Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waded into American political debate over the holidays — using Twitter as his mouthpiece.
The Twitter account that is widely believed to be operated by the political and religious leader had some strong words for America’s latest woes. The tweets all followed the theme of Jesus, acknowledged as a biblical prophet in Islam, and his teachings and life in relation to the current problems.
The first tweet dealt with Ferguson and read: “#Jesus endured sufferings to oppose tyrants who had put humans in hell in this world & the hereafter while he backed the oppressed. #Ferguson”
#Jesus endured sufferings to oppose tyrants who had put humans in hell in this world& the hereafter while he backed the oppressed. #Ferguson
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) December 28, 2014
The second tweet used the popular hashtag #BlackLivesMatter: “It’s expected that followers of #Jesus follow him in his fight against arrogants and in his support for the oppressed. #BlackLivesMatter”
Unconcerned abt the teachings of #Jesus, arrogants have tightened the living sphere for nations and oppressed ppl. #BlackLivesMatter
1/3/94— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) December 24, 2014
Finally, the third tweet, on Christmas Eve, brought the Gaza conflict into the discussion alongside Ferguson: “#Jesus like all prophets was herald of monotheism& human dignity; nowadays humanity needs this message more than ever.#Ferguson #Gaza 1/1/93”
If #Jesus were among us today he wouldn't spare a second to fight the arrogants&support the oppressed.#Ferguson #Gaza pic.twitter.com/P0N8jmKyQU
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) December 24, 2014