Sayyid Ali Khamenei

The intertwining of religion and politics is a defining characteristic of Khamenei’s worldview. He postulates that political engagement is an obligation for Muslims, promoting a paradigm where the electorate is not merely passive but actively participates in shaping their polity through an Islamic lens. His discourses often invoke the Shadows of the Imams, emphasizing that political inactivity contradicts the essence of Shia Islam, which glorifies active engagement in social, political, and economic spheres.

Resistance to Imperialism

Another hallmark of Khamenei’s teachings is the unwavering resistance to imperialism. He articulates that Western interventions in the Middle East represent a significant threat to Islamic sovereignty and autonomy. This ideological stance underpins his framing of various geopolitical conflicts, portraying them as contemporary battles of faith against global hegemonic powers. Khamenei’s rhetoric is often imbued with historical consciousness, harking back to earlier Islamic victories against oppression to inspire resilience among his followers.