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Sayyed Nasrallah’s Full Speech on January 8, 2021

Sayyed Nasrallah’s Full Speech on January 8, 2021
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Full speech delivered by Hezbollah Secretary General, His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in which he tackled the latest domestic and US developments on January 8th, 2021.

I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan. In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and prayers and peace be upon our Master and Prophet, the Seal of Prophets, Abi al-Qassem Muhammad Bin Abdullah and his good and pure household and his good and chosen companions and all the prophets and messengers.

Peace and Allah's mercy and blessings be upon you all.

I promised a few days ago that I would talk about a few files and internal disputes. I already mentioned what some of these files are. 

First, I would like to comment on some matters and then, God willing, delve into the files.

The first remark: An important development occurred in the US recently involving Trump, who called for demonstrations in Washington. Of course, he cuts his holiday short and returns to Washington on New Year’s Day and calls for demonstrations. On the same day, he addresses the demonstrators from behind a bullet-proof glass and incites them against the Congress where the Senate and the House of Representatives were meeting to ratify Biden's victory in the presidential elections. 

While House Representatives and Senators were meeting, the crowds attacked the Congress building, a tactic the Americans usually employ in other countries around the world in order to bring down regimes. Trump applied it to their system.

They’ve done this in many countries in the world, and they’ve been trying to apply this in Lebanon for a year and a half.

In any case, the crowd attacked the building, broke the security cordon, and got in. There were dozens of dead and wounded, scores of arrests, and bloody clashes, with lawmakers fleeing and hiding. The session ended abruptly, measures were put in place, and voices were raised.

This is, of course, a very dangerous and grave incident. It cannot be underestimated or downplayed, even if some have tried to do so. It has severe repercussions. Of course, in Lebanon and in the Arab region, the ‘lovers of America’ tried extensively to downplay it.

But let us ask the locals, the Americans, they know best. What did Biden and his vice president say? What did senior Democrats say? What did the Republicans say? What did they say? How did they describe the resignations within the Trump administration? If it was a minor, transient, and controlled incident, it would not have all these repercussions. It may even end up with Trump's impeachment and removal from office. This incident is not the topic of our discussion. But since it happened, we have to say a few words:

First, of course, we should learn from this incident and study it because it exposes the reality of the situation in the US. It reveals to us the truth about democracy and claims of democracy. But among the things that we must reflect upon from this incident is that the Americans themselves closely sensed the results of Trump's policies and his willingness to even kill Americans. He killed Americans taking part in demonstrations in recent years to stay in power.

We have always warned of this killer's policies. What the Americans and the world saw was a sample of what Trump committed over the past four years in many countries of the world, including Yemen, Iraq and Syria, blockading Iran, Venezuela and others, and supporting the Zionist crimes against the Palestinian people. The world and many Americans remained silent on many of his horrific crimes against other peoples, including his blatant, public, and official assassination of leaders Hajj Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis. Today, his criminal veracity was exposed to his people, and Trump represents a bold sample of the American political and military arrogance that has long imposed its hegemony on peoples, robbed their goods, and undermined their sovereignty.

The recent developments are a model of the sterility and misfortune of American democracy that does not have the necessary disciplines, and is a model for the likes of Trump to come to power. It reveals how the elections brought Trump to power – a very arrogant, crazy, and foolish person ruling not only America but the entire world and controlling its fate. 

It reveals the truth about American democracy, which he tried to generalize to the world. Him and his partners and allies in the region are an example of rulers who are thirsty for power, even at the expense of their people. Of course, here we should mention Pompeo who preached to us about how to preserve the votes of the electorate, while he and his president wanted to impose and change the election results by force and threat. He speaks about respecting demonstrators, and we saw the dead and wounded in Washington!

I would like to conclude with two words: God Almighty protected the people of the world and the earth during the last four years. We must all pray to him during the remaining 20 days of January because the nuclear button is in the hands of a mad, foolish, racist, arrogant, and tyrannical man called Trump. When he gets mad, he loses himself. God save the world for the remaining days until January 20.
I’ll make another remark and stop there. When I saw him speak yesterday – he recorded his speech and did not deliver it live – he condemned the protesters and those who committed violence, said that he will abide by the law, and urged everyone to abide by the law, he reminded me of the verse: {[The hypocrites are] like the example of Satan when he says to man, "Disbelieve." But when he disbelieves, he says, "Indeed, I am disassociated from you. Indeed, I fear Allah, Lord of the worlds."}

He incited the people against Congress. He sent them there. When they clashed, he distanced himself and claimed to be innocent – no one is above the law. This is an example of how Trump deals with his supporters, and of course, his allies.

In any case, this is a huge incident. The developments taking place today in the US have repercussions on America and will have repercussions on the whole world. We need to follow up on this.

The second remark: In my most recent speech, I mentioned that the reason behind international and regional interest in Lebanon, if there is any, is the resistance and its missiles.

There were reactions [to the speech] the next day. We respect all those who made comments, regardless of the manner and objectivity in which they discussed matters. But what is happening in this country is that if a person speaks about a certain topic, another responds with a different topic. I was talking about the current reality that the resistance was a part of from the 2005 withdrawal of the Syrian forces from Lebanon until today. In other words, if there was any American, European, Western, or international interest in Lebanon, the delegations that came to the country and their meetings with officials, the statements that were issued in the media, and the decisions, their main focus revolved around the resistance, its weapons, and its capabilities and how to settle this issue – to address it, of course, in favor of “Israel”.

Pompeo came. Schenker flew back and forth. Before that it was Starfield and David Hale. What were the issues they were discussing? This is clear today. If Lebanon, its people, present, and future meant anything to the Americans, the Europeans, or even some Arab regimes, they would not have dealt with Lebanon in this manner – imposing sanctions, preventing aid, intimidation, blockades, etc.

Hence, Lebanon does not mean anything to them. I repeat and say, Lebanon does not mean anything to them. The people of Lebanon do not mean anything to them. What concerns them is how they can solve “Israel’s” problem in Lebanon, and everyone has seen them at the service of “Israel”, from Trump to his son-in-law Kushner, who was determined to attend the meeting in Morocco between an “Israeli” delegation and the Moroccan state. He insisted on attending the Gulf summit, and he personally sponsored the reconciliation between them. He is personally interested in demarcating the maritime borders. “Israel” is the only concern of the Americans and many of their people in the region. They are pushing for “Israel” to remain strong, and if something is disrupting or standing in the way of “Israel”, such as the resistance, they work to address it.

