Speech to the deputies of the fifth Majlis
(18.6.1996)
Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, in Persian 0957
gmt 18 Jun 96
The following are excerpts from a recording of Ayatollah
Khamene'i's speech:
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate...
The fifth Majlis was formed under conditions where, more than ever
before, the enemies of this nation had intensified their propaganda attacks and were
intent - and still are intent - on weakening the Islamic Republic through their various
ploys and tricks. Their wish was that this Majlis would not be able to convene at the
specified time. They were also hoping for a low turn-out in the elections and were looking
for an election process afflicted with disputes and clashes among the people, officials
and the supporters of famous personalities. Furthermore, they wanted the country's
conditions to deteriorate because of the elections and were wishing for an atmosphere of
enmity which would mar the people's vision and insight. These were the wishes of the
enemy...
Today, praise be to God, the new Majlis has been formed. From what I
know about the internal affairs of the present Majlis, it is clear that all the esteemed
brothers and sisters in the Majlis are well aware of the country's priorities and the
nation's needs. They are also fully aware of their grave responsibilities, which are often
more important than mere legislation. These responsibilities include the safeguarding of
the integrity of this nation and its revolution, and also preserving all the features
which are essential for the country's proud and strong presence on the international
arena. God be thanked, the approval of the deputies' credentials is proceeding well, or is
about to finish and the serious task of the Majlis will soon begin, God willing; the
sooner it begins the better because the people are waiting for you to get on with it...
This life will end one day. One may live for 50 years, 60 or 70 years .
Some live longer, some shorter. It will pass like a flash of lightning. The position of
responsibility will end sooner than life. Up to yesterday there were others sitting in
this Majlis, it is your turn today and tomorrow there will be different deputies. This
short space of time in the position of responsibility is not worth abandoning our
religious duties. This is the essence of what I am trying to tell you.
Praise be to God, this Majlis is a good Majlis. When I look at the
Majlis's composition, I can see that our previous terms of the Majlis were generally or
mainly the same. It is a good Majlis and a good composition of deputies have sat around
here. They are believers from the midst of the middle class. They have no affiliation with
the aristocracy. They are not following unhealthy political doctrines.
I do not wish to say that the existing political factions among our
brothers and sisters are some sort of gang-up. Well, each faction has its slogans and
pursues certain policies. However, if you look at them more carefully, you will realize
that they are the same. They all pursue the same objective. They all think alike. It is
very, very rare to find individuals among the deputies who pursue other
objectives. I
think it is far fetched to imagine even such individuals exist in this Majlis. Praise be
to God, this Majlis is a good Majlis.
Throughout the parliamentary history of this nation, the true Majlis
was experienced by the nation after the revolution. Before that, the parliament was not a
true Majlis, except in two or three terms... Today the deputies truly represent the
people. No-one can say that there are individuals in this Majlis who are not in favor of
implementation of the Islamic laws in this country. I do not think so. Even the
representatives of the religious minorities, who in their personal belief do not believe
in the sacred religion of Islam, have accepted the Islamic Republic. The Islamic Republic
means a set of Islamic instructions. They work towards the implementation of these
instructions too. No-one in this Majlis is against reconstruction of this country through
proper Islamic means and independently. No-one is against uprooting poverty from the midst
of the people. No-one is against creation of comfort for the people. However, in the
Majlis of the pre-revolution era there were individuals who only thought of their own
interests. They used to say: As far as I am concerned, the important objectives are to
line my own pockets with money; to protect my own land and to secure my own
interests. I
do not care what happens to the people. I do not care if Iran is drowned. I do not care if
all the houses are demolished. I do not care if thousands die of starvation. Nothing was
important to them. Whereas in the post-revolution Majlis, in the Islamic Majlis, such
thoughts never enters anybody's mind. We can conclude, therefore, that all the deputies
pursue the same objectives.
It is important that I should remind you dear brothers and sisters that
today you enjoy a certain authority which you lacked before being elected as Majlis
deputies. In other words, you now have the authority to legislate, which is your main
responsibility. Of course, the Majlis has other duties and responsibilities, as stipulated
by the constitution; that is to say supervision over what the government does, approving
ministers, etc. However, your most important duty is to legislate...
If an economic, cultural or political problem should prove very harmful
to the nation and Islam, or if it impedes the movement of our people towards their
ultimate, lofty objectives, then it is up to you to provide suitable solutions. If you
refrain from passing the appropriate laws, then the government can sit idle and say that
it is powerless to do anything. Of course, our government would never act in this way,
because it is intent on helping and supporting the Majlis and, by all its bills and
proposals, in fact it provides the Majlis with a suitable working agenda. Praise be to
God, our government today is capable and efficient. The government officials,
furthermore,
are caring individuals. I want to repeat here that in the entire history of Iran, we have
never had such a good collection of ministers, and our nation has never before enjoyed the
service of such a good group of individuals.
Throughout the entire history of Iran, our executive power has never
been led by someone enjoying as much support and admiration as our present
president. This
is one of the realities of our country today. If our president was not an efficient and
capable person, if he did not acknowledge all his responsibilities, if he lacked religious
insight and if he was someone who had not fought for the sake of God, then all the good
legislation by the Majlis would have been totally futile. There is no point in having laws
if there is no one to implement them. In other words, the presence of a good executive
power is like enjoying strong muscles. It is up to you to show the way and set the
pace.
This is what an Islamic Majlis is all about. As I said in my earlier message to
you, each
minute of your time is extremely valuable. You must not waste even one second of the
Majlis time, whether in the various committees or in the Majlis chamber proper...
Some deputies might propose a bill to the Majlis just to please the
people of their constituencies. To pass such a bill may be beyond the capabilities of the
Majlis because of budget restraints or because it is not part of the government plan. For
instance, they might propose building something somewhere. It is below the dignity of a
deputy to seek popularity by resorting to such measures. And if you wish to be
successful,
you must be independent and free. This was one of the reasons I opposed the participation
of cabinet ministers in the Majlis elections. Of course there were other reasons too but
one of the reasons was the one I mentioned.
The various political factions should take part in the
elections. They
should also take part in all the affairs of the country. No affair of the state is the
monopoly of a certain stratum, of a particular ideology or a particular political
faction.
Everyone must take part. We have learnt by experience that this is in the interest of the
country and its progress. This was the reason we encouraged different political factions
to compete in the elections. It will always be the same. We shall also encourage different
political factions to enter the social arena. However, we strictly banned cabinet
ministers, saying: Ministers are not permitted to take part. The reason is that we believe
the executive authority should not interfere in the affairs of the legislative
authority.
Both of them work on the same front for the country, but they perform two different
tasks.
It is not possible for the referee to be a player at the same time. It is not possible for
the policy maker to implement the same policies. This is not possible.
When we say the Majlis deputies should be independent, we mean they
should judge for themselves. Of course, they should ask the experts to help them. Such
experts exist in the ministries, in the universities and in the Majlis itself. Praise be
to God, we are not short of experts today... If the Majlis is a parliament in which the
deputies think for themselves, in which the committees think for themselves, make
decisions and then insist on carrying them out - carrying the government behind them -
then it will be an effective Majlis that will be able to run the country in the best
possible way. This is something we have said repeatedly to the brother and sister
deputies, and we are now saying it to you.
Of course, as I said, government officials are, fortunately, very
sympathetic officials. They care. They act on the basis of a sense of duty. There are
people among the ministers who, my guess is, with every action they do, they first stop
and think whether it will please God or not. This is the kind of ministers we have
today,
God be praised. This is the kind of government we have. The president's
qualities, of course, speak for themselves. He is a religious, learned man, struggling in the path of
God, with complete competence regarding the affairs of the country, he is
experienced. All
this goes without saying as far as the head of the government is concerned . Every single
one of our ministers, God be praised, enjoys such great qualities. You, however, are
representatives of the people. Your dignity and status must be in line with what is
expected of you.
At any rate, you must trust in God and Exalted God will,
hopefully,
make your tasks easier. You must increase this unity and solidarity that exists in the
Majlis with every passing day. If it comes to pass that, at the end of this term, these
political factions, which now imagine they have some differences, reach the conclusion
that they do not have any differences at all and are good friends, you should know that
you have made a great gain; both you and the country...
