04/06/2008
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on May 2, 2008
by Ayatollah Khamenei the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution to a
group of families of martyrs in Shiraz, Fars province.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all sentient beings, and peace
and greetings be upon our Master and Prophet, Ab-al-Qassem Al-Mustafa
Muhammad, and upon his immaculate and infallible household, especially the
one remaining with Allah on earth.
Unparalleled wonders were not few and far between during the
Revolution. From the beginning of the great movement of the Iranian nation
which culminated in the victory of the Islamic Revolution, to the present
day, a sequence of extraordinary and wonderful events caught eyes and
attracted hearts one after the other. However, among these extraordinary
events, martyrdom has exceptional features.
Anything that is concerned with the spiritual being of martyrs is
wonderful. Their motivation to move towards jihad is itself a wonder. It
is a wonder when a young man decides to disregard tempting material
attractions, rise up for Allah's sake, and go to battlefields. In addition,
risking their lives on battlefields, their efforts, and their outstanding
and courageous deeds on battlefields are all wonders that set prominent
and everlasting examples. Having extreme enthusiasm and sensing the
manifestations of Allah the Exalted beyond the material world - which were
manifest in all movements and comments made by the martyrs upon martyrdom,
about which there are several anecdotes - are also some of these wonders.
I read an autobiography of a martyr who was from the city of Shiraz.
The autobiography read something like this: "I am impatient, I am
impatient. There is a fire in my heart that has made me impatient. I will
not find solace unless I meet You, my dear God." These remarks were made
by a youth. This status is something that even a mystic achieves after
years of asceticism. However, on battlefields, a young man is granted so
much divine grace that he manages to achieve everything overnight and his
expression of his feeling of enthusiasm and impatience receives the
appropriate response from Allah the Exalted. This enthusiasm is also a
divine blessing granted by Allah the Exalted. This is a great wonder.
The blood of martyrs is another wonder. The family, parents, wife,
children, brothers, sisters, acquaintances, and friends of martyrs would
have been deeply traumatized if the martyrs had died an ordinary death.
But they faced the news of their martyrdom with so much patience and
forbearance that one could not help being astonished. The mother of two
martyrs told me: "I buried my sons myself, but my hands did not shake when
I was burying them." A father who had lost some of his sons in the war
said: "If I had more sons, I would be prepared to offer them to God." What
is the essence of all these things? What is the nature of this glowing
light that Allah has placed at the heart of martyrdom which sheds so much
light on this dark world? For eight years, the Iranian nation lived with
this light glowing in the hearts of its men and women.
Martyrs were the vanguard on battlefields, while their families and
other revolutionary devotees supported them from another trench. They
advanced and removed the obstacles, and thus they managed to help turn a
nation - which had for centuries been accustomed to passiveness and
listlessness under bullying rulers - into a lively, grand, honorable and
determined nation. This was a great deed that our martyrs, soldiers, and
disabled veterans did. We owe this accomplishment to the families of
martyrs and to the resistance that our POWs put up in the enemies' prisons.
Iran and the Iranian nation will always owe them a debt of gratitude, and
the history of Iran must consider itself indebted to the families of
martyrs.
Shiraz has offered more than 14,500 martyrs, and this is no trivial
matter. Shiraz was a city which the domineering powers had decided to turn
into the centre of impiety and inattention to religious principles and
values. They intended to turn the city into a place where nothing but the
carnal and lowly aspects of life could be observed. They did not like to
find any trace of religious values in the city. They set their policies
based on this goal and even took measures to achieve that goal. But the
people of Shiraz and Fars province reacted by dealing a death blow to the
enemies, offering 14,500 martyrs, more than 34,500 war-disabled veterans,
and about 2,500 POWs. Greetings be upon you. May God bestow His mercy upon
you.
Shiraz was a sanctuary for the magnanimous descendants of the Imams (a.s.).
Their tombs are found in no other part of the country more than they are
in Shiraz. This is indicative of the fact that these descendants of the
innocent Imams (a.s.) opted to go to Shiraz or other cities in Fars
province whenever they were in need of the people's help or sought refuge
from the caliphs' oppression. The spirituality which was embodied in the
great martyr Ayatollah Dastgheib was rooted in the family of these
descendants of the innocent Imams (a.s.) and in the bountiful source of
spirituality which rested in the household of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a).
This fact is indicative of the depth of their religious motives. Such
spirituality results in such characters as the great martyr Dastgheib
whose words made the hearts of the youth enchanted with spirituality - the
youth who were present in the battles of Sacred Defense from the very
first days.
I mentioned in the presence of the armed units yesterday that I
traveled to Abadan and Khorramshahr during the first days of the
Revolution and the Iraqi imposed war. Those days the battlefields were
full of grief and vast areas of the city of Khorramshahr had been occupied
by the invaders. There were a number of very pure-hearted, faithful, and
enthusiastic youth who had come there to fight while they were equipped
with some very primitive weapons only. I asked them where they had come
from and their answer was "Shiraz". All through the Iraqi imposed war, the
people of Shiraz who were fighting in different divisions, such as
Al-Mahdi and Fajr, or army units based in the city played an influential
and prominent role. Those who caused these youth to enter the battlefields
to defend Islam, their national independence, their country, and the
greatest event of our history - the Islamic Revolution - were great
figures such as the martyr Ayatollah Dastgheib. This happened, above all,
under the influence of the words of Imam Khomeini (r.a.). This is one of
the greatest wonders of our Revolution.
My dear ones, several years have passed since then. Many of you dear
youth were not present during the Sacred Defense era, and did not realize
this event. Some of you have distant memories of that time. With the
passage of time, the memory of events starts to fade. Some events are
forgotten. It is like the ripples which are caused by throwing a stone
into a water pool. These ripples become smaller and smaller until they
finally disappear in a minute's time. But there are some events which are
quite the opposite. Not only does the passage of time not make them seem
less important, but they are made even more prominent. One such event is
that of Ashura.
Everyone was wondering what had happened on the day of Ashura. The
greatness of the event, the greatness of the jihad done by the Prophet's (s.w.a.)
loved one and his companions was not known to anyone. Neither was the
magnitude of the catastrophe in which the Holy Prophet's (s.w.a.) sons and
loved ones were martyred. The majority of those who were present in that
battle did not recognize the importance of this issue. And those who were
fighting for the enemies were so ignorant and unaware that they did not
realize what had happened. Those enchanted by arrogance, lust, and animal
urges cannot understand what is happening in the human world. Of course
Sayeda Zeinab (s.a.), Sukayna (s.a.), and those innocent girls and women
did recognize the magnitude of the event. This is what happened on the day
of Ashura.
The magnitude of this event was immediately proven after it took place.
It was reflected in what happened on the 12th day in Kufa, and then in
what happened a few weeks later in Sham, Medina, and the whole Islamic
world. Two years had barely passed since the end of the war when that
satanic rebel who had caused this event vanished off the face of the earth.
And a couple of years later, the whole family vanished without a trace.
Later another family from the Umayyad dynasty came to power. That family
was also overthrown and annihilated after a few decades. The Muslim world
got more interested in and fascinated by the ideology of the household of
Prophet Muhammad (s.w.a.) on a daily basis, and this event strengthened
the bases of the Islamic principles and Islamic ideology in history. If
this battle had not taken place in Karbala, we would not be aware of the
principles of Islam to the extent we are today, and there was probably
just a nominal trace of Islam. Not only were this great event and the holy
blood of the martyrs not undermined, but they also gained more prominence
in history. This is an outstanding example.
Your Revolution and the martyrdom of your martyrs also fall in the same
category. At first, it was like a temporary earthquake. Many people
believed that such events were like an earthquake - temporary events that
would be forgotten soon. But this never happened. It was quite the
opposite. Today, the principles of the Islamic Revolution are penetrating
deep into Muslim nations' hearts. This is not a personal opinion. Rather,
it is the outcome of the interpretations of those who consider the Islamic
Republic as their most bitter enemy. They confirm this fact and bear
testimony to it. This interpretation is the reason behind their
intimidations and threats against the Iranian nation. They are afraid of
the Islamic Revolution. They see that this movement has never stopped.
They see that this wave [the Islamic Revolution] never diminished and is
constantly growing. Therefore, they are afraid of the Islamic Revolution.
Once they believed that the Islamic Revolution had come to an end in
this country. The reason behind their assumption was the idea upheld by
some ignorant and uninformed people who believed that the Revolution has
come to an end. They were encouraging others not to remember the martyrs
any longer. They believed that Imam Khomeini should be consigned to
history and things like that. Those ignorant people who were seeking to
take advantage of such words in their interpretations believed these words.
They presumed that the Islamic Revolution had come to an end. When one
reconsiders the issue today, there are traces of despair in their words
and interpretations. They are concerned about the Iranian nation, its
grandeur, and its independence. They are afraid of the talent of the
Iranian youth.
Why does a certain group in the world consider the scientific
achievements of our country as threatening? This is because they are
monopolists. This is because they are domineering. They consider Iran as a
bait. They intended to swallow up this country with all its resources and
its prominent strategic position in the world. But the vigilance of the
Iranian nation and the Iranian youth plus their talent and scientific
achievements will stop them from doing so. And it is due to this reason
that your technological advances, your nuclear energy plan, and other
achievements make them annoyed.
