SHAFAQNA

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association)-It is about a few months that so many protests against the Iraqi government in some Sunni areas have started on Iraq after the arrest of Rafie Isaavi the country’s minister of wealth. The protestors had some political requests, some of which were quite reasonable and others not as much. This dangerous situation made for a kind of crisis between different political sects which caused some precarious decisions to be made which threaten the whole political system of Iraq.

In such situations the supreme Marjaeiat of Najaf is forced to interfere in order to stop the dangerous crisis.

One of the informant sources in Najaf (form Howza Elmiya) ,who asked not to be named, said during an interview with Shafaqna(the international Shia news association) about the recent events in Iraq. He said : Tuesday night in January 10th 2013, the national coalition of the Iraq parliament, with all its wings an political groups such as legal government, supreme house Badr association, independent factions, Davah party and Fazilat party, organized a long meeting, but the Sadr group was not invited to prevent leaking of secret points of the meeting. Noori Maleki, Al Jafari, Al Khazaie, Al Shahrestani, Alameri and other important people of Iraq attended. This informant of NaJaf Howza pointed out that the participants of this meeting transferred the details of the assembly to the Marjaeiat of Najaf. The informant also said the attendants of this meeting wanted to investigate the case of 50 parliament members’ decision to disgrace the Prime Minister. Some of

the committee members in attendance even said that the parliament must be dissolved before revealing it. According to Iraqi legislation the country can dissolve the parliament by two ways, either one third of the parliament members request dissolving it or the Prime Minister orders to dissolve it in the parliament. The civil law of Iraq emphasises that dissolution of parliament is not valid while the Prime Minister is under pressure from the opposition. The informant said that one of the coalition leaders in the meeting wanted to dissolve the Iraqi parliament. Mr. Mehdat Al Mahmood, the head of the Iraqi justice committee stressed that in case of the absence of the President, the Vice Prime Minister can be referred to in order to agree upon a dissolution of the parliament. This person is Khazir-Ul-Khazaee, the Vice Prime Minister, who is one of the leaders of the Aldaava party ( the party which supports Noori Al Malicki). This matter is under investigation according to our source, however some people have refused dissolution but eventually went along with it. Some members even requested to consult with Ayatollah Sistani about it but as long as Ayatullh Sistani refused any political meeting with himself, therefore they decided to send a committee to visite Ayatullah Fayaaz to understand the view point of Ayatullah Sistani.

That source added: On Friday Ayatullah Fayaaz had a telephonic contact with Ayatullah Sistani, He hope if he can arrange a meeting between ayatollah and the national coalition committee. But ayatollah Sistani refused to meet such committee. And apologized about it. But he accept they meet with his son seyed Mohammad reza in sheikh Fayazs house, to explain Ayatullah Sistanis Point of views. This source who didn’t like to be known his name, continued: the national coalition committee, which are included of : Hossein Shahrestani, minister of

Energy and prime minister deputy , Sheykh Abdulhalim Zoheyri one of the prime minister s councils, on Saturday evening /12/January /2013, went to Ayatullah Fayazs hometo meet with Mohamad Reza Sistani to attend in the meeting with the national coalitions committee. The Hawza informed source emphasised that the coalition committee members, during their meeting with Seyed Mohammad reza Sistani, explained the dangers of different side of crisis according to demonstratins and protesting the government. Also they said : it could resulting to a sort of plot and conspiracy from the regional and international sources. They also it was because of some of our mistakes too, which pushed us to such crisis. Then they described the situation of Iraqi prisoners and all activities which has done by Iraqi humanitarian associations, to arrange some helps and facilities (under management of Iraqi P. minister) for them. Also they talked about Rafie Al Eisaavi, and all accusations related to him, and his Body gards. Then the committee dispute the protestors demands and why those protestors refuse p. minister. He added: the committee want to arrange another meetting in Baghdad, to make a decision for dissolving the parliament. The Hawza informed source said: also, Seyed Mohammad reza Sistani after listening to those conversations, said: I am very thankful that we know all about the this mitting and their decisions around dissolving of the parliament. This subject has already transferred to Ayatullah Sistani, but he believed it is impossible in this situation right now to dissolvation of the parliament now because of 3 reasons:

1- The civil law doesn’t allow it.

