Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, has urged American students to “become familiar with the Quran” in response to their ongoing protests against Israel’s offensive against Hamas on college campuses. In a letter to the students, Khamenei described them as part of the “Resistance Front” destined to win “with the permission of God,” expressing solidarity and empathy for their support of Palestinians.
Dear university students in the United States of America, you are standing on the right side of history.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) May 29, 2024
“The Quran’s lesson for us Muslims and all of humanity is to stand up for that which is right: ‘So be steadfast as you have been commanded’ (11:112). The Quran’s lesson for human relations is: ‘Do not oppress and do not be oppressed’ (2:279). The Resistance Front advances by comprehensively understanding and practicing these and hundreds of other such commands – and will attain victory with the permission of God. My advice to you is to become familiar with the Quran,” he wrote in his letter titled ‘As the page of history is turning, you are standing on the right side of it.’
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Khamenei emphasized that “history is turning a page” and predicted a “different fate” for the West Asia region. He assured students that global circumstances are changing, with an awakening of the people’s conscience and the strengthening of the Resistance Front.
You have now formed a branch of the Resistance Front and have begun an honorable struggle in the face of your government's ruthless pressure – which openly supports Zionists.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) May 29, 2024
“I would like to assure you that today the circumstances are changing. A different fate awaits the important region of West Asia. The people’s conscience has awakened on a global scale, and the truth is coming to light. Moreover, the Resistance Front has grown in strength and will become even stronger. And history is turning a page,” he said.
This statement followed an Israeli attack in Rafah over the weekend, which killed over 40 people and sparked the social media campaign “All Eyes on Rafah.” Khamenei addressed the students using the phrase “in the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful,” urging them to stand up for the downtrodden women and children of Gaza due to their “awakened conscience.” He acknowledged the protests by students, academics, and the public, referring to them as “uprisings.”
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Following the Israeli strike on a Rafah camp, protests resumed despite a brief period of calm. Even with numerous civilians seeking sanctuary in camps, Israel continued its offensive, provoking widespread criticism and horror from the international community. The attack, which resulted in the deaths of many women and children, drew condemnation even from Israel’s closest allies. Despite an injunction from the International Court of Justice to cease military activities, Israel launched another attack near Rafah.
Anti-Israel demonstrations intensified in April following widespread arrests during the takeover of Columbia University’s campus. Over 2,950 protestors, including professors and faculty, were detained, which many labeled as “police brutality.” Similar protests have erupted in universities across Europe, Australia, and Canada. Since the protests began on April 17, numerous students have been punished or expelled from Columbia University.