Ayatollah Khamenei's letter to students at U.S. universities
An editor has nominated this article for deletion. You are welcome to participate in the deletion discussion, which will decide whether or not to retain it. |
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sent a letter to students at U.S. universities on 30 May 2024.[1] The letter received mixed reaction in social media around the world.[2] Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, commended US students for their protests against the Gaza conflict, acknowledging them as part of the Resistance Front against Israel. In his letter, he affirmed their stance by saying "as the page of history is turning, you are standing on the right side of it."[3]
This letter came more than nine years after Khamenei addressed youth in Europe and North America.[4]
Background[edit]
Over the ongoing Israel–Hamas war, pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses erupted across nearly 140 US universities, with students calling for their universities to divest from companies linked to Israel and calling for an end to violence in Gaza. More than 2,000 students were arrested.[5]
Content of the Letter[edit]
After World War II, the capitalist Zionist network gradually imported several thousand terrorists into this land with the help of the British government. These terrorists attacked cities and villages, murdering tens of thousands of people and displacing multitudes into neighbouring countries. They seized homes, businesses, and farmlands, forming a government in the usurped land of Palestine and calling it Israel.[6]
Khamenei's letter
While describing Israel's actions as "genocide and apartheid", Khamenei asked the students to continue their protests against what he called "brutal Zionist regime".[5][7][8] In his letter, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed empathy and solidarity with the students protesting against Israel's attacks in Gaza. He referred to these students as a “branch of the Resistance Front” and predicted their victory with the "permission of God".[9]
Quran's teachings[edit]
Khamenei advised the students to “become familiar with the Quran” and highlighted the Quran's teachings on standing up for what is right and not oppressing others. He stated, "The Quran’s lesson for us Muslims and all of humanity, is to stand up for that which is right: ‘So be steadfast as you have been commanded’ (11:112). The Quran's lesson for human relations is: ‘Do not oppress and do not be oppressed’ (2:279)". Ayatollah Ali Khamenei further emphasized that the Resistance Front advances by understanding and practicing these and hundreds of other such commands.[9]
Criticizing the West[edit]
In the letter, Khamenai mentioned the history of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and blamed England and America for their financial and military support to Israel against the Palestinians. He wrote that “The Zionist regime used an iron-fist policy against the defenseless people of Palestine from the very beginning and has ever since intensified its brutality, terror, and repression in complete disregard of all moral, human, and religious values.” According to the letter, elites in the West who own major media companies have called the Palestinian resistance "terrorism" and defended Israel as "acting in self-defense."[4]
Can one call a people a terrorist nation for defending themselves on their own land against the crimes of the occupying Zionists? And is helping such a nation and strengthening it, an act of terrorism? ... The oppressive leaders of global hegemony mercilessly distort even the most basic human concepts. They portray the ruthless, terrorist Israeli regime as acting in self-defense – yet they portray the Palestinian Resistance which defends its freedom, security and the right to self-determination, as terrorists![10]
He ended his letter by assuring the students that circumstances are changing and a different fate awaits the important region of West Asia.[4]
Reactions[edit]
The letter sparked mixed reactions on social media worldwide. While some users expressed support for Khamenei's message, others criticized it.[2] According to the Jerusalem Post, this letter intensified the heated atmosphere in many universities.[11] The Iranian cultural attaché in Russia stated Iran has not acted passively despite being subjected to sanctions under various pretexts, and took an active role in talking with the young generation in different countries, the last example of which is the letter of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei, addressed to the young students in America to praise their support for the oppressed people of Palestine.[12]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "'Become Familiar with Quran...': Iran's Khamenei Writes A Letter To Anti-Israel Protesters At US Universities". News18. 2024-05-30. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
- ^ a b "بازتاب نامه رهبر انقلاب به دانشجویان آمریکا در فضای بینالمللی" [The reflection of the letter by [Iranian] revolution leader to the US students in the international environment]. خبرگزاری مهر | Mehr News Agency (in Persian). 2024-05-30. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
- ^ Presse, AFP-Agence France. "Iran's Khamenei Hails US University Students For Gaza Support". www.barrons.com. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
- ^ a b c Mehdi, Syed Zafar. "Iran's supreme leader writes letter to US students, says they stand 'on right side of history'". AA.
- ^ a b Mesa, Jesus (30 May 2024). "Ayatollah Tells American College Students They're on 'Right Side of History'". Newsweek.
- ^ Pora, Ran (5 Jun 2024). "Iran uses pro-Palestinian students and criminals as proxies". AIJAC.
- ^ Kukreti, Shweta. "Iran's Khamenei pens open letter to anti-Israel US campus protesters, urges them 'to become familiar with Quran'". Hindustan Times.
- ^ Timotija, Filip. "Iran's supreme leader applauds US campus protests against Israel". The Hill.
- ^ a b "'Become Familiar with Quran...': Iran's Khamenei Writes A Letter To Anti-Israel Protesters At US Universities". News18. 30 May 2024.
- ^ "Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei And Regime Mouthpiece 'Kayhan' On The Student Protests In The U.S. And Europe: 'This Is What We Call Exporting The Islamic Revolution!'". 3 June 2024.
- ^ "Khamenei urges US students: 'Keep fighting against 'genocidal' Israeli policies'". The Jerusalem Post. 30 May 2024.
- ^ "ایجاد کریدور فرهنگی بین کشورهای بریکس" [Creating a cultural corridor between the BRICS countries]. Islamic Culture and Relations Organization. 7 June 2024.