If the Iranian nation is carefree and our youth are thoughtless - if
they do not seek employment, science, production, and innovation or if
they spend their time on debauchery - our enemies will be delighted. This
is what they want. They do not want Shiraz to be the center of scientific
achievements. I previously mentioned that Shiraz is at the vanguard of
industrial progress among the different cities and provinces of the
country, and also that your youth, men, and women have gained global fame
in some scientific areas. This is what our enemies are opposed to. They do
not want our universities, our Islamic seminaries, our laboratories, and
our production centers to flourish. They want such things as unhealthy
relationships among boys and girls, lust, and debauchery to prevail in our
people's lives. These are the things they want. But you acted against
their will, and this is the reason behind the annoyance and the propaganda
of the US and the Zionist regime.
Some people say why do you provoke the Americans into enmity? The
answer is that in order not to do so, we should stop working and making
efforts and disregard our honors. It is only then that the US will be
pleased with us. This is the nature of the US. Will the Iranian nation be
satisfied with such a situation?
The reason behind their enmity is not our policies or what some of our
officials say in the country. Rather, it is due to the vigilance of our
nation that they are opposed to us. Wherever there is a centre of
vigilance across the country, it will be the more important place for the
enemies to attack. If you take a look, you will see that they are more
hostile towards those places which are the centers of vigilance - those
places whose youth are more prepared, conscious, and enthusiastic. They
are against the families of martyrs.
Thanks God, the families of the martyrs of Shiraz are among these
people. A feeling of enthusiasm and honor prevails in this atmosphere. You
should be proud. One should really be proud to have offered a dear one or
a youth on the path of God, knowing that this has pleased Allah the
Exalted. "Be patient, and you will be rewarded." You should know that
these dear ones whom you offered on the path of God were strongholds which
were broken by the enemies' assault on this nation's grandeur and
independence. Every one of your martyrs is like a stronghold, and so are
the disabled veterans of the war. This is what you should be proud of.
War-disabled veterans are like martyrs who are alive. You dear disabled
veterans of the war are like martyrs. Martyrs suffered as much as the
war-disabled veterans did. However, their destiny was meeting Allah but
the destiny of the war-disabled veterans was to stay alive. The families
of martyrs, their parents, their wives, their children, their brothers and
sisters, and their relatives should be proud of their martyrs.
One of the feelings I have always had is respect towards the wives of
the war-disabled veterans. Some of these dear ladies accepted these
war-disabled veterans as they are. I would say well done! Some of these
ladies suddenly saw the handsome youth whom they had married turn into a
war-disabled veteran. They accepted this fact and welcomed it. I have to
say well-done! The wives of the disabled veterans of war are very precious.
The wives of the martyrs - who brought up these dear youth - are highly
valuable. I saw in the biography of some of the martyrs of Shiraz that
some of their sons had achieved high positions in science and research.
How could these achievements be made? They could only be made through the
efforts of their mothers - the wives of the martyrs - and those brave
women who struggle on God's path. This is a form of jihad. This is "caring
for one's husband". It means saving the face and the personality of their
husbands. This is what "caring for one's husband" means. For example, when
their husbands were martyred on the path of Allah, they brought up their
children in a way that they would be proud of their fathers and would
continue the path of the martyrs.
Let me make a final point here. Dear people, if the martyrs are dear to
us - and they are - and if we love them - which we truly do -
commemorating them means that we should continue their path and pursue
their goals. Following their path means that we should consider and pursue
the goals of the Islamic Republic and the principles of Islam which are
the prominent criteria and the strong bases of this nation's honors both
in this world and in the hereafter. Both men and women play an equal role
in this regard. The sons and daughters of the martyrs, their brothers and
sisters, and those who are relations to the martyrs play an equal role in
this regard. The closer they are to the martyrs, the more honored they are
and the heavier their responsibilities are.
The country belongs to you. The country belongs to the youth. The
future belongs to you. Those who were martyred opened the path ahead of
us. We should move on this path. If we do not follow the path which they
opened ahead of us, we are being ungrateful. Gratitude towards the martyrs
warrants that we move ahead on the paths they opened ahead of us. This is
our duty today, and the Iranian nation will fulfill this duty. The
government officials are hopefully committed to this responsibility, and
the Islamic principles and mottos are of primary importance to them. God
willing, this nation can achieve its highest and loftiest goals through
its determination, spirit, youth, and the light of the martyrs' blood
which has enlightened the path.
Dear God, bestow Your mercy and blessings on the martyrs. O God, bestow
Your mercy and blessings on the families of the martyrs. Dear God,
associate us with the martyrs. And bestow martyrdom upon us. O God, put us
among those who will benefit from the prayers of the magnanimous Imam (r.a.),
the martyrs - Martyr Dastgheib - and above all the prayers of the Imam of
the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake).
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
Supreme Leader's Speech on
the Occasion of the 19th Demise Anniversary of Imam Khomeini
03/06/2008
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on June 3, 2008
by Ayatollah Khamenei the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution on the
19th demise anniversary of Imam Khomeini (r.a.).
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all sentient beings, and peace
and greetings be upon our Master and Prophet, Ab-al-Qassem Al-Mustafa
Muhammad, and upon his immaculate and infallible household, especially the
one remaining with Allah on earth.
It is 19 years now that the Iranian nation has made time and space the
manifestation of its love and reverence for the magnanimous Imam. Most of
our people consist of the youth who were born after Imam Khomeini's
blessed life had ended. They were either born after he passed away or were
young children at the time. But these faithful youth living in various
parts of the country loved Imam and his memory so much that it appeared as
if they had been in his company. As we say in Samaat prayers: "We rightly
and sincerely put our faith in him without being able to see him." They
enjoyed pure and sincere faith without having been present during Imam's
lifetime and without having had the opportunity to listen to his remarks.
This is not peculiar to our nation alone. In many parts of the world as
well as in Muslim countries, people have the same feeling towards Imam
Khomeini.
This reality is the result of two factors. One is the greatness of the
Imam and the various aspects of his personality, which was unparalleled in
the recent and contemporary era. The other factor is the greatness of this
Revolution. It is the greatness of the deed that our magnanimous Imam
accomplished in the present era by relying on his faith, acumen, and
strong determination. This deed was his starting the Islamic Revolution
and the establishment of the Islamic Republic. The greatness of this
Revolution is indicative of the greatness of our magnanimous Imam. This
Revolution was a divine miracle.
While the enemies of Islam and the Islamic Ummah broadcast against
Islam and the clergy for about one hundred years, and while a dependent
regime sacrificed the interests of the Iranian nation before the enemies
and outsiders for 50 years and made the country completely dependent on
outsiders - the Pahlavi regime - our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) led an
uprising in this country by hoisting the flag of Islam and opposition
against domineering powers, and he achieved this great goal in the country.
The Islamic Revolution is different from all other revolutions in the
world. It is neither a merely cultural and moral revolution, nor a merely
economic one. Nor is it just a political revolution, but rather a
revolution on all fronts. It is similar to Islam. Besides its moral,
ethical, and divine aspects Islam also considers the different aspects of
people's lives and offers economic, political, and social perspectives as
well. Similarly, the Islamic Revolution enjoyed several aspects and these
different aspects which are in line with the needs of humanity are the
reasons behind the continuance and rejuvenation of the Islamic Revolution
in the region and the world on a daily basis.
Imam Khomeini (r.a.) left a perpetual guideline for his Ummah - our
nation - with his words and deeds. This means that the words of Imam
Khomeini (r.a.) guide us in all difficult stages of life, and his
testament is one of the best and most influential moral legacies of Imam
Khomeini (r.a.). It is advisable that the people and the different
officials and youth refer to this testament at different times and reflect
on it.
On the occasion of this great gathering and in the presence of you
people who have vigilant and conscious hearts, let me refer to some of the
points mentioned in Imam Khomeini's testament which is full of useful
points. The first point is that Imam Khomeini (r.a.) insisted in his
testament on the fact that the Islamic Revolution is a divine Revolution
and that it is mainly based on the people. This means that the Islamic
Revolution belongs to the people. This means that no individual, social
class or group can and should claim to be the owner of this Revolution and
consider others as subsidiary. If anyone was to claim to be the owner of
this Revolution, Imam Khomeini (r.a.) was the most suitable person who was
deserving of the ownership. This Revolution was caused due to his
determination and personality, but Imam Khomeini (r.a.) considers his own
role as very little and considers the Revolution as a blessing from God.
This is a predominant theme in Imam Khomeini's (r.a.) statements, which
has also been stressed and specified in his testament. Therefore, it is
the people who are the owners of this Revolution. Protecting this divine
gift is a duty that lies on everybody's shoulders. The people must
consider themselves as the guardians of the Revolution. The identity and
significance of the Revolution is due to its slogans, orientations, values,
and principles. There have always been - and there will always be - some
individuals who have tried to change the revolutionary slogans under the
pretext that the conditions have changed. They have tried to separate the
aspects related to religion and social justice from the Revolution. They
have tried to make the Revolution devoid of its tendency to fight
outsiders, hegemony, and autocracy.
They may step in with various motives and under various pretexts to
change the revolutionary slogans and aspirations. The people have to be on
the alert. They must know that this Revolution is alive due to its slogans.
Being Islamic, adhering to religious principles, opposing hegemony and
arrogance, and supporting the oppressed sincerely and openly all over the
world are the most essential slogans among the slogans written on the
revolutionary flag.
