Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called upon American university students, who have been actively protesting against Israel’s ongoing offensive on Hamas, to “become familiar with the Quran”. Expressing “empathy and solidarity” for their “defense” of Palestinians, Khamenei, in a letter, described these students as a “branch of the Resistance Front” poised to achieve victory “with the permission of God”.
Khamenei’s letter, titled “As the page of history is turning, you are standing on the right side of it”, emphasized the Quran’s teachings about justice and resistance against oppression. He quoted Quranic verses, including “So be steadfast as you have been commanded” (11:112) and “Do not oppress and do not be oppressed” (2:279), to underscore his message.
“The Resistance Front advances by a comprehensive understanding and the practice of these and hundreds of other such commands – and will attain victory with the permission of God,” Khamenei wrote. He urged students to delve into the Quran to find guidance and strength.
The Supreme Leader’s message comes in the wake of a recent Israeli attack in Rafah, which resulted in over 40 casualties, sparking the “All Eyes on Rafah” campaign on social media. Khamenei’s letter also criticized the U.S. government for its support of what he termed the “usurper and brutal Zionist regime”, and highlighted the escalating anti-Israel protests across American universities and globally.
These protests, which intensified after the deadly Rafah attack, have seen significant student involvement despite facing police action. Over 2,950 protesters, including faculty members, have been arrested since the demonstrations began at Columbia University on April 17. The protests have spread to universities in Europe, Australia, and Canada, with many students facing expulsions and suspensions.
Khamenei condemned the Israeli actions in Gaza and accused Israel of subjecting Palestinians to extreme oppression and torture, describing these actions as apartheid. He also criticized the support Israel receives from Western powers, particularly the U.S. and England, and questioned the characterization of Palestinians as terrorists for defending their land.
In his letter, Khamenei highlighted the support of professors for the student protests, describing it as a significant development. “The support and solidarity of your professors is a significant and consequential development. This can offer some measure of comfort in the face of your government’s police brutality and the pressures it is exerting on you,” he wrote. The Iranian leader concluded his letter by reaffirming his empathy with the protesting students and expressing his belief in their perseverance and just cause. He called for an end to the “brutal Zionist terrorist network” and reiterated his support for the global movement against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
