Evil Dictators of Region Should Not Be Replaced by Even More Evil Ones
Evil dictators should not be replaced by even more evil ones or fake Muslims, Professor Paul Sheldon Foote of California State University told IQNA in an interview.
What follows is the full text of the interview.
Q: The idea of Islamic civilization-making for the Islamic Awakening movements in the region in order to confront Western liberalistic models is among Ayatollah Khamenei’s intellectual innovations. What do you think about the idea?
A: In the early period of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Iranian news programs started with the motto: neither west nor east. The basic idea was that the rotten systems of the West and of the Soviet Union would collapse because of immorality and of corruption. The promise was that Iran would find a better third way. Those who regarded the example of Iran as a serious threat included many Arab leaders who claimed to have Islamic countries.
Q: How do you evaluate resistance against US and European domination and confronting the Zionist regime in the statements and views of Ayatollah Khamenei?
A: More than a century ago (while many European countries still had monarchies), the people of Iran attempted to have a Constitutional Revolution. Iranians who have studied the history of Iran are aware of the many concessions granted by shahs of Iran to Western powers. While the Islamic Republic of Iran has been successful in ending the theft of Iran’s resources by Western powers, many other countries have failed to do the same or even to applaud Iran’s success. The people of Iran should not have to be the only ones to make sacrifices to end Zionist totalitarian rule.
Q: In Ayatollah Khamenei’s view, leadership and structure-making for the regional uprisings is an effective way for forming a resistance and a protection against threats. What are your thoughts on that? What do think are the main reasons behind the failure of some the revolutions in the region?
A: Islam means the voluntary personal submission to Allah. Unfortunately, many people in the region have become accustomed to believing that Islam means submission to dictators. Those who have opposed dictators in some countries in the name of Islam are really snakes in the sleeve of the prophet. Evil dictators should not be replaced by even more evil ones or fake Muslims.
Q: In the Supreme Leader’s opinion, spread of divisions among revolutionaries and foreign infiltration are among the main causes that do serious harm to regional revolutions. How can they be avoided, especially considering what we are witnessing in Egypt?
A: There will be no end to the divisions until devout Muslims everywhere condemn the evil leaders of Saudi Arabia. Devout Muslims can start by refusing to go on pilgrimages to Mecca until the evil leaders of Saudi Arabia are gone from power.
Q: The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution considers understanding among Islamic schools of thought as the key to salvation. What strategies could be adopted now to douse the flames of sectarian conflicts spread in the region by Takfiris?
A: Devout Muslims can start by setting examples of religious tolerance towards peoples of all religions, including sects of Islam. It is time for humility and literacy.
Interview by Javad Arabshirazi
Q: The idea of Islamic civilization-making for the Islamic Awakening movements in the region in order to confront Western liberalistic models is among Ayatollah Khamenei’s intellectual innovations. What do you think about the idea?
A: In the early period of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Iranian news programs started with the motto: neither west nor east. The basic idea was that the rotten systems of the West and of the Soviet Union would collapse because of immorality and of corruption. The promise was that Iran would find a better third way. Those who regarded the example of Iran as a serious threat included many Arab leaders who claimed to have Islamic countries.
Q: How do you evaluate resistance against US and European domination and confronting the Zionist regime in the statements and views of Ayatollah Khamenei?
A: More than a century ago (while many European countries still had monarchies), the people of Iran attempted to have a Constitutional Revolution. Iranians who have studied the history of Iran are aware of the many concessions granted by shahs of Iran to Western powers. While the Islamic Republic of Iran has been successful in ending the theft of Iran’s resources by Western powers, many other countries have failed to do the same or even to applaud Iran’s success. The people of Iran should not have to be the only ones to make sacrifices to end Zionist totalitarian rule.
Q: In Ayatollah Khamenei’s view, leadership and structure-making for the regional uprisings is an effective way for forming a resistance and a protection against threats. What are your thoughts on that? What do think are the main reasons behind the failure of some the revolutions in the region?
A: Islam means the voluntary personal submission to Allah. Unfortunately, many people in the region have become accustomed to believing that Islam means submission to dictators. Those who have opposed dictators in some countries in the name of Islam are really snakes in the sleeve of the prophet. Evil dictators should not be replaced by even more evil ones or fake Muslims.
Q: In the Supreme Leader’s opinion, spread of divisions among revolutionaries and foreign infiltration are among the main causes that do serious harm to regional revolutions. How can they be avoided, especially considering what we are witnessing in Egypt?
A: There will be no end to the divisions until devout Muslims everywhere condemn the evil leaders of Saudi Arabia. Devout Muslims can start by refusing to go on pilgrimages to Mecca until the evil leaders of Saudi Arabia are gone from power.
Q: The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution considers understanding among Islamic schools of thought as the key to salvation. What strategies could be adopted now to douse the flames of sectarian conflicts spread in the region by Takfiris?
A: Devout Muslims can start by setting examples of religious tolerance towards peoples of all religions, including sects of Islam. It is time for humility and literacy.
Interview by Javad Arabshirazi
