I Feel it Is my Duty to Express my Sorrow over the Two Incidents of Bloodshed in the World of Islam

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, called the recent events in Afghanistan and Palestine two bitter, heart-wrenching events in the Islamic world.

In a meeting with a number of representatives from student organizations which was held via video conference on May 11, 2021, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution stated, “I feel it is my duty to express my sorrow over the two incidents of bloodshed in the world of Islam. One is the bitter, heart-wrenching tragedy in Afghanistan and the martyrdom of innocent, young schoolgirls who were attacked without having been guilty of any crime. May God’s curse be on those who spread crimes to such an extent that they allow for the slaying of a large number of innocent, teenaged girls.”

Ayatollah Khamenei also emphasized, “In the recent events of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Palestine and Holy Quds, the Zionists’ malicious behavior is being seen by the eyes of the people of the world. It is truly everyone’s duty to take a stance and condemn this malicious, criminal, barbaric behavior of the Zionists in recent days.”

The Leader also added, “Fortunately, the Palestinians are awake and firm. They must continue on this path. One can only talk with the language of strength with these criminals. They must increase their strength, stand strong and confront them. They must force them to stop their crimes and to surrender to truth and justice.”

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the Zionist regime of Israel only “understands the language of force,” urging Palestinians to grow in power and resistance capacity to confront the enemy.

Palestinians “have to increase their power and [capacity for] resistance to force the criminals to surrender and stop their violent measures,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a via video conference to representatives of student groups hailing from various Iranian universities.

“The violent and cruel crimes of the Zionists are [taking place] before the eyes of the people of the world, and all should live up to their duties by condemning them,” Ayatollah Khamenei asserted.

The Israeli regime’s aggression and violations against the Palestinians have witnessed a shocking spike since the beginning of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Since early Ramadan, the Israeli military and illegal settlers have been launching brutal crackdowns on Palestinians throughout the occupied territory of the West Bank. The greatest part of the violence has targeted the holy city of Jerusalem al-Quds, where the military and the settlers have been trying to prevent Palestinians from gathering and performing their religious duties.

The barbarous measures have seen the regime attacking thousands of Palestinian worshippers on the al-Aqsa Mosque’s compound in al-Quds’ Old City.

Also during Ramadan, the military attacked the al-Quds’ neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, trying to force Palestinians into leaving their homes.

The regime has also carried out numerous attacks against the Tel Aviv-blockaded Gaza Strip, whose residents have risen up in solidarity with their fellow Palestinians in al-Quds.

While expressing profound regret over the brutalities, the Leader hailed the Palestinian nation’s alertness, steadfastness, and resolve to confront the regime’s crimes.

The groups have so far fired hundreds of rockets towards the occupied territories, some of which have flown as far as al-Quds itself. The latest stage of the reprisal targeted the cities of Ashkelon and Ashdod to the north of the Gaza Strip, killing two Israelis and injuring more than 90 others.

Ayatollah Khamenei also addressed another tragedy that recently afflicted the Muslim world, namely the explosions that targeted schoolgirls in the Afghan capital Kabul.

“May God’s damnation befall” those who perpetrated the atrocity, the Leader said, strongly condemning the incident that killed 85 people and wounded close to 150 others.