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Sayyed Nasrallah’s Full Speech on Holy Prophet’s Birthday

Sayyed Nasrallah’s Full Speech on Holy Prophet’s Birthday
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In His Name

Full speech delivered by Hizbullah Secretary General, His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, during the ceremony held on the Holy Prophet's (peace be upon him and his household) birthday and al-Imdad Association Day on Friday, January 9, 2015.

Sayyed Nasrallah’s Full Speech on Holy Prophet’s Birthday

I take refuge in Allah from the stoned devil. In the Name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Most Merciful. Peace be upon the Seal of Prophets, our Master and Prophet- Abi Al Qassem Mohammad; on his chaste and pure Household; on his chosen companions and on all messengers and prophets.

Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings. I salute all those participating in this blessed occasion, whether in this hall in the Southern Suburbs of Beirut, Baalbeck, Hermel, Nabatiyeh or Hanaway. I also extend my regards to all those who are watching or listening. Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessing.

Firstly, I would like to felicitate and congratulate all Muslims and all of humanity on the birthday anniversary of the Holy Prophet- The Seal of Prophets- Abi Al Qassem Mohammad (peace be upon him and his household), which also coincides with the birthday anniversary of his grandson- the Master of the nation and of all jurists - Imam Jaafar Sadeq (peace be upon him).

As we are still close to the anniversary of the blessed birthday of Jesus Christ (peace be upon him), we greet all Christians and Muslims on this occasion as well as on the occasion of the New Year.

The first group of people who we are supposed to salute and address at this moment is the officers and soldiers of the Lebanese Army, security forces, and the Islamic Resistance men who are deployed on the borders and are providing the country with security and safety, and protecting it against "Israeli" aggressions and threats, and Takfiri terrorist attacks. On those days, especially in the past days and nights and up to this very day, they are defending their country, people, and the borders on both sides within the Lebanese territory as well as on one side within the Syrian territory: in the snow, the cold, the frost, high positions and hills at an elevation of 2,000 and 2,500 meters, and in harsh and tough conditions.

Still, they insist on steadfastness and perseverance, and on assuming this major national, legal, and moral responsibility. They are the true followers of the Great Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him and his household), and the true defenders of the Lebanese people and of humanity in this country. I also salute the families of martyrs because had it not been for the blood and sacrifices of these martyrs, Lebanon and the region would have been in a very different situation.

Also, before moving into the topics of the speech, we must pause on the decease of a great national personality- I mean, Premier Omar Karami (may Allah have mercy on him). Prime Minister Karami used to have a great, national position that used to truly support the causes of the nation and the resistance movements in Lebanon and Palestine in confronting the Zionist project. He was a noble, righteous, committed, and sacrifice-offering political and national personality. We ask Allah Al Mighty to have mercy on him, to bestow patience on his kind family, and to aid his son- MP Faisal Karami- in moving on the same path and in shouldering his father's trust, as he is competent of that.

On the occasion of this ceremony and the "Week of Supporting Orphans", I salute all the brothers and sisters in the Imam Khomeini (al -Imdad) Charity Association, whether in Lebanon or at the central administration in the Islamic Republic in Iran. I thank them in your name. I thank all of the workers and volunteers for their efforts and for their care and support for the honorable families who have lost their breadwinners, and especially for their moral, emotional, educational, and financial support for the orphans. This is one of the greatest and most honorable deeds that please Allah Al Mighty and make man closer to Him.

Brothers and sisters! On this kind occasion and in the available time, I would like to set a brief outline as usual. I have a word on the occasion; on al-Imdad and the orphans; on the Lebanese situation; and on the situation in the region. God-willing, I will be as concise as possible and wrap up all of these topics in the available time limit.

Firstly, regarding the occasion, we have chosen the slogan of "Mohammad- The Prophet of Mercy" this year. No doubt, Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his household) was one of the greatest manifestations of divine mercy in this universe on the level of humanity as well as on the level of all creatures. Allah Al Mighty addresses him, saying: {We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures}. Everything that our Prophet (peace be upon him and his household) came with was in its truth, essence, and spirit a mercy from Allah Al Mighty to humans and to all creatures in this world as well as in the Hereafter. From the very beginning, Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his household) guided his companions, followers, and all those who believe in him all throughout history and until doomsday to refine themselves and attain the distinctive feature of Allah, which is that of mercy. He called on them to be characterized by divine morals; in fact, we do not need evidence for that.

However, unfortunately, we are obliged to give evidence in this time in which we are living. That's why the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him and his household) taught us to begin every saying and every deed with, "In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Most Merciful". We are asked to bring our children to doing this. This is one of the confirmed favorable deeds among Muslims and in the religion of the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him and his household).

