Leader's Remarks in Meeting with Friday Prayers Imams From Across Islamic

Leader's Remarks in Meeting with Friday Prayers Imams From Across Islamic

Wednesday, 29 September 2010 12:42

The Leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has said the arrogant powers of this world, and those who make excessive demands, contrary to what they claim, want all the wealth and power they can get hold of for themselves, and for their cronies. The Leader said an obvious example of this is if we compare how ordinary Americans live with how the ruling elite live in America. Speaking on Tuesday in a meeting with Friday prayers Imams from across the country, the Leader referred to some harrowing statistics about the living  standards and living conditions of lower class Americans, and stressed that the Iranian president referred to some of these facts and figures in his busy trip to the United Nations in New York. The Leader said several million Americans live on the streets and sleep in card board boxes at night, and tens of millions of Americans live below the poverty line. The Leader poignantly added: "This is the unpalatable and bitter truth of US society today". In further remarks, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the Iranian nation is standing firm, with all its might, against the excessive demands of the arrogant powers, who want to take over and dominate the world. The Leader added: "The Iranian nation will not bow to coercion and bullying, and gives its full backing to Muslim nations, particularly the long-oppressed Palestinian people. We say this forthrightly". In further comments the Leader said in relation to enemy threats, one can either surrender to these threats, or one can firmly and resolutely stand against the worst excesses of the enemy, with unwavering faith in God Almighty. Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei went on to emphasize that one of the most important duties of Friday prayers Imams is to be aware of enemy plots and conspiracies. He added: "In recent years some individuals have to distract the attention of the general public and society from the important topic of "knowing and being aware of our enemies". These same individuals even tried to introduce a fallacious argument by saying that the Islamic government constantly conjures up foreign enemies in order to escape responsibility for some of its internal difficulties. Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei emphasized that we must all be vigilant in relation to enemy moves, and must know how to counter enemy plots and conspiracies. The Leader asked: "Why do some people insist on ignoring or overlooking the wicked and evil role, the conspiratorial hand of the enemy, in various events in this country"? Turning to young people, the Leader stressed that young people make up the bulk of the population of this country. He said "Young Iranians are being targeted by the enemy, since the enemy knows very well that young people are the driving engine behind the advancement of Islamic Iran".

Iran slams silence on Quran desecration

Iran's Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani censures the US silence on the outrageous act of desecrating the holy Quran, urging the Muslim world to take swift action against it.

Although Florida pastor Terry Jones called off his Quran burning plans in the face of fierce international condemnation, anti-Islam protesters in the US reportedly defiled the Quran and burned copies of the holy book on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on Saturday.

In his message, Larijani said the desecration of the holy Quran is a 'brutal' act which shows 'barbarism in the modern era,' ISNA reported on Monday.

The Iranian parliament speaker added that the silence of those who beat the drums for freedom and democracy on the blasphemous decision has drawn the ire of freedom-seeking humans and stirred international hatred of the US.

According to Larijani, such measures will undoubtedly hurt spiritual and religious feelings of millions of Muslims across the world as well as followers of all divine faiths.

The top parliamentarian also warned US statesmen that they should expect a 'harsh fate' if they refuse to act wisely.

He said this shameful act also reveals the weakness of hegemonic powers as they support burning and desecrating the holiest book in the world which has more than 1.5 billion followers.

The Iranian official further warned that Muslims will not remain silent in the face of sacrilegious moves.

Larijani said such insane behavior is the result of Washington's disgraceful defeats in the Iraqi and Afghan wars as well as its repeated failures in confrontation with Iran, Lebanon, Palestine and Pakistan.

He advised the US government to stop backing such savage acts 'or it should await a crushing response by Muslims across the world.'

Quran desecrated on 9/11 anniversary

         Anti-Islam protesters in the US have desecrated the Quran on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks  a move bound to stir up strong feelings in the Muslim world.

        The streets near Ground Zero in New York, where a memorial service was held for the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks, became the scene of opposing demonstrations Saturday night. Over 1,000 people marched in favor of a proposed construction of an Islamic center near Ground Zero, the site of the World Trade Center prior to the 9/11 attacks, while a block away, other groups rallied against its construction.  
        In the opposition's rally, a man burned pages from the Muslim holy book in front of press photographers.  Two evangelical preachers in Tennessee also set copies of the Quran on fire and members of the group Operation Rescue tore pages from Islam's holy book.  
        In another incident, a man ripped out pages from the holy Quran and made vulgar gestures with them. The police did not try to stop any of the incidents.  This comes after a Florida preacher called off plans to burn copies of the Quran on the anniversary of 9/11 attacks.  
       The pastor's plans sparked criticism by the international community, particularly the Muslim world, and led to protests in several countries including Iran, Afghanistan and India.