2- Because if the parliament dissolved then it has negative notice for the sunnis and they thought dissolve of the parliament means ,

they are not allowed to be a part of legislation house. They want to dissolve the parliament just after the sunnies got more sits in parliament now and became more strong.

3- The 3rd reason is if parliament dissolved and we arrange the fast election before time, in this dark atmosphere( with different tribes and different political groups) if they entered into the parliament , then don’t let our country to have an united and strong government. it means after 10 years struggle to obtain a legal and powerful state which respect to Islamic law, we must let the people to elect their leaders from different political parties without any respecting to each other and without respecting to Islamic Law.

The Iraqi informed source said: that Seyed Mohammad reza Sistani gave this message from his father that the Iraqi national coalition committee must investigate to all of the political events and knowing their problems with paying attention to their desires and knowing their legal requests. We should remind the experiences of other countries such as south Africa as well, to establish a national and legal state.

1-Communicate with tribes and ghabayel and families and all of the opposition groups , and pay attention to their problems and difficulties and their point of views .

2-The importance of no fighting with demonstrators and avoid of felling even one drop of blood on the earth. Accept of their legal requests and having the support of police at any region. .

3-the necessity of acceleration to establish the legislation and civil law, for our country which some of them are part of the

demonstrators and other Iraqis requests ,such as approving the supreme court law ,and making some change in those law.

The meeting was ended at this time.

The informed sources of Hawzah of Najaf said: after finishing the meeting in Najaf Ashraf, the Iraqi national coalition committee returned back to Baghdad, and according to Ayatullah Sistanis advices they decide to do not dissolve the parliament for now. And take another way to find a solution for Iraqi crisis .

The same source emphasised that the ayatollah Sistanis Office in Najaf Ashraf noted to Hujatul islam sheikh Abdul Mehdi Karbalaee , to explain all of his advices and solution for Iraqi crisis in his speech of Juma Prayer and within his speech must emphasise to the government duties to pay attention to these road map to avoid of all conflict between the groups and Government.

www.shafaqna.com

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) –Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei touches upon key issues such as Iran’s stance on nuclear weapons, talks with the United States and domestic politics.

Following is the text of the Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei’s speech:

I am telling you, the US officials are irrational people. Their remarks are illogical. Their deeds are illogical [and] tyrannical.

They expect others to give in to their illogical demands and bullying. Some do so. Certain governments and some political elites in certain countries give in to the American officials' chutzpah and bullying. But the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic cannot be forced into surrender. The Islamic Republic has argument and logic; it's capable and powerful. Hence, it will not accept illogical words and actions. In what way are the American officials irrational? A sign that shows they are irrational is the contradictions between what they preach and what they practice. They say something and act in a different way.

They claim they are committed to human rights. Yes, the Americans are bearing the flag of human rights and claim they are committed to human rights not only in their own country, that is, the US, but in the whole world. This is merely a claim. How about in practice? In practice, they deal the heaviest blows to and show the highest disrespect for human rights in other nations; their secret jails [are spread] across the world [from] Guantanamo Bay Prison [to] Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq; their attacks on civilians [continue] in Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries. Their drones take off to spy [on other nations] and also exert pressure on people. You hear news [of US drone attacks] from Afghanistan and Pakistan on a daily basis. However, the unmanned aerial vehicles, as an American magazine wrote the other day, will cause trouble for the Americans themselves in future.