Although all the ‘Beautiful Attributes' are for Allah, the central and most primary supplication is to call Allah as, "the Most Compassionate and the Most Merciful", and to ask Him by His Mercy. The Fatiha of Our Quran and the first Surah in the Quran of Mohammad (peace be upon him and his household) is {In the Name of Allah, The Compassionate, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds. The Compassionate, the Most Merciful}. When Allah Al Mighty wanted Mohammad (peace be upon him and his household) to make us know Him- as one of the missions of prophets is to make humanity know their Lord, Creator, Founder, Endower, and the One Who decides their affairs, fate, livelihood, age, death, and destiny- He made the prophet introduce us to Him as, "the Compassionate, the Most Merciful".

This education, this focus, and this orientation are not at the level of sayings or slogans; rather, it is for this saying to pass into our hearts, souls, behaviors, deeds, bodies, and spirits.

By the way, reiterating this praise to Allah is favorable in all circumstances- even if I am not saying or doing anything, but rather just sitting. Some Prophetic traditions and some senior scholars view that the best praise to Allah or one of the best praises to Allah is, "In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Most Merciful". The goal from reiterating this praise is to make it pass through our souls and spirits so that we would be people of mercy. We find this mercy in the Prophet's (peace be upon him and his household) conduct with his wives, family, relatives, friends, foes, and all of those around him. We notice his mercy in peace as well as in war. We notice his mercy, modesty, and perfect morals in all of the details of his holy life: in his behavior, sayings, teachings, and the rules of his code.

Mercy is the feature of all of these aspects. Anyway, this has been taken for granted for over hundreds of years. Neither I nor anyone was needed to talk about Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his household) as a Prophet of Mercy. However, today, unfortunately, we have become in dire need of that due to the conduct of some terrorist Takfiri groups which have attributed themselves to Islam, the Prophet of Islam, and the banner of Islam; through their sayings and deeds and through their inhuman, brutal, violent, and savage practices, these terrorist groups have insulted the Prophet of Allah, the religion of Allah, the prophets of Allah, the Book of Allah, and the nation of Muslims more than their enemies did, and even more than those who composed insulting books, made insulting movies, or drew insulting sketches. All of these are offensive; however, it is most offensive when heads are cut, chests are ripped apart, hearts are stabbed, massacres are perpetrated, and thousands are slaughtered in minutes and in hours. All of this is being filmed for the entire world to see.

People are being killed in Yemen and in other countries just because they are marking the birthday anniversary of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his household)! In the eyes of these Takfiri groups, this is atheism or unbelief. Do these groups have the right to present themselves as defenders of the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him and his household) or as representing the Prophet of Allah?!

Today, this is one of the major threats and ordeals confronted by our religion and nation. It is a sorrow that has defeated all aspects of happiness and joy on such an occasion. Moreover, a host of factors amplified these insults and their impact:

First: The magnitude and nature of the cruel and brutal practices, and their geographic spread- in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and all around the world, as they now cover the countries that exported these individuals to us, granted them visas, and provided them with facilitations. This was expected from the very first day.

Second: The media outlets which are transmitting all of these atrocities and broadcasting them to every house.

Third: The cunning of the enemies who are lurking over this Prophet, this religion, and this nation.

I can say that these are among the factors by which these groups have offended the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him and his household) more than in any time in history- and I am responsible for what I am saying. You may inquire and scrutinize closely within history since the beginning of the Prophet's mission. The magnitude of the insult perpetrated by these groups is massive and crucial, and unprecedented in history. This is one of the major challenges to be confronted by the Islamic nation, Muslims, Muslim scholars, and Islamic movements, today. All of us must assume responsibility.

In this context, no doubt, there are missions that we must all assume. It is required that we recall these responsibilities on the birthday occasion of the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him and his household), including the duty of introducing the Prophet, his Quran, his religion, his teachings, his morals, and his life to the world in every possible way and in all the available means. This is the positive side. However, there is another point which we must be aware and careful of; it is the solidarity of the Islamic nation and the followers of the various Islamic sects. In the "Week of Unity" among Muslims, we must all unite in the face of these practices to deny any ties between them and Islam. Moreover, we must unite to confront these terrorist Takfiri groups and exert every effort to isolate, besiege, and- to say it openly- eradicate them.

To be frank, I would like to say, today, that these groups have always and are still forming a threat to the peoples of the region, the nations in the region, and to the map of the region. They pose a threat to our blood, wealth, honor, dignity, fate, future, present, and every right thing. Still, it has become evident that they are posing a threat to what is above politics, security, dignity, and everything- meaning, Islam itself, the Prophet, and the Quran. These groups form the greatest threat to Islam as Islam, as a religion, as a mission and to the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him and his household), the Prophet's stature, and to this Holy Book. Scholars know that when it comes to defending Islam as Islam, the religion as a religion, and the divine mission as a divine mission, many conditions that are taken into consideration when confronting and assuming responsibility fall. In fact, things could come to reach the level that led Abu Abdullah Al Hussein (peace be upon him and his household) to leave toward Karbala, despite having few supporters and humble capacities; for above all, the battle in Karbala was- as we say in all Ashura occasions- to defend Islam.

