Speech by Maryam Rajavi, on the Advent of the Holy Month of Ramadan

The essence of Islam is freedom from all forms of coercion, oppression and exploitation (In the PMOI members gathering in Ashraf 3 – Albania)

  

I am very delighted, and I praise God for being beside you and in your gathering in this Iftar of the holy month of Ramadan after 17 years. This was my wish over the past years which has been realized, today.

I’ll take this as a good omen. God willing, this will be the year of realization of all the wishes and desires of mine, yours and the people of Iran.

Sisters and brothers, my fellow citizens,

I would like to congratulate you on the advent of Ramadan, the month of the pious and devout, and a month for all those who have risen to emancipate humans and human society.

On this occasion, I pray for our country’s neighbors, all the people of the Middle East and the world’s Muslims and wish for their liberation from the evil of extremism, religious fundamentalism, war and terror emanating from the Velayat-e Faqih regime in Iran.

Our people have begun the month of Ramadan in circumstances where they have been suffering greatly for several weeks due to devastating floods. I pray for our oppressed and flood-stricken people, for our occupied homeland and for our country, which is burning in the fire of repression, poverty and destruction.

We pray that with the kindness of the Almighty God and with the efforts of brave people and youths, the resistance units, and the great army of freedom, the people of Iran would achieve freedom, justice, equality, and lasting economic and social progress.

The month of Ramadan is here.
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيَ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ
Ramadan is the [month] in which the Qur’an was sent down, as a guide to mankind containing clear signs for guidance and distinction (between right and wrong). (The Cow, Baqara, verse 185) Distinction between Islam and reactionary deviation, between freedom and compulsion.

Ramadan is the month for a form of piety that is liberating, a month in which human beings prove their ability to reign in their most basic instincts. This is the month in which humans can show their power to overcome elements that squander forces that are intrinsically human. This is an effort and a struggle to overcome restive compulsions, and to liberate human powers from the shackles of such coercions.

Indeed, the greatest Taqva and piety of our time is sacrificing your life, home and family to embrace pressures, deprivations, and smear campaigns by a deceptive regime, in order to eliminate arch nemesis of Iran and of Islam, namely the Velayat-e Faqih regime.

Is Taqva (self-restraint) anything other than reining in harmful, detrimental and destructive elements? Therefore, fighting a regime which is the cause destruction, retrogression, repression and poverty in Iran is the greatest piety.

Ramadan is the month of solidarity among people, so that people’s hearts could get closer during common rituals and traditions and they could love one another, and so that ill will, spite and discord promoted by the mullahs would no longer have any place among people.

Ramadan is the month to remember the hungry and the poor, victims of floods-and earthquake- who have lost their homes and shelters under the mullahs’ rule, those who sell their kidneys out of extreme poverty, and the workers and unemployed who cannot afford to feed their children. Damned are the peddlers of religion and ruling pillagers who have turned this Ramadan into a time of destitution and envy for the majority of our people who have nothing to eat.

Ramadan is the month of Ali (SA), the leader of all pious people. He advised future generations to be enemies of oppressors and friends of the oppressed. He said God has taken vows from all aware human beings to avoid remaining silent when oppressors are overfed while the oppressed remain hungry.

Ramadan is also the month when the Great Khadija passed away. She was the first to believe in the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). She played a unique role in assisting the Prophet and Islam. The Great Khadija is an eternal role model for emancipated and pioneering women throughout all ages. Nevertheless, with the passage of time, the image of genuine Islam was tarnished, the true essence of the religion of Mohammad was gradually forgotten, and there was little talk of the true status of Hazrat Khadija.

Ramadan is also the month of the nights of Qadr and revival. The month of the conscientious, and a month when the decisive power of human beings for taking control over their fate and shaping their own history is praised.

This is the month when mankind deepens his knowledge of the values trampled or overshadowed by the ruling oppressive classes and religious fascism.

This is the month when humans rise to create progressive accomplishments. And at the end of the month, we have Eid al-Fitr as the symbol of freedom and emancipation achieved by previously enchained mankind.

