The presence of followers of different divine religions – including Christianity, Judaism and Zoroastrianism – living together in Iran alongside the Muslim majority is a sign that the Islamic government is attentive to the rights of citizens of religious minorities. Meanwhile, the loving and sincere relationship that Imam Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic revolution, has with followers of other religions, including the Christian minority, is a well-known fact. In his messages, Imam Khamenei generally congratulates Christians around the world, especially his Iranian compatriots, on the anniversary of the birth of Jesus (peace be upon him) and the Christian New Year. He takes this opportunity to talk about some of the characteristics of this esteemed prophet. For example, he said, “Jesus Christ had the capacity to work miracles and he brought a divine message to mankind which saved them from the darkness of polytheism, atheism, ignorance and the oppression. This message guided them to righteousness, knowledge and worship of God. He never stopped fighting evil and calling people to godliness throughout his life. And this is the lesson that all Christians and Muslims who believe in the prophecy of Jesus Christ should learn. Humanity needs these teachings more than ever today. Islam complements Christianity and has made the invitation of human beings to kindness, righteousness, and moral perfection a big part of its program.[1]

Elsewhere in his messages, Imam Khamenei also mentioned Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) as a chosen prophet of God. He calls on Christians and Muslims around the world to practice this prophet’s great lesson to “stand up for the truth” and “to express hatred towards the powers that work against the truth” in their daily lives. Imam Khamenei interpreted Prophet Jesus’ message to the people as follows: “Jesus Christ called the people to follow the path of God, which is the path leading to prosperity for human beings. He warned people against pursuing carnal desires and undermining their spiritual purity by indulging in bad deeds and oppressing others. The corrupt and aggressive powers, which depend on wealth and power, persecuted this divine prophet and insulted him. They even tried to take his life. When God saved Jesus Christ in his own embrace, these powers inflicted years of horrible torture on the disciples and followers of Jesus Christ. They were trying to put an end to the teachings of Jesus Christ, which opposed corruption, oppression, polytheism, warmongering, deception, and the pursuit of carnal desires.[2]

The leader of the Islamic revolution explained the reason why the oppressive and arrogant powers during the time of the Prophet Jesus showed enmity towards Jesus and Christianity: the existence of a divine religion, the prophet of God and those who have followed the path of God. Also today, such powers do not tolerate servants of God, followers of divine religions and those who seek the truth.[3]

In explaining the mission of Jesus Christ (pbuh), Imam Khamenei did not limit himself to the time of this great divine prophet. He believes that the situation in the world today in terms of the confrontation between truth and lie and the need to commit to, defend and oppose the truth are similar then. of the Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him). One of the leader’s fond memories, which he referred to on several occasions, was visiting the homes of Armenian and Assyrian martyrs in Iran and expressing appreciation for the things they did. These visits, which were common before the ominous Coronavirus epidemic, were made on the occasion of the anniversary of Jesus’ birth (peace be upon him). The chief said, “I was fortunate to be able to visit the homes of a number of Armenian martyrs. I saw that they are attached to their country. They are really committed. I remember that at the time of the war a number of Armenian Christians came to Ahwaz. I saw a number of people sitting inside the airport. I asked, “Who are these people? I was told, “They are Armenians. They go to the front to help in industrial affairs. They will be of service. The Armenians are competent in industrial and technical matters. Feu Chamran brought them to help with the work. They toiled, rendered services and worked, and some of them were martyred.[4]

Quoting another of his memories on January 26, 2014, Imam Khamenei spoke of the enthusiasm shown by the son of an Armenian family who was a soldier and who was sent to the front during the Sacred Defense. Speaking of the martyrdom of this soldier, he called on government officials to reflect the behavior of the Islamic Republic towards religious minorities around the world: “You should reflect – outside the country – the actions that the Islamic Republic is taking in this regard. People and the Christian world should know that in our Islamic country there is tolerance and respect for non-Muslims. It is then that such tolerance does not exist in the Christian world. You have often heard in Western countries like Germany that young neo-Nazis – they are proud to be Nazis and called themselves “neo-Nazis” – attack Muslims and their mosques. They brutally kill Muslims and they are not seriously prosecuted. We have not heard of them being prosecuted. Another example is how they kill a young Arab woman who is wearing a headscarf or veil because of her Islamic blanket and no one stops them. The same is true in other places. The same crimes are unfortunately committed in America and in other places and countries. And yet, they claim to support human rights! They should compare these incidents with what is happening in Iran. Such acts are unheard of in Iran. During the Islamic period and during the Islamic Republic, the harassment of non-Muslims by Muslims is unheard of. Even those young Hezbollahi who are very zealous and enthusiastic would not allow themselves to attack a non-Muslim.[5]

From the point of view of the leader of the Islamic revolution, the friendly relationship that exists between the different religions of the country – including Jews, Christians and Zoroastrians – is a very important issue. He said that the people’s good response to the anti-Iranian propaganda spread by the enemies is a source of pride: “When the enemies have tried to spread propaganda against the Islamic Republic in a sly way, the Jewish citizens issue statements. . In other cases, Armenians or other religious minorities have made statements and defended and expressed their support for the Islamic Republic. It is a source of honor for the Islamic Republic.[6]

Accounts of the visits of Imam Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic revolution, to the families of Armenian and Assyrian martyrs in Iran were published in the book Christ in the Night of Power. In its 351 pages, this book tells testimonies about the sincere and exemplary behavior of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and his empathy for the families of the martyrs of the imposed war. He speaks of the patriotism and the sacrifice shown by the Christian martyrs. In this book we read: “The Armenians of Tehran live in specific areas and planning to visit three families who live nearby is not a difficult task. Two or three regular cars leave from the chief’s office in the direction of Damavand Street without any formality or commotion. No road is blocked and everything is normal. The car the Leader is in moves along alongside hundreds of other cars and stops at several traffic lights until it reaches its destination. The first house he visits is the house of martyr Vigan Karaptian. The parking lot is very close to the door so that Imam Khamenei can enter the house without attracting attention.

In addition to his visits to Christian families, the leader of the Islamic revolution has met on several occasions with representatives of fellow Christians in the Islamic Consultative Assembly as well as a number of archbishops of Iranian churches.

[1] . January 3, 1994

[2] . January 02, 1995

[3] . January 02, 1995

[4] . Jan. 26, 2015

[5] . Jan. 26, 2014

[6] . July 9, 2000