All Muslim scholars and Muslims altogether shoulder this responsibility of confronting the terrorist Takfiri groups. The issue is not limited anymore to defending certain regions, peoples, minorities, majorities, moderates, governments, a political map, or the future of the region.

The issue has become more sublime and lofty; it has become that of the defense of Islam which is threatened with the conduct, logic, and practices of these groups on the level of the world, and not on the level of a certain country or region. All of us must assume this responsibility.

The second point has to do with orphans and al-Imdad Charity. One of the manifestations of mercy in this divine religion is this great care for a special social group- the poor, the needy, and especially orphans. Although the mission of the Holy Quran is not to go into all details, and especially legislative ones- which was the primary mission of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his household)- we find a great Quranic assertion on the matter of this group of people, and especially on that of orphans. Orphans were mentioned in the Holy Quran 23 times in 12 surahs (chapters) and in 22 ayahs (verses)- meaning, on various occasions and at different times.

When orphans are mentioned, they are mentioned within the framework of primary instructions, and not within the framework of marginal, minor, or secondary instructions. So, they are mentioned rather within the primary instructions that Allah Al Mighty has addressed to His people through the Quran. Allah Al Mighty says: {Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your sides, the wayfarer, and what your right hand possesses; for Allah loves not the arrogant, the vainglorious} You see that Allah Al Mighty mentions the parents and the relatives, followed directly by the orphans.

Accordingly, there are several Quranic ayahs (verses) that assert and recommend supporting the orphans, preserving their dignity, taking care of their spiritual status and their social future, and seeking to unite them in wedlock. One of the important points that are recommended by the Quranic ayahs (verses) is to guard the wealth of orphans to the extent that Allah Al Mighty threatens with Hellfire those who embezzle the money of orphans- look at this great interest which is not limited to a sheer moral recommendation; the instruction mounts to the level of a commitment which is to be rewarded with Heaven and punished with Hellfire in the case of embezzling the money of the orphan or hurting him or her. Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his household), an orphan himself, showed great interest in this framework through Holy traditions, his conduct, and through his assertion of this concept.

We are talking about supporting the orphan, not only through providing him financially or with food, schooling, and healthcare; we are talking about a general comprehensive support. An orphan is in need of moral and spiritual support. By losing his father, he did not lose the breadwinner only; he lost the tender father, the haven, the guide, and the person who takes his hand to overcome the difficulties of this life. The support required, here, is moral, spiritual, and educational. Indeed, part of the support is financial in providing these orphans with the necessities of life.

Here, I cite a quote to assert what I am saying. In the will which Amir Al Mumineen makes before his death, he says: "What a kind man is he who supports the orphans. Do not leave them hungry. Don't let them feel lost as long as you are there to support them. I have heard the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him and his household) saying: "Allah will reward with Heaven whoever supports an orphan until he is able to support himself as Allah Al Mighty will punish in Hellfire whoever embezzles the money of orphans". The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him and his household) gave the evidence, and it was quoted by Imam Ali (peace be upon him).

The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him and his household) made another recommendation. He said: "Be a merciful father to the orphan". The Prophet (peace be upon him and his household) also raises the level of favoring such deeds, saying: "I and the God-fearing supporter of the orphan are as these two in Heaven", and he raised his forefinger and middle finger. This narration is known by all Muslims. So, he is not saying that the supporter of the orphan will be rewarded with Heaven only; he will also have a status close to that of the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him and his household)- with that being the highest and most sublime status there. That's why he raises both his fingers.

So, the supporter of orphans is close to the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him and his household). This is his position. This is at a time when such a simile or this kind of expression, or such mentioning of a lofty position is rarely made. There might be other places in which such a status is mentioned, but they are on rare and special occasions.

Furthermore, the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him and his household) makes a recommendation to those with merciless hearts; this tradition is of great benefit to us in this time in which the people of merciless hearts have become very numerous. We need to have merciful hearts at our homes and with our families, children, wives, relatives, neighbors, and those around us. Anyway, the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him and his household) addresses a man, saying: "Do you wish to have a merciful heart and to achieve your need? Then have pity upon orphans, pat on their heads, and feed them from your own food." So, this leads to having a merciful heart. What makes a heart full of mercy? Psychologists must work on this.

This deed also leads to achieving your need. If you have a need- any need- in this world or for the Hereafter, and you want Allah Al Mighty to make it come true and are finding the doors locked before you, one of the ways that help you achieve it is by having pity on orphans.