What does this talk have to do with 1978? ‘O, Sayyed Hassan where were you during the Hundred Days War, during the siege on Achrafieh, which is on the outskirts of Dahiyeh, and during the Syrian bombing and the battles in Achrafieh and Zahle?’ These are two different topics. You are asking me where I was. In 1978, I was still in Najaf. Then, I went to Baalbek to study in the Hawza. During that time, Hezbollah did not exist. But this is not related to today’s reality in Lebanon. Since 2005, at the very least, the events and movements that took place, the international decisions, the July war, the May 5, 2008 government conspiracy, the subsequent conspiracies, and the existing reality today, including the sanctions, intimidations, and threats are another matter. There is nothing else. So, I hope that when I speak about something, he responds to me with a related matter and not something that is not related. As for the rest of what was said, the entire ‘symphony’, there is nothing new to comment on.

We come to the topics of our discussion or the files:

The first file: The port explosion

1 - I would like to talk about the port. First, we affirm that the explosion at the port and its repercussions must remain a national cause. It should not be, in any case, turned into a regional, sectarian, or political cause. It shouldn’t, for example, just concern the Beirut neighborhood, the Christians, or a political force. This is unethical and inhumane. Harm befell everyone. There are Muslim and Christian martyrs. There should be no talk about the number of Muslim and Christian martyrs. The wounded and the martyrs belong to everyone. Houses were destroyed. When the port was hit, the Lebanese economy was his, the Lebanese people’s economy was hit, the Lebanese state’s economy was hit. Hence, this is a national, ethical, and humanitarian issue that should not be sectarianized, turned into a regional issue, and politicized.

2- Here, we are specifically talking about Hezbollah. We will pursue the investigation and the judicial process regarding this case until the end and hold those responsible into account. It seems that there are people in the country who want to delay and waste the investigation and not hold the people responsible into account. 

On behalf of Hezbollah, I pledge to the Lebanese and to the families of the martyrs and the wounded and to those whose homes have been damaged that we, as a political party taking part in the parliament, in the government, and in the political life in Lebanon,  will insist that this file reach a just and honest conclusion as soon as possible. 

There are, in fact, two reasons why:

1- The humanitarian side of the matter: There are close to two hundred martyrs, thousands of wounded, thousands of housing units, the port, and its repercussions.

2- In all sincerity, since the blast occurred, this file was used to accuse Hezbollah. Some media outlets with known affiliations to some political parties in Lebanon and abroad used this file to level accusations. Since the start, there were efforts to target, first, Hezbollah by talking about missiles, weapons, and ammunitions [that were the cause of the explosion] and second, His Excellency President Michel Aoun and the Free Patriotic Movement since they were our allies. 

This means that there is a Christian party that is always targeting the President and the FPM since they are our allies. Especially at the very beginning, some of the neighborhoods where the majority of residents were Christians were greatly destroyed. This topic was exploited in these two directions. Thus, there was great incitement against us. A few days later, the incitement against us decreased and was directed at our allies, the President and the FPM. They were accused of being responsible at the administrative level.

This file is not over. It remains open, and there might be many people, who heard these incitements, that still believe in these claims.  

Therefore, we are not in the process of neglecting this file or living with it as a waste of time. Rather, we are very interested in knowing the truth and to see those responsible be held accountable as soon as possible.

3- Regarding the investigation into the port incident, which is referred to as a technical investigation or a criminal investigation, we all know that the Lebanese Army and the Internal Security Forces conducted their investigations. They employed their own capabilities in the investigation and enlisted the help of the American, the French, and foreign investigators. The investigation is over. We have information that the Lebanese Army’s investigation has ended as well as that of the ISF. Copies of the findings were given to the investigative judge or the judicial investigator. Great! The question today is: 

Don't the Lebanese people, the families of the martyrs and the wounded, and those whose homes were damaged and destroyed have the right to take a look at these findings since you’ve completed the investigation?

Tell the people in Lebanon the truth about your findings. Was the port explosion caused by missiles, weapons, ammunition, or explosive material used for military purposes? Ammonium nitrate is a material that isn’t used in the military. Was there any military equipment in the port that triggered the explosion? Why don't you want to tell people the truth? Why is this file intended to remain open to toy with people’s minds, hearts, and feelings and be used for lies, deception, forgery, distortion, sectarian incitement, and political targeting?

Today, I demand that the Lebanese Army leadership reveal the results of the investigation to the Lebanese people. I don’t know whether or not my public demand means something. If there is a legal means that we can resort to or via our parliamentary bloc and ministers, or by raising our demand. It is not a matter of morality. It is the responsibility of the leadership of the Lebanese Army and the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces to inform the people about the outcomes of the investigation. What really happened? Was it an airstrike? Was it an advanced missile strike? Was it a sabotage operation? Did someone plant an explosive device or was it a car bomb that caused the explosion? Was it an act of sabotage or the result of negligence? You’ve got the results, why can’t they be disclosed to the Lebanese people? Why can’t the families of 200 martyrs know what killed their children? 

Honestly, it’s been five months and the people still do not know how their loved ones were killed and injured, how their houses were destroyed, and how the port was destroyed? The truth is in the investigation, yet it is hidden. Why is it still hidden? This is a question. On the other hand, it’s been five months and you still did not find out who brought the nitrate to Lebanon? And who benefited from it in Lebanon?

There have been precedents before and after in the sea. International waters are full of fleets monitoring ships. If any ship was bringing in weapons, ammunition, or materials that can be used for military purposes, they are confiscated. The UNIFIL does this. Ships came, but they made them turn around. So, how did these enter and how did American, European, and UNIFIL fleets not detect them? In any case, who sent them? Who brought them in? And who received them? All this must be evident and known. If they aren’t known, then it’s a problem. But if they are known, why did you let them in? Every day, someone comes out and talks nonsense about us and our allies and friends. They lie to the people and mislead them. This matter must be resolved. The results of the investigation must be announced.

