Sayyed Nasrallah marks Imam Khomeini’s demise

Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah stressed Imam Khomeini was a never ending truth “because it is connected to the source of rightness.”

Sayyed Nasrallah was speaking during a ceremony to mark the 21st anniversary of the demise of the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the Ressalat Hall in Beirut.

Imam Ruhollah Moussawi Khomeini passed away June 3, 1989. He was the leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran that overthrew Shah Mohammed Riza Pahlavi in 1979.

Upon the revolution’s success, one of the first things the late Imam did was transforming the Israeli embassy in Tehran into the first Palestinian embassy in the world.

“Imam Khomeini made major accomplishments on top of which was the regeneration of the Divine, Prophetic, Islamic, and moral system in the minds and hearts of the peoples, particularly the peoples of this Umma. The effect of this regeneration extended beyond our Muslim and Arab worlds. A lot of people were inspired by his experience and values to face the tyrants and the challenges of their tough living conditions,” Sayyed Nasrallah said.

His eminence added that Imam Khomeini came at a time when the prevailing values had nothing to do with the values or the culture of Arabs and Muslims. “He came when the feeling of belonging was lost…He revived the culture of Jihad and rise in the face of tyrants to reject the humiliation of man. He revived the values of generosity when sacrificing ourselves and our riches until martyrdom for the sake of our sacred causes. He revived the culture of supporting the downtrodden.”

Sayyed Nasrallah recalled that not only did Imam Khomeini address the Palestinian cause, “he used to tackle issues related to the African people, Latin Americans, and a lot others who were oppressed and dying of hunger, not to mention the illiterates who had no chances in this world to get education.”
“Imam Khomeini used to quote and cite Prophet Ibrahim because he was the common prophet between Muslims, Christians, and Jews.”

The Hezbollah chief underlined Imam Khomeini’s values and teachings were the backbone of the Islamic Resistance. “We used to rely on his values of Jihad, sacrifice, hope, and confidence…It did not matter if these were Iranian-made values or if they were set by Imam Khomeini. The Imam did not see a role for him in this because these were the values of the prophets and it was important that they spread around the world.”

On the Israeli massacre against the Freedom flotilla that claimed the lives of nine Turkish activists, Sayyed Nasrallah said that the “Freedom flotilla scene reflected the inherent courage, sincerity, and sacrifice of the activists who were on their way to break the inhumane siege of Gaza. It is our duty to pay tribute to all of them for their courage and their readiness to face death. The diversity of activists manifests this deep-rooted value; 35 countries facing side by side the winds, the challenges, and the Israeli aggression, criminal nature, and piracy. They had patience and deep faith which constitute the most important factors of power which Imam Khomeini always preached.”

His eminence said the Freedom flotilla crime had major indications that require measures. “We call on all the Lebanese, Palestinians, Arab communities in Lebanon to take part tomorrow (Friday) in the ceremony of consolidation, pride, and support to the besieged Palestinian people in Gaza and the heroes of the Freedom flotilla, the Turkish martyrs and the others who returned home alive.”

Sayyed Nasrallah said that the ceremony will be held at the Raya Field at 08:30pm Beirut time (1730 GMT), in Beirut’s southern suburb where he will deliver a speech.

Politicians, diplomats, military and religious figures as well as representatives of Lebanese and Palestinian parties attended the ceremony organized by the Iranian embassy in Beirut.