You see, the story is not limited to money, food, drink, and medicine; "have pity on orphans, pat on their heads, and feed them from your own food." Bring the orphan to your home. Let him sit at your table. Let him sit among your wife and children. Feed him from your own food. As such, your heart will be merciful, and your need will be achieved. This is the recommended level of support.

Through these instructions, we can understand that orphans must be supported and taken care of in their own homes and among their own families, in principle. So, if we can keep the orphan with his mother, this is a priority; she would take care of him and raise him while giving him her love. This would take place while we support this mother, this orphan, and this family. This is the first priority because this guarantees support with all its various dimensions.

Here, we must salute all mothers who have lost their husbands, whether through martyrdom, natural death, or for any other reason. We salute the wives of martyrs, the mothers of orphans, and all orphans and not only those of martyrs. I know that many of these mothers have sacrificed their personal future and their personal lives to raise these orphans. This is one of the greatest deeds that bring man close to Allah Al Mighty. This is a great form of jihad in the sake of Allah Al Mighty which a woman, a mother, or a wife can do.

If we cannot leave the orphan with his mother, he should stay with his family- his grandfather, his grandmother or his relatives. If that is not possible, we must keep him with a family. It is important that he be in a family. The orphanage is an exception; it is an indispensable need and a necessity at some stages, yet it should be the last place.

This should be the program of all charities which care for orphans. They must be committed to these priorities because they were clearly given and implied through the content of the holy traditions and narrations. Praise be to Allah that many of these societies and orphanages take this into consideration. At the top of these charities comes al-Imdad Charity, which takes pride in a special feature- that it was founded by Imam Khomeini (May Allah sanctify his secret), and that it developed and grew under his sponsorship. Nowadays, it is carrying on its work in Iran, Lebanon, and several countries in the world under the sponsorship of His Eminence Imam Khamenei (May Allah prolong his lifespan), while still carrying the name, "Imam Khomeini Imdad Committee". We hope that all believers and all kinds of people, whether men or women, would support al-Imdad Charity and the other similar societies to enable them to assume this responsibility on behalf of all of us; for this collective social show of solidarity brings us all closer to Allah Al Mighty as well as makes our society and our families enjoy the mercy and sympathy of Allah Al Mighty.

The brothers and sisters in al-Imdad Charity have called for a campaign to support 4,050 orphans. I support them in their call and call on others to support them- everyone according to his or her capability. The burden must not be left aside. All of us must cooperate to shoulder it. Also, we all hope that the brothers and sisters in al-Imdad Charity will always be fit to assume this responsibility on the moral, behavioral, spiritual, logistic, and executive level as they have always been in the past. We hope they will carry on assuming this responsibility concerning the families that have no supporters, and especially orphans, as this is the will of our Prophet (peace be upon him and his household).

Moving on to the Lebanese front, I have several quick points to say.

The first point is the Hizbullah-Future dialogue under the kind sponsorship of Speaker Nabih Berri. I want to assert and assure the Lebanese that it is moving forward with the required seriousness from both parties. The dialogue is of great benefit to the country.

It's enough that the situation in the country has largely calmed down since the day we started talking about this dialogue until it actually began. We do not claim that there is no political tension or congestion anymore; however, it is at its lowest level. No doubt this is of great benefit to the country and to all of the Lebanese.

When the call was first made for the dialogue, some parties voiced doubts regarding the dialogue, yet it took place. However, still some have doubt over its outcome, efficiency, and usefulness; will it be fruitful or not? Here, I am telling you that based on the two sessions that took place, the nature of the points tackled in the dialogue, and the status of the sides partaking in the dialogue, I can speak of a major positivity that can lead to tangible results; this is most probable. We, as well as all the sides concerned in this dialogue, were logical from the very first day. We did not set high ceilings. We did not set a definite agenda. We know- we all know- that it is difficult to reach a result in such causes under the current conditions. Is there a set principle on which we, as Lebanese, must agree on: either we agree on everything or we fight, argue and attack each other in the media; boycott each other in politics; and leave our square, country and nation tense? Aren't there alternatives except these two? Isn't there a third choice? There is a third choice.

It is that we communicate and enter into dialogue. We work according to what we agree on, and we organize what we disagree on, postpone it, or find a mechanism to continue a dialogue in it. This is what logic and the mind says. Religion, morals, and national interest say so. Indeed, that does not appeal to some people in the country- I do not wish to accuse forces; I will limit what I am saying to definite persons. Some people have no interest in the Lebanese standing shoulder to shoulder. They have no interest in Shiites and Sunnites sitting together to talk with each other as Shiites and Sunnites, in general, or as political forces.