Speech on anniversary of Imam Khomeini's
demise (3.6.1996)
Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran,
in Persian 0600 gmt 3 Jun 96
... Dear people of Iran, let me tell you this:
You, the
great people of Iran, have advanced every day despite the pressures and the threats of the
enemy. This is the first point. No-one can deny the fact that serving hands and able arms
have advanced the country in the past 17 years. Iran is no longer the country that it was
during the royal tyranny with all its chaos, deprivations and discriminations. The
achievements of the country since the revolution 17 years ago are more than all the
achievements of that evil and corrupt regime. This was the first point: progress.
The second point is this: all the progress was achieved while our
enemies, that is the United States and its political and economic allies, were threatening
us. They told us: Gentlemen, you will suffer from economic sanctions. They said: You will
die of hunger. They said: The road to progress will be closed to you. They said this and
they said that. But, thank God, there has been much progress despite their
threats,
despite their enmity and despite their pressures. This was the second point.
And the third point is: My dear ones! My brothers and sisters! Oh,
great nation! You should know that today, the major aim of America and its arrogance is to
force the revolution, the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation to take back its
word;
to declare that it has taken back its word, that it has taken back the word of the Imam
Khomeini . All the efforts of its arrogance are directed at this. Why this? Because it
sees that the Imam's message has awakened Islamic nations. Look at the world's different
nations - especially Islamic nations - and see how they have become influenced by the
message of the exalted Imam. America's arrogance has realized that if it wants to silence
the nations, put them in their place and make them abandon the right path, the only way is
to do something to make these nations see that Islamic Iran and the Iran of the Imam has
abandoned its path. In this way it hopes to make everyone lose hope and abandon their
path. Arrogance has understood this. All its efforts are directed at this.
Today they are bringing pressure to bear on the Islamic Republic of
Iran's government to give in on the question of Israel, on Islamic issues, to stop
chanting Islamic slogans and reduce all these proclamations about Islam and the Koran
which are held in common by Muslim countries. All the pressure is aimed `t this.
Vhat H have to say is that hf the Iranian nation wants to continue the
path of glory and progress ,just as, God be thanked, it has done hn these past
years,
thanks to the blessings of the powerful `nd serving hands in the Islamic Republic of
Iran's government which endeavored and worked hard in different sectors and progressed ,
hf the Iranian nation wants to `dvance `nd obtain the results of the path nf
glory, development, reconstruction, affluence, then the way to do this is to continue
steadfastness and endurance in the face of the enemies and arrogance.
Chants of God is Great!
In the past several years, the Iranian people have achieved much and
they must look after these achievements. All sectors of the nation, particularly the
officials of the Islamic Republic, must act wisely, intelligently and sensibly in order to
prevent the destruction of these achievements, be they the direct outcome of the
revolution - such as popular government, popular sovereignty, popular presidency, popular
deputies and such - or things that are the indirect result of the revolution - such as
construction, revolutionary work and revolutionary art by revolutionary elements in the
government or in other organizations. These things must be guarded wisely and
intelligently by the Iranian people and by government officials. The way to guard these
achievements and to create more is for the Iranian nation and officials to follow the path
that the noble Imam sketched out by his actions; the path of resistance in the face of
enemy's expectations and endurance in the face of unrestrained fabrications by those
abroad. Public chants of approval People talk about the path of the Imam and the line of
the Imam.
But what is the path of the Imam? It is too general to say that the
path of the Imam is Islam or the revolution. It is obvious that the line of the Imam is
the path of Islam and the revolution. Indeed, no-one is against Islam or the
revolution.
But to meet the expectations of that noble man, the father of the revolution and the
engineer of Islamic Iran, is to learn from his perseverance and resistance in the face of
the enemy. He did not fear the enemy. The enemy's threats did not move him. No-one can
accuse the noble Imam of unwise acts. No! If learned people looked carefully, they could
understand the correctness of his path, that took him towards his aims. And this is my
statement at the seventh anniversary of the demise of that noble man.
All the officials, the various sections of the public and the Iranian
nation must learn from the Imam's perseverance in the face of the enemy's
expectations.
And if other nations want to get anywhere this is the path to follow. The way to solve the
Palestinian issue is to show resistance and endurance. The way to solve the various
interventions of the world arrogance in the region is to show endurance. The Iranian
people should know that if it were not for the Imam the great borders of Iran would not
have been safe. The enemy would have violated the borders, would have stayed on our
territory and would have brought eternal shame on the Iranian nation. The Imam' s
resistance did not allow this. Today, if you want to have a beloved Iran, if you want to
be a proud nation and if you want to materialize the aims of the noble Imam, which were
the aims of Islam and the revolution, you must not give in to the enemy's
expectations.
Thank God, the officials are as strong as a mountain. Today, the government of the Islamic
Republic, the people's deputies, the judiciary, the armed forces and the whole nation are
standing like an iron wall against the enemy's expectations and will not blink in the face
of their threats. Indeed, this is the fit and honorable path to follow.
The Americans want to advance their cause through threats. This is not
possible. They can't even do it through intervention. The Iranian nation will not turn a
blind eye to the rights of the Palestinian people. The Americans say that we should turn a
blind eye to the Palestinian people and sign the imposed compromise. It is obvious that
the Iranian people, effectively and forcefully, reject this path and regard anyone who
follows it as a traitor. Public chants "God is great" , and "death to
Israel"
And the people should know that the message of the Imam and the message
of you great revolutionary people has spread throughout the world. Although seven years
have passed since the demise of Imam Khomeini , his name and memory has not aged and will
not age. Of course, the propaganda of the enemy attempts to give the impression that the
message of the revolution has declined in the world. But this is a lie and a
falsification. Today, in all parts of the world, even places where there are no signs of a
Muslim, the name and the symbol of your great revolution, the great movement of our nation
and the great movement of that noble man is evident among the people.
This is the path of might for Iran. This is the path of glory. This is
the path of development for our territory. This is the path of welfare, victory and
prosperity. God willing, the Iranian nation will continue to pursue this path with might.
And with God's grace future generations will complete it....
Speech on Teacher’s Day and international
Labor Day (01.05.1996)
Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1, Tehran, in
Persian 1001 gmt 1 May 96
The following are excerpts from a recorded speech by the
Leader marking Iran's Teacher’s Day and international Labor Day on 1st May, broadcast
by Iranian radio later the same day:
In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate... It may be that,
in a society, there is work, effort, education - but what is the motivation behind that
work? In what direction is this work or education moving? Imagine, for example, the work
that is being done today in munitions plants in the United States: There, too, there are
workers, but the work that is being done there - whether it is the labor of a simple
worker, of a skilled worker, a foreman, a sectional director, a plant director or the main
designers behind the work - all their work is at the service of warmongering. That is the
purpose of their work. It is aimed at serving usurpers, such as Israel. It is aimed at,
for example, the atomic bombing of Hiroshima - once upon a time.
Today, too, if the United States were not afraid of public opinion, if
it were not afraid of its own internal destruction, in short, if it were not for the
harnesses and barriers impeding the US administration, it would be willing to drop atomic
bombs wherever it felt like. Murdering people is not a difficult thing for them. Or, for
example, at a university devoted to intelligence or espionage sciences for the CIA
organization in the United States, too, there are teachers and students who are engaged in
teaching and studying. Does that teacher have the same value as we attach to our teachers?
Is a student, the product of whose efforts is changes thought - not to defend the national
interest of the United States; if it were, we would have no complaints. Let them manage
their own national interests within the boundaries of their own country in a reasonable
way. We have no wish to stop them from that. We are not jealous. However, that education,
that studying is at the service of the most evil and the dirtiest political hands and
human beings in the world, against independence - seeking movements, against independence
- seeking countries, to the benefit of reactionary regimes, against progressive regimes.
That is the motivation behind their work.
Look my dear ones, I want you, the workers' community of the country
and academic’s community of the country, to pay attention to this point. The nature
and substance of work is not important but it is the spirit of work which is important.
The mere fact that only an arm moves and turns a wheel doesn't create any value, any
spiritual value, any moral value. We should see why the wheel is turning, for what purpose
and for whom, and what purpose the wheel will serve... One should see what is the
substance of a subject, what is its purpose and in what direction that teaching moves.
This is important, my dear ones.
Today in the world, science is being taught, but in some cases it is
aimed at destroying human values. Today there are people who are acquiring education in
order to serve foreigners who are lying in ambush beyond the borders of the country with
satanic aims. This is not an important value. Once in our own sacred territory in Iran , a
number of people were educated simply for the sake of steering Iranian society and Iran
further towards corruption. This does not have any value or credit. The direction is
important, the spirit is important.