The fact that this Revolution belongs to the general public is one of
the best slogans of the Revolution. In this regard, there is no
discrimination in favor of a particular social class. The youth of today
are the owners of the Revolution, as were the youth of the Sacred Defense
era. We are in no position to say that those who carried out the
Revolution or shared part of the responsibility have more of a right to
the Revolution. That is not the case, as there were some people who were
not present at the time this Revolution was carried out but who laid down
their lives during the Sacred Defense era and went to the battlefields.
These people have the same right to the Revolution as the others.
Throughout the last twenty years, there have been some youth who have
brought in their wisdom, extraordinary enthusiasm, divine motives, and
social, scientific, and political endeavors to help guarantee the
continuance and dynamism of this Revolution. They, too, are the children
of the Revolution. They, too, are the owners of the Revolution. They are
as close to the Revolution as those who were present in the early stages
of the Revolution. The situation will be the same in the future. The youth
as well as all generations have equal rights to the Revolution. They all
have the same right to the Revolution and share the same responsibility
towards protecting it.
Our youth today must realize that the path of the Revolution is one
that requires determination, faith, and steadfastness. Some people enjoy
this steadfastness while others fall by the wayside. Of course, the latter
group act against their own interests. "So whoever breaks (his faith), he
breaks it only to his soul's injury." [The Holy Quran 28:10]. Those who
turn their backs on the Revolution are similar to those who fast on a hot
summer day but fail to show enough endurance and break their fast only a
couple of hours before sunset. These people are not different from those
who have not fasted at all. Breaking one's fast any time before the sunset
ruins the fast.
If there is no perseverance and steadfastness on the path of the
Revolution, one loses one's connection with the Revolution. That
constitutes an act of disloyalty to the Revolution. There have always been
some people who have been unfaithful to the Revolution, who have lost
their interest in it, and who have turned their backs on it. Our Imam
recommended in his testament that we, our people, and our future
generations have a realistic view of the Revolution. That is the essence
of the Revolution. It is not individuals who form the essence of the
Revolution. Being revolutionary depends on maintaining one's relationship
with and devotion to the Revolution as well as acting in conformity with
the Revolution. That is the first point.
The second point is about the prophecy in the Imam's testament that the
Revolution will spread to other places and will liberate the Muslim world
from the clutches of colonialists. That was a prediction that our
magnanimous Imam made. When we look at the reality on the ground today, we
see that the prediction has been fulfilled. In Imam Khomeini's (r.a.)
opinion, the Revolution - unlike other revolutions - was not to be
propagated by sowing the seeds of discord in other countries, by deploying
military forces, or by spreading terrorism. Spreading the Revolution among
other nations is to be realized through setting a model on the part of the
Islamic Republic.
This means that the Iranian nation should help the Islamic Republic
reach a point and a position that when other nations look at it, they are
filled with enthusiasm and are encouraged to follow in its footsteps. This
propagation is to take place through propagating Islamic teachings,
through open support for the oppressed groups in the Muslim world, and
through supporting the oppressed nations that have been downtrodden by the
oppressive arrogant powers. That is what we mean by the spreading of
Islamic rule, which has already happened.
Today, other nations throughout the world have fixed their attention on
the Iranian nation. They are inspired and motivated by our nation. Today,
the anti-domination slogans of the Iranian nation have spread to all parts
of the Muslim world. If you travel to different Muslim countries, you will
notice that their people have a high opinion of your slogans, motives, and
aspirations regardless of their governments. They admire our slogans
against oppression, the chameleon-like Zionist network, and hegemony. They
admire our slogans shouted in support of the oppressed and the Palestinian
nation. That is the way the Muslim nations think. That points to the
spread of the Islamic Revolution. As you can see, even our nation's
slogans regarding the nuclear energy - the fact that the Iranian nation
resisted the pressures by the enemies and asked for its right - have been
reflected in the Islamic world in a way that resulted in Muslim and Arab
countries declaring that nuclear energy has turned into a public urge in
all Arab countries.
Both the friends and foes of the Iranian nation admit that the prophecy
of Imam Khomeini (r.a.) regarding the spread of the Revolution has been
realized today, an instance of which is the Palestinian issue. Like the
Iranian nation, all nations are sympathetic towards the Palestinian nation.
Like the Iranian nation, all nations consider the Israeli regime as a fake
and imposed regime in the region. Of course, the governments are not
supportive of their nations, and that is exactly what has strengthened
Israel. The Zionist regime has no internal power to stand on its own feet.
Today, there are two factors that have helped the Zionist regime to resist.
One is the unconditional and shameless support of the US for this
degenerate regime, and the other is the lack of support for the
Palestinian people on the part of the Arab and Muslim governments.
Unfortunately, most of the Muslim governments do not carry out their
responsibilities towards Palestine as they should, and they are not
harmonious with their people.
The third prominent point - which is important to our nation and youth
- in Imam Khomeini's (r.a.) testament and in the statements that he made
during the last 10 years of his blessed life is that the Islamic
Revolution helps our nation progress. The Islamic Revolution facilitates
innovation on the part of the Iranian nation, which is exactly the
opposite of what the enemies of Islam propagated for many consecutive
years. The enemies of Islam used to pretend that being religious is in
conflict with progress. They used to pretend that if a nation wanted to
make progress, it had to let go of religion and be completely westernized.
They tried for decades and instilled this belief into the Iranian nation.
From the beginning of the Revolution to the last day of his life - and in
his testament - our magnanimous Imam used to emphasize the fact that the
revolutionary spirit is the spirit of progress and innovation. And that
was what the Iranian nation experienced.
The Iranian nation believes in its capabilities today. It is confident
enough to enter scientific and political arenas. Whenever the Iranian
nation has seriously entered an arena, it has managed to take the lead.
Our status in scientific innovations, political power, and international
grandeur is not comparable with the pre-Revolution era. This nation has
woken up. It has been revitalized. That is all due to the Revolution. The
more this revolutionary spirit is revitalized and the more dynamic it is,
the more revitalized the spirit of innovation and creativity will be, just
as the Revolution itself which was a great innovation.
Through the Islamic Revolution and by the establishment of the Islamic
Republic, Imam Khomeini (r.a.) provided a middle ground between
westoxication and backwardness. Before that, nations believed that they
had to either remain backward or become westernized. But the Imam proved
that there was a straight path which led to progress without being
westoxified or falling victim to the West. Dear youth, in order to help
your country progress, you must tread this straight path as tenaciously as
you can. You can remove all obstacles in your way by relying on Allah the
Exalted and your internal power.
That is one of the reasons behind the enmity of the arrogant powers and
the global plots against the Iranian nation regarding the nuclear energy
and similar issues. They sign nuclear contracts with other countries that
are far behind the Iranian nation in terms of their scientific knowledge
and industrial means. But, as you can see, the Americans are pioneers and
some Europeans follow suite in opposing the Iranian nation's right to
achieving nuclear energy. They keep threatening and being insolent. What
could this mean? It means that when nuclear energy causes a nation to
become dependant on them, they consider it legitimate for the nation. They
are opposed to that sort of nuclear energy that is gained through a
nation's innovation and independently of their help. Our dear youth and
our great nation managed to achieve this advantage and this advanced
industrial and scientific accomplishment by relying on their own
capabilities. They did not bring about dependence. Rather they acted
against dependence by doing so. The sort of nuclear energy that is offered
to other nations by arrogant powers is itself a cause of dependence.
However, for the Iranian nation that manufactures creatively, nuclear
energy prevents dependence. The global arrogance and the enemies of the
Iranian nation are opposed to this.
The other point that stands out in the Imam's testament is the need for
attention to cold war and psychological warfare by the enemy. Whenever the
enemy fails to achieve its goals in practice, it resorts to psychological
warfare in order to dishearten nations and fill their hearts with despair.
Through psychological warfare and intimidation, they try to make other
nations stop opposing them. This means that they have not been able to
resist our nation in practical arenas. This psychological warfare started
in the early days after the Revolution and continued for 30 years up to
the present. Sometimes they said the Revolution will not last more than
two months, and sometimes they said it will last for only two years. It is
30 years now that the Revolution has continued with full strength and has
made the Iranian nation increasingly unified, hopeful, and dynamic.
Today, they are doing psychological warfare in different ways. They
want to convince the Iranian nation and the Iranian youth that they cannot
achieve anything without being connected to the domineering powers. This
is a great danger that the Imam has drawn our attention to. They deny the
great advances of our nation. The Revolution has managed to overcome
several obstacles during the past 30 years. When one looks at the history
of revolutions, one realizes that there have rarely been as many obstacles
in the way of a nation and a revolution and also that revolutions are
normally thwarted by these obstacles and finally surrender to the enemy.
Our Revolution has been able to proceed and reach summits in spite of
all these threats, sanctions, various kinds of antagonism, plots, and
obstructionism. The Revolution is looking forwards to reaching higher
summits and is proceeding vigorously. They seek to take this motivation
away from the Iranian nation. I would like to tell our dear youth who are
active in universities, Islamic seminaries, industries, agriculture,
science, or art that they are halfway through and that they have had to
face great problems so far, yet they have managed to continue. You dear
youth can tread the other half of the path - and the enemy wants to
prevent you from treading this essential half and reaching the summit -
with strong determination. As you have already proven, you are capable of
doing so.