May God’s mercy and compassion help the Iranian people to be able to reach their Fitr of freedom as a result of their suffering and struggle.

As far as today’s Iran is concerned, the ruling mullahs observe the month of Ramadan with flogging and repression as they have done every year throughout their rule. Under the banner of religion, they use coercion to cover up their despotism, injustices and plunder.

Ali (SA) defined justice as a method of public leadership (1). In diametric opposition to him, Khomeini and Khamenei chose oppression, despotism and plunder as their way of leadership. The Guard Corps of criminals has taken over a vast part of the Iranian economy and Khamenei’s colossal wealth is notorious around the world.

His riches come from the suffering and blood of deprived children and millions of families who go to bed hungry every night. Damned are those who, as the Quran says, kill the messengers of God and murder those who rise up to establish justice and equality (2).

However, neither the wealth they have confiscated, nor their bloodthirsty and corrupt mercenaries can save this decadent regime.

It has been years since the mullahs’ regime has lost its ability to deceive under the banner of Islam. They are quickly losing their opportunities both inside Iran and abroad to save their rule. The time is coming to an end for the policy of export of terrorism and fundamentalism under the name of Islam to cover up the regime’s fundamental weaknesses. The Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) which forms the backbone of the regime has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). As more severe sanctions are being imposed on the regime, particularly the total boycott of its oil, the mullahs will no longer be able to spend the assets of the people of Iran on suppression or on war and slaughter in the Middle East.

They are truly the worst murderers of the people of Iran and the most vicious thieves in Iranian history who rule under the banner of Islam. As the Quran says, they are أَلَدُّ الْخِصَام, or the worst enemies of God, His religion and His people.

Look at the developments these days regarding the nuclear issue. The unpatriotic project to obtain nuclear weapons was another pillar of the regime’s strategy for survival, which was unraveled by the Mojahedin (PMOI/MEK). It has now turned into a quagmire for the regime into which it sinks deeper every day.

Rouhani had previously declared that he dreamed of building 50,000 centrifuges by 2003, turning the mullahs’ religious fascism into a nuclear power. A decade later, however, he was forced to portray the JCPOA as the greatest victory of the regime to cover up their failures. 

He wanted to exploit internal differences in the U.S., but he ended up pushing Europe closer to the United States and against the regime.

Yes, 40 years of unrelenting struggle by the Mojahedin (PMOI/MEK) and the Iranian Resistance, under Massoud Rajavi’s leadership, with paying the highest price, has dismantled the clerical regime’s powerful religious, political, military and historic weapons one after the other. In short, the mullahs’ regime has lost its capacity to survive.

Yes, this evil regime will not be able to survive in the face of the Iranian people’s uprising, their resistance units and their great army of freedom. And it will be overthrown.

Sisters and brothers,

One of the genuine examples of those who uphold piety and observe their fasts are the Mojahedin who have rebelled against obstacles on the path toward human emancipation and against murderers and usurpers of freedom and popular sovereignty and have held up the banner of an emancipating Islam in opposition to reactionary fundamentalists.

The Mojahedin believe in Islam. The ruling mullahs, too, claim to believe in Islam but have used it for the past 40 years as a means to torture and persecute an enchained nation.

Is Islam really the religion that has been introduced by the mullahs?
No, this is not Islam. This is complete and utter oppression, subjugation, and reactionary thought masquerade as Islam. In contrast, as Massoud Rajavi declared in the very early days (after the 1979 Revolution), the Mojahedin believe in an Islam which teaches the rituals and traditions of freedom and liberty.

There is no congruity between the two interpretations of Islam. Even the slightest common spirit between the two interpretations is completely absent.

In the early days of the revolution, in his extraordinary classes in 1980 on comparative philosophy, Massoud Rajavi made clear and highlighted contradictions between genuine Islam and reactionary thought, between Towhid (unity) and anti-Towhid.

The classes were attended in an unprecedented way by the younger generation, provoking fear and hostility in the regime. So, Khomeini ordered a cultural coup and had the universities shut down to end these lectures.

The understanding and practices of the followers of these two accounts of Islam are completely contradictory in every respect.

