Very few get to see him with their hearts

Roya Pour Bagher, journalist and writer

Women and children from all walks of life flocked to a single complex in the capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran…for the sake of seeing him, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Sayyid Ali Khamenei, in flesh. His speech was meant to start at 11 a.m. However, the attendees woke up for morning prayers at around 5 a.m. and began getting ready to leave. Those coming from other cities left their homes a day or more earlier, and some in Tehran could not sleep the night before due to excitement. Getting inside the meeting hall is a long and complicated process for security reasons. However, this sacrifice is nothing to the attendees compared to the pleasure of being in his vicinity.

The occasion of the meeting is Women’s Day––the birthday anniversary of the great lady of Islam, Lady Fatima, daughter of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). Once inside, the large hall was decorated in pink and white. A large, pink banner at the front, right above where the Leader is meant to deliver his speech, read:

“Gabriel gave me the order to take care of women”
–The Holy Prophet (pbuh)

Some women had come from rural areas and distant cities and had donned their traditional clothes: a reflection of Iranianness and to be representatives of their tribes in the meeting with the most revered, prominent, and influential Iranian man…for it is a great honor. The attendees had ribbons with the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran tied around their wrists or their foreheads. Some held the pictures of martyrs in their hands, others heartwarming messages for the Leader to read. There was not a sad face to witness; pure joy and excitement filled the hall–most importantly, anticipation.

Not everyone gets to see him with their eyes. Very few get to see him with their hearts.

A bystander who does not know of the Islamic Revolution would not understand the reason for the attendees’ passion. However, a woman from London perfectly embodied that reason. She was in the UK when Imam Khomeini led the Islamic Revolution in Iran. She told me it was not easy living in the West and staying on the right path–especially when it comes to politics. Initially, she and her family did not know of the oppression Iranians were experiencing during the time of the Shah. However, once news reached London of the revolution and they saw their Western leaders infuriated by it, they understood immediately that a great turning point had taken place on Iranian soil…for they knew who the enemies of Islam are, and that British joy meant Muslim misfortune. Unfortunately, it is not a wisdom all Muslims possess. This lady, a mother of eight now, tells me of her love for Ruhollah Khomeini–a man who inspired her immensely. He was the first man she had witnessed to stand up to the tyrannical West. In other words, he epitomized the line Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest) and how one can lead their life in the most impactful way through it. She tells me she moved to Iran after Imam Khomeini departed this world and how saddened she was to have never gotten the chance to see him. However, now, over 45 years after his revolution, she regards her first meeting with Sayyed Khamenei as her first meeting with Imam Khomeini. Like I said, very few get to see him with their hearts. It is my personal opinion that this woman was watching the Leader with her soul for she understood what the Leader embodied: resistance against oppression and a seeker of justice; a true revolutionary. 

I asked her, “How does it feel coming here to see him for the very first time?”

She replies, “Like a dream…I feel like a drop that is about to reach the ocean. May Allah give me enough life to see him (in a bit).”

That last line of hers in specific, had me believe this is a woman of great humility and faith for she understands Who brought her to this meeting and Who can also take it away from her in an instant. I also do not think it was a mere coincidence that I ended up interviewing her as an attendee. This woman is a perfect example of what a person who wants to meet the Leader is like and should be like; especially on the important occasion of Women’s Day.

I asked her, “How has the Leader helped you in all these years understand your role as a woman?”

Once again, she replied in an uncommon way, “Just his dua. It is only recently that I read and know that what I did (as a woman) was right. In the past, they would make fun of me for having so many kids, and now they tell me I did well.”

She is referring to a period of time when having fewer kids was encouraged and was later admitted as being an erroneous understanding. This woman unknowingly carried out one of the most difficult responsibilities of a woman to the best degree, and that is why I agree with her answer, “his dua.”

Once the Leader entered the hall, everyone stood up and shouted their love and reverence for him. Verses of the Holy Quran were recited and a series of female experts each had their turn as guest speakers to give a speech/report on societal complications they deemed important to address. One of the guest speakers was a Lebanese woman who had sacrificed two sons for the path of resistance, one of which had gotten martyred a week or so before. Once they finished, the Leader gave comments on their reports and had them reach the relevant departments that are in his authority. He then began his own speech on the occasion. The women sat silently to listen to his words intently.

I asked a friend of mine from Nigeria, who accompanied me to this meeting, “Why did you come?”

She responded, “To reach him; to come as close to the family of Ahlulbayt (pbut) as possible.”

I asked another question, “If you could have a personal meeting with him, what would you ask?”

She answered: “What can I do to carry out my responsibilities?” and “Please pray for me so I can carry them out.”

What caught my attention during the entire event was the number of newborns and children who had attended. Coming to such a meeting is not entirely easy, and so, imagine how difficult it must be for mothers to bring their newborns with them. Of course, those who had children were given easier access and were taken care of by the organizers of the event. Nevertheless, I was amazed by the passion these mothers had for them to endure the hardships of bringing their children along. Then again, I believe these sittings must have children present, for they are the future of our society. In their interaction with their children, one can learn of correct motherhood. A mother calmly and playfully convinces her child to move, another patiently pats her newborn’s back to get him to stop crying. It is so that I knew these mothers were the practitioners of the path of Wilayah–the practices of Ahlulbayt (pbut).

Throughout the Leader’s speech, fiery slogans of “Labbaik ya Khamenei,” “Labbaik ya Zahra,” and “Down with Israel (and other oppressive powers)” were chanted. The Lebanese present had also added the slogan, “Labbaik ya Nasrallah,” to the list.

These slogans serve as a message to the world that we have not forgotten our stance and our leaders who are at the forefront of our revolutions. It is both a glad tidings and a warning from the women of Islam:

“We are the Fatimas and Zaynabs in this never-ending battlefield between good and evil and we are loyal to our leaders who are guiding us to the return of the savior of Islam, al-Mahdi (may God hasten his advent).”

(The above is Roya Pour Bagher’s personal account of her participation in Imam Khamenei’s meeting with thousands of women from across the country on Dec. 17, 2024)