Let us talk again about our own society and our own country. I want to
say to you, my dear ones, the country's workers, the country's teachers: Today any
scientific, cultural or working movement that is carried out in the service of the Islamic
Republic and in the service of Islamic Iran and for the reconstruction of this country and
for the country's growth and development, is a religious duty. That includes any task that
you perform today. There are no differences between this and that factory or this and that
school. If today in Islamic Iran a teacher teaches only one word and his intention is to
educate a student to serve the country - a country which is today the land of Islam and an
arena for the greatness and glory of Islamic instructions - then it is a good word. If it
becomes a hundred words then it becomes a hundred good words...
My dear ones, today Iran, your Islamic <Iran,> is the focal point
of the freedom and liberation of humanity.
Crowd chants: "God is Great" , "Khamene'i the
leader" , "Death to America" , "Death to Israel"
Your country is the focal point of the liberation of humanity. Why? We
don't have that much (?free) relations with humanity sentence as heard . What are we
trying to do? The point is: Today the satanic and evil powers - those that you refer to as
arrogant powers, for example the USA - are standing against humanity. They are standing
against human values. They don't care about the lives of millions of people. You have seen
that Israel killed, wounded and made homeless tens of thousands of people in 10 to 16 days
and caused many grievances. It didn't touch the global arrogance in the least. These are
the people who, when a cat is trapped in a well in a house, mobilize their equipment and
spend money, as a deceitful act, to free the cat, which is an animal. Occasionally they
pretend to be humanitarian to the extent that even we, who know them very well, sometimes
doubt whether all these expression of kindness are really true. They deceive people to
that extent.
A great catastrophe Lebanon fighting occurred in front of their eyes
and they did not say anything. This was not the only incident - since the beginning of the
Islamic revolution, over the past 17 years, the people of Iran have been looking at issues
and evaluating the world problems with their eyes open - if you look you will find
hundreds of such examples. For example, when the Americans, the Zionist apparatus of the
world, the lying global powers, were supporting Iraq, you saw that the Iraqi government
used chemical bombs on Halabjah and poured chemical substances by air during daylight on
the people and left their bodies like dead wood in the streets. It was an unprecedented
incident. You shiver when you hear of such an incident. All the world's television
channels filmed it and showed it. No-one condemned Iraq. Most of the world community did
not even refer to it let alone governments.
The Islamic Republic, of course, made a lot of fuss about it in the
world. A number of people, when they realized that they cannot do anything but submit to
public opinion, said a few words which they wouldn't have said otherwise. That was the
same Iraq to which they referred as an awesome giant a few years later and confronted it.
Because, at that time, Iraq was fighting the Islamic Iran. Such are those global powers.
The threat of global sovereignty over humanity is a serious issue. Up to some time ago,
there were two powers, East and West, so there was at least some rivalry between them. In
this way, they balanced each other out to some degree. Today, it is a question of absolute
power. The Americans have become so impudent that they have started striding this way and
that throughout the world, saying: Look, you should break off your relations with the
Islamic Republic of Iran because we are not on good terms with it. Shamefulness to this
degree! Of course, the Europeans and the countries of the world slapped them in the face.
They ignored them. But that is the extent of their shamefulness!
Well, these are the ones who wish to gain ever more mastery over
humanity; to
dig in their claws; to carry out their bullying; to express their
opinion on important international events and impose their opinion on everyone. On
Palestine. On Lebanon. On Bosnia. Everywhere, where something occurs, they want to be
present, express their opinion and make their presence felt. Then, they expect all
governments to obey them. Weak, humble and worthless governments actually start praising
them, contrary to the interests of their own nations, encouraging them and magnifying
their importance.
On the other side, who is it that is standing up to them? Which
government and nation is it that does not bat an eyelid in the face of their
ever-increasing threats? Which system is it that, with reliance on its people, on the
strong will of its great and proud nation, has said no to all their threats and insults?
Where is that place?
Do you think that we are the only people who say this? Today, all those
countries, which are knowledgeable about international issues, especially issues relating
to this region, admit that it is only the system of the Islamic Republic of Iran that has
the courage and the strength to stand up to their ever- increasing pressure and say, no.
Crowd chants in support "Death to those who oppose the supreme
jurisconsult", "Death to America" , "Death to Britain" ,
"Death to Saddam and the hypocrites", "Death to Israel" .
This saying of no by the Iranian nation and government even encourages
other governments to stand firm. If you have been paying attention, you will have noticed
examples of this in the course of various events. You may have noticed reported in the
news. I do not want to mention any names. You saw numerous instances of this during the
recent events in Lebanon and in other situations.
In other words, your steadfastness even affects governments and excites
nations. Nations are emboldened. Nations derive courage from it . The spirit of fear that
they have tried to inject into the bodies of nations is discarded. The steadfastness of
this nation, the growth of this nation has this impact on the whole world's public
opinion.
We do not listen to foreign radios for a judgment on our own situation.
It is obvious that foreign radios are run by a bunch of mercenaries who have received
money to write articles filled with insults from top to bottom. Well, when someone swears
at someone else, does he base it on reality? For example, when he says someone's father is
a such and such, has he actually gone and seen that person' s father? He is just swearing.
They are swearing at the Islamic Republic of Iran. That is of no value.
We base our judgments on realities. This is the reality of the world
today and the more this Islamic country, this independent country, this brave nation makes
progress, in science, in work, in experience, at universities, at factories, at schools -
the better it becomes, the greater will become the psychological impact that I said it has
on other nations. Those who impose economic embargoes on the Islamic Republic wish to
prevent the Islamic Republic from having an effect on other nations due to its industrial,
technical and scientific progress. God be praised, they cannot do so. We have made
progress by the day. We thank God for this.
Today, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the government
officials that serve the nation are working hard. Our active and dear president is working
with all his might. You can see this. The people, too, are truly helping. The people's
support is very valuable . Everything depends on this link between officials and the
people. These efforts will bear fruit. Your work, your knowledge, your schools, your
culture, your universities, your factories can affect the progress made by this country
every day. That is, they can give hope to nations, humble the enemy, make the tyrants of
the world and international dictators, the manifestation of which is the US
administration, slip further away from their evil goals with every passing day.
Message to Hajj pilgrims 1416 (25.4.1996)
Source: IRNA news agency, Tehran, in English 1241 gmt 25 Apr 96
(also available as booklet)
Following is the text of the message from Ayatollah Khamene'i,
transmitted in English by the Iranian news agency IRNA on 25th April:
I the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful, and praise be to
Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, and salutations upon the Sayyid lord of the first and
the last, Prophet Muhammad al-Mustafa and his blessed household, and upon Baqiyatullah
fil-Ard 12th and hidden Shi'i imam.
Hajj (pilgrimage), this ever-flowing fountain of piety and
spirituality, goodness and blessing shall, each year and for ever, supply the Islamic
world, and each and every fortunate Muslim, with its abundant favors, and all individuals
or congregations may draw benefits from it in proportion to their capacities and
capabilities.
The pilgrims to the Baytullah al-Haram Ka'bah are not the only ones who
imbibe at this bountiful fountain: If this great obligation is truly recognized and
properly carried out, then all Muslim nations and individual Muslims throughout the world
will be overflowed by its blessings. Harm has always come to individuals and communities
from two quarters: Firstly from within themselves, that is, through human weaknesses,
unbridled desires, irresolution and lack of faith and other destructive traits, and
secondly from without, namely by enemies who, because of their rebelliousness, paranoiac
wishes, aggressiveness and devouring nature, oppress mankind and make their lives
unbearable and miserable by forcing war, injustice and suppression upon them.
And the Islamic world, both as individuals and nations, has always been
exposed to the two kinds of threats, and today they are being threatened more than ever
before: deliberate propagation of corruption in Islamic countries and imposition of the
Western culture on them, to the spreading of which certain dependent regimes also
contribute that affects not only individual behaviors, but also influences many aspects of
life from city architecture to general living conditions to radio, television, the print
media on the one hand, and military political and economic pressures on some Muslim
nations coupled with human slaughter as in Lebanon, Palestine, Bosnia, Kashmir, Chechenya
and Afghanistan on the other, are glaring examples of the two kinds of threats directed
against the Islamic communities. The pilgrimage is like an everflowing river, divinely
granted, at the banks of which Muslims may always wash from their faces the dusts of
hardship and suffering, pollution and malaise, and to refresh themselves by this eternal
provision in order to confront and overcome the two vulnerabilities at all times.