4- The course that the judicial investigator has taken in terms of the judicial investigation is clear. He is neither answering these questions – how did these administrators stay in office? Who left them there? Who brought in the welders? How did the explosion happen? – nor is he explaining anything to the people or the families of the martyrs. It is obvious that he wants to blame the incident on administrative mishaps. As if he his mind was made up that it was a matter of negligence and went to look for administrative mishaps.

First of all, tell us the truth of the matter – what happened in the port? – so that all the Lebanese people, the Lebanese state, and the Lebanese officials are following you. By doing so, you have your back covered. It is not the protesters or online activists praising you that will make you strong enough to carry on with this file. Rather, relying on a sincere will and the morals of the Lebanese people – unless you do not believe that the Lebanese have morals. Go ahead, tell the Lebanese people what really happened at the port and based on that you will identify the responsible people, detain them, and file lawsuits against them. You will see that all the Lebanese people are with you. However, the way things are being addressed is suspicious.

Lately, we have been calling that this file be addressed with fairness and impartiality. In other words, you cannot frankly approach this file based on sectarian basis – the recent allegation against the resigned prime minister and the three ministers. I am among many people who sensed sectarianism being in play here. This is not logical. It is not based on anything concrete. I am not saying that I hold them all responsible. There is no basis and no criterion. There is only selection – choosing from this sect and that.

If the criminal investigator continues approaching this file in this manner, we will not reach a conclusion. The course of the investigation and the judicial process must be corrected. Now, at the Court of Cassation, whether there is stepping aside or not, is just a mere detail. I will not interfere in it.

What I want to say is that if the investigation and the prosecution continue on this course, the justice and integrity that people are seeking will not be delivered. Whether those responsible were all Shiite, Muslims, or Christians, file lawsuits against them, but do not resort to sectarianism. In a case this big, with 200 martyrs and thousands of wounded, do not resort to a sectarianism. resort to a fair and impartial judiciary.

I repeat, confirm, and renew the call that the results of the investigation be revealed so that the Lebanese people know what really happened at the port and the judiciary to follow up on all the cases and judicial procedures it wants to undertake. It can be difficult. It might need protection and support. This is with regards to the port file.

The second file: Al-Qard Al-Hasan Association

Al-Qard Al-Hasan Association has been in the spotlight for a while now, not positively but negatively. There were accusations, defamation, positions, news reports, lectures, etc. we learned our lesson. {But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you.} In other words, I never thought the day would come when I would have to go on TV and explain what Al-Qard Al-Hasan is. It is a good thing and not a bad one. Had I done this during a normal situation, people would be surprised. ‘What’s going on with Sayyed?’ However, now we have the opportunity to introduce this association and allow the Lebanese people and residents in Lebanon to benefit from it. We can also answer the questions and determine the course of action.

This institution or association, Al-Qard Al-Hasan, was established in 1983-1984. A group of brothers took the initiative. In other words, Hezbollah did not establish the association. There are many institutions that were established by scholars, brothers, cadres, and elites. Later, when Hezbollah was founded and strengthened its position and became more capable, they began to join Hezbollah because it was able to be their incubator, their protector, their administrator, their backbone, and so forth.

Honestly, it all began through the individual initiative of a group of dear brothers. People needed help. They wanted to resort to bank, but banks took interest. These people could not afford to pay interests, let alone interest being a religious issue. You know our religious standpoint when it comes to anything that falls under usury. So these brothers figured out a way to help people. 

They decided to collect money from each other and some donors. At the time, they were able to obtain a license, and they collected a good sum of money that we call khums. Then, they began lending people in need. At the beginning, the loans were modest and simple. They were given withing a precise and strict system. With time, more people started asking for loans but still at a slow pace. We did not promote it or advertise it. We did not get funds from Iran or elsewhere. It all came from people’s contributions. People put their money in the association – $ 500, $ 1000, $ 2000, 100 thousand Lebanese liras – and allows it to either keep it for them or use it to lend it to others. 

In 1987, it obtain a legal license like other similar associations. With time, this initiative began to grow. Socially, this is doing good for people. It’s a humanitarian, an ethical, and a religious work because helping and serving the needy are basically one of the best forms of worship in Islam. It is a form of help, for example, for a person who’s been engaged for two or three years and is need of money to get married, for a person who needs money to repair his house that was destroyed by a storm, or a person who graduated and needs the money to open a practice or an office, etc.

This is an honorable and a great humanitarian and ethical work. It is also one of the best acts of worship that will be repaid. There are many forms of providing help. One of which is giving alms. Another form is providing an Islamic loan. A loan is better than alms for many reasons. One of which is a person has to work to repay the money. This will lead to activity, vitality, work, movement, and production. 

These brothers followed up, and this institution began to adopt the outcomes of the established system. The guarantee here is gold. For example, if someone wanted to borrow, they have to put gold as collateral. However, if someone owned real estate, they could use that as guarantee. However, the real estate market may not be favorable sometimes. But gold is the best guarantee. So, the person borrowing should either put gold or have a sponsor. The sponsor here is not just a moral one, they should be people who have money in association. With that money, they can sponsor the person who wants to take out a loan. The brothers strictly adhered to these controls.

I, the poor servant, who is the Secretary General of Hezbollah, if I wrote a letter to the General Director of Al-Qard Al-Hasan Association asking them to give someone a loan of $ 2000, they will not give him unless gold is deposited or I – or anyone in Hezbollah – had money in the association.

Practically, here the guarantors put money in order to sponsor borrowers. They are called the participant guarantors or the contributors in the institution. There are people who are not contributors. So, when I put my money for Al-Qard Al-Hasan to use, first I am serving the people. Second, I am conserving my money. Third, I will be rewarded because I am a partner in the loaning process since it is my money that is being lent.

Hence, the institution’s financial balance began to grow. People gained confidence in it. Demand for its services grew until it became what it is today. It was founded in the 1980s, and now we are in 2021. It moved slowly but steadily, durably, and with credibility. There are a group of factors that helped it gain this position today and pushed the Americans and many others to attack it.

The following are some of the reasons for the association’s success and stability: 

First, that the institution does not engage in any commercial or investment work, meaning there are no risks or adventurism in anything. Some people who go into businesses might lose or go bankrupt. But here, there is no commercial business, no investment work, nothing. In other situations, a person might put money with some, who in return uses that money. He might or might not be successful. This person might have financial obligations, so he starts taking money from here and there until the money runs out. this happened to so many people.