The American officials claim they are committed to nuclear non-proliferation, which provided the pretext for their invasion of Iraq eleven years ago. They said the Saddam regime was developing nuclear bombs in Iraq. They unearthed no weapons in that country and it became manifest that their claim was a lie. They say they are committed to nonproliferation of nuclear weapons. In the meantime, they support an evil regime, which is armed with nuclear bombs and makes threats [against others] with the weapons, that is, the Zionist regime. That's what they preach and this is how they practice.

They claim they are committed to promoting democracy in the world. That is what they preach. I am not going to elaborate on the nature of the US democracy itself. I am not going to discuss that. Based on this claim, they constantly oppose and counter a nation like the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is the most transparent and the clearest democracy in the region. In the meantime, they throw their weight behind some states in the same region that do not know anything about democracy at all and that their people have not witnessed a single election or ballot box and they shamelessly support such governments. This is how they are committed to democracy.

They claim they want to settle their differences with Iran. They have made the claim many times and they are doing so more now. “We want to resolve our disputes with Iran;” this is what they say. In practice, they resort to sanctions and false propaganda. They make inappropriate remarks. They constantly level false allegations against the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation.

Several days ago, the US president made a speech about Iran's nuclear program and spoke as if the dispute between Iran and the US were because Tehran wanted to build nuclear arms. They say they will do their utmost to prevent Iran from developing an atomic weapon. If we wanted to build nuclear arms, how could you stop us [from doing so]? If Iran intended to build nukes, the US would never be able to stop it. We are not seeking to build nuclear weapons not because the US is unhappy about it. That's our own belief.

We believe that nuclear weapon is a crime against humanity and should not be produced. [We also believe] all nuclear arms must be eliminated worldwide. This is our own belief. It has nothing to do with you. If we did not believe in this and decided to build nuclear weapons, no power could prevent us, just as they failed to prevent [other countries from building nuclear weapons] in other parts of the world. They failed [to prevent the production of nuclear arms] in India, Pakistan, and North Korea. They opposed, but those countries built nuclear bombs. The claim that they will not allow Iran to make nuclear arms is a diversion from the main argument. Is the dispute over nuclear weapons?

In the nuclear issue, the question is not nuclear weapons. The issue is that you want to deprive the Iranian people of an inalienable and undeniable right, which is the nation's right to nuclear enrichment and peaceful use of its domestic capability. Of course, you will not be able [to do so]. And the Iranian nation will exercise its right. You see, they are irrational. The US officials speak illogically. One cannot speak on the basis of logic with an irrational side. They are irrational. Irrational means [one who is] bullying, [one who] talks nonsense. It’s a reality that over the past 30 years we have clearly realized in dealing with different international issues. We know who we are facing and how we should deal with them.

The second point is that the US has raised the issue of talks. They invite Iran to negotiation. Their illogical behavior is also visible in the invitation to talks. They do not have the intention of resolving problems and issues. I will explain later. Their purpose [in inviting Iran to talks] is propaganda. They want to tell Muslim nations “Look! This is the Islamic Republic which, despite its stubbornness and resistance, was finally forced to adopt a conciliatory approach and enter into talks with us. When the Iranian nation is like this, what are you going to say?” [They want to tell] this to the nations who have risen up in Muslim countries where the breeze of awakening is blowing today.

And these nations feel honored thanks to Islam. [The US] needs this to silence and disappoint them. Since the [victory of] the Islamic Revolution, this was one of their goals. Since the early years after the Islamic Revolution, one of their aims was to bring Iran to the negotiating table and win a compromise to say later “There you go. Iran, which claimed it was independent, was steadfast, was brave was finally forced to come to the negotiating table.”

They are pursuing this goal today. This is an important issue. When talks are aimed at something irrelevant to basic issues and are merely for propaganda purposes, it's clear that the other side, that is, the Islamic Republic is not inexperienced, is not blind, and it knows what your real aim is. [Iran] gives a response to you in proportion with your intention. This is another point. Thirdly, talks for Americans and other hegemonic powers mean “Let's negotiate so until you accept our demands.” This is the aim of the negotiations. “Let's negotiate so that the outcome of the talks will be you giving in to what you refused to accept previously.”

