Seyyed Hassan Khomeini’s Reaction to Mamdani’s Election as New York Mayor: An Example of Cultural Awakening in the Western World

According to Khabar Online news agency, Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Seyyed Hassan Khomeini, in a meeting with the managers and employees of the National Public Libraries Institution, emphasized the importance of cultural movements, stating: “Two and a half years ago, the October incident occurred in our region, followed by many crimes and wars. However, its effects are now visible in a cultural awakening. The recent New York mayoral election is an example of this awakening; it is no longer important who was elected mayor, but rather that today two-thirds of the population under 30 opposes America’s pro-Israel policies and, for this reason, voted for the anti-Israel candidate.”

According to Jamaran, he added, stating that the fundamental basis of our revolution is a cultural movement: “The role of libraries should go beyond keeping and lending books, transforming into an environment for cultural activities and fostering empathy among individuals regarding social and cultural issues. Libraries can be the source of significant impacts for future generations and can deliver cultural services even to less privileged areas.”

Seyyed Hassan Khomeini spoke about the concept of a book and a library, saying: “A book solidifies what needs to be solidified, and words are set for the spirit of meaning. Libraries are not spaces for mere reading, but rather cultural environments for gathering individuals who wish to empathize around a particular issue.”

He also clarified: “Cultural awakening in the Western world might stem from difficult and bloody past roots, but its solidification and impact are shaped through culture and books. Today, we observe that the power of Zionist support in American public opinion has significantly decreased, and the younger generation holds a different perspective.”

The Imam’s heir concluded his remarks by deeming the National Public Libraries Institution a valuable platform and expressed hope that library activities and the management of the complex by women would lead to better days for the country’s public culture, and that mobile and rural libraries could expand their cultural services to less privileged regions.