In the performance of Hajj the elements of piety, remembrance,
presence, submission and absorption in God Almighty, shall serve to remove the first
threat, and the elements of togetherness, unity and feeling the enormity and the strength
of the great, Islamic Ummah, of which Hajj is the crowning symbol, will tackle the second
threat. The immunity and resistance of individual muslims and Muslim nations shall
increase as these two aspects of Hajj are strengthened, but if one or both become weak or
extinct, then the Islamic Ummah, as individuals, nations or states, shall become more
vulnerable.
In the texts of the holy shari'ah of Islam and in the holy Koran,
sufficient emphasis is laid upon both these aspects of Hajj, and there shall be no doubt
whatsoever about them for those with seeing eyes and unbiased hearts: Along with the
command
"Celebrate the praises of Allah, as you used to celebrate the
praises of your fathers, yea, with far more heart and soul" (surah 2, verse 200),
there is the order
"and an announcement from Allah and His Messenger to the people
assembled on the day of the great pilgrimage, that Allah and His Messenger absolve
themselves from the polytheists and pagans" (surah 9, verse 3),
and together with the divine wisdom
"it is not their meat, nor their blood, that reaches Allah: it is
your piety that reaches him, he has thus made them subject to you that you may glorify
Allah for his guidance to you, and proclaim the good news to all who do good'' (surah 22,
verse 37),
we are also made hopeful
"that they may witness the benefits provided for them" (surah
22, verse 28).
Any recommendation, propagation or endeavor in the direction of
weakening or abandoning these two aspects of the pilgrimage will undoubtedly be a
confrontation with the verses and injunctions of the Holy Koran.
There is no heavier loss to the Islamic Ummah than allowing the
teachings and the guidance of Islam, which are vital, eternal, invaluable provisions for
Muslims and the whole of humanity, to fall into oblivion through the negligence or
ignorance of their religious, political leaders, and to deprive people from their
benefits. Hajj is an everlasting valuable reserve of that kind, and it is obligatory upon
all Muslims to get to know it better and to exploit it more deeply for the good of the
Islamic Ummah.
Today the Islamic world is faced with certain extremely threatening
problems, and if Muslims do not strive to remove them through the power of faith,
struggling, reliance on God, sublime selflessness and with open eyes to utilize the
reserved potentials deposited by the Almighty in this straightforward religion, then their
arrogant enemies, who are equipped with political and military power and technology, will
tighten their encirclement of them and further postpone the days of freedom and salvation
in the Islamic countries, not only for decades but for centuries, in the course of which
certain nations might by annihilated or they may lose their Islamic identities by the
imposition of the corrupting components of the West' s culture.
Today, after the establishment of the Islamic Republic in Iran, and
Islamic reawakening in many Islamic countries, numerous facts of bitter or sweet nature
are known and great numbers of people in the Islamic world are able to properly analyze
events around them and to understand the realities of their situations. Yet it must be
admitted that the bewitching influence of radios, televisions and the print media, often
run by Zionists, their Western allies, and certain seemingly Muslim elements who behave as
servants of the arrogant powers, are perpetually engaged in distorting the truth. It may,
therefore, be propitious here to give a brief summary of the problems facing the Islamic
world as well as of the potentials and possibilities at the service of world Muslims.
As far as potentials are concerned, we must, first of all, make mention
of the numerical strength of over one billion Muslims throughout the world that embraces
some 50 countries and extends from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. This great
Ummah includes nations well known for their talents and intelligence, some civilizations
that go back a few thousand years, and great individuals in the fields of science and
politics. This great part of the world's population, better known as the Islamic Ummah,
possesses a very rich culture and an everlasting heritage that brilliantly shines in
history, and it does enjoy, despite its great variety, an amazing unity instilled in all
its component parts and particles.
These singlehearted brother nations, formed of different, racial
designations, black, white and yellow, who speak dozens of tongues, believe in being parts
of the same great, Islamic Ummah in which they take pride, and daily they pray to God in
one language and receive their instructions and inspirations from the same divine book
that explains all the truths and contains the orders for all their needs and obligations.
"And we have sent down to you the Book explaining everything, a
guide, a mercy and glad tidings to Muslims" (surah 16, verse 89).
The geographical location of this great Ummah is perhaps the richest
region of the world in natural resources, with the single commodity of oil being the
support and sustenance of today's industrial civilization. And if the Ummah were to stop,
for only a few months, the flow of oil to its customers, the larger part of the world,
especially these countries whose governments have for centuries made the Islamic nations
the victims of their greed and arrogance, shall face a dark, cold and helpless prospect. A
complete list of all the potentials of the Islamic Ummah would embrace hundreds of other
outstanding topics in fields ranging from culture, politics, economic to social, material
and historical contributions that any researcher with some insight will be able to
discover.
Now we turn to the big problems that this great part of humanity, the
Islamic Ummah, is today facing: Problems that have made it nigh impossible for such a
great, rich and gifted portion of mankind to exploit its exceptional, practical
potentials, which has left the Islamic countries behind the marching caravan of scientific
advancement, deprived them of their own abundant, material wealth, subjugated them to
foreign cultures, subjected them to others on the international political scene, and
militarily exposed them to aggressions and aggressive policies of arrogant powers.
These problems, that are mainly caused by negligence, mismanagement or
treasonous behavior of elements within the Islamic Ummah, would form a long list. They
could, however, be briefly categorized under the following headings:
- Sectarian conflicts, mainly publicized and intensified by evil ulema
and paid writers.
- Ethnic and national conflicts, emanating from chauvinistic
tendencies, the fires of which are often fanned by dependent, subservient intellectuals.
- Submissiveness towards interventionist powers, turning certain
governments into satellite states of the big powers.
- Surrendering to the corrupt culture of the West and even helping to
spread it for their own political and doctrinaire purposes.
- The indifference of certain governments to their own people or their
disregard of people's needs, beliefs and aspirations, and taking up despotic stands
against them.
- A dread of the arrogant powers, particularly of the United States, on
the part of some political and cultural leaders in the Islamic world.
- The presence of the usurper, Zionist regime in the heart of an
Islamic region, that is the root cause of many other difficulties.
- Promoting secularism and introducing Islam as an abstract experience
for individuals that has nothing to do with questions relating to people's lives such as
government, politics, economic management, etc.
These and scores of other problems equally grave, though with
historical roots mostly, were solvable if the religious and political leaders had shown
any sincerity, determination and independence. They are the source of the present
predicament of the Islamic world, bringing in their wake poverty, backwardness, ignorance,
superstition, prejudice, discrimination, political servility, war and destruction.
The point is that if Hajj were held rightly and as commanded by God, it
is capable of remedying all the major maladies and causes of failure, though not all of a
sudden but gradually in the course of several long years.
This gathering of millions of brothers and sisters from all over the
Islamic world at a single place, and that too at the scene of observance of spiritual
rites performed in unison under the majestic banner of tawhid unification , with refreshed
memories of the early years of Islam, of the battles of Badr and Uhud, and the pilgrims
presence in the (Prophet's) mosque within whose walls still reverberate the animating
revelations of the Koran as pronounced by the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and
his family, and the resounding cries of "Allah Akbar God is Great " of the first
warriors of Islam, in an atmosphere charged with zikr commemoration , supplication and the
sense of presence before.
God, the Almighty and the Glorious, which liberates human beings from
their feeble, self-seeking and crooked-minded self and unites them with the source of
divine majesty, greatness and power - this is healing spring that lends strength to the
hearts, edifies the will and steadies the resolve, infusing confidence into the souls,
broadening the visions, bringing the aspirations closer, uniting the brothers and
disappointing the devil and defeating his ghul monster. Yes, a true and perfect Hajj, a
Hajj worthy of tawhid, a Hajj that is the mainspring of the love of God and the faithful,
of the rejection of satans, idols and idolaters, such a Hajj would first curb growth of
all problems of the Islamic Ummah and then resolve them, to become a source of honor for
Islam and vigor for Muslims and of the independence of Islamic countries and their freedom
from the evil of the aliens.
It was on the basis of such a correct view of the significance of Hajj
that after the triumph of the great Islamic revolution of Iran, the issue of Hajj came to
have top priority in the international agenda of the government of the Islamic Republic.
