Ayatollah Khamenei: There's No Greater Benefit for the Muslim Ummah Than Unity
During a speech to Hajj officials in Tehran, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution emphasizes the political essence of Hajj and warns against division in the Muslim world.
Iran, PUREWILAYAH.COM - Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei emphasized the urgent need for unity among Muslim nations to prevent humanitarian catastrophes like those currently unfolding in Gaza and Yemen. His remarks came during a speech delivered in Tehran on Sunday to officials and organizers of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
He highlighted the Hajj as a powerful symbol of Islamic unity that transcends race, ethnicity, and national boundaries.
“The Hajj gathering is for the benefit of humanity, and there's No Greater Benefit for the Muslim Ummah Than Unity,” he stated.
Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei warned that had Muslim nations remained united, the suffering in Palestine and Yemen could have been avoided.
“If the Islamic Ummah were united, the issues of Palestine and Gaza would not happen, and Yemen would not be pressured like this.”
Division Invites Foreign Domination
Referring to the ongoing war in Gaza since October 2023, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei condemned the brutal Israeli campaign that has claimed the lives of nearly 53,000 Palestinians and devastated the besieged territory.
He also pointed to the continued attacks by the US, UK, and Israel on Yemen—escalating notably since March 15—following increased Yemeni operations in solidarity with Gaza.
He stressed that internal division among Muslim countries enables foreign powers to interfere and dominate.
“Division and discord pave the way for the colonialists, the US, the Zionist regime, and other expansionists to impose their interests and ambitions,” he warned.
Unity, he insisted, is the foundation for progress, stability, and mutual support within the Islamic world.
“With the unity of the Ummah, security, progress, and synergy among Islamic countries and their assistance to each other become possible.”
He urged Muslims to use the opportunity of Hajj to promote this vision of unity and strength.
Hajj Is Inherently Political
Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei also addressed the often-neglected political dimension of Hajj, asserting that the pilgrimage is not merely spiritual, but intrinsically political.
“Contrary to the efforts, words, and actions of some who tarnish it, the essence of Hajj is political, its form is political, and its composition is political,” he said.
“Hajj, perhaps, is the only obligation whose outward form and appearance and its composition are 100 percent political.”
He emphasized that the annual gathering of Muslims serves a larger purpose beyond individual worship, describing it as a global demonstration of unity and coordination ordained by God.
“Far from being an ordinary pilgrimage and a sightseeing trip, the journey for Hajj is participation in a very important practice that God Almighty has ordained for the management of humanity—not just the management of believers and Muslims, but for the management of humanity.”
“Hajj is for the administration of humanity. The true Hajj is a service to humanity—not just to yourself, your country, and the Islamic Ummah; it is a service to humanity,” he added.
Call to Islamic Leaders and Thinkers
Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei concluded by calling on Islamic governments—particularly Saudi Arabia, as the host of millions of pilgrims—to acknowledge and communicate the true purpose of Hajj.
He also urged intellectuals, scholars, writers, and influential figures in the Muslim world to highlight the deep political and social messages embedded in the pilgrimage. (PW)
Source: Al-Mayadeen