Right now, in their propaganda over talks [with Iran] you have certainly heard [that] the Americans have created a furor, saying, “Let’s negotiate with Iran; let’s engage in direct talks [with Iran].” It’s also clearly visible in their statements today. [They say] “Let’s sit [at the talks] to convince Iran to stop enrichment, to give up nuclear energy.” That’s their goal. They don’t say “Let’s negotiate so that Iran will present its argument [and] we will lift pressures over the nuclear issue, lift the sanctions, stop security, political and other interferences [in Iran].” They don’t say that.

They [Western states] say “Let’s negotiate, so that Iran will give in to our demands.”

Well, such negotiations are futile.

Such talks will get nowhere, even if the Iranian government accepts [the offer] and [Iranians officials] sit at the negotiating table with the Americans. When that is the goal, what kind of dialog is this? It is obvious that Iran will not relinquish its rights.

They pretend in their propaganda that if Iran sits at the negotiating table with the US, they will lift the sanctions. This is also a lie. By promising to lift the sanctions, they just aim to make the Iranian nation show eagerness to enter into talks with the US. Their understanding is that the Iranian people are fed-up with the sanctions, [that] they are suffering a lot, [and that] everything is a mess; [the Americans say to themselves] “We will tell [Iran] ‘All right, let’s negotiate so that we will lift the sanctions’.” [And they think] the Iranian nation will march and call for talks [with the US]. This is also another illogical statement [on the part of the US] which is laced with deception and is a tool for bullying.

Firstly, as I said, when they invite [Iran] to talks, they do not mean a dialog on fair and logical terms. By talks, they mean “You must give in to our demands, to surrender [and] then we will lift the sanctions.” If the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation wanted to surrender, why did they stage a revolution? The US was dominating Iran [before the Islamic Revolution] and did whatever it desired. The Iranian people staged an uprising to break free from the yoke of the US. Do you expect them to surrender to you again?

Yes, sanctions mean pressure. There is no doubt. They are painful. But there are two ways to ease the pain. When weak nations come under pressure, they surrender to the enemy; they buckle; they repent. But a brave nation like the Iranian people, upon noticing that the enemy is exerting pressure, will try to activate its internal forces and cross the danger zone strongly and courageously. And they will certainly do so.

The Americans [must] prove they do not bully [Iran]; they must prove they do not stir mischief; they must show that they do not speak and act illogically; they must prove that they respect the rights of the Iranian people; they must show that they do not spark fires in the region; they must prove that they will not interfere in the Iranian nation’s affairs, just as they did during the 2009 sedition [when they] supported the seditionists [and] provided them with social networking websites; one of the websites in those days planned to shut down for maintenance, [the American officials] said “Don’t shut down” with the aim of influencing the sedition and sedition flame; if they stop doing such things, they will see that the Islamic Republic is a well-wishing system, the [Iranian] people are rational. This is the one and only way to interact with the Islamic Republic.

Something [recently] happened in the parliament. It was an unfortunate event. It was inappropriate. It saddened the nation and the elite alike. I felt sad for two reasons. I feel sad about the issue myself. One becomes also sad when he sees the people are unhappy [about the issue]. Well, the head of a branch of the government, based on an allegation that has not been proven at court, leveled accusations against the other two branches. This was a bad deed, an inappropriate act. Such acts run counter to religion; they are also illegal and immoral. Meanwhile, these acts are an encroachment upon the rights of people. One of the basic rights of people is that they should enjoy psychological security as well as moral security in the country.

When someone else is accused of corruption, one cannot blame others, even if the corruption case has been proven [at court], let alone a situation in which allegations have not even been proven, [the person] has not appeared before the court neither has there been a legal proceeding. Based on allegations against someone else, one comes and levels accusations against the parliament and the judiciary. That is not right. It’s wrong. For the time being, I content myself with giving pieces of advice. The Islamic Republic does not deserve that.