Hence, the association does not engage in any commercial or investment activities, and it doesn’t have an objective to profit. This is the difference between it and banks. This is a substantial difference for those who are comparing between both.

Second, loan guarantees or collateral are either mortgaging gold or through sponsors.

Third, it does not go toward big and huge things to avoid falling once hit. Its loan ceilings are between $ 5,000 and $ 6,000 and the average rate is $ 2,000. There are only small loans with short and medium terms. There are no big loans except in exceptional cases, such as when the sponsor is stable and has deposited large sums of money in the association.

Fourth, since 1948 until 2020, experience has proven that for 36 years, no one had their money lost in Al-Qard Al-Hasan. Even during the July war when one of the warehouses, a number of branches, and money were destroyed. All the people who had money in Al-Qard Al-Hasan were compensated. No one lost not even a penny.

Fifth, in the end, this institution is sponsored by a reliable, capable, responsible, and well-known party, Hezbollah. 

Sixth, there is an efficient management that is managing the institution – the director general, the people directly responsible. It is an efficient, honest, reliable management that strictly implements controls.

These are a set of the factors that made this institution remain resilient, stable, strong, solid, and in an upward trajectory, even if it moved slowly. 

However, in recent years and due to several reasons, Al-Qard Al-Hasan grew. When we look at the numbers, it is clear that the number of contributions and subscriptions, and correspondingly, the number of loans began growing from the year 2015 onwards. Of course, the contributions from individuals and entities in the organization increased so did the amount of borrowing.

The reasons are as follows:

1- Increased trust: People began trusting it. They began trusting an institution that has not lost any money for 36 years for any reason whatsoever. 

2- The collapse of financial and commercial companies, the lack of people’s confidence in them, and money being lost: This happened in all areas. People put their money with someone, who in turn trades with the money and loses it. Meanwhile, this institution had no dealings of this kind at all.

3- The US sanctions on Hezbollah, its institutions, and anyone close to it, in addition to the performance of the banks: Some Lebanese banks were unethical. They asked people to withdraw their money and close their accounts. Despite that we acted decently and asked the people to withdraw their money and close their accounts. What should have we done? Fought with the banks?

‘It’s okay!’ knowing that they were not required to act like this by the Americans. The people these banks asked to close their accounts were not included in the terror list or the sanctions list. They only did so because these people are either Hezbollah members, supporters, or sympathizers. They kicked people out. So, where did the people go to? They went to Al-Qard Al-Hasan. 

4- The last year and the banking crisis: I do not wish to delve into it and analyze its causes. It’s a lengthy topic that includes the Americans, Banque du Liban, banks owners, politics, etc.

I am concerned here about the practical aspect. Some people withdrew their money. Others have money now and are not prepared to put them in banks because if they deposit them, they will not get it back. So where will these people keep their money? They will either keep them in their homes, with friends, or in Al-Qard Al-Hasan. Many of these people placed their money in Al-Qard Al-Hasan as they can guarantee that their money is safe. 

So, these are also reasons that led to the large growth of Al-Qard Al-Hasan Association in recent years. I did not hold conferences and addresses to promote it the same way banks and other institutions do in order to attract shareholders, subscribers, borrowers, supporters, donors, etc.

From the very beginning, this institution did not service a specific party, group, or sect. Some media outlets claim that it is made to serve Hezbollah’s environment. No, it is open for everyone. Anyone who wants to contribute, sponsor, or take out a loan can head to Al-Qard Al-Hasan, regardless of their sect or political affiliation, whether they hail from Lebanon or are residing in Lebanon, such as Syrians, Palestinians, etc.

I am not declaring anything. All this has existed for many years. But there are people who preferred banks. Why? Because when you deposit your money in a bank, you get interest. But when you put your money in Al-Qard Al-Hasan, you don’t get interest.

In any case, I would like to welcome anyone who wishes to contribute, be a guarantor, or borrow. There are many branches, this association always announces that it is ready to open more branches in different cities and Lebanese areas. However, it does not impose itself on anyone. In all honesty and frankness, the institution wanted to open branches in some Lebanese areas, but the security services in Lebanon did not allow them. We ignored the matter since we are here to serve the people and not impose ourselves on the people. The institution is prepared to open branches anywhere there is desire for it. It will provide services during the difficult stages as it did during the past hardships. Now, people are living more difficult days, and it has provided them with loans. 

I will also talk about numbers. 

For loans intended for building or repairing a house, covering study expenses, liberal professions, medical treatment, and miscellaneous consumer needs, marriage, payment of debts, buying home furniture, and buying a car, you get $ 1,000, $ 2,000, $3,000, $4,000 or $ 5,000.

And now, they have opened the door for agricultural loans, in cooperation with Jihad Al-Bina, in order to revive the agricultural.

Since its establishment until today, the total number of beneficiaries is one million and 801,000. One individual may have benefited from the loans more than once. So, it does not mean that there are one million and 801,000 people who benefitted. 

One million and 801,000 is the total value of the loans granted. This does not mean that the institution has this amount of money. Here, we are counting the amount that was loaned and then recovered, loaned and then got back. This financial movement, the movement of lending and recovering loans, since the institution’s establishment until 2020, amounted to 3 billion and 775 million dollars. This amount is the money that belongs to people who trust the institution and put their money there. The institution does not employ these people’s money in trade or make profit. It also does not offer them interest. It gives them loans. It gave loans to one million and 801,000 beneficiaries. Currently, the number of clients with Al-Qard Al-Hasan is more than 300,000 people.

Of course, this institution has a similar one in Lebanon, this issue is only with you, you have done this thing, I tell you no, this is the first time I work in this way, this is a guide to lending institutions for small projects in Lebanon according to the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Lebanese Republic and the Ministry of Social Affairs in cooperation with The European Union, the United Nations Development Fund for Women, have drawn up a list of similar associations.

This institution is similar to other institutions in Lebanon. This is the first time that I do it in this way. This is a guide on lending institutions for small projects in Lebanon published by the Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs. The ministry in cooperation with the European Union and the UNIFEM drew up a list of similar associations. 