Today, the Iranian nation is still standing up to the arrogant powers,
and they have not been able to do anything. They tried their utmost and
did whatever they could from the eastern and western parts of our country
in the hope that they would manage to lay siege to our country. By Allah's
favor and through the cleverness, faith, and solidarity displayed by the
Iranian nation, the actions of the arrogant powers - and the actions by
the enemies of the Iranian nation outside both eastern and western borders
of our country - resulted in more and more power for the Islamic Republic.
And today they themselves admit this fact.
There is another point in our magnanimous Imam's testament which is a
warning to the youth against the plots that are specially designed for the
youth. If the youth of a country are determined to push their country
forwards, they need to be lively, dynamic, healthy, strong, and keen on
working and making progress. In order to destroy this spirit in the
Iranian youth, they try to dishearten them through planning various plots,
spreading corruption, promoting immorality, publicizing drugs, and forming
organized bands. The Iranian youth ought to be on the alert. Today, the
determined fight against the use of drugs on the part of the officials of
the Islamic Republic is a great jihad and a deep-rooted movement to help
the Iranian nation move forwards.
They do not want the Iranian youth to be dynamic in workshops,
laboratories, universities, scientific arenas, and agricultural and
industrial efforts. The youth who indulge in sexual desires or in drugs
are neither in the mood to work nor in the mood to think. Such youth
neither have enough strength to work nor do they enjoy enough innovation
or determination. Today, we should fight the organized plots which are
aimed at encouraging the Iranian youth to indulge themselves in carnal
desires, drugs, and various sexual entertainments. These are very
dangerous plots indeed. In the first place it is up to the people
themselves, especially the youth, to fight those plots. The youth must be
watchful. The enemy has found out that the piety and faith of the Iranian
youth will help them progress in various fields. The enemy wants to
undermine this factor. The Imam issues a warning [in his testament] in
this regard. He warns all the youth, universities, and Islamic seminaries
to be vigilant. Deceiving and weakening the youth is synonymous with
keeping the nation backwards. The entire nation must feel responsible, and
the officials must make sincere and determined efforts in this regard.
This is a great jihad.
Another pivotal point that is mentioned in the Imam's testament and
speeches is the issue of confronting the global bullies. Of course, there
have always been globally domineering and bullying powers throughout
history. Scientific and industrial progress as well as modern
communication means have facilitated this domination. As a result, you can
see that the Americans covet the entire world. They deploy their forces in
different parts of the world under the pretext of defending their
endangered interests there. It is as if their interests were preferable to
those of the entire world and all nations.
How should one react to this bullying, obstinacy, and transgression?
There are two reactions: one is resistance, and the other is submission.
Submission to global bullies encourages them to increase their bullying.
Submission of nations, world politicians, and intellectuals of different
communities to the bullying of the global arrogant powers encourages them
to step up their bullying. Thus, there remains no other option for nations
than to resist. If a nation wants to rid itself of the bullying of bullies
- and today, the bullying of the US - it must stand up to the bullying of
the US with full strength and determination.
Just take a look at the behavior of the American statesmen - the US
president and his cabinet members - and see how they talk. The way they
talk is similar to that of psychotic people. They sometimes threaten,
sometimes order assassinations, sometimes slander, sometimes helplessly
ask for assistance, and sometimes attack the stability and security of
other nations. They horse around like lunatics. Their behavior is not
characteristic of logical, wise politicians. Of course, this behavior is
due in large part to the reflection of the American failure in different
parts of the world: their failure in Afghanistan and Iraq. They entered
Iraq and Afghanistan with the promise of freedom, democracy, and human
rights. Today after the passage of several years, the situation in these
two countries is so bad that no nation would want to be in the same
situation. Insecurity, backwardness, poverty, increasing domination of
arrogant powers, jeopardizing their national interests, disregarding the
rights of the people, and the subsequent total failure in achieving the
goals they had announced or the interior motives they had not announced
are very prevalent there. These failures are reflected in the behavior of
American politicians and their discord, disagreement, and decisions. That
is the way the global bullies act.
What should one do to confront this bullying? The Imam's advice was to
resist. Fortunately, today all the different political groups in the
country express their loyalty to the path of the Imam. This is an
auspicious phenomenon. This was not the case in some eras [after the
Revolution]. There were some political movements that openly talked about
turning their backs on the Imam's path. Fortunately, today political
groups in our country talk about their inclination towards the thoughts
and path of the Imam. One of the most prominent points of the Imam's path,
which is reflected in his testament and all his remarks, is the need for
determined resistance against covetous arrogant powers.
The Iranian nation and all the different political groups as well as
the elites inside the country who are loyal to the Imam and his thoughts
and decisions must safeguard this stance with full strength. The Imam
himself had a similar attitude. He never stopped supporting the oppressed
throughout the world out of his consideration for the global bullies. He
used to refer to the Palestinian issue as a central issue at all times. In
his testament and his remarks, he made explicit the point that he
considered the oppressed nations' urge for support as important. He openly
announced his support for the rights of the oppressed Palestinian nation
as well as all other oppressed nations. That is the path of the Imam. That
is the Imam's way and advice. Fortunately, the Iranian nation and the
government officials pursued this path, and it is 30 years now that you
Iranian nation has been successful and has defeated the enemies whenever
it has been faced with American arrogance.
Of course, the enemy will not keep silent. It will continue its
political and psychological efforts. It will keep slandering. Today, the
world no longer believes the slanders of Americans and Zionists against
the Iranian nation, neither do they believe the allegations leveled - by
those who violated human rights most and who are most infamous for
assassinating the oppressed and invading other nations - against our
government regarding the violation of human rights. These people accuse
the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation of violation of human rights.
But that is not important. Or regarding the nuclear issue, the Iranian
nation has repeatedly announced that it is not after nuclear weapons. This
is something that everybody knows, and it is totally logical. Today,
because the Americans know that they cannot openly disregard a nation and
declare that they are opposed to its rights, when they want to say
something about the nuclear issue of Iran or adopt a stance in this regard,
they simply accuse our country of trying to develop nuclear weapons in
order to justify their claims in global public opinion.
They themselves know that they are lying. They themselves know that
their claims are just lies. No wise nation and no wise government official
would seek to develop nuclear weapons today. And the Iranian nation is
similarly opposed to such weapons from an Islamic, ideological, and
logical standpoint. It takes a great deal of money to develop and keep
nuclear weapons, and they are of no use. Nuclear weapons do not bring
about power for a nation because they cannot be used. Those who possess
nuclear bombs now are well aware that if they make the slightest mistake
and use their nuclear weapons, they will have to bear the serious
consequences - just as they had to bear the consequences when they decided
to strengthen the terrorists.
If they use their nuclear weapons, it will be just a matter of time
before the terrorists in the world are equipped with nuclear weapons and
destroy the security of all global arrogant powers as well as all nations.
They know that nuclear weapons are useless, yet they accuse the Iranian
nation of trying to develop nuclear weapons. The Iranian nation is not
after nuclear weapons. Our nation seeks to use nuclear energy for peaceful
purposes, and it will pursue this path and will achieve it against the
enemies' will.
The memory of the Imam is reminiscent of the grandeur and awakening of
the Iranian nation and its turning into a model for the entire Muslim
Ummah and all the oppressed nations. His memory fills one with dynamism
and hope. His memory ought to be kept alive, and his path, guidance, and
the signs that he left for those who want to pursue his path must be
appreciated. In particular, the youth and the government officials must
consider the Imam's testament and advice as guidelines.
Today, the three government branches and all the government officials -
including those in military, civil, political, and social positions as
well as those in charge of providing services - must set the Imam's
testament and his recommendations as their guiding principle. The grandeur
of the Iranian nation, its stable security, its material growth and
development, and its spiritual and moral superiority are all based on
practicing these recommendations.
Dear God, make the Iranian nation successful in treading this path for
the sake of the immaculate souls of the martyrs and the esteemed Imams. O
God, increase the grandeur of the Iranian nation on a daily basis. O God,
out of this gathering, out of the hearts of the Iranian people, and out of
our hearts and speech covey spiritual gifts to the immaculate soul of our
magnanimous Imam. Bestow Your mercy and grace upon the Imam's holy soul. O
God, associate with Your saints the souls of martyrs who are the pioneers
of this path. Dear God, bestow Your mercy, grace, guidance, and assistance
upon all those who serve this nation, all selfless devotees, and all those
who make efforts treading this path of righteousness and truth. O God,
make the holy heart of the Imam of the Age pleased with us and make us his
soldiers in the true sense of the word.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
22/05/2008
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on May 1, 2008
by Ayatollah Khamenei the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution to
armed units in Shiraz, Fars province.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Today's meeting with you esteemed commanders and dear youth, serving in
the Army, in the Islamic Republic's Guards Corps, in Basij, and the police
force takes me back to the Sacred Defense Era. The memories of the armed
units of the Army and the Guards Corps of Fars province and Shiraz during
the tough Sacred Defense Era are not something that one can ever forget.
In the first year of the imposed war - which was a hard time for the
Armed Forces - the news was spread in Ahvaz that the 37th Armored Brigade
and 55th Airborne Brigade were going to be sent onto the battlefields,
which cheered up the defense officials there. On a trip to Khorramshahr in
those days of hardship, I saw some brave youth who were ready to
selflessly lay down their lives. I asked them, "Where are you from?" They
said that they were from Shiraz. Later on the gradual establishment of
Fajr and al-Mahdi divisions in Shiraz and Fars province proved to be one
of our strengths on the battlefield those days. Each and every one of the
backup units, training units, infantry centers, armored centers,
electronics industries, and the backup services of Ministry of Defense
left a memory of themselves during and after the eventful era of Sacred
Defense.
