REPORT--Sayyed Nasrallah 22nd Anniversary of the Imam Khomeini’s Demise: We Want United Lebanon

Nour Rida

Through a large TV screen during a ceremony organized by the Iranian embassy in Lebanon to commemorate the departure of the leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran Imam Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, at the UNESCO Palace in Beirut, Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah delivered his speech.
On the 22nd anniversary of the Imam Khomeini's Demise, Hizbullah Secretary General talked about the intellect of Imam Khomeini, particularly in a time when revolutions sweep across the region. On this anniversary, Hizbullah leader discussed one of Imam's accomplishments; the building of a State. Before addressing the Lebanese issues, Sayyed Nasrallah explained the concept of the Wali Al Faqih and the means on which the Islamic Republic was established.

Imam Khomeini Achieved Victory..True Meaning of Wali Al Faqih

His Eminence recalled that the most important accomplishment of Imam Khomeini was the establishment of a State following the toppling of the Shah regime, which happened only with popular acceptance, by that achieving great victory.

Following the victory of the Islamic Revolution and the toppling of the Shah regime, Imam Khomeini had a comprehensive and overall view on the regime and its future, of which he wrote a book 40 years before the Islamic revolution, but he never imposed his theories on the people, he rather went to census to see what the people want. In fact, the Iranian people said ‘Yes' to an Islamic Republic, hence the Wali Al Faqih never imposed the regime, the people chose the identity of this regime, Hizbullah Leader said. Sayyed Nasrallah noted that the two major pillars for establishing the regime are the Republic regime, which means that the major positions of the authority in Iran are subject to popular elections, be it direct or indirect. As for the second pillar, it is the Islamic system which is based on the Islamic teachings and values capable of staying up-to-date with the evolution of time through intellectual ijtihad (making of a decision in Islamic law).

Hizbullah leader explained that Imam Khomeini called for electing a Council of Experts to put a constitution for the Islamic Republic. Still, the council did not put the final constitution; in fact it was set out for discussions and popular census, where most of the Iranian people agreed on this constitution before it was adopted.

Sayyed Nasrallah further explained the role of the Wali Al Fakih, s the guide and regulator who like other citizens still he headed to polls to vote for the Republic and the constitution.
Since the very beginning of the Islamic Revolution and the rise of the Islamic Republic, Sayyed Nasrallah noted, not for once has Iran missed out one constitutional and electoral title despite all the regional and international wars and developments. "The Iranian regime is 32 years old, so far, there have been 31 popular elections on the national level and this year, parliamentary elections are due. This State of the Wali Al Faqih is a State of real elections," Sayyed Nasrallah noted, adding that the Wali Al Faqih himself abides by the constitution and the law and is entitled to applying them.

"In Iran, there are institutions; there is a real authority and a real executive authority headed by the President of the Republic as well as a strong judicial authority. The Wali Al Faqih oversees the authorities and separates between them, prevents these from trespassing their limits and coordinates between them in case needed. He directs these authorities but he does not interfere in making rules and judicial regulations," Sayyed Nasrallah further explained. He pointed out that this Wali Al Faqih should be a personality that enjoys certain characteristics, meaning he should be a Faqih (jurisprudent) and a Mujtahid (Muslim Jurist) as well as a man of law and justice. Sayyed Nasrallah said the Wali Al Faqih also should enjoy wisdom, bravery, and should be the first to abide by the law.

Unlike the scandalous stories that were revealed by the Arab revolutions, such as a president
who possesses 70 billion or 50 billion dollars along with his family (hence Husni Mubarak, or Zein Al Abidin ben Ali), Imam Khomeini left nothing for his wife and children, Sayyed Nasrallah underscored. Not only that but also Imam Khomeini was able to stand up for all the challenges and issues, as well as preserve the Ummah (Nation) and its independence and progress on the different levels, that was the experience of Imam Khomeini, Hizbullah SG pointed out.

There have been international effort and several attempts during the past years to drop the meanings of certain terms such as Jihad, martyrdom, resistance, and Ummah, Sayyed Nasrallah pointed out, which are the elements of strength in the nation. "They are trying to picture the Wilayat Al Faqih as a tyrannical and repressive sytem that aims at taking people back to medieval times," Hizbullah Leader added, reiterating these schemes have proved to be failing.

We All Want a State in Lebanon

Sayyed Nasrallah said that all the Lebanese support the building of a State, noting that all the Lebanese have lived painful experiences and want a true one Lebanon. "We all say that we want a State of law and institutions, but there are impediments and problems in our way, one of which is the Taef accord. His eminence proposed to avoid talk of committing to the Taef agreement or call for modifying it, but work at the same time on developing the Lebanese system away from sectarianism.

His Eminence said "Our problem in Lebanon is that the formula which was adopted before the Taef agreement was the product of a settlement. The current formula, the Taef Accord, is the product of a settlement. However, the situation in the country is too complicated to introduce a new constitution or discuss the change of the Taef agreement and we therefore fear a return of sectarian divisions."
His Eminence noted there are real gaps that specialized legal can solve, adding that the government or a National dialogue conference can assign a committee to propose a mechanism to resolve the issues of the constitution, as Lebanon really needs to develop its system. His Eminence pointed out that the means to development is getting together and reaching a consensus.

AS for the government formation, Hizbullah SG said that efforts to form the new government are underway; stressing that giving up is not a possibility despite all the challenges present. Sayyed Nasrallah reiterated that "We should not feel down or become desperate, hoping that the latest developments would help in bringing a government to light. Hizbullah leader stressed the importance of safeguarding the State's institutions in Lebanon, particularly the security institution, the Army to be more specific, which in turn safeguards the country and its unity. His Eminence underscored that the political leaderships should know their liabilities and take responsibility, adding that Lebanon is part of the region and should be treated as such rather than a separate entity on its own, especially in light of the ongoing "Israeli"-American scheme which aims at dividing the region.
 
Muslims and Christians United to Support Palestine

Sayyed Nasrallah then tackled the Palestinian cause in light of the Naksa (setback) anniversary, which has caused the Arabs to lose Palestine and many of the Arab territories in Syria, Egypt, Jordan and some parts of Lebanon. In light of the Naksa, Sayyed nasrallah recalled another accomplishment of Imam Khomeini, who retrieved the power of balance that the Arabs lost when they signed the Camp David Pact with the "Israeli" enemy. His Eminence reiterated that this is the brave stance of the Wali Al Faqih, who takes responsibility whether on the legal, moral, or historic levels. As Muslims, Christians, and humans, Sayyed Nasrallah said, people should stand by the Palestinian people and support them in their cause, until they return to their usurped land and sanctities.

"The Palestinian people expressed their will to retun in Maroun Al Ras and Majdal Shams," Sayyed Nasrallah said, saluting the souls of the martyrs who fell during the Nakba protests as well as their families. "I tell you the blood of your children are not to no avail, this blood was shed in order to revive a great and sacred cause, in order to remind the world of the usurped right," His Eminence addressed the families of the martyrs, assuring that their children are part of the fleet of martyrs throughout history.