GAZA

Supreme Leader strongly condemns Gaza massacre, declares Monday day of mourning
Tehran, Dec 28, IRNA

Iran-Palestine-Supreme Leader
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei in a historical message on Sunday strongly condemned the inhuman atrocities of the Zionist regime in Gaza Strip.
In his message, the Supreme Leader said the silence and indifference of international organizations and certain Arab states have prepared the grounds for such crimes by the Zionist regime with the support of the Bush administration.
The Supreme Leader also declared Monday, December 29, as a day of mourning and urged all Palestinians, freedom seekers, Muslim nations, Ulema, intellectuals and media throughout the world to fulfill their heavy duty in confronting the crimes of the 'Zionist vampires'.
"The horrible crimes and atrocities of the Zionist regime in Gaza and massacre of hundreds of innocent men, women and children have once again revealed the bloodthirsty nature of the Zionists," Ayatollah Khamenei said.
The Supreme Leader said that this is very tragic and painful for all Muslims and every human throughout the world but a greater tragedy is the silence of certain governments and their attitude which have encouraged the leaders of the Zionist regime to continue their crimes and name those governments as their accomplices.
It is very painful that certain Muslims states instead of backing the defenseless people in Gaza in their struggle with the infidel and usurper Zionists, have taken an approach which has encouraged the Zionists to create such human catastrophe, said Ayatollah Khamenei in his message.
"What will be the response of these heads of states to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)? What will be their answer to their own bereaved nations?" questioned the Supreme Leader.
Ayatollah Khamenei added that there is no doubt that the hearts of people in Egypt, Jordan and other Islamic countries pain as a result of such a carnage after prolonged blockade and prevention of food and medicine supplies from reaching the region.
The criminal Bush administration by abetting the crimes on its final days in office has added a black chapter to its record of criminal activities, said Ayatollah Khamenei.
The Supreme Leader also lambasted the European governments for their indifference towards and complicity in this catastrophe have once again proved the falsehood of their claims to support human rights and their enmity with Islam.
"It is time to question Ulema and clerics in Arab countries as well as the Grand Mufti of al-Azhar whether it is not a very critical time to feel the danger posed to Islam and Muslims," asked the Supreme Leader.
"To what extent will the intellectuals and media in Arab countries remain indifferent towards carrying out their duties?" the Supreme Leader asked.
"Is it possible for the so called advocates of human rights and the UN Security Council to be as much disgraced as they are now?" Ayatollah Khamenei questioned.
All true believers in the world of Islam and Palestinian fighters are duty-bound to defend the defenseless women and children in Gaza Strip and those giving their lives in carrying out such a divine duty are 'martyrs', said the Supreme Leader.
Ayatollah Khamenei also called on the OIC to fulfill its historical responsibility at this sensitive juncture and take a unified stand against the Zionist regime.
The Zionist regime should be punished and brought to justice by the Islamic states, underlined Ayatollah Khamenei.
Steadfastness of Islamic nations can materialize this goal and the role of Muslim politicians, Ulema and intellectuals is much greater than ever before, said the Supreme Leader.
Ayatollah Khamenei said, "I declare Monday, December 29 as a day of mourning to highlight the catastrophe in Gaza and urge officials to carry out heir grave duties in dealing with such a tragic incident."
(This news from IRNA, Iran, Sunday December 28, 2008)