When you go through these associations, you will find out that they belong to different sects and areas. We have to use this language. In the guide, every institution occupies a page where its services are mentioned. When you reach the page about Al-Qard Al-Hasan Association, there is mention of the system of in-kind loans, loan procedures, the loan system in villages, the system of loans for associations and institutions, the system of loans via personal guarantees, the system of loans via gold mortgages, and the system of loans via sponsorship of participants in the branches. All the aforementioned details were stated in 2001. It’s all public, transparent, and clear. There is nothing hidden. We did not establish a secret organization, and suddenly Al-Qard Al-Hasan came out in the open.

For those who would like to see the guide, it was issued in 2001 by the Ministry of Social Affairs and was written by the general director of the ministry at the time. 

There are several points I want to touch on before concluding my talk about Al-Qard Al-Hasan. 

1- This institution does not finance Hezbollah. Everyone now is saying that it finances Hezbollah. For the Americans and others, this is their argument. Basically, this institution does not have money to give to Hezbollah. It does not engage in trade or investment. The money people are putting in the institution is for the purpose of lending others. It is not permissible for the institution to use these funds in any other way. 

2- It represents a real opportunity to help people in difficult circumstances. These are the most difficult days. There are tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of borrowers who need help. It is fulfilling their needs, solving their problems, and moving the production even at this level. Of course, all this is a service and benefits the entire country. What's best, for a person to keep his money home since there is trust issue with the banks or put his money Al-Qard Al-Hasan that they are fighting now?

The second option is better. Why? First, you are helping a large number of borrowers and people in need. Second, you are moving the economy and production in the country within this ceiling. Third, you will be rewarded in the hereafter. But if you kept your money at home, then they are frozen funds. You won’t be rewarded, and they are valueless. 

Now, some are talking about the damage Al-Qard Al-Hasan is inflicting on the Lebanese economy. I heard this talk a few days ago in some programs on TV.  

Of course, the question surprised me, so I sat down to watch and listen to what disaster Al-Qard Al-Hasan has caused to the Lebanese economy. This institution is providing interest-free loans. It is not engaging in trade and investment, so it is not taking an investment from any other institution. It is loaning people who want to open up stores, establish agricultural projects, get medical treatment, study, open a practice or an office, etc. How is this harming the Lebanese economy?!

Allah Almighty says: {It is not eyes that are blinded, but blinded are the hearts which are within the breasts.} Blindness, hatred, envy, and enmity leads to this. Brother, you can do the same thing. Who is stopping you? All sects and areas have similar institutions. The difference is seriousness, effectiveness, guarantee, and diligent work. This is another research. This is not our problem. This is your problem. But for you to say that this institution is harming the Lebanese economy, then there is a real problem regarding  this issue.

Of course, one of the points that was raised is that this institution is acting like a bank, and therefore it must pay taxes. This institution is not a bank. It does not pay interest to shareholders or depositors. It does not take interest from borrowers. It does not invest the money and buy real estate. It does not have parties that make profit. It does not even make any profit. Hence, it does not have to pay taxes since it does not make profit. If taxes on employees are required, then yes, it is paying as all institutions in the country do.

Therefore, this claim is baseless. Basically, Al-Qard Al-Hasan takes a fixed monthly fee. There is no percentage related to the amount of the loan. It is from this small fee the borrowers pay that the institution covers it financial and administrative needs to pay for its administrative apparatus since it is not required to make profit. And if one day the institution was in need of funds, we will support it. We support Al-Qard Al-Hasan Association, and not the other way around.

Why did some people just recently discover this institution? Why did they wake up to it this year? This is because people started turning away from banks. Where did they go to? They went to Al-Qard Al-Hasan. Pandemonium broke out. There was uproar among banks. Let me be clear and frank. There are people who work for the Americans that are meaner to us than the Americans themselves. They harbor more enmity against us than the Americans. This is how they act. They took reports to the Americans saying that this institution funds Hezbollah and is its backbone. They lied to the Americans. This institution neither funds Hezbollah nor is it its backbone. On the contrary, Hezbollah is the one that is helping it and protecting it. There is no need for me to repeat.

They want to intimidate the shareholders, the participating sponsors that their names are written in Al-Qard Al-Hasan, meaning you are a terrorist and the Americans will pursuit you. So they started frightening people. 

Look, brothers, this institution aims to serve the people. Those who would like to continue putting money can go ahead. And those who want to withdraw their money, there is no problem. People who are scared can withdraw their money. The institution has the financial capacity, guarantees and durability. Because these people thought that by intimidating others, the shareholders will withdraw their money and ask for it back. They will pressure the borrowers and the institution will collapse.

This institution will not collapse. Do whatever you want. For those who want to withdraw their money, there is no problem. In return, this applies to all of us, I would like to call on our brothers and sisters and our environment to counter this American attack. To those who are keeping their money in their homes – we are not depositing them in banks because they are not accepting us – put them in Al-Qard Al-Hasan. 

Let us respond to the American attack and the attack of the mean Lebanese by putting our money in Al-Qard Al-Hasan. Let us make it stronger so that it’s capable of giving more loans and support the Lebanese people.

Al-Qard Al-Hasan is ready to open branches in all regions and serve all the people regardless of their sectarian, religious, or political affiliations. In this way, we are serving our society and people and earning rewards for the Day of Resurrection. 

We’re done talking about Al-Qard Al-Hasan. There are some leaders who said they wanted a loan. There is no problem. They can submit an application where can either put gold or bring a guarantor who has money there. Other than that, the institution will not give them loans.

The third file: The Italian file

Two weeks ago, some Lebanese media outlets and news websites raised the following issue. Of course, the issue passed, but I wanted to stop at it to take it as basis. What was the issue? The Italian authorities confiscated a huge shipment of Captagon, amounting to one billion dollars, and that this billion-dollar Captagon shipment belonged to Hezbollah. So, these outlets issued reports and news pieces. They took to Twitter and launched a campaign. A few days later, the everything dissipated. I will tell you why it dissipated and the origin of this story. Then, we will comment on it. Hopefully, it won’t take up much time.

On July 1, 2020, Italian newspapers published a news report saying that the Italian police confiscated the largest shipment of Captagon in the world, which amounted to 14 tons in the form of 84 million pills. At the time, they were accused of Daesh in Syria. Then, the news goes on to state why it was Daesh and how they benefit from it, etc.