That is because we are not claiming that we, alone, represent Shiites, and no one is claiming or is supposed to claim that the Future Movement, alone, represents Sunnites. However, there is no doubt that this dialogue leaves a good and positive traces on the general atmosphere in Lebanon at the level of sects. Some parties cannot tolerate that Muslims and Christians in Lebanon are sitting together, reaching agreements, engaging in dialogue, and are finding solutions because in some place in this world- and not only in Lebanon or in the region- some parties are seeking an Islamic-Christian war based on the first point I tackled in my speech.

Some are seeking an Islamic-Christian war, and they are being aided by the fools of the terrorist Takfiri groups. This does not appeal to some people; this does not appeal to some states. However, as Lebanese people and as peoples of the region, we have an interest in all influential and effective parties, sides, and forces in Lebanon sitting together, entering into dialogue, and finding solutions to their problems through dialogue, wisdom, kind words, and peaceful means. This is what we went for; thus, we did not set high ceilings. No one said that this dialogue will resolve the dispute surrounding the defense strategy, arms, the resistance, or the fighting in Syria.

From the very first day, we said that there is a country called, Lebanon, in the region which has witnessed a snowstorm; however, for four years now, it has been living in the heart of the storm- the most violent security, political, military, economic, cultural, psychological, mental, and intellectual storm ever. We can guard this country. We can prevent it from collapsing and falling. If there are fields in which we may agree on, we work on them. If there are fields in which if we work on that may reach a national agreement, let's trust in Allah and work on them. You have had a look at the agenda; the agenda must lead to results- that is its ceiling.

Is it possible to achieve this ceiling? Yes, indeed, in the case that both sides remain serious. It also seems that we will certainly reach favorable results.

From another perspective, this dialogue does not at all replace nor is an alternative to the other political forces in Lebanon. This is a dialogue between two sides, yet it is not an alternative to a national dialogue nor a national agreement; it is rather a path that leads to national dialogue or national agreement. Do you still remember when on I said on one occasion that if we cannot gather on one table now, if there isn't a president, if we can't enter into a national dialogue, or if it is difficult to achieve a broad dialogue table, let's enter into a bilateral dialogue or a tripartite one? Indeed, I did not dare to say a quartet so that no one would say I am talking about a quartet.

Well, two or three sides may sit together. Perhaps, ten sides may sit on one table. Eight of them may have no problem with each other, while two might have a problem with each other. Well, let these two sides stay aside then. It would be good if they solve their problems. Later, these two sides would meet and say that they reached these results and that if you agree on them, let's move forward then.

I mean that we are not talking about this dialogue as an alternative to national dialogue or an alternative to dialogue among political forces. We support and back all kinds of bilateral and tripartite talks among Lebanese political forces or any sides in Lebanon.

In the past, when the gate of dialogue was opened between the Free Patriotic Movement and the Future Movement, some people wrote that Hizbullah is annoyed and the like. Never! We were not annoyed. On the contrary, we talked with our allies and told them that we support this dialogue and back it, and hope that it would be fruitful because if it yields results, its blessing would be to the interest of all the Lebanese.

Any dialogue between political parties, political forces, or political movements or between Muslims and Christians is required on the level of Lebanon. Should such dialogues take place, they would pave the way for a comprehensive, inclusive, rewarding, fruitful and national dialogue that would certainly lead to achieving and promising results, and not to tough sessions that would only lead to further frustration and disappointment instead of the required results.

When man has confidence in himself and in his allies, he must enter into dialogue, and should any of his allies get engaged in dialogue, he must be happy, assured, confident, and encouraging. This is our position today, in fact.
On previous occasions, I have always called on everyone not to "burn bridges". The media situation was highly pressing then, if you still remember. I advised all sides against raising the ceiling in their speeches and igniting the political situation because as Lebanese, we have no choice but to sit together, live together, engage in dialogue, build our country together, and continue our path together.
Consequently, no matter how high the ceiling is, it will be lowered again. All people would sit together and act humbly with each other. They would succumb to each other and seek to reach results. This leads us to tackle the presidential elections in the light of the preoccupation of states and the region with things other than us.
Indeed, we are with the sides who insist on carrying out presidential elections as soon as possible. However, the serious endeavor is in entering into internal dialogue. Any internal dialogue- especially a Christian-Christian dialogue or among Christian forces- would certainly help in making this achievement. Today, the Lebanese, themselves, are able to lead the Lebanese to elect a president- I am saying so to all sides concerned with this issue- so, do not expect anything from abroad.
Foreign sides can't do anything for us. Neither an international agreement nor a regional agreement may do anything. It is required that we reach an internal agreement; an internal agreement is what leads to this achievement.
Also, on the internal front, I call on the Lebanese government and people as well as on official and civil institutions to cooperate in dealing with the consequences and repercussions of the snowstorm on the people, especially the areas that have been damaged and afflicted with agricultural losses, among others. Indeed, that requires the care of the state as well as social solidarity; people have to help each other because the state might, at times, be incapable or negligent.
Thirdly, we tackle the dispute that happened yesterday on the waste management crisis, which led to the closure of the session and the Premier saying that he would not convene another session because the government has to address this crisis. We hope the influential and sincere political leaders will play a role, and that this file will not be neglected.

