On Thursday night, April 28, 2022, at the Iftar dinner of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, referring to the need for self-evaluation, the Secretary-General of the Assembly stated, “Regarding fasting, everyone should evaluate himself. We need to know how much we have been successful to fast our thoughts, our tongues, and our stomachs. The value of the fast of thought is higher than the fast of the tongue as well as the fast of the stomach.”
“Regarding the effect of fasting, the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) said that fasting causes a person to attain wisdom. Divine wisdom is the result of connection with the divine book. If man is related to the divine book, the result is attainment of wisdom. One does not need to read philosophical books to attain divine wisdom,” he continued.
“Man should benefit from the rites of fasting. The holy month of Ramadan should be welcomed. This month is the month of the Divine Feast. In the months of Rajab and Sha’ban, the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) began to welcome the month of Ramadan. Humans are taken to this feast,” added the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
Considering Eid al-Fitr a great day, Ayatollah Ramazani stated, “Just as a fasting person is happy at the moment of Iftar, he is also happy with the arrival of Eid al-Fitr.”
“Man meets God whether he wants to or not. This encounter depends on his efforts. It is important for a person to practice and be ready for this encounter,” he continued.
“There are several groups of people: a group of worldly people who are involved in Shirk (polytheism). Because man cannot demand both the world and the hereafter at the same time. The other group demands the Hereafter. For example, they pray to reach heaven. While human beings must have the intention of approaching God in performing prayers. Another group of people do things to achieve spiritual status, such as the power of seeing supernatural things. These groups are also involved in Shirk. The other group wants only God, which is true Tawhid (monotheism),” added the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
Referring to the seventh Summit of the General Assembly of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, Ayatollah Ramazani stated, “Serious measures must be taken for this summit, and not a single bit of negligence is acceptable. Summit is an assessment for every single of us. Empathy, cooperation and thinking give invincible power. While division darkens the human soul.”
“What is important is service for the AhlulBayt (a.s.). We should be thankful that the affairs of the Shiites have been entrusted to us. The work that is done in ABNA News Agency is not just simply working with a few people. Because the work of a news agency changes the environment and thoughts, as it happened in several countries. We should not underestimate our work and we should work with empathy and cooperation,” he continued.
“Regarding the film ‘The Lady of Heaven’, content, media and historical critiques were made in the Assembly and its report was presented to the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, the Grand Sources of Emulation and influential personalities. After reading this report, the Supreme Leader thanked those involved in preparing it. Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi also praised this work. The president also referred the report to the Minister of Guidance, and the report was sent to the general directors of the provinces,” added the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
“We are to hold the Seventh Summit of the General Assembly of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly in a different way from previous periods. Much of the achievement of this goal is related to content provision. Interviews with the retired staff of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly are also important, and we are looking to strengthen the documentation center,” Ayatollah Ramazani pointed out.
Referring to the importance of International Quds Day, he said, “Today we have an important task. Quds is the issue of the Islamic world. I invite you to attend the International Quds Day. The 24 protocols of Zionism must be studied. The Zionists only consider themselves human beings and consider others as slaves. They are not upset about killing children and women. They consider themselves the superior religion and race, and seek to dominate the (so-called) Promised Land.”
“The issue of Quds is not just about Palestine. Rather, we all have a religious and human responsibility towards Quds. This responsibility is heavier for the authorities and scholars than others. Religion does not only require us to pray and fast. But we also need to perform our social duties powerfully,” the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly concluded.