Leader: Hajj can foil plots of arrogant powers against humanity
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the annual Hajj rituals can foil all the plots of the arrogant powers and the Zionists against humanity.
In a Tuesday message to the 2023 Hajj pilgrimage, the Leader said the rituals can render ineffective all the plans of the arrogant powers and Zionism aimed at the moral downfall of humanity at the present time and the future, Press TV reported.
Ayatollah Khamenei added that the arrogant powers and Zionists are targeting unity and spirituality with their acts of enmity and sabotage at this juncture in time, more than in the past.
The Leader emphasized that the US and other arrogant centers are strongly opposed to unity among Muslims, understanding among Muslim nations and countries, and commitment to the religion of the younger generation in these nations.
The Kaaba, as the focal point and the main focus of attention of all Muslims, and also the Hajj ritual as a small example of the extensive diversity of the Islamic world, can serve to elevate human society and improve the health and security of all people. Hajj can bless all humanity with spiritual and moral elevation, and this is the vital need of humankind today.
Hajj can annul and render ineffectual all the plans of the arrogant powers and Zionism for the moral downfall of humanity – today and in the future.
That which is a necessary condition for the occurrence of this universal impact is that as a first measure Muslims themselves should properly hear the life-giving message of Hajj and do their utmost to implement it.
The two main foundations of this message are “unity” and “spirituality.” Unity and spirituality are what guarantee the material and spiritual advancement of the Islamic world and its enlightening the entire world.
The US and other centers of arrogance are strongly opposed to the unity of Muslims, to the understanding between nations, countries, and Islamic governments, and to the religiosity and commitment to religion of the younger generation in these nations. They are intensely opposed to these and they will fight these with any means they can. It is the duty of all of us, the duty of all nations, and the duty of our governments to stand against this evil scheme of the US and Zionist regime.
Millions of Muslim worshipers from across the world have started the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, with the rituals taking place over a period of several days and culminating in Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice).
Saudi authorities have described this year’s event as the “biggest” Hajj pilgrimage in years, as more than two million people from over 160 countries are said to have attended the annual religious gathering.
This year, the maximum age limit has been scrapped, meaning thousands of elderly people will be among those braving Saudi Arabia’s scorching heat that is projected to reach 44° Celsius.
The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the pillars of Islam; Muslims who enjoy financial self-sufficiency are religiously obliged to perform the Hajj at least once in their lifetime.
This year, the first groups of Hajj pilgrims left Iran for Saudi Arabia on May 24.
A total of 87,550 Iranian pilgrims from 21 airports across the country have reportedly taken part in this year’s Hajj.