In a meeting with the head of the Iranian Hajj mission and those in charge of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei expressed pleasure with the Iranian Hajj pilgrims’ return home with dignity and in good health and pointed to the presence of an enormous and international propaganda front against the Islamic Republic, reiterating, “The way to counter this dangerous front, is enlightenment as well as an active and dynamic promotional move, and Hajj is one of the main and basic centers for such a bid.”  

Ayatollah Khamenei expressed gratitude to all of those in charge of holding the Hajj, saying, “The day of the Hajj pilgrims’ homecoming in good health and wellbeing was like a day of celebration and Eid for us.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution cited “the safeguarding of the security, honor and respect of the Hajj pilgrims” as one of his key concerns, adding, “As per the reports of the officials, Hajj pilgrims were in most cases satisfied with [efforts for] the preservation of their dignity and respect, although some instances of violation have also been reported that must be followed up.”   

He pointed to the presence of a very dangerous and active front equipped with various propaganda devices and facilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran, saying, “The Islamic establishment has great potential capabilities to stand up to and charge toward this front, and the opportunity of Hajj is the best promotional platform to establish links with the people of the world and thwart the propaganda of the opposite side.” 

Ayatollah Khamenei said the shutdown of or putting restrictions on Iran’s potentialities for communication with the people during Hajj such as the Kumayl prayers, the ceremony for the disavowal of infidels as well as promotional congregations and conferences are a ruse of the Saudi government against the Islamic Republic, adding, “Today, there are an innumerable number of elites in the world of Islam who would like to hear the truth from the mouth of the Islamic Republic; therefore, important issues such as fighting hegemony, exposing the true colors of the West, disowning the enemies of Islam and the lofty contents of the Kumayl prayers must be imparted to the audience with incisive rhetoric, a good tone and deep logic through modern promotional devices.”       

He described as natural the dubiety in the minds of audiences due to the large volume of negative propaganda against Iran and reiterated , “During the time of the performance of Hajj, Saudi officials brazenly and shamelessly appeared on television and spoke against the Islamic Republic and it’s natural that these remarks raise doubts among the ordinary people of other countries; however, you should remove the ambiguities through communicating with the people and break the siege of the opposite side.” 

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution also emphasized the need to procure Hajj pilgrims’ consumables here inside Iran and take them to Saudi Arabia as much as possible. He then referred to news that there has been a drop in shopping and window shopping by Iranian Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, adding, “If this report is based on precise studies, it warrants happiness.”   

Prior to Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks, Hojatoleslam Ghazi-Askar, the representative of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the head of the Iranian Hajj mission offered a report on the activities conducted and cited “Hajj, spirituality, national might and Islamic solidarity,” as the motto of the this year’s Hajj and said, “Round-the-clock efforts were made to safeguard the security and dignity of the pilgrim and ensure that they return to the country with satisfaction.”

Also in a report, Mr. Mohammadi, the head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, pointed to the spirituality and discipline of Iranian Hajj pilgrims, saying, “‘Coordination between the Hajj mission [of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution] and the Hajj organization,’ ‘the drawing up of a special structure for crisis management,’ ‘the setting up of new tents in the Arafat [plain],’ ‘the orderly management of transportation,’ ‘attention to the security and nourishment of the pilgrims,’ ‘the training of the attendants and special medical measures’ were among the strong points of this year’s Hajj.”