On August 4, 2020, The Washington Post published a lengthy report authored by an American and an Arab. The Arab writer might be an American from Arab or German origin. In any case, it became clear to them that this does not concern Daesh but a Middle Eastern group. This Middle Eastern group is Hezbollah. 

A BBC correspondent followed up on it and said that Hezbollah already has the shipment. A well-known “Israeli” newspaper, The Jerusalem Post, reported the news and said the shipment belonged to Hezbollah. 

You know how Lebanese media outlets tend to invent news stories when they can’t find one. So they found that this story was a ‘catch’ and started reporting it – Hezbollah that claims to be an honorable and moral resistance movement is being accused by the Italians. There is a that was one-billion-dollar Captagon shipment confiscated in Italy.

We followed up on the issue, even though there was no need. But we wanted to know who was accusing us and what the story was. It turned that so far there is no official Italian source – not from the police, the judiciary, the state, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Justice. No one was accusing Hezbollah of this.

The Americans wrote a report in the Washington Post. The “Israelis” and the Lebanese took it from them. It turned out the story had no credibility. We made calls to people and officials in Italy to see the source of the story, and it turned out to be baseless. On the contrary, the Italians are confused about whether the shipment belongs to Daesh, European and Russian mafia organizations, or other organized crime groups. No one even accused Hezbollah.

Regarding this matter, I want to firstly point out that we are always being targeted. Every other day, Gulf and Arab satellite channels and electronic armies are working on this file. It is very easy to send a foreigner to write an article in a foreign newspaper that an Arab and Lebanese newspapers take news from. The story might have started with you fabricating it. Hence, regarding this topic, the Lebanese, Arab, and international public opinion must not believe this. 

We consider all forms of drugs prohibited. Manufacturing, selling, purchasing, transporting, smuggling, and using it are forbidden. At some levels, if there was an Islamic rule, the religious sentencing would be execution.

This is the first time that I have to talk about this topic. I do not know what the rest of the Lebanese parties would do. When one of our members disobeys or breaks the rules, they will be sent to the party’s court, called the Organizational Office. The office states that if any person belonging to Hezbollah – a volunteer, a full-timer, or a contractor – was found to be involved in the drug trade – producing, smuggling or helping smuggle, helping and covering up the production, buying and selling even in small quantities – they will be dismissed. They will not be given a warning or a suspension of six months, a year, or two. No, they will be fired. As for volunteers, their work will end. If they are collecting salaries, their salaries will be stopped. If they deserved compensation, they will not be given any. All of our brothers in the party have been informed so that no one is surprised or makes such a mistake. This is how we deal with this issue. Our religious authorities and we do not allow its use. There was talk of using drugs against the enemies on the battlefield. It is not even permitted to use drugs against the enemies. 

As for some Lebanese media outlets, I don’t know how we can address this when it comes to this topic. We have no solution when it comes to some Gulf channels. But we live together in the country. You, a certain television station, media outlet, newspaper, news website, are attacking us. You are violating our dignity, and you are accusing us of very ugly, reprehensible, and offensive things. This matter cannot continue like this. Regarding this matter, if the judiciary is in charge of dealing with it, then it must address it. If the National Media Council is responsible for addressing it, then it must do so. But if the people are required to address it as is the case in much of the world by demonstrating or holding sit-ins in front of television stations and shutting them down, then a day may come when people will be forced to do so.

If there was a certain file that was talking about a real issue that had basis, this contribution by some media outlets would have passed by. But they are deliberately reporting it knowing that this topic is fabricated, a lie and baseless. The media’s actions can no longer be tolerated and must be addressed. They can talk about politics as much as they want. There is no problem. Let them talk about Iran, sovereignty, freedom, independence, missiles, the resistance, Iran’s nuclear program. There is no problem. But we cannot tolerate you accusing us about our humanity and morals. You are portraying us as criminals! Whoever deals Captagon and drugs are criminals, murderers. We do not accept anyone accusing us this way. We’re done with the Italian file. I’ll just take a little bit more of your time. 

The fourth file: Fighting corruption

This file is ever-present. There is a stalemate in the country concerning this battle. Since the parliamentary elections and onwards, we spoke and others, not just us, said that there must be a priority to fight corruption. Great! Everyone wanted to fight corruption. It was clear that there are files when it comes to fighting corruption. Who will follow up on these files? The judiciary will! I will repeat a few words just to build on them.

During internal sessions and plenary sessions, when we’re asked about our seriousness in combating corruption, I always say: yes, we are serious! They accuse us of protecting corruption. No, we do not protect corruption! They accuse us of preventing any files from being investigated? No, we are not preventing the investigation of any of the files. Let the Lebanese judiciary and judges say that there is a judicial file related to corruption that has been opened and that Hezbollah interfered and closed it! Yesterday, someone said that we prevented an investigation into the Ministry of Electricity! This is the first time I hear this. We, Hezbollah, prevented that from happening.

We support an investigation into all the ministries of the state, all the funds, all the departments, and all the state’s money. During the criminal investigation, we supported it unconditionally. When it comes to addressing the file, who is responsible? The judiciary. We are serious, but we want the judiciary to address it. But what do other people want? They want to accuse, attack, and insult others on television. If we don’t do that, it means we are not serious in fighting corruption!

This is not fighting corruption. This is destroying a country. People who are pursuing this path are destroying the country and not fighting corruption. This does not lead to fighting corruption, but rather to destroying the fight against corruption because it only enflames partisan and sectarian fanaticism and cuts off the road on any judicial file that is supposed to take its natural course.

Hence, we all agree that this issue cannot be addressed with insults, defamation, or political discourse. This is a file must be addressed by the judiciary.

There are two points regarding the judiciary:

1- Reforming the judiciary: The parliamentary committees were presented with something that they’re supposed to address and consider as a priority. Through it we can make reforms in the judiciary and have a capable judiciary. Then we it can open these files, address them, and issue judgments. Of course, a law regarding the possibility of people providing information and the protection of these people has been passed. 

2- The second problem, which is no less important, is discretion, selectivity, and the politicization of files. For example, when a judge decides to open a certain file, the party the defendants belong to might think that there is a political targeting since their file is the one being addressed and not the others.