Thus this noble regime combined the religious-political aspect of this rite, a
manifestation of the divine majesty and power, with its devotional aspect, a manifestation
of divine mercy and compassion, bringing the contemporary Hajj closer to the Hajj of early
Islam. It revived the ceremony of Disavowal of the polytheists Infidels in Hajj as a
symbol of this and it has pursued the observance of this Islamic duty, despite all the
political harassment and obstructionist moves inspired by un-Islamic motives.
As a system that has affirmed the life, dynamism and power of Islam in
administering human societies despite the anti-Islamic propaganda and efforts of the last
100 years, the Islamic Republic views Hajj not as a means to further its own goals, but as
a forum for the awakening of muslims and reviving of the spirit of Godwardness and faith
in the implementation of the Islamic shari'ah as well as the honor and independence of the
world's Muslims. Those who negate and reject the dynamic and comprehensive character of
Hajj are in fact against the honor and independence of Muslims and their deliverance from
the bloody claws of imperialism and Zionism. Any such kind of fatwa or religious decree is
tantamount to giving a ruling in violation of God's revelations, and it derives most
probably from ignorance of the realities of the world and its environs and a lack of
adequate insight into the affairs of Muslims.
Today everyone who knows the plight of Muslim nations under the
tyrannical domination of the United States, whoever is aware of the crimes of the Zionists
and their covert conspiracies against Muslim countries, whoever senses the danger of the
growth of this malignant, cancerous tumor within the political and economic body of the
regional states, whoever observes the gloomy conditions of the homeless Palestinians who
suffer in refugee camps, seeing their country and homeland under the occupation of their
oppressors, whoever is aware of the condition of south Lebanon, of its territories under
Zionist occupation and its parts under perpetual threat of aggression, whoever has heard
about the recent catastrophic events in Lebanon, where the Zionists, now for the 12th day
and with the support of the US government, have been bombarding more than half of that
country from air, land and sea, massacring children and women and ordinary civilians,
whoever is aware of Bosnia, Afghanistan, Kashmir, Tajikistan and Chechenya, whoever knows
about the successive hostile measures of the roguish US regime and the anti-human Zionists
against the Islamic Republic which today is the manifestation of the sovereignty of the
Koran and Islam. Yes, anyone who knows these facts and possesses a sense of Islamic honor
and religious duty will not doubt that to forego such a great opportunity as the Hajj and
waste such a powerful God-given source of support to Islam and Muslims is to incur an
irremediable loss and commit an unforgivable sin.
The present weakness of Muslim states and the sorry disunity of the
Islamic countries cannot be concealed or denied. Today the Arab world by its own deeds
placed itself in such a condition that, regrettably, it is unable to defend the Lebanese
people who are victims of the crimes of the usurper Zionist regime, and face, even for a
single day, an enemy that has usurped its territories. While stockpiles of fighter planes
and air defense equipment bought `t stupendous cost from Western factories dxist today in
these countries, the aircraft nf the bloodthirsty Zionists freely destroy the homes of
@rab people `nd none of these governments is able to stop it. These bitter facts, along
with the increased political influence of imperialist powers within many of these
countries, as well as the unchecked nffensive aimed `t achieving a complete cultural
invasion of these countries and many other regrettable and alarming events, are sufficient
to make every sane mind and wakeful conscience realize that Islamic countries and nations,
whose representative sample is now present around the Holy Ka'bah and at other sacred
premises of this land of revelation, stand, more than ever before, in greater need of the
spirit and spirituality of Hajj and its abundant resources, which it is essential for them
to utilize. This is our viewpoint and thesis concerning Hajj and the other delivering
sacraments of Islam.
It is for this very straightforward and bold stance in the defense of
Islam and Islamic laws that the Islamic Republic, from the very beginning, has been the
target of the wrath and resentment of the imperialist powers with the USA, the big satan,
at their head. They accuse the Islamic Republic of exporting insecurity and of pursuing
expansionist policies so as to justify their malice and hostility in the eyes of the
world's people and Muslim public opinion . Their mercenary radios and media funded by the
Zionists or by American and Zionist stooges and propagated from the Islamic countries
against the Islamic Republic incessantly broadcast accusations, rumors, commentaries and
biased and false reports against the Islamic Republic, meant to curtail the spiritual
influence of the Islamic revolution and to damage the sanctity and popularity of the name
of our late Imam Khomeini , may Allah sanctify his soul.
With the help of the most up-to-date propaganda techniques they try in
an unmanly manner to cast disrepute on the Islamic Republic and to turn away its
supporters in the Islamic world. With their lies and slander, they are trying to raise a
wall between triumphant Islamic Iran and other Islamic countries, where they are afraid of
the repetition of the Iranian experience. The most infamous of the world' s terrorists,
that is, the leaders of the usurper Zionist regime and their perverse patrons in the US
government, accuse Islamic Iran of terrorism. At the slightest pretext, the US and Israeli
leaders are quick to raise their accusing finger at the Islamic Republic and to mention in
their political statements, after every few words, the sacred, majestic and radiant name
of Islamic Iran with resentment and rage. It is a matter of pride for us that the world's
infamous scoundrels and perverts should hate us. We too regard their ugly character and
polluted hands with disgust and resentment. God and His Messenger too hate and dislike
them.
Today, with God's grace and despite the hostility and obstructionism of
the malevolent, the Islamic Republic marches onwards with power, honor and a steady
resolve and determination, as a stable country with an accelerating pace of construction
and development, with an administration that is popular and close to the masses, with a
deserved presence and repute in the world, with a zealous faith in Islam, with its live
and dynamic youth free from the grievous problems of the youth in many other countries,
with a people intelligent, brave and ready to defend Islam and Iran, with an expansive
spirituality side by side with growth and development, and, ultimately, with an exemplary
and rare solidarity among the citizens. Thank God, the massive propaganda of the enemy
serves us as the indicator of our increasing power and the greatness of our people and
country.
At the end, I call upon all the dear pilgrims to make the fullest use
of the opportunity provided by these great days and I invite all of them to contemplate
upon Hajj and to draw a spiritual provision for the rest of their lives. I ask the revered
clergymen to raise these issues in an appropriate manner in the gatherings of Iranian and
non -Iranian caravans and bring the spirituality of Hajj and its political message to the
hearts and souls of the pilgrims.
I beseech God, the exalted, to grant honor to Islam and Muslims and
give real independence to Islamic countries, liberating them from the political and
economic domination of the imperialists. I beseech the one Lord to preserve the majesty
and glory of Islamic Iran under the shelter of the special favor and attention of the Imam
of the Age, may our souls be his ransom.
Peace be upon all our faithful brethren.
Imam Kkamenei speaks
about elections and middle east peace process
20 Feb 1996
The Iranian leader, Ayatollah Kharaene1i, has said that Iranian voters
should be aware of the importance of the forthcoming parliamentary
elections and elect candidates who support Islamic values and follow the
line of the late Imam Khomeyni. In a sermon to mark the end of Ramadan,
Khamene'i also criticized Arab countries for holding negotiations with
Israel and making territorial concessions. The following are excerpts from
a live broadcast of the sermon by Iranian TV on 20th February:
I will cover two issues in my second sermon, and we will speak briefly
on both subjects. The first issue concerns the Situation of Muslims around
the world and the second concerns, important current domestic issues.
As far as world Muslims are concerned, what is truly a source of regret
and pain is the fact that' the Muslims today are paying less attention to
what they need most: a return to Islam and self - reliance, Islamic
strength, the consolidation of bonds among Muslims and Muslim unity.
Today Muslims need these more than ever before, because the enemies of
Islam have adopted a harsher and even a more blatant stand, against Islam.
In the past too there was a great degree of enmity and hostility towards
Islam, but the enmity is harsher, more open and more hostile today.
Unfortunately, the stand that most of the. heads of states of countries
that were expected to adopt a correct stand towards the usurpers of
Palestine - that is, the countries in the Arab region - have taken towards
this overt and impudent aggression is one that weakens Muslims more and
more each day in the face of that sinister alliance [of the USA and
Israel]. It also weakens the governments themselves…. that the heads of
the Islamic countries would realize the value of Islam, which gives them
power, dignity, independence and the strength to resist bulling. But
unfortunately, most of the Muslim leaders do not know what this blessing
is worth.