Leader of Islamic Revolution: Iran will circumvent sanctions

TEHRAN - The Leader of the Islamic Revolution has warned against international sanctions against Iran over its nuclear energy program, saying Iran will thwart sanctions. "The Iranian authorities and nation will undoubtedly circumvent sanctions (against the country) and render them ineffective just as they did over the past three decades and will move ahead with progress and development," said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a meeting with Iranian industrialists and manufacturerson Tuesday, Press TV reported. The Leader stressed the importance of creating a "truly resistant economy" to counter sanctions and economic pressure by arrogant powers. He reiterated that the enemiesseek to frustrate the Iranian people by exerting economic pressure on the country with the intent of turning the nation against the government by blaming it for poor economic performance. Ayatollah Khamenei said their goal is to cut ties between the government and nation. However, they have not known the Iranian nation and are mistaken in their calculations.
      The Leader urged Iranian officials to collaborate closely to bring about growth and development in the country.Under intense political pressure from the US, the United Nations Security Council imposed a fourth round of sanctions on Iran on June 9 over the country's nuclear energy activities. The US and the European Union then brought additional unilateral sanctions on the Islamic Republic In addition to the Security Council's resolution, the United States and European Union imposed additional unilateral sanctions on the Islamic Republic in an effort to cripple Iran's economy and bend the country's resolve in continuing with its peaceful nuclear program.

IRAN SENDS 500 DOCTORS, NURSES AND RELIEF WORKERS TO PAKISTAN

Iran sends 500 doctors, nurses and relief workers to Pakistan
07/09/2010
		Iran sends 500 doctors, nurses and relief workers to Pakistan TEHRAN - Iran has sent 500 physicians, nurses and relief workers to neighboring Pakistan to provide medical services to flood-stricken people, Interior Minister Mostafa-Mohammad Najjar said. These people will stay in Pakistan for 40 days, Najjar told reporters upon his arrival in Tehran following a three-day trip to Pakistan, MNA reported. He said that Iran had sent more 40,000 tents to Pakistan in addition to the previous 10,000 ones because of an increase in demands. The interior minister noted the Islamic Republic will also send 10 other cargoes of humanitarian aid to Pakistan over the next few days. He went on to say that Iran\'s Red Crescent has set up a refugee camp in Pakistan and it is going to set up more camps in order to distribute foods, clothes and other necessary goods among the people. On reports that people from some affected areas might enter Iran, he said Iran\'s borders are very far away from those areas, however, it has been decided that some camps to be set up near Iran\'s borders inside Pakistan. So far, Iran has sent over 500 tons of humanitarian assistance to Pakistan, including tents, blankets, medicine, and food. The floods have ruined 3.6 million hectares (8.9 million acres) of fertile farmland, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said farmers urgently need seeds to plant for next year’s crops. The Pakistani government’s official death toll from the floods has reached 1,760, but disaster officials have said that number will likely rise ‘significantly’ when the missing are accounted for.

MUSALMAN PE AUR EK ZULUM

Quran burning would endanger U.S. troops, Petraeus tells church

KABUL (AFP) – The U.S. commander of the Afghan war has warned that his troops' lives will be endangered if a Florida evangelical church goes ahead with a planned burning of the Holy Quran on Saturday's 9/11 anniversary.

General David Petraeus said the planned torching of Islam's holy book would be a propaganda coup for the Taliban in Afghanistan and stoke anti-U.S. sentiment across the Muslim world.

Afghanistan, where Petraeus leads a 150,000-strong U.S.-led NATO force against the Taliban fighters, is a deeply devout Islamic country.

Actions seen by Afghans as against their religion or even allegations that Western troops have insulted the Quran have led to deadly violence in the past.

On Monday about 200 men gathered near a mosque in the capital Kabul to protest against the planned torching, shouting “death to America” and “long live Islam” for about an hour after their midday prayer, witnesses said.

The Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida says it will burn copies of the Quran on this weekend's ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks in protest.

Petraeus said of the plan: “It could endanger troops and it could endanger the overall war effort in Afghanistan.

“It is precisely the kind of action the Taliban uses and could cause significant problems. Not just here but everywhere in the world we are engaged with the Islamic community,” the general said in an emailed statement.

“I am very concerned by the potential repercussions of the possible Quran burning,” Petraeus added.

