Imam Khamenei Urges Facing Cultural Onslaught Wisely
His Eminence made the statement in a meeting on Tuesday, December 10, with members of the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council, adding that there should be innovative efforts made to confront this phenomenon and that the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting and the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance have great responsibility in this field.
The Supreme Leader urged the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance to focus on producing books and attractive films, designing useful video games and developing attractive and meaningful toys.
His Eminence stated that video games and toys imported from abroad are affecting Iranian youth, juniors and children through promotion of Western lifestyle and behavior.
Imam Khamenei also said at least “hundreds” of media outlets across the world are specifically seeking to “influence the mindset and behavior of the Iranian nation.”
Imam Khamenei said the worst way of facing cultural onslaught is remaining passive and adopting a defensive stance against it.
The Supreme Leader underlined that culture and cultural values form the identity and spirit of a nation, adding that culture is not secondary to economy and politics but it is economy and politics that are secondary to culture.
His Eminence highlighted the need for a cultural addendum to all major issues, saying that sometimes decisions in economic, political, social and even scientific areas may have negative cultural consequences in society due to lack of a cultural addendum.
Imam Khamenei said being sensitive toward cultural issues is among the establishment’s supervisory responsibilities, stressing “all of us have religious and legal responsibility about cultural issues and the country’s public culture.”
The Supreme Leader referred to some irresponsible remarks regarding cultural freedoms like those in the West, saying “why shouldn’t we insist on the sublime values of our own culture?”
His Eminence further highlighted the significant status of the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council, describing the council as the country’s highest and best cultural institution.
Elsewhere in his statements, Imam Khamenei stressed that a reality named “We Can” is abundant in the spirit of the country’s youth, urging the cultural and scientific officials to enhance this spirit so that, with the blessing of God, the country can reach the scientific peaks and establish the new Islamic civilization.
Prior to the Supreme Leader’s statements, President Hassan Rouhani, who also heads the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council, in a speech regarded the council as the country’s highest policy-making institution in the cultural arena and said the government is determined to execute the approvals of the council.
The president also highlighted the role of people as well as the council’s supervisory role in cultural issues.
1337043
