Supreme Leader’s Courageous Stances Praised
Dr. Kevin Barrett, one of America’s best-known critics of the War on Terror, praised Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei’s courageous stances against US domination and the Zionist regime.
In an interview with IQNA, Dr Barrett answered questions about regional and global developments and the stances of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution.
What follows is the full text of the interview.
Q: The idea of Islamic civilization-making for the Islamic Awakening movements in the region in order to confront Western liberalistic models is among Ayatollah Khamenei’s intellectual innovations. What do you think about the idea?
A: It is an excellent idea. To succeed, it should lead to specific policy proposals. These could include: An Islamic common market; a rejection of usury and movement toward Islamic finance; a common currency backed by commodities such as gold and/or oil; the drafting of specifically Islamic human rights norms; the development of trans-national cultural institutions designed to encourage Islamic cultural production in literature, cinema, etc.; a set of modern Islamic norms for relations with non-Muslim minorities in Muslim-majority countries; the development of trans-national Islamic think tanks with a mission to preserve and enhance Islamic civilization; and so on.
Q: How do you evaluate resistance against US and European domination and confronting the Zionist regime in the statements and views of Ayatollah Khamenei?
A: I support Ayatollah Khamenei's courageous stance on these issues. I admire people who try to do what is right and speak truth to power. This quality is extremely rare among top political leaders.
Q: In Ayatollah Khamenei’s view, leadership and structure-making for the regional uprisings is an effective way for forming a resistance and a protection against threats. What are your thoughts on that? What do think are the main reasons behind the failure of some the revolutions in the region?
A: The revolutions have been partially co-opted, blocked, or reversed by the reactionary forces of Zionism and imperialism. This has happened in part because the countries involved have not sufficiently developed alternative political structures.
Q: In the Supreme Leader’s opinion, spread of divisions among revolutionaries and foreign infiltration are among the main causes that do serious harm to regional revolutions. How can they be avoided, especially considering what we are witnessing in Egypt?
A: I hope the Egyptian setback will help Islamic forces realize that they need to work together, rather than fighting each other. Specifically, I hope the Ikhwan learns that the Gulf monarchies, especially the Saudis, are not their friends, and that they would do better to forge a regional alliance with Iran and Turkey supporting "Islam and democracy" and opposing Zionism and imperialism.
Q: The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution considers understanding among Islamic schools of thought as the key to salvation. What strategies could be adopted now to douse the flames of sectarian conflicts spread in the region by Takfiris?
A: I urge the Supreme Leader to do everything possible to counter the takfiri propaganda coming from the Saudis. He and his advisors should look at the "talking points" that the takfiris and their dupes use, and respond with effective counter-measures. For example, the takfiris and their supporters claim that Iranians and Shia slander three of the first four caliphs. It is helpful to repeatedly re-emphasize Imam Khomeini's opposition to this practice, and insist on the need for polite, reasonable language in religious discussions, especially discussions of religious figures venerated by others. In more general terms, Iran should do everything possible to cultivate good relations with potential Sunni allies. Many leaders of Sunni-based Islamic movements can be "peeled off" from the takfiris and brought into a larger alliance of Islamic activists seeking a democratic Islamic alternative to Zionism and imperialism.
Kevin James Barrett (born February 1959) is an American former university lecturer and Muslim convert. He is a member of the Scientific Panel for the Investigation of 9/11 (SPINE), and is a founding member of the Muslim-Jewish-Christian Alliance (MUJCA), established October 30, 2004 with the stated aim of improving "interfaith dialogue, coexistence, and understanding" in light of the events of 9/11.
Interview by Javad Arabshirazi
What follows is the full text of the interview.
Q: The idea of Islamic civilization-making for the Islamic Awakening movements in the region in order to confront Western liberalistic models is among Ayatollah Khamenei’s intellectual innovations. What do you think about the idea?
A: It is an excellent idea. To succeed, it should lead to specific policy proposals. These could include: An Islamic common market; a rejection of usury and movement toward Islamic finance; a common currency backed by commodities such as gold and/or oil; the drafting of specifically Islamic human rights norms; the development of trans-national cultural institutions designed to encourage Islamic cultural production in literature, cinema, etc.; a set of modern Islamic norms for relations with non-Muslim minorities in Muslim-majority countries; the development of trans-national Islamic think tanks with a mission to preserve and enhance Islamic civilization; and so on.
Q: How do you evaluate resistance against US and European domination and confronting the Zionist regime in the statements and views of Ayatollah Khamenei?
A: I support Ayatollah Khamenei's courageous stance on these issues. I admire people who try to do what is right and speak truth to power. This quality is extremely rare among top political leaders.
Q: In Ayatollah Khamenei’s view, leadership and structure-making for the regional uprisings is an effective way for forming a resistance and a protection against threats. What are your thoughts on that? What do think are the main reasons behind the failure of some the revolutions in the region?
A: The revolutions have been partially co-opted, blocked, or reversed by the reactionary forces of Zionism and imperialism. This has happened in part because the countries involved have not sufficiently developed alternative political structures.
Q: In the Supreme Leader’s opinion, spread of divisions among revolutionaries and foreign infiltration are among the main causes that do serious harm to regional revolutions. How can they be avoided, especially considering what we are witnessing in Egypt?
A: I hope the Egyptian setback will help Islamic forces realize that they need to work together, rather than fighting each other. Specifically, I hope the Ikhwan learns that the Gulf monarchies, especially the Saudis, are not their friends, and that they would do better to forge a regional alliance with Iran and Turkey supporting "Islam and democracy" and opposing Zionism and imperialism.
Q: The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution considers understanding among Islamic schools of thought as the key to salvation. What strategies could be adopted now to douse the flames of sectarian conflicts spread in the region by Takfiris?
A: I urge the Supreme Leader to do everything possible to counter the takfiri propaganda coming from the Saudis. He and his advisors should look at the "talking points" that the takfiris and their dupes use, and respond with effective counter-measures. For example, the takfiris and their supporters claim that Iranians and Shia slander three of the first four caliphs. It is helpful to repeatedly re-emphasize Imam Khomeini's opposition to this practice, and insist on the need for polite, reasonable language in religious discussions, especially discussions of religious figures venerated by others. In more general terms, Iran should do everything possible to cultivate good relations with potential Sunni allies. Many leaders of Sunni-based Islamic movements can be "peeled off" from the takfiris and brought into a larger alliance of Islamic activists seeking a democratic Islamic alternative to Zionism and imperialism.
Kevin James Barrett (born February 1959) is an American former university lecturer and Muslim convert. He is a member of the Scientific Panel for the Investigation of 9/11 (SPINE), and is a founding member of the Muslim-Jewish-Christian Alliance (MUJCA), established October 30, 2004 with the stated aim of improving "interfaith dialogue, coexistence, and understanding" in light of the events of 9/11.
Interview by Javad Arabshirazi
