of Islam - exercise their animosity toward Iran through proxies, the Islamic Republic will continue to promote unity among Muslims. “These proxy countries are mere pawns and have been duped into antagonizing Iranians.”
- Much of the Muslim world is under the hegemony of the West, which makes no secret of its animosity towards Islam. In the circumstances, the only way out is for all Muslims to thrust aside their immaterial differences and bring into play their strategic energy resources against the common enemy.
Undeniably, unity is the most important issue, which concerns all Muslims. Our religion, our nations and our countries can only be protected from foreign threats through the power of rapport and solidarity. That is the reason why the enemies try to undermine such unity by means of distorting realities.
This year’s Hajj is a perfect opportunity to adhere to Islamic unity and also to display zeal to act in accordance with this principle. Muslims don’t need more strength or more ability or greater opportunity. What they need is to use what they already have.
As perfectly put by Ayatollah Khamenei, “All Muslims, including the pilgrims and their hosts in Saudi Arabia, should retain the culture of unity and discourage discord. Hajj is a unique opportunity to get acquainted with each others’ beliefs and values, and to exchange views on the problems of the Islamic world.”
Muslims shouldn’t wait for opportunity to come along. It is there in Mecca, in the largest congregation in the world.
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