For me, meeting you dear youth on this parade ground - on which you are
ready to proclaim that you will bravely follow in the footsteps of the
pioneers of this path - is reminiscent of the past.
You dear youth must in the first place note that according to Imam
Sajjad (a.s.), armed forces are like a stronghold for national security.
The nation will have the feeling of peace and security if you powerfully
maintain your grandeur through equipping yourselves with weapons and
boosting your spirit. Even in advanced communities, life is no pleasure in
the absence of security. Security brings about mental peace. If the Armed
Forces bravely, selflessly, and shrewdly identify and fulfill their roles
at the right time, they will be able to provide security. The mere
existence of armed forces and seeking to strengthen them do not
necessarily imply belligerence in any country.
With the power of the Iranian nation in international arenas, we have
proved that the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic of Iran will not
pose any threat to the neighboring and non-neighboring countries. We were
attacked, and we powerfully defended our country. However, the thought of
invasion and occupation of other countries never crossed the minds of the
Iranian people and their officials.
All the same, the Armed Forces must be powerful. The world in which we
live is a belligerent world. The world is doomed to suffer from
domineering policies. The motives of the global domineering powers are a
warning to all nations to strengthen their internal structure and make the
necessary preparations in this regard. When the superpowers can and dare
attack other nations, even small excuses are used to justify their
full-scale invasion.
Today, the case of Iraq and Afghanistan lies before our eyes. On what
grounds did they enter Iraqi territory? On what grounds did they cross
Afghan borders? They promised to bring security and freedom to the Iraqi
people. The Iraqi people have lived the most insecure period of their
lives during the last 5 years. This is indicative of the nature of the
superpowers.
The situation in Afghanistan is almost the same. When arrogant powers
think they can take steps towards the invasion of other countries, they
will not hesitate to do so. Of course, the Iranian nation is familiar with
the nature of the superpowers. The Islamic Republic, the Iranian nation,
and the Armed Forces have proved their abilities to the superpowers and
the invaders during the last thirty years.
They have proved that the great, intelligent, ancient Iranian nation is
not an easy game for any superpowers. All people throughout the world have
come to realize this fact nowadays. There is no army in the world today
that can do to the Iranian nation what they have done to the Iraqi people
in the last five year. The Iranian nation is powerful.
You official Armed Forces enjoy a great support called the Iranian
nation. Millions of youth, iron wills, and warm and faithful hearts from
various social classes - nomads, city dwellers, villagers, people living
in various parts of the country, and people working in various professions
- all share the same characteristics: they all have an iron will. This is
the greatest support that a nation can ever enjoy. You must be ready and
powerful.
We will take no heed of the hostile language and the threats of
mouthpieces of the arrogant powers. The Iranian nation will not be
concerned by these words, because they are simply the enemies'
psychological warfare. The Iranian nation knows well that the enemies of
this nation are not daring and intrepid enough to enter a battle which
would be impossible for them to get out of. We are well aware of this fact,
but you should remain vigilant and powerful.
Armed Forces - the Army, the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps, Basij,
and the police - must become stronger on a daily basis. That is the
essence of innovation. Innovation is not just limited to manufacturing
weapons. Although innovation in manufacturing armament and in new methods
of preparing weapons is one of the most important instances of innovation,
we are in need of innovation in training, organization, backup, and
military guidelines. You must take long, steady strides and move
powerfully towards pre-specified goals. You must increase your strength.
You must make this stronghold and this fort more secure for the Iranian
nation.
The world of global politics is filled with impiety. This has caused
the global arrogant powers to betray even their own friends. You
definitely witnessed what they did to the doomed Saddam Hussein. They only
strengthened his forces for as long as they felt the need for his
existence. The Americans backed Saddam Hussein during the Iraqi imposed
war as much as they could. They provided him with aerial maps,
intelligence and weapons. They even helped boost their psychological state
and got their allies to support the Iraqi regime financially. They
supported Saddam Hussein on all sides because they felt the need for his
presence. They were hopeful that he could undermine the powerful and proud
nature of the Iranian nation in the world.
The Iranian nation managed to recognize the nature of the superpowers,
and it is still familiar with the nature of those powers. The strong
stance of the Islamic Republic against the criminal US regime is rooted in
such in-depth knowledge of their nature.
I wonder if there is a person who does not know that the presidential
terms of the current US president have been the most insecure period in
the recent history of mankind. The presidential terms of George Bush are
the dark period in which the world became an insecure place and in which
terrorism engulfed the whole world. This dark stain will be registered in
history next to his name. Of course, he is going to leave in a matter of
months and will leave the problems to the next president. But this is a
case that will always remain open, and it will never be closed.
Our youth must learn lessons from these things. You must know who you
are and recognize the greatness of the thought that established this
Revolution and this sacred government. "Neither the East, nor the West" is
a slogan that rejects all arrogance and all arrogant powers. It is the
independence slogan of the Iranian nation, a slogan that shows our trust
in the faithful youth who live in various parts of this country. This
slogan is alive and immortal. The slogan poured forth from the heart that
was in contact with the invisible world, God, and servitude to God. It was
taught to the Iranian nation by that great wise old man, the brave scholar
[Imam Khomeini].
My dear youth, the Armed Forces belong to you. The whole country
belongs to you. You should equip yourselves with knowledge, practicality,
piety, faithfulness, and purity to the extent you could. Remember that God
is with you, and God willing the prayers of the Imam of the Age (may our
souls be sacrificed for his sake) will protect you.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
08/05/2008
The following is the full text of the Speech delivered on May 8, 2008
by Ayatollah Khamenei the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution to a
group of people in Larestan County, Fars province.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all sentient beings, and peace
and greetings be upon our Master and Prophet, Ab-al-Qassem Al-Mustafa
Muhammad, and upon his immaculate and infallible household, especially the
one remaining with Allah on earth.
I thank Allah the Exalted who has bestowed upon me the blessing to meet
with the dear and cordial people of Larestan and be in the company of you
dear brothers and sisters living in this ancient county. During my
previous trips to Fars province, I always liked to meet with the dear
people of Larestan County and the city of Lar. However, I did not
unfortunately find such an opportunity. I feel today - in the enthusiastic
and sincere company of you dear people which is full of kindness - that
every Muslim and faithful person who has such familiarity with Islamic
teachings in his heart will certainly hold such sincerity and purity in
his life, city, and the community where he lives. I thank you dear people
for your sincere kindness, and I express my admiration of you. I deem it
necessary to thank all the residents of Fars province. Today is the last
day of my trip to this vast and honored province. During my 9-day stay in
this province, the people of Shiraz and other cities in Fars province
showed great kindness and sincerity. I should thank all these people for
their kindness.
The government officials have fortunately paid due attention to the
problems of Fars province. The cabinet members held a meeting in Shiraz
yesterday. They held useful discussions and made important decisions about
the different problems of the people of Fars province - particularly the
problems of Lar and Larestan County. I hope God Almighty will bestow His
blessings on the officials. I hope they will render services to you dear
people who rightly deserve their services. I hope they will carry out
their responsibilities towards you people who deserve such efforts.
The name of the city of Lar is inseparable form the name of the late
Grand Ayatollah Abdul Hussein Lari in the Iranian history. Wherever there
is a mention of Lar, or when one looks at the recent history of our
country - the last 100 or 120 years - the name of this great man is
prominent and shining.
I do not intend to limit myself to previous honors, but I want to help
us truly know ourselves through familiarity with our history and our
prominent figures in the past. Through such familiarity, I want us to
understand our current status and find the right path to follow in the
future.
Some hundred years ago, Larestan County recorded a very adventurous
Islamic movement in our history with the help of this great man and with
the help of the people of this region. The people of Lar and the great
Larestan County are among the most prominent people of our vast country if
we are to judge people on the basis of their awareness, their national
willpower, and their wisdom and courage in taking action. In an era when
seeking freedom and opposing despotism was not known to many people in the
country, the issue of fighting despotism had been clarified for these
people due to the spirituality of this great and conscious Islamic scholar.
The people of Larestan, led by this magnanimous sayyid, opposed the
English invasion. They laid down their lives to oppose the English
government's despotism. In a letter to his son, the late Sayyid Abdul
Hussein Lari said that he was under immense pressure, yet he said he was
ready to give his life in that fight. When a leader acts like that and
resists so sincerely, national willpower will naturally be summoned, and
will guide nations onto the right path. After the demise of that
magnanimous man, his son Sayyid Abdul Muhammad Lari, who is a prominent
clergyman, also involved himself in some political activities.
We have to learn a useful lesson from the history of Larestan County
that will serve us in the present and our dear and strong nation in the
future. The history of this county teaches us that a nation will emerge
victorious out of the most difficult battles if it is led by an effective
leader who does not have his heart set on this world or worldly
possessions. Under such circumstances, a nation will be able to conquer
its greatest and most obstinate enemies. The Iranian nation utilized this
lesson which it had learned from its experience in this region and other
regions across the country during the Islamic Revolution.
The Iranian nation set up its movement by hoisting the flag of Islam
and following the principles set by the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) in an era
when the powers of the world assumed that they had removed all traces of
religion and religiousness from people's lives. It is a very important
fact that the Iranian nation's Revolution could attract the attention of
the world, through adherence to the principles of Islam and religion, in
an era when the powers of the world - especially the arrogant powers -
assumed that they had uprooted religion and religiousness in the world,
particularly in Islamic countries. These powers had comforted themselves
with the thought that there will be no trace of Islam left in the world.