On the other hand, the impeachment motion itself at the parliament [involving the former minister of labor] was a wrong move. Impeachment should yield benefits. A few months before the end of [this] government’s term, a minister is impeached on grounds unrelated to him. What does this mean? Why? That was also wrong. I also heard that some people made inappropriate remarks in the parliament. That was also wrong. All such moves are unbecoming to the Islamic Republic; neither the allegations, nor the response, and the impeachment. The head of the [legislative] branch [also] went too far in his reaction. It was unnecessary. When we are all brothers, when we are facing a common enemy, when we are witnessing the conspiracy, what are we supposed to do?

To date, the officials have stood united in the face of [enemy] plots. They should continue to do so. It should always be like that. I have always supported the heads of the branches of the government and the officials. I will continue to back anyone who is shouldering responsibility and I will help them. But I do not approve of such behaviors. These behaviors do not accord with obligations and with taken oaths. They should look at this great nation.

This nation deserves a different behavior. Today, officials should try their best to untie economic knots; to solve problems. They should focus all their energy and efforts on sound economic policies; both the Executive and the parliament. Several years ago, I sent a letter to the heads of the branches of the government about economic corruption. Well, fight economic corruption. Words will not end the problem. Fight corruption through actions. [It’s useless if] we frequently speak about economic corruption. Well, what measures have been taken? What did you do? These are what make one sad.

I expect officials to boost their friendship because enemies have intensified their behaviors [against the Iranian nation]. I call on them to close ranks more tightly.-www.shfaqna.com/English

Source: Press TV

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) –Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has rejected any talks with the United States under pressure and threats.

“I am not a diplomat. I am a revolutionary and speak frankly, honestly, and firmly. An offer of talks makes sense only when the side [that makes the offer] shows its goodwill,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with the officials and commanders of Iran Navy on Thursday.

“Negotiation is meaningful when the two sides talk with goodwill, under equal conditions and without seeking to deceive each other. Therefore, ‘negotiation for the sake of negotiation’, ‘tactical negotiation’ and negotiation offer in order to sell a superpower's gesture to the world is a deceptive move,” Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei stated.

Ayatollah Khamenei also noted that during the past four years, nothing has been seen from the United States but continuation of conspiracies, abetting seditionists and supporting the terrorists which assassinated Iranian nation’s scientists.

“You (the Americans) point the gun at Iran and say either negotiations or we pull the trigger! You should know that pressure and negotiations do not go together, and the [Iranian] nation will not be intimidated by such things.”

Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the remarks by American officials that ‘the ball is now in Iran's court,’ and noted, “The ball is in your court, because you should answer the question of whether speaking of negotiations at the same time as continuing pressure and threats makes any sense at all.”

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei pointed out, however, that, “We, of course, understand their (the Americans’) need for negotiations, because the Middle East policy of the Americans has failed, and in order to compensate for this failure, they need to play a trump card.”

Taking Iran to the negotiating table is the trump card that the US needs, Ayatollah Khamenei noted, adding that the US seeks to tell the world it has good will. “However, no one sees any goodwill.”

“Negotiation with the United States does not solve any problem because they have not fulfilled any of their promises in the past 60 years.”

Referring to the conspiracies by the enemies of the Iran including coups, military provocation, all-out support for the aggressor enemies, hard war, soft war, intensive pressure by the West’s evil media empire as well as harsh and increasing sanctions, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that for the past 30 years the enemies have tried to make Iranian nation disappointed at the Islamic Republic, but they have failed.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei also stressed that the Iranian nation will castigate anybody who would renounce the national interests, sovereignty and progress of the country in order to satisfy the United States.

Speaking at the 49th annual Munich Security Conference in Germany on February 2, US Vice President Joe Biden said Washington was ready to hold direct talks with Iran over the country’s nuclear energy program.

The United States, the Israeli regime and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.