Let no one erect barricades as a result of the dispute in the government. The dispute has become well-known, and it is also known which parties are part of it. When someone erects a barricade here, and another erects another barricade there, the crisis will continue to go on for days, weeks, and months, leading the country to drown in another crisis. There is no need to say more details. That would lead the country to another place, and the harm will affect all the Lebanese and all of the Lebanese regions. That would be tough. It is shameful for anyone to use the waste file in a battle of any sort.

We hope that the premier, the ministers, as well as the political authorities- as ministers have political authorities- would not neglect this crisis and leave it to grow and take much time, as is the case with all Lebanese crises- everything takes six months and even a year with us to resolve. The waste management crisis is a pressing issue, and the government's work must not be paralyzed because of it at a time in which we know the situation in the region. At a time we do not have a president, our government's work must not be paralyzed because some political sides and some ministers have disagreements over addressing the waste crisis in the country. Thus, a loud cry must be raised to address it.

Concerning the security and the threats at the border, there is no doubt that the security situation has been very good for several months now, thanks to the achievements of the army and the security forces. Here, again, I salute all the martyrs and the wounded who made industrious efforts and offered great sacrifices to make this achievement at the home front as well as at the borderline. Still, we must be cautious.

Here, I would like to shed light on a point. We do not want to restrict or limit the freedom of media outlets; however, at times, we act against our country. The terrorist groups are waging a psychological warfare against the country, as is the case with the abductees- the kidnapped military men. Every now and then, information is leaked to the effect that they want to attack villages, stage aggressions, or occupy areas. Some media outlets view that as a scoop and hurry to make reports on that.

From a definite perspective, someone may say that this is to our interest as that would be evidence that there is a real threat and that, therefore, we are right in going to mountains, hills and barren lands, and holding our arms, fighting, and confronting. Well, no, that is not to our interest. Our true interest is in people living in security, peace, stability, and even psychological integrity and serenity. The Lebanese Army, the security forces, and the resistance men have assumed this responsibility. They are there in the mountains and under the snow. They are in the heart of risks and challenges. They are feeling the pain, being shot, getting injured, and being martyred. So, let's try to leave the people at peace and secure as much as we can.

Furthermore, much of what is said is groundless. Much of what is said is a mere psychological war. These groups are weaker than being able to stage such broad operations, as what some media outlets talk about.

Much of the information broadcasted is also untrue. Some is baseless; some is exaggerated because the armed groups- especially in the barren lands and the eastern borders- need a moral gain. You know that all the terrorist groups' efforts in Qalamoun in the past few months were concentrated on regaining control of at least one town- Flita or Jibba, or Assal Alward, for example; despite their great number and available capabilities, they could not do so. That doesn't mean that they did not try. They are always trying, in fact.

Anyway, in this perspective, I would like to say something to our people in Bekaa, in Bekai villages, and in the villages at the border, in particular, as well as to the Lebanese people, in general. In confronting this danger, the Lebanese are not weak. They are not incapable or in need of help from anyone. As we have defeated the "Israelis" with our own power- the army, the people, and the resistance- we can defeat the terrorist Takfiri groups, and we can defeat anyone who thinks of attacking Lebanon or putting the dignity, honor and security of the Lebanese at stake.

So, as far as this point is concerned, I want you to be reassured. Neither snow, cold weather, snowstorms, martyrs, sacrifices, wounds, pains, burdens, nor accusations can shake the will, determination, and resolution of the army and the resistance men from protecting their people, country, and villages. They are the ones who saved and protected, and they are ready to assume this responsibility to the very end.

As far as this point is concerned, I reiterate and assert my hope that no one partake in intimidating people because, after all, no one can guarantee that an operation would not be staged here or there; this is taking place now in the country.

Now, France, Britain, Spain, and all the countries in the world are mobilized as well. However, a broad military operation is ruled out. After all, things are still alright; the country is still filled with brave and courageous men and women, too. There is no problem in that at all. We have stood in the face of, confronted, and defeated the strongest forces and armies in the world. So, indeed, we will gain victory over these terrorist groups that are gathered from here and there, God-willing.

This is as far as the local front is concerned. I have a final word on the regional issue. I do not want to take much of your time. Indeed, the events taking place in the region are important and very crucial. The developments in Palestine are extremely dangerous, whether on the level of the Palestinian people, the Palestinian cause, Al Quds, Al Aqsa Mosque, Gaza Strip, or the captives in "Israeli" prisons.