They presumed that traces of religion would become fainter in people's
lives every day. They took delight in these thoughts. It was during such
an era that the Iranian nation restored religiousness to people's lives by
hoisting the flag of Islam. This is a fact.
We staged our uprising for the sake of Islam. We hoisted the flag of
Islam. Our Revolution and our nation guided even non-Islamic countries
onto the path of religiousness, spirituality, and pure religion. This is
the miracle that the Iranian nation performed. And our revolution could
act as a model for many other nations by adhering to the principles of
Islam and the Holy Quran.
If you take a trip to some of the Islamic countries, you will see that
the situation is totally different than it was thirty years ago, that is
prior to the victory of the Islamic Revolution. Those days even if some
people acted or set up movements with the aim of gaining freedom and
independence, they acted under the banner of atheistic schools of thought.
But today when intellectuals, students, and devoted people speak of
independence and freedom, they do it under the banner of Islam. They voice
these mottos under the banner of Islam. This is a blessing from the
Iranian nation's uprising. This is a blessing which you were given by the
great Islamic Revolution which took place in contemporary history. The
Islamic Revolution has its roots in the Tobacco Protest, the Iranian
Constitutional Revolution led by the great ulama of the time, and the
uprising of the people of Larestan which was led by this great figure.
When we reflect on the past, we have such a perspective in mind. The past
is like a mirror and a tool for us. It teaches us how to pave the way for
the future.
What is of primary importance to the Iranian nation today is adherence
to the principles of Islam. All the blessings that are longed for by a
nation could be achieved through adherence to the principles of Islam.
Adherence to Islamic principles is our only way to gain freedom,
independence, and common welfare. It is the only way for us to make
scientific advances and to be the pioneer in various fields. It is only in
this way that we - the Iranian nation - could possess great dignity. Islam
will bestow all these blessings on a nation through its teachings. Today,
adherence to the principles of Islam is the greatest path lying ahead of
the Iranian nation.
The second issue is that of unity which I have emphasized during my
trip to different cities of this province and in all my addresses to our
dear nation. The reason is that our enemies have resorted to fomenting
schism among Muslim nations as one of the ways to deal a blow to this
nation. They have also adopted the same line of policy in the world of
Islam and among the Islamic Ummah. Ever since the victory of the Islamic
Revolution, they have tried to make our neighboring countries - including
the neighboring nations around the Persian Gulf - afraid of the Islamic
Republic and the Islamic Revolution. Unfortunately, they succeeded in
doing so in some cases while the Islamic Republic has always extended the
hand of brotherhood towards all Muslim nations and governments.
The Islamic Republic believes firmly in Islamic unity. Islamic unity
means a sense of solidarity and cooperation among all the governments.
Muslim nations are thankfully united. Tribal, ethnic and religious
differences cannot create gaps among nations, unless the enemies are
willing to do so. But unfortunately, political issues could influence
governments. We state today that we have brotherly relations with all our
neighboring countries. We extend the hand of friendship and brotherhood to
all these countries. We do not depend on any of these countries, and this
feeling of brotherhood does not arise out of need. The Iranian nation has
proved that it can overcome problems by relying on God and its
self-confidence, but we consider disputes as opposed to the interests of
the Islamic community. It is due to this reason that we have extended the
hand of friendship towards all countries. Fortunately, we have healthy and
brotherly relations with all the countries of the region - Arab or
non-Arab - despite the efforts of those who oppose Islam, and despite the
efforts of American and Zionist spy networks who are constantly causing
revolts. And such brotherly relations should be improved on daily basis.
The same thing holds true about the situation inside the country as
well. They have tried, since the beginning of the Islamic Revolution, to
foment discord among our people under different pretexts, including
people's ethnicity, religion, and political differences. We foiled this
plot hatched by the enemies, but we still believe that both ourselves and
our dear brothers and sisters should exercise care in this regard.
Everyone - including Shia and Sunni Muslims, people living in different
parts of the country, and those with different political tastes - should
know that the Iranian nation is a united nation despite the existence of
various religions, ethnicities, and tastes in the country. Despite these
facts, the Iranian nation is united and unified. It is through such unity
that the Iranian nation can defend its identity, interests, and dignity
before its most bitter enemies. And, by Allah's favor, the Iranian nation
will bring the enemies to their knees.
Although there are some Sunnis living here in different regions and
towns, there is thankfully an exemplary sense of brotherhood among the
Shia and Sunni people in Larestan. And this sense of brotherhood is to be
appreciated. This is a fact which I realized through the reports I read,
and the traces of such a sense are evident in this gathering. We should
all make efforts on the path of Islam and both Shia and Sunni Muslims
should exercise utmost efforts to promote monotheism, pure Islamic
principles, and the principles set by the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). We should
not let different opinions and interpretations, our different tastes, or
even our personal grudges in certain cases to affect our lives and
policies, or else this would delight our enemies.
Today, the enemies' efforts are aimed at closing down this center of
the Islamic Ummah and the great Islamic movement, namely the Iranian
nation, which has initiated the active movement of the Islamic world. The
enemies and the arrogant powers' efforts are aimed at preventing the
Muslims of the world from following this practical model. The Islamic
Republic is a practical model for other nations. The Islamic Republic
proved to the Islamic world through its existence, power, progress, and
unity that it is possible to form an Islamic system to confront the
enemies' various plots in such an unstable world. It proved that it can
bring an Islamic system onto the scene. This is the experience which the
Iranian nation has put before the Muslim nation's eyes.
The enemies' filthy goal is to prevent Muslim nations from using this
model. And they try to do so through slander and political, military,
security, and economic propaganda. When we look at some of their
mercenaries active in the neighboring countries' media - in some Arab
countries - we realize that they sometimes broadcast so blatantly against
the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic. And this fills us with
surprise. They level such accusations against the Iranian nation, the
Muslim community, and the Islamic Republic that make us wonder how corrupt
could these mercenaries and base people be when they serve the enemies'
purposes and oppose Islam and the Holy Quran for the sake of worthless
worldly possessions.
The only way to oppose these people lies in our hands. Dear brothers
and sisters, we could oppose the enemies by increasing our unity and
unanimity on a day to day basis and by increasing our efforts to make
progress in the country. Thankfully, a lot of efforts are currently being
made in this regard. I should here refer to the fact that many of the
charitable people in Lar and Larestan County are making good efforts which
I am aware of. There are reports of their services and assistance to the
people, of the donations they give to the underprivileged, and of the
contributions they make in regard to scientific issues. These charitable
people are also involved in constructing mosques and such places. These
are the things that the people of this region do out of interest and of
their own volition. Such services are provided on a larger scale across
the country by the Islamic Republic. And God willing, we should move
towards these goals on a permanent basis. We should promote the level of
knowledge and try to boost the economy in the country. We should also
contribute to all the political, social, and moral efforts made across the
country. This is the only way through which the country could foil the
arrogant powers' plots.
It is through people's determination that we could have an independent
country. The investments that people make in different sectors are very
valuable, especially the ones that they make in production sectors. And I
consider making investments in production sectors to be the best of deeds
and the best charity for those who are interested in rendering services to
the people. This would create employment opportunities in the country,
would help the country progress, and will uproot poverty in some important
parts of the country.
Today, the policies of the arrogant powers in the region have been
revealed to the nations in this region. They are aware of what these
powers are seeking through their policies. The presence of the Americans
in the Persian Gulf is the cause of insecurity in this region. This is
what the nations are aware of. The period when foreign governments and
global bullying powers could dominate countries, canals, and strategic
areas in the world under the pretext of bringing about security to those
regions has come to an end. Today, the people of the world and the Iraqi
people know why the U.S. invaded Iraq. Even the Americans themselves
confessed to the fact that they invaded Iraq for the sake of its oil
resources. They caused the biggest troubles for the Iraqi people under the
pretext of saving them. They attacked the Iraqi people like a group of
wolves, yet they claim to be trying to maintain security in that country.
That is a lie. The greatest source of insecurity for the Iraqi people is
the inconsiderate presence of the invaders who take no notice of the Iraqi
people's lives, properties, moral principles, and national pride.
During the early stages of the Iraqi invasion, I said in an address to
the invaders during the Friday prayers: "When your bullying soldiers step
on the Iraqi youth's back while they are lying on the ground, you should
have no doubt that the Iraqi people will not remain quiet about these acts.
The Iraqi nation is a devoted one. They are a proud nation. You are
provoking the Iraqi nation against yourselves with your own hands." This
is what has happened today. They are looking to find the basic reason
behind the Iraqi people's operations against the invading countries'
soldiers. As usual, they are making some miscalculations. They accuse
Iran, Syria, and other countries. They should blame themselves for that.
The very presence of the American forces would suffice to provoke the
Iraqi people against them. There is no need for anyone to provoke the
Iraqi people from beyond the borders. Therefore, leveling accusations
against others is a baseless act. You are the main culprits. The Americans
are the main culprits in the Iraqi issue. This is true about other regions
as well. The presence of the Americans in the Persian Gulf - in this very
crucial region of the world - is a source of insecurity. The security of
this region should be provided by the governments of this region. This is
true as we all know that the interference of the U.S. in Palestine has
made the issue even more complex.