“Even the rumor that it might take place has sparked demonstrations such as the one that took place in Kabul yesterday,” he said, adding that an actual burning would put the safety of U.S. soldiers and civilian workers in jeopardy.

In January seven tribesmen were killed by gunfire from Afghan security forces trying to disperse angry crowds during a demonstration sparked by allegations that U.S. troops had torched the Muslim holy book.

An investigation by NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan authorities found that no Quran was desecrated following a military operation by the alliance force in the southern province of Helmand.

The planned protest by the 50-member Florida congregation -- whose Facebook page bears the motto “Islam Is Of The Devil” -- has already triggered outrage in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country.

In late August about 100 Indonesian Islamists demonstrated outside the U.S. embassy in Jakarta and threatened jihad or holy war if the U.S. Christian group went through with the event.

Alleged desecration of the Quran by U.S. troops in both Afghanistan and Iraq has been an incendiary issue in the past, including when a U.S. soldier deployed to Iraq riddled a copy of the holy book with bullets in 2008.

A subsequent demonstration by about 2,000 people in central Afghanistan turned violent, with a Lithuanian soldier and two civilians killed in an exchange of gunfire between protesters and police.

The Florida church's pastor, Terry Jones, said Petraeus' concerns were “legitimate”.

Valley Searing with Anger. 120 hurt in clashes as shoppers throng streets

Srinagar, Aug 27: Sporadic clashes marked Friday even as normal life resumed across the valley after two days owing to Hurriyat (G) shutdown call and restrictions imposed by the authorities.
At least 120 people were injured in the afternoon clashes at several places in North, South and Central Kashmir as personnel of CRPF, Rapid Action Force (RAF) and police used force to quell pro-freedom demonstrations.

