This morning, the 33rd National Prayer Conference, held near the Razavi Shrine, opened with a message from the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution.
In his message, Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei described establishing prayer as the first fruit and hallmark of the government of the righteous. He noted that, since embedding prayer throughout society is a necessary step towards achieving an Islamic society, families, teachers and academics, distinguished figures, public personalities and cultural institutions bear a double responsibility for establishing prayer across the nation.
The text of the Supreme Leader's message is as follows:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Regarding the sublime matter of “Establishing Prayer,” the Prayer Conference is a necessary and appropriate initiative. Since the beginning of the 1370s (1990s), it has taken shape across the country through the efforts of the scholar, the fighter, the popular one, the master of the Qur’an, and the skilled preacher, Hojjat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin Qara’ati (may his blessings continue [db.]). Our great martyred Leader (may God exalt his noble station [a.m.]) gave this issue special attention. His important and repeated recommendations in messages to the previous thirty-two conferences further underscore the importance of this course of action.
Undoubtedly, speaking or writing about prayer in a manner befitting its true station belongs to Divine Revelation and to the words of the Noble Prophet (s) and the Infallible Imams (as). The pen of someone like me falls far short of conveying the profound teachings contained in prayer. Nevertheless, the identity and requirements of an Islamic society, and the duties of those who serve it, particularly the leadership of the Islamic Revolution, make it necessary for me to offer a few reminders to myself, to all the people, and to government officials.
Prayer is among the most beautiful of the great blessings God, Glorious and Exalted, has bestowed. It is the supreme institution, symbol and pillar of religion, and the bond through which each of us establishes a close, direct connection with the Infinite and Everlasting Divine Source. This elixir of success and salvation, and pillar of a good and wholesome life, provides mankind with constant support and is an inexhaustible source of strength in their struggle against the temptations of the devils of the carnal self and the devils of this world. At the same time, it is a gushing spring of love, hope, kindness and tranquillity. Divine blessings descend, and sustenance becomes abundant through establishing prayer and seeking forgiveness.
Prayer, however, is not merely an individual obligation. According to the Qur’an, establishing prayer is the first fruit and sign of the government of the righteous: “Those who, if We establish them in the land, establish prayer” (Qur’an 22:41). This verse follows the promise of divine help to God's supporters and their struggle (jihad) in the blessed Surah al-Hajj. It shows that establishing prayer, as the surest foundation for remembering God and our source of hope and trust in Him, plays a vital role in all struggles, conquests, and victories, especially the struggle the Iranian nation faces today.
Now more than ever, as the conditions for empowering and strengthening our beloved nation become increasingly evident, every member of this awakened nation is called to heed the divine command, “Establish the prayer (aqeemuu al salat)”. Furthermore, those with influence in society bear an even greater responsibility in this cause. This includes parents and families, teachers and friends, scholars and intellectuals, public figures and those in the public eye. The same responsibility rests with cultural and social institutions, including mosques, Friday prayer congregations, schools, universities, religious seminaries, state broadcasting (Sedaa va Seema), cultural and social activists, and the Volunteer Forces (Baseej), especially those whose work brings them into direct contact with young people.
Establishing prayer, in all its stages of growth and perfection, is immensely important for a society and nation that has raised the banner of pure Muhammadan Islam (s) and takes pride in being governed by Islam. It is essential to lay the foundations for advancing from an Islamic movement and revolution to an Islamic society. Only then can the path be opened to the higher stage of Islamic civilisation.
Institutionalising prayer and making it widespread and universal, followed by a collective effort to perform it properly and beautifully, constitute the two principal dimensions of the endeavour to achieve this important goal. Revitalising mosques and taking other necessary measures to increase attendance and improve the outward quality of congregational and Friday prayers are necessary preliminaries to attaining this important goal. In all these areas, congregational and Friday prayer leaders play a particularly prominent role. They must be a refuge for the people and a listening ear, receptive to their concerns and heartfelt grievances.
I hope that, by Divine grace and through the special attention and prayers of our Master (aj), our beloved nation and country will be granted success and Divine assistance in establishing prayer and in benefiting from its spiritual blessings and bounties.
Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei
9th Mehr 1405/1st October 2026)