The Palestinian conflict could not be resolved by the Americans. Their
interference would make matters even worse. The more the Americans
interfere in the issue, the more complex the issue will get. The
Palestinian people are vigilant. They are noble and broad-minded people.
They have elected their own government. They should let that government
make decisions based on the nation's support. As time passes, their
interference in the Palestinian issue - their unilateral interference
which is aimed at supporting the interests of the invading Zionist regime
- will make the issue even more complex. Of course, these issues will be
resolved. Both the issue of Palestine and the Iraqi issue will be resolved.
One day these issues will be resolved, and there will be no trace of the
American arrogance and their identity on that day.
Dear youth, the whole country belongs to you. The future of this
country belongs to you. It is you who will, God willing, fully benefit
from the outcomes of this Revolution during a full prosperous life. Make
efforts as much as you can. Work as hard as you can. Try to acquire
knowledge. Do not stop making constant efforts. Try to remember Allah the
Exalted, to pray, and to become familiar with the Holy Quran. Also pay
attention to moral issues and spirituality. These will, God willing, help
you reach a position which the Iranian nation deserves.
O God, I swear You to Muhammad (s.w.a.) and his household to increase
our familiarity with Islam and to make us fonder of Islam on a daily basis.
O God, bestow Your blessings and mercy upon these dear people. Dear God,
make up with Your blessings for the deficiencies which were caused by a
shortage of rain in this region and other regions across the country. O
God, protect the youth of this region and bestow prosperity upon them.
Dear God, guide our youth, and bestow on them a bright future that is full
of honors for both themselves and the country. O God, associate with Your
saints the immaculate souls of our martyrs and the Imam of the martyrs.
Dear God, associate us with our dear martyrs, and make the holy heart of
the Imam of the Age (May our souls be sacrifices for his sake) pleased
with us.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings.
07/05/2008
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on May 7, 2008
by Ayatollah Khamenei the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution to
executive officials in Fars province.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Today, on the last day of my trip, in this meeting, which has been
arranged with you dear executive officials serving in various parts of
this province, I would like to express my gratitude to you rather than
offer you advice and recommendations.
First of all, I would like to express my sincere and deep gratitude to
the esteemed people of Shiraz and the other towns in this province for
their kindness and hospitality - which are considered among the well-known
characteristics of the people of this region.
I should also apologize to the people of the towns which I did not find
the opportunity visit, and I therefore sent my representatives to these
towns. This is thankfully a vast province consisting of numerous counties.
I wish I could talk to all the people living in various parts of this
province. "There are many aspirations that one cannot achieve." But many
of the youth and our brothers and sisters took the trouble and traveled to
Shiraz from other towns. On the first day and the following days, they
took the trouble and participated in different meetings that I had
arranged. I express my sincere gratitude to these people as well.
As the esteemed general-governor pointed out, Fars province enjoys vast
potentialities, which are also mentioned in the reports regarding this
province. This province enjoys vast potentialities in natural resources,
differences in climatic conditions in the northern and southern parts of
the province, and most importantly, the human resources, which are truly
outstanding.
All those who serve the people of this province at different levels
must be grateful to Allah. These understanding, affectionate, and talented
people justly deserve being served. It is truly enjoyable to serve these
people. Of course, you yourselves are often one of these people. When one
observes the characteristics of the people of Shiraz and Fars province,
one feels that it is truly a blessing to serve these people who enjoy such
qualities, affections, perspicacity, and talents. This is a great
opportunity, and you must appreciate it. You must be grateful to Allah and
appreciate this opportunity wherever you are, no matter in what branch of
the government or at what level. You must serve the people and spend time
on attending to their problems. You must show reverence for the people and
those who refer to you. All people deserve respect, no matter where they
live. And when one observes prominent human qualities in a group of people,
one is more inclined to respect them. This is the main piece of advice
that I have for you dear brothers.
During this trip, a number of decisions were made regarding different
issues in this province. The honorable administration has allocated
sufficient funds to carry out the decisions made on this trip. Government
officials are going to hold a meeting today and turn these decisions into
bills. You must try your utmost to implement these bills as soon as
possible. You must translate these decisions into action so that the
people can reap the benefits.
I believe one of the most important things that has to be paid due
attention to in Shiraz is the centrality of its holy shrines. Few cites in
our country enjoy such a privilege and such a prominence. The existence of
three noble descendants of the Imams (a.s.) - who are certain to be
descended from the Imams (a.s.) - and many other descendants who are
buried in this city raise the spiritual position of this city and help
connect this city to the leadership of the Prophet's (s.w.a.) household.
This aspect of the city - which shows the spirit and noble meaning of the
adherence of the people of Fars province to the leadership of the
Prophet's (s.w.a.) household - should be advertised and made prominent in
IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting), and in various innovations
that take place in service-related and economic fields, to mention but a
few. After Mashhad and Qom, this city enjoys the greatest number of the
descendants of the Prophet's (s.w.a.) household. Both providing service to
the pilgrims to these shrines and introducing these shrines to the hearts
of enthusiastic believers inside and outside the country are among the
things that have to be done.
In spite of having prominent potentialities, the people of this
province are modest. This is one of the things that are often noticed in
this province. The people of this province are highly virtuous and
educated but do not boast and show off what they have. This fact can be
easily observed here. They have had many luminaries both in the past and
in the present era. I enjoyed meeting the elites in scientific and
literary areas, and also entrepreneurs and individuals who are useful to
society - in terms of both theory and practice. However, the people of
Shiraz do not shout the existence of these potentialities from the
rooftops. The people of Fars province are not fond of boasting, and one
can easily see that. It was said that the people of Fars province are
happy-go-lucky, meaning they are not fond of working. I would say that
they are just modest. Otherwise, the people are hard-working here. Their
scientific, practical, industrial, and agricultural activities are
praiseworthy. The people of Fars province do not boast. They do not want
to be in the spotlight. One can clearly see that this is still a prevalent
mood in Shiraz. The people of Shiraz are not fond of showing off and
ostentation. However, this city enjoys many potentialities, and these
potentialities have to be utilized.
Yesterday, one of the gentlemen brought up the subject of the art
academy and strengthening the status of art. Some people assume that art
is the same as immorality, debauchery, and secularism. This is a
misconception. Art is one of the beautiful manifestations of creation that
has been placed within man. The faults that some insightful people have
constantly pointed out as criticisms against art are related to the wrong
direction that art can take: using art in order to lead people astray and
make them immoral. Otherwise, if art is accompanied by the spirit of
religion and is in line with religion it can be one of the most prominent
faculties that man enjoys, and, thankfully, this is the prevalent mood
today. If you take a look at our poets, painters, and various artistic
fields, you can often see that their work is accompanied by the spirit of
religiousness and piety. This is by no means a drawback. It would be
excellent if we could have a center for training artistic skills and
strengthening the position of art here, which has the right orientation.
It would be really good if this great faculty could be channeled in this
way.
One of the things that is the focus of attention in this province and
deserves further consideration is the issue of tourism. The tourist
attractions of this place have doubled due to the fact that the immaculate
shrine of Ahmad Ibn Musa (greetings be upon him, his father, and his
brother) lies here. This place houses many shrines and enjoys many tourist
attractions. I presume the money that we can gain out of tourism here
would obviate the need for all other sources of revenue if government
officials and those who serve in this province can use tourism in an
appropriate way through proper advertisement and orientation. The issue of
tourism is very important indeed.
Let me make a reference to the pre-Islamic historical monuments,
including Persepolis and other historical monuments in this province. One
may have two different perspectives on such monuments which should be
separated from each other. One perspective is that such monuments belong
to dictators of history. Every monument you see is somehow related to one
of the dictators and evil regimes of human history.
From such a perspective, one may have a negative attitude towards such
monuments. Such monuments are unattractive to the majority of those who
are faithful and naturally despise autocracy and dictatorship. But there
is a different perspective as well, and that is the fact such monuments
are the result of the artistic skills of the Iranians. They are the
product of the growing and creative minds of the Iranians during the
previous years and centuries. Such a view constitutes a positive
perspective on the issue. All the historical monuments that exist across
the country - in Fars province, in Isfahan or in other parts of the
country - fall into this category. It is true that these monuments were
once used by dictators, but one should know who really erected them. They
are the product of the Iranians' creative minds, their artistic skills,
and their high-minded views. They are the result of the Iranians' creative
minds, and these are sources of pride for a nation. When we look at these
monuments from such a perspective, we come up with positive results.
Persepolis and other monuments should be introduced to the world.
Things that are not really worth being considered as honors are
sometimes used as historical honors in the modern world. Those who do not
have historical honors create some for themselves. We have these
historical honors. All these historical honors are a source of
self-confidence for our nation. Why not show them to the world?
Somebody who had taken a trip to Greece told me that they usually take
tourists to different tourist centers. He said that one day they took him
and the other tourists to a place and told them: "This is the place where
Iranian troops were defeated by the Greek." They simply take people to an
empty desert and tell them that the desert is where the Iranian troops
were deployed and were defeated. They try to prove historical facts by
showing an empty space to the tourists. As far as I know, near Kazerun
there is the statue of Valerian, the Roman emperor, who kneeled down at
the feet of the Iranian king. You can simply show them this place: an eye
for an eye! There are many positive points that can give them an idea
about our past.
