Leader receives outstanding reciters of Holy Quran

"Some Islamic governments are betraying their people and the Islamic Ummah and paving the way for the American influence," the Leader told participants at an international Qur'an competition in Tehran Wednesday.  

"Certain (governments) in the Islamic world, instead of clinging to the Qur'an, are clinging to Taghut," Ayatollah Khamenei said, using the Arabic word for idolatry or the worship of anything except Allah.  

"America is the major Taghut and the Great Satan," the Leader added.
"Those who are implementing the American policy in the region are adhering to Taghut and do not have disbelief in Taghut," Ayatollah Khamenei added.

The Leader also said Takfiri terrorists and Wahabbi affiliates are doing the enemy's bidding by "consigning the Palestinian issue to oblivion" through their reign of terror in the Middle East. 

"Satanic powers are scared of Islam and the 1.5-billion Muslim community," the Leader said, adding tremendous sums of money is being spent to harm Islam and Muslims.