Iran argues that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it is entitled to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.-www.shfaqna.com/English

Source: Press Tv

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) – Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, visited Imam Ali shrine before heading on foot to meet with the religious Marjaa, Ali al-Sistani, while stressing that the visit is private and took place in direct coordination with the Office of the Grand Ayatollah.

The source told that “Kobler started his visit to Najaf by going to Imam Ali shrine and then went to Ali al-Sistani’s house.

Martin Kobler said in a press conference held after a meeting with al-Sistani in Najaf, that "I delivered the religious Marjaa in Iraq a message to take its role in solving the country's problems."

"Our message includes moderation, flexibility, peace and dialogue and solving the country's problems through dialogue," noting that "what encouraged us to come to Najaf is the recent statement issued by Sistani, released by his representative in Karbala."

He stressed that “he agreed with al-Sistani on the two points to resolve the crisis in the country by dialogue away from sectarian approach in political discourse."

The representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in Iraq Martin Kobler said his talks with the Grand Ayatollah, Ali al-Sistani expressed UN concern of lack of political parties to sit for dialogue in order to resolve the current crisis.

He said, at a news conference after his visit to the Sistani yesterday 13, Jan: "The visit was for dialogue, considering that there are demands on the table, and also there are important issues such as respect for human rights in Iraq."

Kobler appealed Iraqi government to "self-control ", stressing that protest is a right guaranteed by the Constitution.

He called on everyone to discuss the demands of the demonstrators and to maintain peace and flexibility in the dialogue.

He continued: "There are realistic demands and other non-realistic demands for the demonstrators, but what is important is sitting for dialogue and respect the law and the Constitution, and the House of Representatives must discuss all those demands."

He stressed, "The UN's vision is that everything should be according to the law and the Constitution and the need for all parties to sit with each other for dialogue."

The UN representative in Iraq Martin Kobler has arrived in Najaf on Sunday morning. Kobler had conducted, over the past several days, meetings with state officials and leaders of political blocs.-www.shfaqna.com/English

Source: Abna

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) – Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iranian officials should act in a way that the people do not feel worried about healthcare issues.

“Officials and the conscientious should make plans and conduct administrative affairs in such a way that the people’s minds will be at ease about the issue of (medical) treatment,” Ayatollah Khamenei said during a meeting with a number of benefactors of the health sector in Tehran on Monday.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei also stated that healthcare is an important issue and should have priority over many other issues.

On December 27, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dismissed Health Minister Marziyeh Vahid-Dastjerdi and appointed a caretaker to run the Health Ministry.

After dismissing Vahid-Dastjerdi, the only female cabinet minister, Ahmadinejad appointed Mohammad Hassan Tariqat-Monfared as caretaker health minister.

“Managing the family physician plan, [attending to problems related to] medicines and treatment [of diseases], attention to public health and nutrition, [ensuring] educational, health, and medical justice, and reducing the people’s expenses in this sector are the main priorities of this important ministry,” Ahmadinejad said in his decree appointing Tariqat-Monfared.

Dastjerdi was the Islamic Republic’s first and only female minister and her dismissal comes less than a year before her term draws to an end.- www.shfaqna.com/English

Source: Press TV

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) – Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday that regional uprisings should distance themselves from global arrogance. The Supreme Leader made the remarks in a meeting with a number of world universities professors who attended the two-day conference of the World Universities Professors and Islamic Awakening in Tehran on Tuesday.In the meeting, the Supreme Leader highlighted the ups and downs as well as all challenges and probable threats to this end.Presence of Muslim professors from world universities is a opportunity which should be seized, said Ayatollah Khamenei.

The issue of Islamic awakening and its spread is a significant development which has caused serious changes in some countries, said the Supreme Leader.Islamic awakening is a wonderful phenomena of which enemies are afraid Ayatollah Khamenei said, adding that the enemies try to ignore the issue of "Islamic Awakening" because of their fear of promotion of genuine Islam."We believe that the current Islamic Awakening will continue without any deviation from its original path," the Supreme Leader said.

