Malaysia Forum Emphasizes Political Significance of Hajj
The “Awakening of Unity: From Hajj to Liberation of Palestine” forum was held at the conference hall of Malaysia’s Museum of Islamic Arts on Tuesday to mark the 36th demise anniversary of Imam Khomeini (RA).
A number of Iranian and Malaysian thinkers, officials and political and cultural figures took part in the gathering, organized by the Iranian Cultural Center in Malaysia in cooperation with the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations (MAPIM), the Palestine Support Center (AMEC) and the SAJAGAT organization.
In his speech, Iran’s Cultural Attaché Habibollah Arzani emphasized the political and unifying dimensions of Hajj and the role Imam Khomeini played in reviving the spirit of the awakening of the Islamic Ummah.
Stating that the Islamic Ummah needs to wake up more than ever, he said that today Muslims need awakening of conscience, awakening of unity and awakening against oppression.
He called Hajj not just a collection of rituals, but also a field of spiritual training and manifestation of Muslim unity, adding that Imam Khomeini (RA) considered Hajj as an individual, social and political act of worship in which the unity of Muslims should be displayed.
Referring to the position of Palestine in the thought of the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, he emphasized that from the perspective of Imam Khomeini, Palestine is the heart of the struggles of the Islamic Ummah.
For Imam Khomeini, Palestine was not a national issue, but a divine and Islamic duty and, with this view, he founded the International Quds Day on the last Friday of Ramadan, Arzanis said.
Malaysian activist Nasrul Ali Hassan bin Abdul Latif in his speech referred to the spiritual dimensions of Imam Khomeini’s personality and said the founder of the Islamic Republic was not merely a politician, but a man of God and a divine personality.
“It is this quality that has made his words and deeds lasting and impactful. People still love him from the bottom of their hearts, because his words were rooted in faith, honesty and sincerity.”
Iran’s Ambassador to Malaysia Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi was another speaker at the forum.
He elaborated on the personality traits and different dimensions of Imam Khomeini’s life from birth to death.
Referring to the Imam’s influential role in contemporary Iranian history, he emphasized that Imam Khomeini (RA) was a visionary figure in contemporary history who created a great transformation not only in Iran but also in the entire Muslim world.
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Ayatollah Ruhollah Moussavi Khomeini, better known as Imam Khomeini, engineered Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, which led to the overthrow of the US-backed Shah of Iran.
Born in 1902, he grew to become the iconic leader of the Iranian nation’s struggle in the 1970s against the centuries-old monarchical tyranny.
Imam Khomeini passed away on June 3, 1989, at the age of 87.
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