Ayatollah Nourmofidi in an Advanced Jurisprudence Class: The Iranian Nation, Despite All Its Diverse Tastes, Has Always Stood United against Foreign Powers

Remarks by Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Nourmofidi condemning the insulting and despicable act of the Charlie Hebdo publication, delivered during his advanced jurisprudence class on Sunday, January 8, 2023.

The Iranian Nation, Despite All Its Diverse Tastes, Has Always Stood United against Foreign Powers

A gathering has been announced for today to condemn the insulting and despicable act of a French publication. God willing, all our friends will attend as well. Such insults by foreigners and foreign powers have always occurred, and they have exploited every opportunity to affront and insult Muslims’ beliefs and sacred values. Some time ago, they also insulted the Noble Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him and his family). Now, through the despicable and insulting cartoons they have published, they have insulted the authority of the marja‘iyya and the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, doing so in the name of freedom of expression and the claim that publications are free to express their views. However, I wish to say that Muslims, Shi‘as, and Iranians, despite all the differences in their views and tastes, have always stood united against foreign powers. Everyone must be vigilant to ensure that issues are not conflated. If someone has an objection or criticism in some area, they must take care that enemies do not, God forbid, exploit these differences of opinion and perspective. Everyone must stand united against ill-wishers and foreign powers.

The Iranian nation must always remain sensitive and show no laxity regarding matters related to religious beliefs, such as the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him and his family), the Infallible Imams, maraji‘, jurists, and the Leader of the Revolution.

Those who champion freedom of expression and accuse us of suppressing freedom themselves defend freedom of expression only when their interests require it. They neither truly care about freedom nor are concerned about human rights, nor do they care about the rights of human beings. The only thing that matters to them is their own interests, and they are prepared to do anything in pursuit of them.

History is filled with their betrayals and crimes, and how much blood they have shed. They should not imagine that, under the present circumstances, they can put their sinister plots into practice, and they should rest assured that these actions will not go unanswered.

God willing, the unity and solidarity of the people, the seminary, and the clergy in the face of these conspiracies and foreign powers will always be preserved. Such conduct demonstrates their lack of reason and their malice.