TEHRAN -- President Ebrahim Raisi said Saturday Western spy services and the occupying regime of Israel are responsible for violent raids in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound as well as recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan.
Raisi made the remarks during a ceremony here to mark Laylat al-Qadr or the Night of Destiny, a holy night in which the first verses of the Holy Qur’an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace upon him) some 14 centuries ago.
The president described the Daesh terrorist group as the offspring of Western spy services and the occupying regime of Israel.
“Today we are witnessing two great atrocities and crimes against Muslims, on the one hand by the Zionist regime against Palestinian worshipers, and on the other by Daesh as a fabricated current of the West and the Zionists, against the oppressed people of Afghanistan,” he said.
The president urged Afghanistan’s authorities to protect all Afghans, including minority Shia Muslims.
“We are demanding the current rulers of Afghanistan to protect the lives of Muslim people, who are getting killed in mosques while fasting, and to prevent rogue elements who viciously target ordinary people and public security.”
Raisi noted that unity and solidarity is increasing among Muslim nations, saying it will lead to the complete liberation of Al-Quds, and restoration of Palestinian rights after more than 70 years of struggle against the occupiers.
He also called for mass participation of the people in International Quds Day rallies in Iran and other countries.
Every year on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, rallies are held worldwide to express solidarity with the Palestinian people.
This year’s Quds Day rallies will be held across the world on April 30.
Raisi stressed that the fate of the Palestinian nation is to be determined by resistance fighters in the occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip, rather than on the negotiating table attended by outsiders.
“Until recently it was thought that the fate of the Palestinian people would be decided at the negotiating table; however it is now determined by the willpower of combatants,” he said.
Raisi also said the enemies completely control the mainstream media around the world, twisting the truth at will and giving a distorted presentation of developments to the international community.
“Today, anyone who has the ability to speak his mind and write opinions must contribute his share and actively play his role,” the Iranian president said.