At the very least, there is suspicion that there is political targeting, there is settling of political accounts, and there is exploiting the judiciary to settle political scores. Let me be transparent. In the country and within the judicial structure, there are people who have favors with certain judges. They ask these judges to open files, etc. thus, opening these files becomes a political battle and no longer a battle to fight corruption. It becomes a political battle and settling political scores. What is the solution? 

Whether we made reforms within the judiciary or not, this needs a solution. This is this is what I will propose tonight. The solution is to to adopt one standard for opening files to avoid having anyone say that their sect is being targeted. Let us adopt one standard. For example, we can say that the criminal investigation must apply to everyone. Or if we said that we have sovereign ministries, service ministries, and ordinary ministries in Lebanon. This is how they are classified. Let us say that we want to open corruption files related to the sovereign ministries, all the sovereign ministries. So, anyone who has information, including the monitoring committees, the inspections, the audit bureau, the citizens, the MPs, the political forces, the civil societies, the social media sites, must present them o the Lebanese judiciary. The sovereign ministries are not targeting a sect, especially the main sects. There are Shiites, Sunnis, Christians, Maronites, Greek Orthodox, etc.

Or we could say, let us look into the main service ministries because there is a big problem. All sects and parties took part in these ministries. Hence, there is no targeting of anyone here. we could look into, for example, the institutions and side funds that are related to the prime minister. There is no problem. All sects and parties also took part in them. There is no targeting of anyone!

We can also adopt a standard based on time. for example, we can look into corruption files of al state administrations from this year to this year. The most important thing is that there is one standard. 

To avoid lying to people and raising insincere slogans that we all support fighting corruption, all the political forces should announce this in the media. Let us show solidarity with the judiciary and agree on a standard. The judiciary will open the door, and the people will come forward with their files. The judiciary has to follow up on these files. There will be no religious or political authorities to draw red lines. There will be sect protecting anyone. The corrupt will be exposed. By doing so, we are able to cut off the road on the political targeting, selectivity, and retaliation. We should all opt for one standard. 

We hope that this matter be discussed and studied. We will of course discuss it with others and see if we will be able to reach an outcome. I would like to tell the Lebanese that we must not despair during this battle. There are people who give up quickly. Yes, things are difficult and not easy. The system of corruption, as it is said, is very strong. I told you more than once that eliminating “Israel” could be easier than eliminating corruption from Lebanon. This is the extent to which corruption is rooted in Lebanon. but does this mean we should despair? No! We have to continue, and if we see that productivity is limited, we must not stop, we must continue to get better results.

The fifth file: The government

It is clear that things are complicated, and this does not require analysis. When things get complicated, accusations get thrown around – since there are not efforts underway. In the past few weeks, we’ve seen how accusations intensified. Of course, we do not accuse anyone, but there are those who are accusing us. But we do not comment on anyone’s words and have not engaged in this argument. 

I just wanted to give you a summary. I will not take up much of your time since there is still the government file as well as the coronavirus. I also wanted to touch on the economic and social file as well as the agricultural jihad, but all these need a long time. So, I will postpone that for another time.

Let us first draw up a summary to see where we are now regarding the government file what we still have to do.

1-  In the past period, it was said that the real obstacle to the formation of the government in Lebanon is Hezbollah because it does not want the government to be formed now before Trump leaves office. It is disrupting the formation of the government either through the prime minister-designate or through its allies, the President and the FPM. It is all up to Hezbollah. This is not true because we never considered that the situation would be different when Trump leaves office and Biden assumes the presidency. Thus, we wanted a government formed as soon as possible. This accusation is definitely baseless and meaningless.

2- It was said that Prime Minister Saad Hariri does not want to form a government as he was waiting for the Trump administration to leave because he is threatened with sanctions if he brings someone into the government that is close to Hezbollah. I do not know if this is true or not, but we asked Prime Minister Saad Hariri and he said there is no such thing. He denied it! 

In any case, regarding these two points, let us be realistic and practical. Trump still has a few days in office. This is if they was not impeached. Can we wait until January 20? We’ve already waited this far. Let us make use of the time we have left until January 20. I will tell you how. 

But the issue that Hezbollah is hindering the formation of the government because it is waiting for Trump to leave is over. And if the Trump administration is threatening the prime minister-designate, the administration is leaving. Time will take care of solving this. What remains are a few days, and we will be done with these reasons.

3- There are some people in Lebanon who insist on this conviction, knowing that I’ve explained the matter at length during the interview with Al-Mayadeen. I often read what others say, but I don’t know if others read or not. It is clear that there are many who do not read what we say to each other. And if they did speak, each one of them already made up their own convictions. One speaks from the East, the other responds from the West. This is one of the problems in the country.

I would like to repeat and confirm that if some are convinced that the government formation in Lebanon is waiting for American-Iranian negotiations and that we or others in Lebanon are delay the government for this reason, we do not have such a thing. And if some people are delaying the formation of the government for this reason to see what will happen between the Americans and the Iranians – that is if the prime minister- designate, the President, or any party concerned with forming the government – I repeat and say what I said on Al-Mayadeen: this matter is not on the table. There are no US-Iranian negotiations. There are no negotiations over Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Bahrain, Palestine, the region, the missiles, or even the Iranian nuclear program.

Today, His Eminence the Leader spoke and was very clear. ‘We are not interested whether return [to the nuclear agreement] or not. What matters to us is the lifting of the sanctions. Lift the sanctions and return to the deal. Hence, no one should wait for the Americans and the Iranians. And if they sat down and agreed, it will reflect negatively on Lebanon by the absence of the subject. No one should wait for US-Iranian negotiation. You are waiting for something with no horizon.

4- If there is someone in Lebanon waiting for the Biden administration, let them see what Biden and his administration as well as the US National Security are saying. This means that the formation of the government will take a few more months at the very least. I am not delivering good news. I am warning you. This is not the right way. The American community is divided over Biden and his administration. The US has also recorded the highest coronavirus death toll and the highest number of infections. They have a thousand problems there. Will Lebanon and the Lebanese government be the priority of Biden and his administration? If it was related to the border with occupied Palestine, they would come running. But regarding the formation of the Lebanese government, to them that’s nonsense. Who has time for you? The Americans are busy with their own problems.

Based on all of the above, I call for surpassing external considerations and focusing on the internal side. Let us understand each other at home and show our solidarity. The outside world does not have time for us. Let us surpass this topic. Let us form the government  and leave the outside world deal with it in one way or another. Internally, I will be frank because these people are hold this party responsible in the media, etc.

