In His Own Words
Hear directly from him — beyond the headlines, beyond the spin. These quotes offer an unfiltered glimpse into his thinking on justice, peace, youth, and the shared values that connect us.
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“I do not insist that you accept my reading or any other reading of Islam. What I want to say is: Don't allow this dynamic and effective reality in today's world to be introduced to you through resentments and prejudices.
Peace & DialogueLetter to Western Youth, January 2015
“We have no fight with the American people. Our concern is with the policies that trample the rights of nations.
Peace & DialoguePublic Address, khamenei.ir
“We believe in dialogue among civilizations. We believe that nations can speak to each other with mutual respect, even when they disagree.
Peace & DialoguePublic Address, khamenei.ir
“The Muslim world and the Western world are not enemies. Those who profit from division want you to believe this. The reality is that we share common human values.
Peace & DialogueLetter to Western Youth, November 2015
“Have you ever asked yourself how and on the basis of which values has Islam established the greatest scientific and intellectual civilization of the world, and raised the most distinguished scientists and intellectuals throughout several centuries?
Peace & DialogueLetter to Western Youth, January 2015
“Unity means that different Islamic denominations should highlight what they have in common and do not use their differences to cause fratricide, war, and enmity among Muslims. That is what we mean by unity.
Unity & CoexistenceSpeech on Eid al-Ghadir, December 6, 2009 — khamenei.ir
“We do not at all insist that in a unified Islamic Ummah certain Islamic denominations should accept the beliefs of other Islamic denominations. No, this is not what we mean by unity.
Unity & CoexistenceSpeech on Eid al-Ghadir, December 6, 2009 — khamenei.ir
“If we stay together, if Islamic governments and Muslim nations — whether Shia or Sunni — are honest with one another, if they are not suspicious of one another, if they do not insult and have malevolent intentions against one another, notice what will happen in the world and what great dignity will be brought about for Islam.
Unity & CoexistenceSpeech on Arbaeen — khamenei.ir
“The unity of Muslims is not a tactical matter that some people assume we should be united in certain situations. No, it is a principle. Cooperation between Muslims is necessary. If Muslims are united, they will all be strong.
Unity & Coexistencekhamenei.ir — Islamic Unity as a Quranic Obligation
“We want to teach and say to the world that Muslim brothers can cooperate and live side by side.
Unity & CoexistenceMeeting with officials of Sistan and Baluchistan, February 5, 2018 — khamenei.ir
“When there is compassion, kindness, and goodwill in people's hearts towards each other, society turns into a paradise. When there is animosity, grudge, and mistrust in people's hearts, the atmosphere in the society becomes dark and bitter.
Compassion & MoralityAddress, April 5, 2002 — khamenei.ir
“Believers are kind and compassionate towards each other. They show mercy and are caring towards one another. This is a moral responsibility.
Compassion & MoralityAddress, April 5, 2002 — khamenei.ir
“When belief is not accompanied by tenderness, deep love and compassion, it loses its proper function. It is love — in practice and in action — that makes faith effective.
Compassion & Moralitykhamenei.ir — On Love and Faith
“Being pleasant and affable creates affection and bonds between the hearts. Friendliness towards others is a sign of wisdom.
Compassion & MoralityAddress, January 17, 2000 — khamenei.ir
“Let's cooperate, help each other, and be forgiving.
Compassion & MoralityAddress, April 5, 2002 — khamenei.ir
“Compassion is not weakness. In Islam, mercy is among the highest attributes of God, and we are asked to embody this mercy in our dealings with every human being.
Compassion & MoralityFriday Prayer Address — khamenei.ir
“True strength lies not in weapons or wealth, but in the moral conviction of a people. A nation rooted in justice cannot be defeated.
Compassion & MoralityPublic Address — khamenei.ir
“Today I feel it is necessary to have a direct dialogue with you, the youth, about the events that have transpired and the flood of prejudgments with which they have tried to isolate you from the world around you.
Youth & EducationLetter to Western Youth, January 2015
“Read. Question. Think for yourselves. Do not let anyone else form your opinions for you — neither us, nor your own media. Seek the truth directly.
Youth & EducationLetter to Western Youth, January 2015
“Youth are the greatest asset of any nation. The energy, creativity, and passion of young people can transform societies — if only it is guided with wisdom and love.
Youth & EducationAddress to Iranian Youth — khamenei.ir
“The way to combat extremism is not through military force alone, but through education, understanding, and addressing the root causes that lead to desperation.
Youth & EducationPublic Address — khamenei.ir
“I genuinely believe that it is only you, the youth, who by learning the lessons of today's hardship can find new means for building the future and who can be barriers against the misguided paths that have brought the West to its current impasse.
Youth & EducationLetter to Western Youth, November 2015
“Preventing girls from education is against Islam. Religion does not make any difference between girls and boys when it comes to receiving an education.
Women & Familykhamenei.ir — On Girls' Education
“The astonishing increase of female scientists is a source of pride for the Islamic Revolution. The number of female researchers, professors, scientists, and intellectuals is far larger in the Islamic Republic than it was during the pre-revolutionary era.
Women & Familykhamenei.ir — On Female Scientists
“The family is the foundation of society. When families are strong, when there is love and respect in the home, the entire nation benefits.
Women & FamilyAddress on Family — khamenei.ir
“Kindness, love, and affection for the spouse and the children is advised. We are advised to kiss our children and to be kind to them. It is advised to love your spouse and be kind to him or her.
Women & FamilyAddress, May 8, 1998 — khamenei.ir
“A nation that does not read, that does not think, that does not cultivate the arts, is a nation that will inevitably be led by others.
Art & CultureBook Fair Address — khamenei.ir
“Poetry is the language of the soul. Through poetry, we touch truths that prose cannot reach. It is the most honest form of human expression.
Art & CulturePoetry Gathering — khamenei.ir
“Nothing can take the place of books. People should read books every day.
Art & Culturekhamenei.ir — On Reading
“Trees and cultivated plants refresh our living spaces and environment, uplifting the human spirit as they are aesthetically pleasing and comforting to the soul.
Art & CultureNational Tree Planting Day — khamenei.ir
“Scientific progress is one of the most essential needs of our society. We must nurture our scientists and invest in knowledge as our greatest asset.
Science & ProgressAddress to Students — khamenei.ir
“Knowledge is the most important tool for the dignity, progress and power of a people.
Science & ProgressAddress to Universities — khamenei.ir
“Justice means giving every person their right. This is the basis of Islam, and this is the thing that we seek.
Justice & OppressionPublic Address — khamenei.ir
“We want a world where no nation dominates another. Where every people has the right to determine their own destiny. This is not a radical idea — it is the most basic principle of justice.
Justice & OppressionPublic Address — khamenei.ir