The mottos chanted by people in the course of regional uprisings have targeted corrupted regimes which is a clear manifestation of Islamic movement, the Supreme Leader reiterated.The Islamists have won people's support and votes in all movements, underlined the Supreme Leader.The evaluation of such movements and revolutions in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya should should be free from any confusion, said the Supreme Leader.

Distancing itself from global arrogance is among the prime goals of the Islamic Awakening movement, Ayatollah Khamenei said, underlining that any reconciliation between the US and Islamic movements is totally out of question.

Where Islam or Islamists are present, the US does its utmost to eradicate them, the Supreme Leader warned."We do not want regional revolutions to turn into a war on global arrogance but they should distance themselves from it in order not to be deceived," said Ayatollah Khamenei.

Global arrogance try to employ various means such as money, weapons and science to dominate the world, Ayatollah Khamenei said, adding that Islam is full of new ideas and road maps but they lack such a characteristic.

New ideas are among points of strength of Islam in its confrontation with the West which is relying on weapons, money and science, said the Supreme Leader.Ayatollah Khamenei said they try to imply that the Islamic Sharia does not meet the needs of people but in fact Islam has addressed all the needs of people throughout history.

People hold the real power and for this reason the US or any other arrogant powers cannot take any action against people's will, said the Supreme Leader.The role of intellectuals, writers, poets and Ulema is very important in enlightening people's mind in pursuing the goals of their revolutions, said Ayatollah Khamenei.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is an exemplary model for Islamic countries and those who have risen up against arrogant powers, said Ayatollah Khamenei.Before the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, Iran's scientific ranking was very low but now Iran is among top ranking countries of the world in this regard, Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The successful experiences of the Islamic Republic of Iran should be followed by other countries, the Supreme Leader said.Unity is among important issues of the Islamic world, Ayatollah Khamenei said, adding that the West and US try to sow discords among Muslims under various scenarios.

The Supreme Leader called on world Muslim to exercise vigilance in dealing with internatioal issues and developments.The 8-day war in Gaza was a good example of Muslims' progress, said the Supreme Leader.He praised Palestinians including Hamas and Islamic Jihad which demonstrated their courage in Gaza, said the Supreme Leader."I sincerely thank the Palestinian combatants for their devotion, hard efforts and patience," said the Supreme Leader.

The 8-day war in Gaza is an important lesson for people in Palestine as well as other Muslims of the world, said the Supreme Leader.On Bahrain, the Supreme Leader said "Unfortunately we are now witnessing the silence of world Muslims on the issue due to their lack of correct understanding of developments taking place in that country. "

On Syrian developments, the Supreme Leader said the Islamic Republic of Iran is against any bloodshed but traitors have brought civil war, destruction and fratricide to Syria.People's demands should be met through democratic means and away from violence, said the Supreme Leader.

The two-day conference of the World Universities Professors and Islamic Awakening began with an inaugural speech by Ali Kabar Velayati who is secretary general of Iran's World Assembly of Islamic Awakening and the senior advisor to the Supreme Leader.

Some 350 Iranian and 250 foreign scholars and university professors from 70 countries are attending the event whose theme is promotion of justice and religious democracy throughout the world.

Source : IRNA

End

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) — Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has downplayed Western sanctions against the Islamic Republic, saying the Iranian nation will overcome problems as always.

“Today, our enemies magnify sanctions. Sanctions are not an issue of yesterday or today. Sanctions have existed from the very beginning; they intensified the sanctions, which didn’t work; they intensified them again; these won’t work either,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a speech to tens of thousands of people in the province of North Khorasan on Wednesday.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said that the US and certain European countries seek to link sanctions to Iran’s nuclear energy program, adding that the main reason behind the anti-Iran embargos is not the nuclear issue but the Iranian nation’s resistance against the global hegemony.

Ayatollah Khamenei dismissed claims by the US and its allies that they will lift sanctions against Iran if Tehran abandons its nuclear energy program.