Some people just accuse three or four parties of being responsible. To be fair, it is not permissible to blame one side only. There are several parties that have demands, concerns, and accounts. That is why I said during Sunday’s speech that there is a crisis, or maybe I said it during the interview. There is a crisis of confidence, and this is true. There are fears, to be honest, and the issue is not hidden. When files of the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of the Interior are opened, who are the parties that have fears and why?

Whether the allegations are true or false, the Ministry of Interior must implement it. There are movements, parties, or political forces – regardless from the issue of the files, the judiciary, the interior ministry, and the justice ministry – consider that it is being targeted because of the severe campaign against it and wants guarantees. The issue is not just about the government, a portfolio, a minister. This is simplifying the matter. we are approaching it as a commercial calculation. But there is a deeper crisis than this. 

That is why all political leadership in Lebanon must communicate with each other. The prime minister-designate is supposed to return. The President is there. All the political forces and heads of parliamentary blocs are there too. We should try and do something starting from now and before Trump leaves office. He might even be gone before that date. But we have to take advantage of time. I am not saying that we must stick to January 20. But some people are insisting on January 20. What can I do? We have to take advantage of time, address and approach all view points, and give guarantees to each other. We can take away some of that fear and crisis of confidence to see if we can do something. We must all do something in the coming few days. 

In the end, the government is necessary and important in order to put the country on the right track, but of course it does not have a magic wand. The discussion regarding what this government will do or can do will come later. 

The sixth file: The coronavirus

I will conclude with the coronavirus. The coronavirus has caused a great debate in the country. I usually follow some media outlets and their news bar at the bottom of the screen. They do not put the total numbers but rather the number of cases day by day. But when we take a look at the total number of coronavirus cases, the Lebanese people should be worried and afraid.

In any case, people are afraid. This is yesterday’s infection cases. We must add to it today’s 5400 cases. We’ve reached 204000 cases. So, if we add 5400 cases, the total is almost 210000 cases. In a small country like Lebanon, this is a very big number. The number of recoveries is 134500, which means that a great number of people have not recovered in hospitals. Of course, the number of cases is not precise because there are a lot of people who are not reporting their conditions. This means that the real number of infections is much more than the numbers that the Ministry of Health is recording because people are not reporting. The situation is more serious. The total number of fatalities is 1566. When we see that five, six, seven, 12 people are dying from the coronavirus every day, it might not seem like a big deal. we made peace with that number. But if you look at from a perspective that 1566 died within a year or less than a year, then that is a very big number for Lebanon. Now, add to it 17 fatalities from today. What should we do? 

There is a debate in the country that has intensified in the past couple of days. Ministers, MPs, representatives, the parliamentary committees, and specialists as well as people in villages and cities are all debating the lockdown as well as the economic and health situation. Of course, we are no exception. The whole world is debating it. There is a very big problem in America regarding this topic. France, Britain, Europe, and the entire world are debating the lockdown. There is a very big dilemma in all countries of the world.  Let us not beat each other down – as usual the Lebanese are good in beating others down.  

The entire world is facing this problem. The most powerful countries and governments in the world are unable to solve this matter. let alone us, a country with no government. We have a caretaker government and caretaker Prime Minister, God bless him. The ministers as well as the caretaker Prime Minister are still shouldering some responsibilities. There is a dilemma and a big problem. You have to lock down the country because of the health crisis. On the other hand, if you lock down the country, you risk daily-workers, shop owners, restaurant owners, and people who have commitments lose their livelihood. You are stuck between a rock and a hard place. What can we do? For people who get their salaries while staying home would find total lockdown to be easy. On the other hand, there are people who have to go out and work. If they don’t work on that day, they won’t be able to feed their families. There are a lot of people in the same boat. So, total lockdown will not work for them. So, for those people who are beating down others, in which category do you belong? 

There is confusion in the government. It is true. But the entire world is also confused. If we can get out of this dilemma, it would really be good. In any case, I personal call on all of you not to expect more from the [caretaker] government. It is doing all that it can in light of the situation. It is the responsibility of the government. But we should not forget that the greater share of responsibility falls on the people. Accept this boldness from me. I usually try to be kind and loving when I talk to the people. Accept this boldness from my part. People have no mercy for themselves and others. A father has no mercy for his family. 

A person gets infected with the coronavirus, then goes home and has contact with his wife, children, relatives, siblings, and parents, and he does not care. We have spent the past year saying that this is crime at the humanitarian, moral, ethical, and religious sense. If you were the reason a person died after contracting the virus, at the very least you are responsible for their death. 

The greater responsibility falls on the people. We can get out of the lockdown and loosen it if people abided by the measures – wear a mask and apply social distancing even in homes.

We are addressing the situation, too. Mosques and Hussainiyas have been closed for almost a year. Universities, schools, activities, and celebrations are all suspended. Yet, you see people hosting weddings or mourning ceremonies. Others have to shake hands and kiss while greeting others. What is this? Courage and manliness? Where did you get such wrong ideas? 

This must not go on, people! There are 5400 cases in Lebanon daily. This is very serious. Someone might suggest that the army and the security forces suppress the people. This is difficult to take place in Lebanon. But what we can do is we can all agree – the religious scholars and authorities, the state, the media, the heads of parties, the elite, and online activists – to launch a campaign where we hold people responsible. There is no other solution. Should we wait for the vaccine? Take a look at the US and Britain. People took the vaccine, and the number of infections and deaths increased. No one said that the problem will go away once the vaccine arrives. 

Even if the vaccine arrived, if we continue in this manner, the problem will not go away. People should take a stance. This matter does not concern a party, a sect, or an area. It concerns all the Lebanese people and residents in Lebanon. It is the responsibility of everyone living in Lebanon. Those who believe in the Day of Resurrection and those who don’t will see and be surprised when God Almighty will judge the sinners and those who did not follow the measures. The deeds of some of them might even amount to a crime – intentional or semi-intentional murder – if we continue this way.
This sort of stance and a great sense of national responsibility is required. Tolerance is not permissible. These measures should not be broken so our country and people can overcome this problem with the lowest possible losses. We’ve taken up a long time. May God give you wellness. May Allah's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.

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