One day the usurping Zionists came - with the support of the top
colonialist power in the world in those days, that is the British - and
grabbed a corner in the heart of the Islamic countries, in the sensitive
area of Palestine. They are not satisfied with what they have today. They
believe that the land as far as Median belongs to them. They believe that
the land as far as the Euphrates belongs to them. They want an immense
country that has sufficient water resources. They want to have economic,
political, military, social and other influence over all the countries
around them and over the entire Middle East. They are not satisfied with
what they have today. There are those who think that if they sit at the
negotiating table with the aggressive Zionists - under Americas pressures
and force - they will free themselves of the confrontation with this
usurping aggressor. But it will not let them be. And even if it would,
they do not have any right to give up territory that belongs to Muslims
and to the Palestinian nation merely with their signatures and their talks
held under Israeli pressure. Now that the usurping Zionists in Palestine
have freed themselves of the attacks by the Arab armies which, until a few
years ago, threatened them, they are thinking about imposing other
economic and political pressure on the other countries, and again with
American pressure. The Americans are applying the various pressures that
they have at their disposal against each and every country around
Palestine and even on countries that are farther away. They are resorting
to political weapons - the weapon of human rights - and using economic
pressure by interfering in international forums, at the United Nations and
in international economic institutions. They exert so much pressure on
these governments and countries that those weak governments that have no
relations with Israel will have to establish relations, and those that
already have relations will have to strengthen them...
This is a great danger that is threatening Muslims today. Of course,
the cancerous tumour that is growing is that of the usurping Israel,
Zionism. But the hand that is helping it is the leader of world arrogance,
that is the American government. The Muslim nations should not forget this,
in the same way that our dear, brave, zealous and alert nation has shown
by its words and deeds, with its participation on the political scene, and
with its activeness everywhere a necessary activeness that it will not
tolerate American pressure and that it can turn the American pressures
into a punch in the mouth for America itself.
Another event that is approaching is the elections. I would once again
like to tell everyone that the elections are important. The Majlis is
important. A strong Majlis is important. A pious and revolutionary Majlis
is important. A Majlis that can understand and recognize these aspirations
and be faithful to them is important. And the lack, of such a Majlis, its
weakness or its obstruction could result in great damage being inflicted
on the nation. You can form, a good Majlis through your awareness and your
care. Examine and understand the people you are sending to the Majlis.
Anyone who is elected to the Majlis as a deputy of this nation, a deputy
of a revolutionary nation, a deputy of a pious nation, a deputy of a brave
nation, should be revolutionary, pious and courageous. If we do not find
the most courageous, most, pious and most revolutionary, at least he
should be able to measure up to the great masses of people who, are
shining so much. Anyone who does not like Islam and does not accept,
Islamic strictures pleases the hearts of the foreigners. Anyone who
insults the revolution, and revolutionary values does so to satisfy others
or out of fear of others. Anyone who favours the enemy instead of our
people, who lacks the necessary piety and is not devoted to moral issues
but to worldly issues wants to undertake this responsibility [as a deputy]
only to gain Status and rank and to serve his personal interests.
Look for pious, courageous and revolutionary people, people who can
safeguard the strength of this nation under the aegis of revolutionary
values and who will approve laws, adopt Stands and deliver speeches that
will all be for that purpose. Such a person is fit to act as a Majlis
deputy of this nation. A deputy should understand what the Imam [Khomeyni]
said, what he wanted and what enraged him. He should understand that great
man - a man whose grandeur, sincerity, strength and courage were
characteristics that even his enemies admitted - and someone who was able
to free a weak and dependent Iran from the clutches of corrupt people and
corrupt and dependent managers and to place it into the hands of the
people. He should understand that- the imam was a person who was able to
direct the future of this nation and to unite it on the path to this great
objective. They should walk in the path of the imam and follow the line of
the imam. Do not forget the line of the imam. Do not forget the imam's
values. Do not forget the imam's will. Seek what these values teach you
about a person. And when you find such a person, vote for him with God's
blessings. This will be a Majlis which is fit for you, for this nation.
This is the way you should go about things.
Thank God, the Majlis has performed well in the past four terms. Of
course, there have always been different types of people, different types
of ideas and different types of political tastes in this Majlis. Even
people representing religious minorities who were not Muslims sat next to
their Muslim compatriots and worked and served in this Majlis. Everyone
has worked for the good and power of the Islamic Republic, which is the
power of the Iranian people and the grandeur of Iran. In this Majlis term
too, I know that Almighty God will help you and bless you. The Majlis will
be a good Majlis. The people's participation, with God's help, will be
good. This nation, this enthusiasm, this faith, this motivation, this
ability to recognize the enemy, and this ability to tell when the
opportunity is right will not allow the enemy to achieve their objectives.
The enemy wants the Majlis to be weak. The enemy does not want the
elections to take place or for the elections to be zealous and
enthusiastic, and wants there to be a low voter turnout. They do not want
to see occur that which is necessary for this nation. But this nation will
not allow this to happen...
Imam Khamene’i urges
no compromise with the West in Friday prayer sermons
9 Feb 96
Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamene'i told crowds at Friday-prayer
sermons in Tehran that the United States was trying to weaken the Islamic
revolution by trying to destroy Iran and was pressuring Iran into dropping
its hostility to the West. He said that this was wishful thinking on the
part of the West and that the revolution, which took place 17 years ago on
llth
February would remain strong as long as Iranians stay politically
vigilant. The following are excerpts from two Friday prayers sermons
broadcast live on Iranian provincial radio on 9th February;
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate ... Today we all
need to be as courageous as Imam Ali (a.). The Iranian nation needs the
courage. Anyone who is an official of this government, his need for
courage is greater. Anyone who has access to a portion of the Muslims’
national wealth, his need for courage is greater. The greater the people's
trust in some one, the greater his need for courage is. Individual members
of the nation need this courage too. The entire nation of Iran needs this
courage. Today the world infidels, our enemies, are the most intelligent
people in the world. They can twist the most important political and
Publicity issues round a finger. They are the same people, who are running
the world politics. They are managing the world nations. They change world
governments. They occupy various regions of the world. They created wars
and terminate some other wars. They uproot one regimes to replace it with
another. These wicked, evil, cunning and first-class deceitful statesmen
of the world have united against the Islamic Republic. Their policy
vis-a-vis the Islamic republic is to humiliate the republic and the
Iranian nation. Their policy is to question our principles through deceit
and to prove that we have chosen the wrong path. We need courage to face
enemies Their policy is to veil us that you are making a mistake by not
observing the accepted international norms. They say to us that you are
making a mistake by not surrendering to the US and world arrogance
international policies. You are making a mistake over the issue of
Palestine; you are making a mistake over the issue of Bosnia; you are
making a mistake over the issue of Muslims and so on. This is today's
policy. Not just today’s policy but it has been their policy as from the
beginning of the revolution to disparage Persian: Takhtafa the Iranian
nation and Iranian officials. They want to disparage those confronting
them most seriously. They ridicule whatever hurts them most. They want to
ridicule our approach towards women; to ridicule the universities, the
performing of prayers, Jama’ at communal prayers, the non-consumption of
alcoholic drinks, and to ridicule the devotion to Almighty God, ridicule,
ridicule.
My dear ones, sometimes very great men will lose their temper if they
become the subject of ridicule, humiliation and insult. They become
frustrated, wretched and become fad up with. Then they forced to do as the
Romans do; saying they have no other choice. Then the superpowers will
have a hearty laugh on the sly because they have got what they wanted and
have removed an obstacle.
They ridicule revolutionary movements in the world to such an extent
that these movements take back openly and clearly all their revolutionary
ideas, aspirations and slogans. Or they disparage revolutionary movements
or ridicule them. It is here that Shias, the followers of Imam Ali, and
above all Muslims who believe in following the path of Imam Ali should
learn a lesson from the bravery of Imam Ali. You have a priceless jewel in
your hands. You have carried out a great task. You have discovered an
endless war in your country. You have acquired Islam, reached independence,
freedom and have been able to free yourself from the yoke of superpowers.
Once this country, this university, this Tehran, security posts and armed
forces, the government Offices, the intelligence Services were all US
properties. Today if the nation sees anyone even in the most remote areas
of the country who favours America, they will be despised.
Importance of Iranian nation
One day there was no nation in this country. There were no elections,
no Majlis, no voting. Everything was superficial, unreal and artificial.
