The leader of contemporary Muslim world wanted the faithful people to relieve themselves from clutches of imperial powers and accomplish real sense of freedom, independence and sovereignty.
This year’s Eid comes as months of mass protests in the Palestinian besieged enclave of Gaza which proved Israel's inability to stop the Palestinians despite widespread use of deadly force against unarmed protesters.
Since late March, over 120 Palestinian protesters have been killed and thousands more wounded by Israeli forces, mainly sharpshooters. The Israeli military has come under intense international criticism for permitting its forces to open fire on unarmed protesters in Gaza.
Tensions have been running high near the Gaza fence since March 30, which marked the start of a series of protests, dubbed “The Great March of Return,” demanding the right to return for those driven out of their homeland.
The Gaza clashes reached their peak on May 14, the eve of the 70th anniversary of the Nakba Day (the Day of Catastrophe), which coincided this year with the US embassy relocation from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem al-Quds.
The great Imam once said in his historic Eid message in this regard as following:
“Fitr is the day appointed by God Almighty for the Muslims so that, by their congregation for the prayers and sermons, relevant to every era…”
(Sahifeh, vol. 3, Page: 171 Message, September 26, 1976)
Greetings to all Muslims, the students in Iran and abroad, and the Muslim youth (may God assist them) on the auspicious occasion of Eid al-Fitr. Felicitations to you, the enlightened and religious people who are making sacrifices for the realization of Islam's sublime goals that guarantee the welfare of the people, and fulfill their spiritual and material needs. Felicitations to the Muslims who submit to imprisonment, exile, torture and death defending Islamic tenets and the Muslim countries; and in freeing themselves from the yoke of imperialism and its evil agents; who endure every kind of deprivation in uprooting the forces of oppression.
Greetings to all Muslims, the students in Iran and abroad, and the Muslim youth (may God assist them) on the auspicious occasion of Eid al-Fitr. Felicitations to you, the enlightened and religious people who are making sacrifices for the realization of Islam's sublime goals that guarantee the welfare of the people, and fulfill their spiritual and material needs. Felicitations to the Muslims who submit to imprisonment, exile, torture and death defending Islamic tenets and the Muslim countries; and in freeing themselves from the yoke of imperialism and its evil agents; who endure every kind of deprivation in uprooting the forces of oppression.
Fitr is the day appointed by God Almighty for the Muslims so that, by their congregation for the prayers and sermons, relevant to every era, they can find their path in relation to Islam and its bloodthirsty enemies. However, Friday and Friday congregations have lost their impact owing to the pernicious propaganda, leaving the Muslims bereft of Eid in the present circumstances.
Sahifeh, vol. 3, Page: 171
Message, September 26, 1976