The most fundamental differences between the two, however, are over freedom, the status of humankind, and gender equality. These issues are so decisive that they lay the foundation for two opposing conceptual and belief structures. These are two contrasting outlooks, two different ways of assigning moral values and two paths that stand in complete opposition.

In the reactionary outlook, the primary boundary is gender distinction. In the revolutionary and emancipating outlook, the individual as a human being (regardless of gender) is foundational.

The former considers one’s physical characteristics and the outcome of his/her social standing and class as significant; the latter assigns significance to one’s choices and their political, social and ideological orientation.

The reactionary outlook promotes deception and concealment of truth, while the Towhidi (unity) outlook calls for honesty and truthfulness.

The former concentrates on weaknesses and wrongdoings; the latter concentrates on changes in human beings and their capacity for advancement, liberation of humankind and human relations.

The reactionary outlook sees human beings as passive actors. The other outlook, which is based on the power of emancipation, sees human beings as a decisive force able to exert influence on their surroundings. The highest value in the former outlook is individual piousness, whereas in the Towhidi outlook, the highest value is to be honest and at harmony with the community (of those who work and live with you).

Yes, in diametric opposition to the mullahs’ reactionary outlook, the spirit and essence of many chapters of the Quran calls for freedom and emancipation of humankind.

The Quran says Taqva (self-restraint) is the most important criterion for evaluating human beings. The Quran rejects coercion and compulsion in religion and says, .لااکراه فیالدین Religion means freedom. Religion is freedom to speak, to listen, to reason, and to consult (3).

Years ago, Massoud Rajavi offered a detailed explanation of the two deeply opposing interpretations of Islam. He said, “This is exactly where the lines are drawn between Revolution and Reactionary thought, between the Mojahedin and Khomeini. One’s message is compassion, forgiveness, and emancipation, while the other’s message is malevolence, corruption, cruelty and brutality.

“On the one side is the most macabre reactionary force of Iranian history which relies on deception by taking advantage of the name of Islam. On the other side is the Mojahedin. Amazingly, the highest form of contradiction and an ocean of blood stands between the two, in a way that goes above and beyond mere incongruity.

“One relies on ignorance and coercion, and the other on freedom and free choice. This escalating war between these two versions of Islam, which determines the fate of Iranian people and history, is one of the most significant links in the continuing progress of contemporary humanity.”

Basis this outlook, the Mojahedin have risen up to attain freedom and popular sovereignty, and this is a struggle and a fight which guarantees victory over the mullahs’ religious dictatorship, and freedom in future Iran.

On the occasion of the month of Ramadan, I believe it is necessary to reiterate that we reject any form of religious compulsion or a compulsory religion.

The mullahs’ religious tyranny and the edicts of the mullahs’ Sharia are against Islam and against the emancipating rituals of Prophet Mohammad.

We emphasize the separation of religion and state in tomorrow’s free Iran. In our view, the essence of Islam is freedom, freedom from all forms of coercion, oppression and exploitation.
We defend genuine Islam, the tolerant and democratic Islam, an Islam that supports the sovereignty of people and gender equality.

Our Islam advocates fraternity among all religions. The religious war and discord between Shiites and Sunnis are the ominous gift of the Velayat-e Faqih regime which is essential to prolonging its anti-Islamic and inhumane rule.

Yes, our God is the Lord of freedom. Our messenger is the prophet of compassion and emancipation. And our Islam, is the religion of free choice.

We seek the assistance of God Almighty in delivering on our commitments on this path.

O’ God, the shelter of the suppressed and the voiceless, the refuge of the oppressed, and the God of those who rise up and the Mojahedin who pave your path,

Tonight, we have all come to you,

O’ God, bring near the day of freedom for our enchained and suffering people.

The cries of flood-stricken people who have lost their homes and all their belongings, and the cries of people whose bodies are struck by the flog of oppression, poverty and destitution, have filled the entire country.

You are the one who hears their cries; save our deprived and plundered people.

Dear God, bestow the gift of freedom, equality and popular sovereignty on our compatriots.
You are the one who creates change and revolution and freedom. Help the Iranian nation and their army of freedom to overthrow the Velayat-e Faqih.