There was nothing in this country. The Pahlavi former king rule was really
a strange period for the nation. Everything in this country was
superficial. The universities were superficial, the intellectual Community
was superficial as well as the press and the government. The only movement
that was real was the popular movement of religion. They were viewed with
hatred and spite. There were also a slight and very small Patriotic
movement here and there. They the past regime created this atmosphere in
the nation. You Iranian people have come and laid the basic foundation for
everything. Today science is developing in this country, Industry,
universities, Personalities of individuals and ideologies are all
developing in this country. Freedom is developing in its true meaning and
education is developing. The nation is gradually moving towards achieving
its position in the world. In the past, the Iranian nation was not
considered as a nation worthy of attention.
Those who came here received hardship allowances Persian: haq-e
tavahosh. Today you are a nation with an important opinion to express. If
you are opposed to an international issue then this issue can't be solved.
If the Iranian nation is - serious in opposing any issue in the world that
issue will not be solved. This nation/ this great country, this government
has such a position in the world, thanks be to God. Everything is
developing and bearing fruit. The appearance Persian: jelvah of the
Iranian nation is becoming eye-catching. These are your achievements. Let
the enemy insult us and say whatever it wants to say, comparing Iranian
revolution with Russian October revolution..
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate... These days we
are marking the 17th anniversary of the Islamic revolution and are also
preparing - for the forthcoming Majlis elections. I should, therefore,
raise the important issue of the elections as well as the rallies planned
for 22nd Bahman anniversary of the revolution, 11th February. The
revolution anniversary rallies demonstrate the people’s presence in the
arenas of urban areas and city streets. There is also another rally
planned to mark Jerusalem Day last Friday of Ramadan, 16th February 1996.
We must say something about each issue.
I wish to begin by saying that the great Islamic revolution of Iran was
truly an exceptional revolution. We have read or heard about other
revolutions in history. We have also observed some uprisings in our own
era. I wish you, our dear people, would read more books and publications
about such instances in history. What I am going to mention briefly, you
can read about in detail in various books. Nothing can replace a good book.
Truly our revolution was different from other revolutions. Its origin and
the people's motive were different from such occasions in history as the
Russian October revolution, which led to 70 to 80 years of Communism. That
revolution and that popular uprising had different slogans. You can
compare its achievements with our revolution. See how many tragedies it
created, whereas here things were different. The difference is like
between the earth and the sky. I am only comparing popular revolutions.
That was a popular revolution too. The great French revolution before that
was the same. I am not saying anything about those cases in history when a
revolution materialized through a military coup d’etat. Our revolution was
really amazing in view of its greatness, safety, purity, lack of deviation,
absence of tragedies - as seen in other popular uprisings and its lasting
features and achievements. In my previous post as President I visited a
country, which I do not wish to name here. It is a big country with a
large population. They had also staged a "revolution". The day I visited
that country, 19 years had passed since their revolution. When our
motorcade was driving from the airport towards the residence they had
chosen for us, that country's. President was sitting beside me. We were
talking about various issues. I saw they had blocked some streets. There
was also workers busy digging in some places. I asked: It seems you are
busy implementing some projects in the city? He answered: O yes we have
not had time to resurface the city streets which had been destroyed by the
revolution. This was their capital city and they had started resurfacing
its streets after 19 years. See how efficient a revolution can be.
The revolutionary governments that we saw in the past used to spend all
their resources to keep themselves in power. They never had any proper
elections. They could not begin development projects or erect a new
building. Even the most advanced revolutionary states used to declare
five-year plans, without being able to implement them. Those several-year
plans were only real on papers, they were hardly ever implemented. Most of
the revolutionary governments failed for the same reason, for shortcomings,
for being incapable and other promises that they never realized.
New Islamic identity in Algeria and Turkey
Our revolution has indeed been unique, both in terms of its slogans and
objectives and the method by which it attained power after destroying the
enemy and the corrupt Pahlavi regime. If the revolution has achieved two
momentous tasks, one of these is the formation of the Islamic System. This
was indeed a great achievement, especially since it happened in this
region and in this part of the world. It was also great because there has
been not been precedence for it since the early days of Islam.
The second achievement is as great as the first one. Some might even
say that this was indeed more important then the first achievement. In any
case, these two achievements enjoy at least an equal degree of importance.
The second achievement of our revolution is that it revived the Islamic
identity the world over. That is to say, Muslim nations, communities and
individuals across the world have gained a sense of integrity and power
because of this revolution. They no longer see themselves as a collection
of condemned communities. Some of these have begun to have a presence on
political arenas and have gained the control of a State, while some others
are about to attain this.
In a country like Algeria, this sense of Islamic identity reached such
a stage that the Islamic groups there were able to win the elections. This
development was so dangerous for the arrogance US and West that it had to
stage a military coup, imprison the Muslims and suppress the people. Of
course, they will not be able to extinguish the flame. But they think they
can now rest for a while. In a country such as Turkey, this Islamic
identity gained such a dimension that a party with an Islamic title and
known by people as an Islamic group won more votes than all other parties.
Of course, the arrogance, the enemies, the US and its allies, also
intervened in Turkey in a bid to prevent that party from forming a
government. They also took action there, even though the nature of this
action was different to what they did in Algeria.
Enemies angry with us because we revived Islam
In Afghanistan, the same kind of presence of Islam was so strong that
the Soviet army was forced to leave; that is to say a huge army of several
million men and the biggest army in the world in terms of its size and its
equipment. Of course, later on our Afghan brothers were not grateful
enough for this divine blessing. I want our Afghan brothers to listen to
this very carefully. Until now, the Afghan brothers have been ungrateful
for this blessing. They have been fighting and killing each other. They
have done to their towns and elites what the Russians, the Soviets and the
communists never did. They must change their ways and return to the right
path. Nonetheless, the victory of Islam in Iran made it possible for them
to defeat the Soviet Union.
Today, in many other countries of the world too, Islamic groups and
associations are present. They are strong and they envisage a certain
future for themselves. There is the possibility that some of these may
form governments; if they are permitted, that is. They, moreover, pose a
threat to the enemies of Islam, and consider America and the other enemies
of Islam as their own enemy. This is all due to the blessings brought
about by the revival of the Islamic identity; a sense which was created by
our revolution. This, more than any thing else, brings out the wrath of
the global arrogance. Of course, when the Americans, their allies or the
Zionist networks, of the world press and news agencies want to say or
write things against Iran, they tend to level certain accusations against
us. They say you violate human rights and disregard the rights of women.
They say you want to manufacture nuclear weapons, so on and so forth.
However these are all superficial excuses. The real essence of the issue
is something else. The essence of the issue is what I just said. They say
why have you caused the revival of the Islamic identity all over the world,
so that all Muslims wake up from their slumber and undergo a
transformation and leave behind the State of being a servile and obedient
lamb about to be slaughtered? This is the cause of their anger, as they
themselves admit. What I said was not just an analysis. It was based on
facts, and we have been informed that this is the cause of their anger. We
have also been informed that it is a fact that the Islamic revolution has
created a momentous transformation in the character and spirit of Muslims
all over the world. And we know that they are very angry about this.
How the West wants to end Islamic revival
What is arrogance the West going to do in the face of this phenomenon
Islamic revival? Please pay attention, what is arrogance going to do? It
only has two ways. If it can go down one of two paths, it will save itself
from this threat of Islamic revival which, in any case, has taken place. A
revolution has taken place, a strong government under the leadership of a
great leader, the late Imam Khomeyni made its mark on the world, it is
over. If they could have stopped it, that would have been the sure for
them arrogance. But they couldn't and this event took place. Now that this
event has taken place, now that it is too late, what are they to do? They
have two ways, if they can go down one of these paths, if they achieve one
of their aims, the danger for arrogance will be eliminated; and if not,
the danger remains. What are the two paths that arrogance can take? One of
them is to destroy the Islamic Republic, this strong fortress. If they
could do this, then this would be an experience for the Muslims of the
world. They would say: What is the use? We have struggled, many people
have died,, we have created so many Problems for ourselves and at the end,
what did we achieve? We survived for five, 10 or 15 years and, just as
Iran, just as they destroyed the Islamic Republic and ended it, we shall
be destroyed. This would be a lesson for Muslims. The threat to the enemy
would be eliminated, this is what they believe. Of course, we can take
issue with this. Even if this impossible task was achieved, even if this
dream, the destruction, God forbid, of the Islamic Republic, took place
one day, arrogance's problems would not be solved. This is one of their
ways. Therefore, they are trying to weaken and destroy this System through
an economic blockade, through war, through threats. And to date, they made
a number of decisions to undertake certain dangerous tasks but they
realized they couldn't. In any case, they are stuck, what are they to do
with the Islamic Republic?
