Leader's remarks to gathering of university students, academics and young people in Qom

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has said the hegemonic Western powers are the enemy of humanity.

In a meeting with tens of thousands of enthusiastic university students, researchers and academics and young people in Qom on Tuesday, the Leader talked of "disastrous" Western (colonialist) actions during the past 300 years, which have had a catastrophic effect on human society.

He said Western crimes stem from the fact that Western thoughts and Western societies are "far removed" (a very long way away from) divine teachings, divine thoughts and spirituality. Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that this reality tells us that Western domineering powers are the enemy of humanity.

In further remarks, the Leader said those who once presented such concepts as humanism , liberalism, and democracy, took unfair advantage of their power and wealth, which had come about because of their mastery of science and technology, to commit crimes and atrocities on a scale rarely seen in human history.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution emphasized that the Iranian nation's advancement is the exact opposite to the deviated or wayward advancement of the West over the past three centuries.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei added: "Those young Iranian scientists who pursue science according to divine teachings and guidelines, they are in fact working for the material and spiritual benefit of all of humanity, and no doubt they will continue to push forward the frontiers of science until all the aims of Islam and the Islamic revolution are met".

Elsewhere in his remarks the Leader referred to long-term planning of the enemies of Islam and the Revolution, saying this is an undeniable fact. Turning to last year's events in Iran, following the presidential elections of June 2009, he said: "There is plenty of evidence which suggests last year's events occurred directly as a result of long-term and mid-term planning and scheming of the enemies".

Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that fogging domestic politics and political atmosphere of the country is one of the main techniques used by the enemies, adding the arrogant powers want to present the realities of Iran upside down, by using sophisticated media and propaganda campaigns.

The Leader said "foresight" is the essential ingredient for long-term national planning ensuring Iran's continued power and authority. Elaborating further on the meaning and finer points of foresight and insight, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said as far as the vehicle of foresight is concerned, young people are in the driver's seat".