“We and the West: A Conference on the Views and Thoughts of Ayatollah Khamenei” was held by the Islamic Revolutionary Leader’s Works Preservation and Publication Authority on November 10 at the conference hall of the Iranian Broadcasting Corporation (IRIB). Possible reasons, objectives, and programs for holding a conference include the following:
1. The title “We and the West” at first glance evokes the historical challenges of Iran and the West, but taken as a whole it encompasses all countries that have been exposed to harm and harassment by Western domination. The purpose of the conference is to recall the irreparable damage that Western colonialism has caused to the colonial countries of Africa, Latin America and Asia in the cultural, social, security, economic and social fields, to emphasize the need to strengthen multilateralism and the solidarity of independent countries to counter domination and unilateralism, and to identify appropriate solutions to achieve this objective.
2. After its victory, the Iranian Islamic Revolution, with its unique approach, did not accept the continuation of domination by the Western and Eastern superpowers, and under the leadership of the revolutionary leaders launched the most important anti-colonial and anti-domination movement as a phenomenon in the international system. During this time, Khamenei repeatedly analyzed and explained the nature of Western civilization and culture, the hegemonic approaches of America and Europe, and proposed ways to counter Western colonialism and hegemonic methods. For this reason, his opinions and ideas were chosen as the main source of research for the “We and the West” conference, which became the title of this gathering.
The statements and messages of the leaders of the Islamic revolution, especially their statements regarding the second phase of the Islamic revolution, show that Western civilization is facing serious theoretical and behavioral challenges in areas such as human rights, freedom, human views, and national politics, and is facing a crisis of legitimacy. An “We and the West” conference inspired by the leaders’ ideas could be effective in creating a broad intellectual front against liberal democracy and paving the way for the realization of a new Islamic civilization.
3. The timing of this meeting was very appropriate, coinciding with the presence of a warmonger and power-seeker in the White House. At this juncture, the need for unity among independent nations against the United States is felt due to America’s unilateralist approach and Trump’s actions that threaten neighboring countries, impose a form of tyranny on countries around the world, and defend the Zionist regime’s genocide in Gaza. This universal sentiment can have an effect on the gradual decline of American power by expanding the field of resistance to arrogance from West Asia to all regions of the world and strengthening the front of multilateralism. Of course, it is extremely important that this conference, which serves as a forum for intellectual exchange among scholars to protect the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of independent countries, continues to be held around the world.
4. The unparalleled reception of this conference by national scientific and academic centers and the presentation of more than 450 scientific papers and 65 brainstorming sessions around the world demonstrate the pioneering efforts of the world’s intellectual elements to create a global scientific movement to combat Western domination.
It is as if by holding this conference the hatred of the world’s intellectuals for 500 years of crimes, genocide, slavery, and plunder by European and American domination of the oppressed peoples of the world was shattered, and these intellectuals came onto the stage with their pens and expressions and shamed the West. Praying for God’s strength to the organizers of the conference, we should be grateful for this national welcome and plan more resolutely than ever for the dynamism of this intellectual movement to be effective in the emergence of a future world order.