The Leader of the Islamic Revolution says the Hajj is an important opportunity which should be seized by the Islamic Ummah, and pilgrims should use the spiritual blessings of the land of revelation to strengthen their links with God, the Almighty Creator.
 

Addressing officials in charge of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Sunday in Tehran that the Hajj presents a unique opportunity for reflection on religious and spiritual issues as well as matters of concern of the Islamic World.

He stated that during the Hajj ceremonies, pilgrims should make the best of this divine journey to awaken their cognizance of God that ought to be manifestation of real change in both the words and deeds.

He pointed to the Hajj as an ideal opportunity to deal with problems gripping the Muslim world and said: “Today, the Islamic World faces serious and momentous challenges such as new ploys hatched by the arrogant powers to sow seeds of discord and skepticism among the Muslims”.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution called on pilgrims to move beyond trivial issues in order to soften their hearts by removing traces of unwarranted rancor. He expressed regret that: “Unfortunately, some Muslims, whether Shiites or Sunnis, indulge in insults and distortion of facts and in part play the role designed by the enemies of the Islamic Ummah, thereby moving in line with the vested interests of the US and the Zionists.”

Ayatollah Khamenei lambasted Takfir or apostatizing of fellow Muslims as a tool used by the enemies of Islam to create divisions among Muslims in order to divert attention from the core issue of Palestine for the sake of the illegal Zionist entity.

The first and foremost matter of concern for the Islamic World is the issue of Palestine, said the Leader, and called for due attention to this issue during the Hajj ceremony.