“They pretend that the sanctions will be lifted if the Iranian nation gives up nuclear energy. They lie. They make decisions out of grudge and aversion [toward Iran] and impose irrational sanctions.”

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, however, stressed that the Iranian nation will emerge victorious in the battle as it has overcome much bigger problems over the past 33 years.— www.shafaqna.com/English

Source: Press TV

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) — Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said that Iran will not succumb to the pressure being exerted on it by the hegemonistic powers.

“Over the past 33 years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been facing a vast range of pressures, including political, security, and military ones, and the sanctions, but the Iranian nation has not only neutralized these pressures through their perseverance but has also become stronger,” Ayatollah Khamenei stated during a meeting with a large number of the country’s intellectuals, which was held in Tehran on Wednesday.

He added, “The assumption that the reason for the hegemonistic front’s hostility toward the Iranian nation is the adoption of certain stances or decisions is wrong. The main reason for all these pressures is the independent status of the Iranian nation and the fact that it is not bowing down to the hegemonistic system.”

The enemy is exerting pressure on the Iranian nation to compel it to surrender, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said, adding, “The Iranian nation has never succumbed and will not (succumb) to the pressures, and this issue is the reason for the enemy’s ire.”

He also stated, “The Iranian nation, through reliance on the rich natural and human resources that it has, will negotiate difficult defiles and difficult passages, and, with the grace of God, it will reach the summit of felicity in the world and the hereafter and peace and tranquility.”

Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei addressed the country’s intellectuals and advised them to make a proper appraisal of the country’s status, the potential and the strong points of the Islamic system, and the enemy’s pressure and failures.

Iran is “lagging” in scientific progress due to the reign of certain subservient and ignorant rulers, Ayatollah Khamenei said, noting, “The large scientific gap with the world and the existence of relatively strong rivals in the region are the realities that redouble the necessity of continuing the rapid scientific progress until reaching a point commensurate with the dignity and status of the Iranian nation.”

He added that steady scientific progress requires that the country’s young people redouble their efforts and not become intimidated by the scientific progress of Western countries. — www.shafaqna.com/English

Source: Tehran Times

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) —Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a message to the great nation of Iran and great Muslim Ummah condemned the recent sacrilege move by releasing an anti-Islam movie by an Israeli-American filmmaker in the US, IRNA reported.

Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Kamenei noted that if the US government is sincere in its allegations that it did not have any role in such anti-Islam move, it should do its best bringing the perpetrator of such criminal act to justice.

He said that the enemies of Islam once again insulted the holy Prophet of Islam by conducting such insane move.

"If they (the US and the West) did not support the previous anti-Islam attempts carried by the blasphemous British writer Salam Rushdie, a Danish caricaturist, American priests who burnt the holy Qur'an, and releasing tens of anti-Islam movies, today we would not be witnessing such unforgivable sin committed by them," Ayatollah Khamenei further said.—www.shafaqna.com/English

Source: Trend

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) — The representative of the Grand Religious Authority in Rifae district of northern Dhi-Qar province survived an armed attack that targeted his house in the district on Saturday morning.

Security source stated to SHAFAQNA on Saturday "Unidentified gunmen threw a hand-grenade on the house of (Ali al-Ghuraby), the representative of the Grand Religious Authority Ayatollah Ali Sistani, in Nasir area of Rifae district of northeastern Nassiriya city, the capital of Dhi-Qar province."

The source added "The explosion resulted in material damage to the house," noting that "The police patrols cordoned the explosion site and opened an investigation over the incident."

Rifae district of northern Dhi-Qar witnessed demonstrations and disturbances, followed by imposing a curfew when the people of the district organized demonstrations, demanding to close the office of the Religious Authority Mahmoud al-Sarkhi.

The security forces arrested some of Sarkhi's followers who reside Rifae district as well as those followers coming from other provinces to participte in the demonstrations.—www.shafaqna.com/English

Source: Shafaqna