I do not have much time to tackle the developments in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Bahrain, and in other places in our region and in the world. However, in the days to come, I have interviews with some media satellite channels in which I will tackle the situation in the region, God-willing. So, if you wish, you can follow us then. Yet, in the several minutes that I have left, I find myself obliged to tackle the situation in Bahrain.

In the past few days, the authorities in Bahrain arrested the Secretary General of al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, Sheikh Ali Salman (May Allah protect him and guard him). Indeed, this is a very dangerous step. To keep him in custody is a very dangerous move. No matter how much we say about condemning this act, we will still fall short of giving him his right.

Still, this arrest has many implications. By taking this step, the Bahraini authorities seem to have reached a dead end after losing in all of its bargains, despite all that the authority has done over the past years. The people of Bahrain are calling for their indisputable legitimate rights. One of the simplest legitimate rights in this time in which all people talk about democracy is that the Bahraini people have an elected parliament, and that the council which drafts laws be elected. So, there must not be an elected council controlled by a number of members appointed by the government, equal to the number of the council's member, in drafting laws and in the political operation.

What are the Bahraini people calling for?

1- The Bahraini people want an elected parliament. Indeed, they want a proper electoral law and an elected parliament with full authorities.

2- Since the very beginning, these people chose being peaceful in their movement. Some might say that I am talking about Bahrain at a time in which there are other movements and uprisings in other countries. Here, I am talking about a country whose people said from the very first day that these are their rights, which are natural, logical, and sound. They have a set of rights, but this is the most prominent right. They also chose to have a peaceful movement.

Fire was opened on them; they did not fire back. They were killed in the streets; they did not take the initiative to kill. They did not resort to arms and bombs, or import fighters or fighting groups from abroad; they did not use a single knife, either. They insist on having a peaceful movement. This is what embarrassed the authority even more over all of these years.

The religious as well as the political opposition leaderships- topped by His Eminence Sheikh Issa Qassem (May Allah guard him) and al-Wefaq Society Secretary General, His Eminence Sheikh Ali Salman (May Allah protect him)- are settled on having a peaceful movement.

You know and we, as Lebanese, know that peacefulness is something difficult to achieve. The easiest thing to do when someone is hit or shot at is to get outraged, take arms, and open fire. That is in the case that he has arms; if not, he would think day and night of fetching for arms to fire back. Isn't this true?

These people are being attacked in their homes. Their honor is being attacked. Their religious scholars, political figures, leaderships, and women are in jail. You know what happens in prisons. They were killed in the streets; still, they did not resort to violence or to any means of violence. They carried on insisting on demonstrations, protests, ceremonies, speeches, and peaceful means- the most peaceful means, in fact. There are some means that are characterized as peaceful and not as violent; they did not even resort to them in most cases. The authority always used to talk about dialogue in form; however, it did not get engaged in a true and serious dialogue. The opposition was always ready for dialogue because the nature of the move and goals, which is peaceful, go along with the nature and means of dialogue.

However, the authority always used to evade any dialogue or the outcome of any dialogue. In the past years, Bahraini authorities bet that the people would get tired of their uprising; however, that did not happen. One day, two days, one month, two months, one year, two years, three years, and four years passed without that happening.

We, in Lebanon, get tired of two or three months of protests and say that demonstrations will not lead us anywhere. The people of Bahrain have been demonstrating, protesting and practicing a peaceful movement for four years now. Indeed, this is a distinguished sample unmatched with any in the whole world. In all or most of the squares, such movements deteriorated rapidly to violence. Yet, this square did not deteriorate to violence. It is not because there are no men in Bahrain; for sure, there are men in Bahrain. The people of Bahrain are known for their bravery, courage, zeal, and fearlessness. This is their history. Also, it is not because no one can use arms in Bahrain- let me say this even if the Khalifa dynasty will come and take me to prison- and it is not because no one can deliver arms or fighters to Bahrain. No, that is not the case; Bahrain is like any other country in the world.

Arms, fighters, and armed men can reach even the most controlled country, and small groups can destroy any country.
The fact is that the will of the scholars, political leaderships and the people in Bahrain is preventing that and insisting on the peacefulness of their move. They bet that the people would fall into despair. However, four years passed, and the people did not fall into despair although the entire world abandoned them and let them down- the international community, states, governments, and many of those who backed the Arab spring stopped when it reached Bahrain. They unfairly classified Bahrain as a sectarian and factional case at a time in which it is not at all as such.

