EuropeImam Ali KhameneiNorth America

How world reacts to Imam Ali Khamenei’s letter to Western Youth?

n00213990-b

Leader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei’s newly-published letter to Western youth has widely circulated and published in the news and social media by academic elites, public, politicians and mainstream media across the world.
Besides enjoying worldwide coverage, different aspects of the leader’s attitudes have been highlighted and debated by the various observers. According to Iran project, part of the reactions to this letter is as following:

Reactions of Western elites

Speaking to Khorasan Newspaper via email, Tiziana Ciavardini, Italian cultural anthropologist and political analyst praised Iranian leader’s letter, describing it “the letter of truth”. She further explained that the letter has addressed the youth in the Western world since they are more interested to know what is really going on more than the older generations. In concluding part of the interview, the Italian analyst demands all to understand the words of the Supreme Leader before it is too late.

In an editorial published in Mehr News Agency, Waqae Rizvi, a political critic, noted the absence of an alternative medium for Leader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei to voice his reflection in Western world. According to him, the Muslims’ leader has made attempt to directly address the audience in order to overcome the mass media and their biased narrations.

Speaking to Mehr via email, Anthony Cartaucci, another independent American analyst noted the baseless blame of Islam and Muslims by West, arguing that Islamic Revolution Leader’s letter would remarkably contribute to enhance public awareness against support of terrorism by Western governments.

A Canadian University Professor also explained the leader letter as a “deep analysis of the psychological and geopolitical roots of global terrorism”. In a post published on his Facebook page, Denis Rancourt has voiced his great interest and fascination by reading Supreme Leader’s letter, expressing hope that the letter catalyzes awakening of the Western youth.

Reactions of public and politicians

Bill Hasting, a political activist living in US has stated that what is depicted in the leader’s letter has been censored by the media. “This was an interesting letter. ISIS, backed by US and Britain, has nothing to do with Islam,” Sandra Watfa, a British activist, said. Sumayya Betty Williamson, another pro-Palestine activist living in Texas said “Iran’s leader has spoken from his heart, and as an American I do believe that the American youth will perceive its message well.

A senior adviser to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad also hailed the leader’s attitude reflected in his second letter, stating the ALeader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyed Ali Khameneisees the world as a human family while the West doesn’t perceive the world that way.

Leader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei’s letter to Western young people also was recited in the UN’s General Assembly session on the culture of peace. Speaking in the meeting, Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations Gholamali Khoshroo praised the views as the noble viewpoints about the battle against terrorism. He specifically highlighted the Supreme Leader’s demand to change the mentalities about Islam.

Reactions of world Media

In its reporting of the Leader’s second letter, Malay Mail Online, the Malaysian news website underlined the leader’s condemnation of the Western double standard policies on fighting terrorism.
Calling Paris attacks as “blind terrorism” is what has drawn the attention of Associated Press. The agency also noted the part of the letter where the leader has stated that he has been equally disturbed by the bloodshed in Palestine-Israel conflict and ISIS in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

Denouncement of the Western double standard by Iran’s leader in his second letter has been under AFP’s spotlight in its reporting of the letter. The media has quoted Ayatollah Khamenei as saying that “the pain that the Islamic world has suffered in these years from the hypocrisy and duplicity of the invaders is not less than the pain from the material damage.”

In its editorial about the Iran’s leader letter, Al-Monitor has asked a source close to Iran’s Leader office in Tehran about the reason why the letter has not been published in a Western media outlet. “The leader is keen to have direct engagement with youth; he wants the young man or lady in Boston, Manchester or Berlin to feel that he’s talking to him or her directly,” the source has explained, adding that Iran’s leader knows how ugly the stereotype is that’s being spread there about Iran.

In short, Iran’s leader attitudes toward terrorism, Islamophobia, the West’s double standard policy have mainly drawn the media and commentator’s attention to different extent.

The truth is that the genuine message behind this letter should be seen in the context of the terrorist operations by ISIS terrorist group across the world and along with the growing concerns and fears over the spread of terrorism in the world.

Besides, the way the Ayatollah Khamenei’s letter has been sent to young people in West needs more deep consideration. Initially, the fact that two letters by the Supreme Leader were written after terrorist attacks in the Paris is per se a significant issue since it proves his cares about all human beings.

The leader’s direct addressing of the audience, instead of using Western mass media also conveys significant messages. His preference primarily demonstrates his distrust of Western media, secondly it simply shows his rejection of those media that clearly try to deflect blame onto others through Islamophobia.

At last, Twitter suspended the accounts reporting the content of the letter, the move which proves gross violation of freedom of press by western social media.

Back to top button