Rasa News Agency reports - Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi has met with Mohammad-Nabi Habibi, the secretary-general of the Central Council of the Islamic Coalition Party. Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi told him that his party has had much success before and after the Revolution. “Political parties change their form often and people are drawn to them whenever the wind blows,” he told Mr Habibi.
“All praise be to God that the Islamic Coalition Party has been able to maintain the course of its activities both before and after the Islamic Revolution. It has not changed its aims and it is a great honour to know this and we appreciate [the hard work of its members],” Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi explained.
Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi emphasized that the party has had a solid foundation and has relied upon the system of marja’iyyah (the authority of the sources of emulation). This has led to the party’s success. “You must always hold firm to wilayah (divine guardianship of the Ahlul-Bayt), marja’iyyah, Islam and your values,” His Eminence stated.
His Eminence, citing verses from the Quran, noted: “Those who seek God and persevere on this path will be supported by heavenly forces. Imam Khomeini also stood against oppressive forces and we must do the same.”
He explained that Islam is a comprehensive religious system which contains commandments for all aspects of human life. “For even the unforeseen problems in the world today, Islam has a solution and approach.”
The renowned source of emulation explained that some people believe the principles of Islam are weak: “Some people are intimidated by the culture of the West and Islam must stand against them. There is no Islamic jurisprudential issue that we do not have an answer for.”
Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi stated that we face many great dangers in our era. This is especially true in regards to our ethical issues, culture, and values which are under threat by many factors. “Some West-toxified people think that by opening this country to Western culture, this type of culture will grow here and the influence of Islam will weaken and become neglected. They shout slogans in regards to this.”
His Eminence noted that due to the current situation, we must not weaken the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, but this does not mean that we cannot criticize its weaknesses and faults with constructive criticism. The Islamic Republic faces many challenges – both internal and external. The enemies may take advantages of any weaknesses it sees to fight against the legitimate Islamic system of Iran.
Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi emphasized that we should speak moderately and with reason in all cases: “The reality is that there are risks that could threaten the country and our culture. Therefore, we need to protect our divine and spiritual values. We must not imitate Western culture. Although following this path of resistance has some costs, even for the sources of emulation, but [despite this] we must continue on this path.”
He explained: “Takfiris are a threat to humanity as they are a threat to Islam. They have turned Islam, a religion of mercy and compassion, upside-down and given it a bad name. These Takfiris are killing Muslims, causing a bloodbath everywhere. There has not been a time like this in Islamic history where the Muslim world has been embroiled in civil wars and bloodshed.”
Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi concluded: “The scholars of Islam, intellectuals and religious thinkers have to unite and isolate true Islam from the Takfiri threat. Today, I sent a message to the head of the Indonesian scholars in regards to these Takfiri groups and I explained the importance of the Islamic mission to confront these groups. I also invited him to a conference on Wahhabism which will be held in a few months time in the holy city of Qom.”
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