Now, I do not have time even to talk about Bahrain and what the people of Bahrain are being subjected to. Do you know what there is in Bahrain? I did not want to use this phrase, but there is no problem in saying it, even if for once: there is a scheme similar to the Zionist project; there are settlements, a huge invasion, and an endless rapid-growing act of naturalization. People are being brought along from all around the world. They are granted the citizenship and provided with job opportunities, a good salary, security, respect, and dignity at a time in which the native person whose fathers and ancestors have been in this country for hundreds and thousands of years is not given and even deprived of the simplest rights.

The native people are even being expelled and imprisoned and their citizenship is being withdrawn from them at the least political position they take. Industrious efforts are exerted around the clock to change the identity of the Bahraini people, and a day will come when a people other than the Bahraini people will be residing in Bahrain. This is similar to the Zionist scheme in Palestine that aims at reaching a time in which Palestine will be dwelled by Jews who were brought along from all around the world. Isn't this unfair and unjust?

Well, these people carried on in their peaceful movement despite all of the forsaking. They did not fall into despair. The state realized that they did not get frustrated.

Secondly, the state bet that the religious and political leadership would give up. After all, the people would question scholars and the political leaderships, saying that they have demonstrated for a year, two, three, and four; as such, the political leadership would say that this is the end of the story.

However, the scholars and political leaderships still insist in moving forward. The authority bet that the Bahraini youth would be dragged to violence through its tyrannical practices. Believe me in what I am saying. I hope our people in Bahrain are listening to my evaluation. The interest of the Bahraini authority is in people being dragged to violence. If the opposition is accused of or is practicing violence, the authority would be able to talk about national security being at stake, and as such, it will be able to hit the opposition and expel or crush its leaderships; consequently, the opposition would come to an end.

For four years, the authority has been trying to drag the opposition in Bahrain to an armed clash and to practice violence, and it failed to do so. I reiterate that one of the important elements is the adherence of the Bahraini people as well as its leadership to peacefulness. This is their culture because if there is a leadership that insists on peacefulness at a time in which the people have a different culture- the culture of rushing to fight - the story would have been different. The culture of these people as well as their leadership led to moving forward in the peaceful movement. Well, how do we view the arrest of His Eminence Sheikh Ali Salman? He is one of the figures and leaderships who insist on peacefulness.

This is what we must all be aware of. So, we might witness all leaderships who insist on peacefulness being dragged to prisons in order to hit the peaceful movement and to hit the movement, in general. What are the accusations which Brethren Sheikh Ali was charged of? He was accused of provoking violence. Well, if someone wants to charge another with an accusation, he must search for a charge that might be believable. All the Bahraini people and all people know that Brethren Sheikh Ali is peaceful to the maximum. Even those who agree with him on his peacefulness say that he is extremely so. Well, this struggling leader and sheikh was accused of provoking violence to topple the regime. This is at a time in which there is a dispute within the opposition. Some adopt the idea of toppling the regime; others adopt the idea of toppling the regime of the Khalifa dynasty. So, some adopt a definite reform idea and call for an elected government and parliament. Sheikh Ali is part of the latter group. He did not provoke the idea of toppling the regime. He also did not provoke violence. The pretext resorted to is false and feeble. The Bahraini government will discover or had already discovered that it is perpetrating a stupidity. It could not stop this movement through arresting scholars and former figures or through arresting Brethren Sheikh Ali Salman.

Should the Bahraini government arrest all or the majority of the Bahraini people, it might be able to stop the movement in the street, but it will not be able to stop the movement in prisons. The people insist in moving forward in their movement behind a brave, faithful, and religious leadership. They also insist on peacefulness. Today, I am expressing our solidarity and support. Since the very first day, we stood with this popular peaceful movement and its logical goals and civilized manners, and we call on everyone to show solidarity with this people and to reveal the oppression they are being subjected to. We call on all states and international institutions to press on this tyrannical, oppressive government to grant these people their rights and to free all of the captives, whether scholars or figures topped by His Eminence Brethren Sheikh Ali Salman.

From another perspective, I assert and support- as we all do- the call made by Bahraini scholars and leaderships and asserted by His Eminence Sheikh Ali Salman from the prison which is insisting on peacefulness. It might be that through this arrest or through similar arrests, the authority is aiming at dragging the Bahraini street to violence and to armed confrontation. This is not to the interest of Bahrain or to the interest of the Bahraini people.

See what took place in all the states in the region. When arms were resorted to, what was the result and what might be the result in any country?

Anyway, I wanted to tackle this issue on this occasion and I ask Allah Al Mighty that this occasion will return next year with our nation having managed to emerge from all its trials successfully, to confront all of these challenges triumphantly and to achieve a true victory. We hope our nation will be able to overpass these difficult stages through unity, awareness, and wisdom, as well as assuming responsibility, and toppling all the schemes and conspiracies contrived in and outside the nation and that may drop the nation to deep abysses.
I ask Allah Al Mighty to grant us success. Thanks to you all. Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings.

Source: al-Ahed news


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