Earlier in the morning life returned to normal in Srinagar and other major towns and districts of the valley. All shops, business establishments, private and government offices, petrol pumps and educational institutions resumed work. The markets, including city centre Lal Chowk, remained abuzz with business activities. Transport was also plying normally.
The government, semi-government and private banks witnessed huge rush of customers. People in long queues could also be seen waiting outside the ATMs.
SOUTH
In South Kashmir’s Shopian town at least 47 persons were injured, some of them sustaining pellet injuries, when CRPF troops and police fired teargas shells and opened fire upon the protesters.
Locals said people after offering Friday prayers at Shopian Jamia Masjid staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. They tried to take out a march through the streets of the town. When the protesters reached near Deputy Commissioner’s office, police and CRPF men who were deployed in strength in the area intercepted them. The protesters offered stiff resistance and tried to break the cordon. CRPF troops and police fired teargas canisters and resorted to canecharge to disperse the protesters.
Enraged protesters pelted stones on troops and police in retaliation. In the ensuing clashes at least 47 people were injured, three of them critically.
Two persons who had sustained pellet gun injuries were shifted to Srinagar for treatment. They have been identified as Zubair Ahmad Turray and Amir Khursheed.
According to eyewitnesses, forces opened random fire upon the protesters and dozens of people were injured in the police action.
They said there was a complete chaos in the area and the troops went on a beating spree. “Troops smashed the window panes of residential houses and parked vehicles,” locals alleged.
In Islamabad district, at least 13 people were injured in clashes immediately after Friday prayers.
Reports said hundreds of people took to streets after congregational prayers in Bijbehara area of the district and staged pro-freedom demonstrations. Raising pro-freedom slogans, the protesters also pelted stones on the troops who were present there in large numbers.  CRPF and police resorted to cane charge and fired tear smoke canisters to disperse the protesters. At least six people suffered injuries in the clashes.
Six people were injured when CRPF men fired tear smoke canisters and cane charged protesters at Sher Bagh, Sarnal, Laizbal, Mattan, K P Road and other areas. Reports of peaceful protests were also received from Kakapora, Pampore, Khrew and other areas of Pulwama district.
NORTH
At least 20 people were injured some of them critically when clashes erupted at several places in north Kashmir’s Baramullah, Kupwara, and Bandipore districts. Locals alleged CRPF troops went berserk and barged into the residential houses in Kunzer Tangmarg.
Peaceful protests were carried out in Tregham, Kupwara, Bandipore, Goshbugh and other places after Friday prayers.
Twenty people were injured, including some women and children, were injured when CRPF troops went berserk and beat the civilians to pulp in Kunzer after people staged the pro-freedom rally in Main Chowk Kunzer.
Hundreds of people chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans staged a rally in the Main Chowk and demanded action against the troops involved in the civilian killing in the valley especially in the last two months.
To disperse the protesters troops fired dozens of tear gas canisters and resorted to baton charge. The protesters retaliated hurling bricks and stones at the cops.
In the midst of clashes dozens of troopers barged into the Sheikh Mohalla and beat upon the civilians including women and children besides smashing window panes of the houses.
Some of the critically injured are Shameema Bano, Noor Muhammad, Raja Begum,Shafiq Ahmad and Firdous Ahmad. The injured were shifted to Sun District Hospital Tangmarg.
As soon as the news spread about the highhandedness of troops in the area, hundreds of people including women and children marched towards main Chowk Kunzer and raised pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. They demanded the action against the troops. The clashes and protests were on till last reports came in.
Authorities clamped the curfew in Kupwara, Tregham, Kralpora, Handwara and restricted the congregational prayers in Jamia Mosque Tregham. Curfew was imposed early in the morning and people were asked not to come out of their homes. Residents of Tregham were forced to offer Friday congregational prayers at Mohalla Mosques where no Friday prayers are offered in normal days. However, people defied the curfew after the prayers and staged a peaceful pro-freedom rally in the area.
Peaceful protests also took place at Kralpora, Handwara, Kupwara town, Darzipora, Jamia Kadeem, Bumhama and other parts of Kupwara despite the curfew. In Goshbug, Pattan, thousands of people offered Friday prayers in Government Higher Secondary School Goshbugh and staged pro-freedom demonstrations later. People from adjacent villages reached the spot and participated in the Friday prayers. Peaceful protesters were also reported from Tangmarg, Bandipore, Ajas,Palhallan and from various other places of North Kashmir.
In Sopore, police and CRPF men fired dozens of tear gas canisters to disperse the protesters after they attempted to stage a pro-freedom rally in Main Chowk after Friday prayers. The protesting youth hurled bricks and stones towards the CRPF Bunker at Main Chowk amid anti-India and pro-freedom slogans.
Reports said hundreds of people, mainly youth after offering Friday prayers assembled at Main Chowk, Arampora, Warpora, Hathi Shah, Model town, Chinkipora, Khushaal Matoo, Baba Yusuf and staged pro-freedom demonstrations.
Shouting pro-Independence slogans, the people were protesting the killing of 64 innocent civilians, including some boys by CRPF and police since June 11.
At the main chowk, CRPF and police fired teargas canisters and fired warning shots to break up the demonstrators. Clashes also broke out at Khawaja Bagh Baramullah where troops and police used force to disperse the protesters. Two people suffered minor injuries in the incident.
“CRPF and police went on rampage. They barged into our residential houses and thrashed the inmates ruthlessly. They did not even spare the women and small children,” Abdul Hameed, a local alleged.
CENTRE
In Srinagar, thousands of people led by Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq staged pro-freedom demonstrations. Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik also led a protest demonstration in uptown Maisuma. At least 13 people were injured in clashes at Soura in the city outskirts and old city.
Reports said thousands of people after offering Friday prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid, Nowhatta took out a peaceful pro-freedom rally. The rally led by Mirwaiz Muhammad Umar passed through various areas of the old city before dispersing peacefully near Khanyar.
Later, groups of youth wearing masks appeared on the streets in the old city and engaged the troops and police in clashes. CRPF and police who had been deployed in strength an hour before the Friday prayers fired numerous tear smoke canisters at Gojwara, Hawal and Nowhatta to disperse the youth who were pelting stones from narrow lanes and by lanes of the areas. At least five people were injured in the clashes.
Clashes also broke out in Hyderpora area of the city minutes after a procession led by Geelani dispersed peacefully. At least five people were injured in the incident.
Earlier in the day, CRPF and police fired tear smoke shells and opened several rounds in air to disperse pro-freedom demonstrators in Soura.
At least 10 people, including a photojournalist Shome Basu was injured in the clashes between protesters and the forces. Clashes continued till Friday prayers and the entire area was tense. The vehicular movement was also hampered for more than three hours while most of the shops in the area remained closed.
In Ganderbal district, hundreds of people staged pro-freedom demonstrations in Tawheed chowk. The protesters were shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans to register their anger against the civilian killings. Peaceful pro-freedom demonstrations were also reported from Nagam, Chadoora, Mochou, main chowk and other areas.
POLICE VERSION
A police spokesman said that barring stray incidents of stone pelting at Jinab Sahib Soura and Nowhatta Chowk in Srinagar and near DC office Shopian, and Khaipora and Tangarmg of Baramulla district, situation remained peaceful. “Friday prayers were held peacefully in all the Masjids and Khankahs of the valley,” the spokesman added.