Their second way, which they think is easier than the first way but
would have the same effect, would be to do something so that the Islamic
remained but in a way that it compromised with arrogance, with its enemy
of yesterday. The Islamic Republic would stop its slogans of opposition.
This is their second way. If this was to take place, then again the danger
facing arrogance would be eliminated. Why? Because the compromise of the
Islamic Republic with arrogance would damage the morale of Muslims
throughout the world, now that their spirits are high. They would say:
What is the use? The people work hard and struggle; but the leaders, just
as in the Islamic Republic of Iran, compromised. Again, the threat to
arrogance would be lifted. Everything that America, Zionism, America's
mercenaries, its lackeys, its Propaganda apparatus, its military and
security apparatuses and others are doing today is on one of these two
paths. They are trying to either destroy the
Islamic Republic or put pressure on us so that the officials of the
Islamic Republic go to them and say: Look, we want to make up and be
friends. Well, they have their wishes, especially now that their leaders
are young and as the saying goes, let the young have their dreams. Let
them dream on, let them wish for the destruction of the Islamic Republic
or let the dream of forcing the Islamic Republic to go to America and
apologize saying: Well, we are sorry, we have said bad things about you
for a few years, we have shouted death to America, please forgive us. They
have their wishes. However, will this empty dream become a reality or not?
This is the important point. Let me say this: O people of Iran; O those
who in the present era undertook and created the greatest epic of
contemporary history; know this: these American dreams will not become
reality under one set of circumstances only; under other circumstances the
dream can become a reality. Under which circumstances would it be
impossible for the American dream to become reality? Under the
circumstances when the masses of the people, all strata of society, remain
on the political scene, recognize that the revolution is theirs, recognize
that the officials come from the people themselves, and remain sensitive
to the issues of the nation and the revolution - just as they have been
for the past 17 years. If people continue to remain on the scene; if they
continue to recognize that the revolution is theirs, which it is; if they
continue to recognize that officials belong to the people, which they do;
if they continue to care about the revolution and not turn to apathy; if
they continue to feel that the country and revolution belongs to them; if
these continue - which, thank God, has been the case up until today - not
only America, even if there were 10 superpowers in the world, they would
not be able to lay a finger on the revolution!
Elections and the role of the people
And the enemy has not been able to do a damn thing until today for this
very same reason. People were present during the war, people have been
present during elections, people have
been present during demonstrations, people have been present during
referendums; whenever the government, the System or the officials had a
problem, when they referred to the people, the problem was solved. When
they officials asked for financial help, the people created a mountain of
money; when they asked for money for the war effort, women took their
earrings off and gave them away; when they asked for blood during the war,
all sorts of people rolled their sleeves up saying: Take my blood; they
asked for young people to fight in the war, the young left their studies,
school, work, farms, parents, their everything and went to the front, and
the parents gave up their children without blinking an eye. Don't think
America is weak materially, no Sir! It is very strong materially, it has
everything. However, what it possesses has no affect on what this
revolution has. Those material things threaten those regimes that have
come to power through a coup d'etat; those things threaten those regimes
that have no contact with their people. The Islamic System has something
that bombs, foreign invasions and the like will not affect; in fact, they
will make it stronger. And that thing is the people, the people; The
Islamic System has the people. As long as the people are with the Islamic
System; as long as the people continue to open their Windows to find out
what is going on if there is a - commotion outside and offer their help if
needed; as long as young people care about the issues of the revolution;
as long as politics is a part of the people's lives; as long as
the university remains politicized, the bazaar remains politicized, the
Community of clergy remains politicized; as long as everyone intervenes in
the political process, gives their views; as long as we have this, America
or anyone else, the nuclear weapon, money, facilities, technology, the
dollar etc. cannot do anything. This is the first eventuality. As long as
this is the case, the enemy cannot do anything. If, however, this was not
the case; if the Islamic System loses the people; if the people become
apathetic; if they become cold towards the
revolution; if their faith weakens; if the people Start thinking of
their personal lives, thinking: We have served the revolution for many
years, it is enough, let us get on with our lives; if the trader thinks of
his trade, if the shopkeeper thinks of his shop, if the farmer thinks of
his farm, if the Student thinks of his studies, if the seminary Student
thinks of his religious studies,
etc.; if people start valuing their own lives more than the country and
the revolution; then of course, we shall be open to attack. We have not
come down from the skies. We are not in ourselves superior to other
peoples in history or to our forefathers. The superiority of our people
came about because they followed the path of God, because of their faith,
because of their presence on the scene of the revolution, because of their
work for the sake of God...
Take care, take care, O dear people. Be careful and don’t lose God’s
path. Our country’s pride has been that it has managed in a Short period
to create legislative bodies. It organized the Islamic Consultative Majlis.
This body has served four terms with pride and strength. It. has passed
laws and carried out its duties. And now we have the election for the
fifth term of the
Majlis and the people must take part; it is their duty, a religious
duty. The Presidency, the cabinet, the Guardian Council, the Assembly of
Experts, all the bodies that are responsible for the revolution have
carried out their duties, the country was never left in a State of
lawlessness. The country was never without a President or a Majlis, the
country did not waste time hanging around. Only in one case, the enemy had
been looking forward to the day when the great imam of the people passed
away, thinking everything would come to a halt; and even then, thanks to
the people, the officials, those responsible, their the enemies’ wish
didn’t come true. The people carried out their duties to the best of their
abilities. This is a source of pride for us. Elections are ahead of us my
dear ones. Let me tell you, take part in the elections all of you. Choose
your election candidates for the Majlis and write their name in your
electoral papers and drop them in the-election boxes when the time comes.
Do that all of you. Search and find competent people. The Islamic
Consultative Majlis is important. The Islamic Consultative Majlis is the
most sensitive and effective legislative organ of this country, so to
speak. If there be deputies there who do not care for the revolution, do
not care for the country, do not care for the constitution, do not accept
the constitution, do not take the country's interests as important, do not
understand the animosities of the world arrogance, seek to butter-up the
world arrogance, seek to have their names written large in the Zionist
affiliated press and have them say that they have opposed the Islamic
Republic of Iran's System, seek all that, they would destroy the Majlis,
they would destroy the people and destroy the country. They are good for
nothing. If a deputy should get the job who before getting into the Majlis
has obligated himself to others and is forced to pay his dues when inside
the Majlis, such a deputy is good for nothing. If a deputy should gets
into the Majlis who does not have the required understanding of the
country's issues, the required intelligence, the required knowledge,
education, understanding, such a deputy is good for nothing. Being a
deputy is significant. I beg those brethren and sisters who notice -
between themselves and God - that this task is beyond them, not to step
forward. Now, don't let this Statement make some become diffident and step
aside out of caution. No! Those who feel that they can, it is their
religious duty to step forward. Every thing in this divine System must be
resolved through closeness to God and the intention to become closer to
God. When you vote, when you choose, it is for God. When you are chosen,
when you become a candidate, again it is a matter of duty to God. And even
when I speak here, I must speak out of duty to God, And those who
introduce candidates to the people, they must do it for God as well.
Passage omitted: repeat of the same idea; thanking those who follow
guidelines.
Last year, at New Year 21st March 1995, as well as this year as heard,
I called on all the people to be socially and economically disciplined.
Now is the time for that to be observed. Let all observe that discipline;
let all be meticulous in what they do. Let them not embark on any illegal
act on any wrongful act, any immoral act, unethical act, misappropriation
of public purse. Let them not abuse each other, insult each other. This
nation is an enlightened one; a religious nation; one which believes in
the aspirations of the revolution; one which loves the revolution. Know
that it is the revolution which can save this country. If revolutionary
values are forgotten no power can reform this country, reconstruct, save
it, resolve its Problems... This country needs revolutionary slogans for a
long time to come in order to be reconstructed, for its bones to become
strong/ for it to become invulnerable for the enemy to stop their greed,
Therefore, the elections are important. That’s one thing. All must take
part.
Secondly, it is something than can take place without any difficulty;
just as - thank God - it has been in earlier rounds. As for the 22nd
Bahman rallies, take care, my dear ones. The presence in the streets by
all of you, men and women, will be the actual and palpable manifestation
of the presence and support of the nation for the aspirations of the
revolution. The thing which no comment can negate or deny is your presence
in the streets which has been repeated every year and every year has been
like an arrow in the eyes of the ill-wishers…
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