Protect the resistance units and popular councils who are endeavoring and struggling all across Iran.

O’ God, the ruling mullahs have made a business out of religion and have destroyed all of Iran’s human and material resources. Khamenei and his accomplice mullahs have plundered Iran’s wealth and properties and spent them either on their lavish lifestyle or squandered them on suppression, war and terrorism.

They have made our nation poor, hungry and miserable.

Save the Iranian nation from this savage regime’s suppression, devastation and injustice.

O’ God, our political prisoners are being tortured and harassed in the dungeons of the Velayat-e Faqih. Grant them greater power and spirit of resistance.

Dear God, the peoples of the region have been targets of the regime’s terrorism, war, crimes, and divisiveness. Save them from distress, fear and homelessness.

Dear Lord, the Mojahedin have risen up against the most hideous reactionary force in the history of Iran and are determined to uproot it.

Dear Lord, give them ever greater strength to remain steadfast to their positions and ideological principles, and in adhering to their oaths and pledges.

O’ Lord, help the Mojahedin in their tremendous battle against reactionary and exploitative outlooks; they have become icons of Taqva (self-restraint) for thirty years after their internal revolution, those who have risen to a major ideological struggle; help them succeed in this test, too!

O’ God, help and assist them in this battle which is essential to their fight against religious despotism and the prerequisite to the overthrow of the clerical regime.

Dear God, deepen their faith, and further strengthen their organization.

Dear God, we are thankful that you guided our resistance and showed us the right way in the darkest and most difficult circumstances.

We are thankful that you granted members of this resistance the gift of sacrificing and remaining steadfast. We are thankful that you gave us the gift of being guided.

You are our hope, our refuge and our guide!

Protect Massoud, the leader of this resistance, in your safe and strong sanctuary.

Help and assist him, since he opened the eyes and hearts of this generation to genuine Islam. Protect him from every harm and ill will.

Bless the Iranian people to see him again, because he is the one who can save the people of Iran from their great calamities and pave their way towards freedom, emancipation and popular sovereignty.

رَّبَّنَا إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِي لِلإِيمَانِ أَنْ آمِنُواْ بِرَبِّكُمْ فَآمَنَّا رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَ كَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَ تَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الأبْرَارِ {آل عمران/193}
“Our Lord! we have heard the call of one calling us to have faith in our Lord and we have believed. Our Lord! Forgive our sins, conceal our sins, and let us die in the company of the righteous” (The Family of Imran, Al-e Imran, verse 193)

ربَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَ إِسْرَافَنَا فِي أَمْرِنَا وَ ثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَ انصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ
“Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and anything We may have done that transgressed our duty: Establish our feet firmly, and help us against those that resist Faith.” (The Family of Imran, verse 147)

انالله و ملائكته يصلون عليالنبي يا ايهالذين آمنوا صلوا عليه وسلموا تسليما
“Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect.” (The Confederates, Ahzab, verse 56)

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1- وَالْعَدْلُ سَائِسٌ عَامٌّ

2- إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْفُرُونَ بِآيَاتِ اللّهِ وَيَقْتُلُونَ النَّبِيِّينَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ وَيَقْتُلُونَ الِّذِينَ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْقِسْطِ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَبَشِّرْهُم بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ {آل عمران/21}
As to those who deny the Signs of Allah and in defiance of right, slay the prophets, and slay those who teach just dealing with mankind, announce to them a grievous penalty.

3- « وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ»(نحل ـ۱۲۵)، « الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ»(زمر ـ۱۸)، « قُلْ هَاتُواْ بُرْهَانَكُمْ » (بقره ـ۱۱۱)، «وشاورهم في الامر» (آلعمران ۱۵۹)
“consult them in affairs” The Family of Imran, Al-e Imran, verse 159
“Produce your proof” The Cow, Baqara, verse 111
“Those who listen to the Word, and follow the best” The Crowd, Zumar, verse 18
“and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious” The Bee, Nahl, verse 125
Two Thoroughly Opposite Versions of Islam, 1997