Of course, I firmly believe in the fact that what the Iranians achieved
after Islam is by no means comparable to what they had achieved in the
pre-Islamic era. During the Islamic era, namely in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th
centuries, Iranians were at the peak of knowledge, civilization, politics,
and economy in the world. No country in the world - neither in the East,
nor in the West, Asia, or Europe - had reached such high levels then, and
this is a blessing from Islam. Iranians had never reached such high levels
before then. This part of our history was unprecedented during the rule of
different dynasties - from the Buyid dynasty to the Ghaznavid Empire, to
the Seljuq dynasty and the rest. But the pre-Islamic part of history
belongs to the Iranian nation as well. That era is also part of Iran's
history. The fact that some evil rulers were in charge then and followed
false traditions is a different issue. However, one cannot ignore the
artistic skills of Iranians.
You should work a lot on the issue of tourism in this province, both in
regard to the Islamic shrines which exist in this province, and in regard
to the luminaries of Persian literature and art. You have some of the most
prominent figures in these areas in your province, namely Hafiz and Saadi.
You should also pay a lot of attention to what existed in our history in
the past.
Here is an agricultural center, and I believe this is one of the things
that has to taken into consideration. Of course, this issue will, by
Allah's favor, be summed up by our friends and they will put the
conclusions into practice. I deem it necessary that a center be
established in this city for a long-term fight against drought. This
requires extensive research, and there are numerous ways to do it. This is
one of the centers that can be established here. As you said, you have
some unique centers regarding medical sciences. You can have a unique
center for fighting drought as well. Of course, there are many things that
can be done in this province. By Allah's grace, the officials will find
the opportunity to do it. I also hope that wherever you live you will find
the opportunity to help implement these programs.
You must appreciate the opportunity to serve the public. You must
appreciate this public presence on the scene. You must appreciate this
attention and spiritual readiness on the part of our esteemed people. You
should ask Allah the Exalted for assistance and guidance in this regard.
God will hopefully assist you. You must ask Allah the Exalted to provide
the means to achieve increasing progress for this country through your
efforts and the efforts of the government officials. You must ask Allah
the Exalted to improve the future of this province and this country.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
06/05/2008
The following is the full text of the Speech delivered on May 6, 2008
by Ayatollah Khamenei the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution to a
group of elites in Fars province.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
It was very enjoyable for me to be in this gathering among you dear
elites today. Thanks God, everything was as expected. The major part of
the statements made by these dear elites contained some points which I
benefited from. By Allah's favor, these friends' warnings, recommendations,
and requests will be collected and handed in to the officials, and those
issues which are directly related to me will, by Allah's favor, be
investigated.
Attention to these great human resources is what the Iranian nation and
I gain from such meetings. That is exactly the goal that I pursue when I
arrange such meetings during my trips. On all my trips, pursue I insist on
having a sincere meeting with the local elites, as I did here. The purpose
behind this is to convince myself and some skeptical hearts that these
great human resources are inexhaustible and extremely fruitful in our
country. The reflection of this meeting on a national level will once
again add a new honor to our national honors. That is the goal I pursue.
This meeting was arranged so that I could listen to your statements. I
wish I had the time to listen to more comments. What I heard was
beneficial and enjoyable to me. I am absolutely sure I would benefit and
enjoy more if I had the opportunity to listen more.
However, what I want to say is that given the present conditions, there
exist very bright prospects ahead of the Iranian nation. Our historical
legacy, our invaluable talents, our efforts and motivation - which were
evident in the remarks these friends made - and the religious and divine
orientation behind our movement are all a great national treasure for us.
All of these things promise us that, by Allah's favor, we will be able to
revive the Iranian nation's Islamic civilization for the whole Islamic
Ummah in the present era. By Allah's favor, we will be able to set an
example for the movement of the Islamic Ummah.
As our friends said, Shiraz and the whole Fars province enjoy a great
deal of resources. I must confirm what they said. Thanks God, Fars
province is undoubtedly a prominent pioneer in literature, art, production
- both agricultural and industrial. Production is especially important
because the whole world is after it in the new industrial era. If we
uphold the motto of innovation, which requires flourishment of talents and
previous investments, there will be bright prospects for us. This motto
which is a genuine motto indicates our current need. All the evidence that
we have also points to this fact. Innovation is the current prerequisite
for the progress of the country. Innovation does not mean that we should
reject the past achievements. Rather, it means that we should build on the
past as a foundation for the future, which requires that all our efforts
be focused on the reconstruction of our country and history.
Today, the Iranian nation has to shoulder a heavy duty. Our nation has
never been in control of its destiny as it is today. All those who are
familiar with the history of this country would confirm this fact. In the
past, the nation was only a tool in the hands of the rulers. Everything
depended on the knowledge, insight, and will of the rulers. It was always
the inclination of their whim that was the key factor. The nation could
not exercise any initiative over the fate of the country.
All the talents that this nation enjoys and all that is left from the
past are the result of the nation's great resources that originated from a
source that was manifested through the ruler's will. That is to say,
ordinary people, intellectuals, philosophers, men of letters, artists, and
different social classes did not have any role in the policies or
decisions regarding the fate of the country. Sometimes the rulers decided
based on their will that a new war had to be waged and that new
territories had to be occupied. And sometimes the will of the rulers
determined that the nation had to retreat. In both cases, the nation could
not impose its will on the rulers.
There have been some revolts, and some acts of resistance, but I cannot
think of any great nationwide movement throughout the history of our
country that was intended to lead the country towards its goals - goals
that the nation pursued. The present era is a new phase in the history of
the Iranian nation.
That is the fundamental difference today after the victory of the
Islamic Revolution and under the Islamic Republic. The difference lies in
the fact that the rule of an autocratic system has been turned into the
rule of national and collective will. And that is the fundamental
difference. Thanks God, the public will is in charge of making plans for
the country based on the principles of Islam and the Holy Quran. You must
appreciate this blessing. Today, whatever lies in the Iranian nation's
inexhaustible treasury of talents can be utilized to help this nation
progress.
Therefore, we need to promote innovation at all times, not only in our
industries or agriculture, but also in the various aspects of our nation's
life including the flourishment of talents and thoughts. Thankfully, we
are not an unimaginative nation. Our nation is a nation whose history is
indicative of its prominence, creativity, and talents. Therefore, we can
promote innovation. We are 200 years adrift of the world. This is a bitter
pill to swallow. What the reasons of such backwardness are is a different
issue. But the reality is that we are at least 200 years adrift of other
nations in terms of progress. All the achievements you heard of in this
meeting and all those which you hear of in the country - which are in fact
way beyond what was discussed in this meeting - can help us make up for
part of this backwardness. If continued and increased persistently, and if
accompanied by determination all the activities and innovations across the
country can help us reach the position we deserve.
Backwardness of a nation is a great pain and a severe disease. This
disease should be cured through grim determination and persistent efforts.
The important fact was for us to realize and face up to this disease. We
should next make efforts to treat this disease. The former has been
achieved. The Iranian nation has realized this fact. It has realized the
fact that it should seek the position it deserves. Our nation has accepted
the fact that it has suffered several years of backwardness and negligence
in the past. This is a fact that the Iranian nation has accepted. The
Iranian nation did not continue daydreaming as it had been planned for it
during the Pahlavi era. During that era, they had blindfolded us like a
group of drunken people. By constantly describing our country as the
cradle of great civilization and by constantly repeating similar words
without taking a single step forward, they had confined us to the world of
fantasies, and we had come to a standstill. And this means backwardness,
because the world is not going to wait for us. The whole world was making
rapid progress, but we were at a standstill.
This state of unawareness and intoxication is fortunately over. Our
nation realized the facts. The great movement of our Revolution made us
aware of the situation. Our youth have realized the fact that they should
make rapid progress on this path. They know they need to move forward
rapidly. They have both the potentials and the determination to do so. The
path which lies ahead of them has been clarified. Therefore, we need to
move forward. A heavy responsibility lies on the shoulders of universities,
Islamic seminaries, research centers, and the officials in charge. Their
responsibilities have been specified, and hopefully I can see that the
movement has started, and God willing, we are going to make progress on a
daily basis.
What you dear friends suggested, which were in most cases scientific
and practical, were both correct and useful. I hope what you said will be
put into practice. What I insist on as usual is that you elites and
intellectuals, no matter where you are, should raise your hopes every day
and should infuse the young generation with hopefulness. Instilling
despair into people and painting a bleak picture of the future is a poison.
This fatal poison is administered to the nation through hostile propaganda.
And this is what you should oppose.
The future looks promising in all sectors, and I hope that such
promising visions will be actualized in less than a generation. I hope our
youth will see the day when the Islamic Republic reaches the position it
deserves. I hope our youth will see the day when other nations, scientists,
and scholars across the world feel that they depend on our country to take
further steps in scientific areas. Such a prospect could be actualized in
the foreseeable future. I hope that just as humans need to learn certain
languages to acquire some of the skills they need, other nations will one
day feel that they need to learn your language and know about your culture.
That day will come, and such hopes could be actualized. Such a prospect is
not far-fetched if we work hard and maintain the same amount of efforts,
and motivation which is prevalent among our youth, intellectuals, and
people. I hope these efforts will continue, and they definitely will.
Once again, I thank all you dear people who took part in this meeting.
I especially thank those dear friends who mentioned some points during the
meeting. I hope we will be able to appreciate the exceptional capacities
which exist in this province.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's blessings.
05/05/2008
The following is the full text of the Speech delivered on May 5, 2008
by Ayatollah Khamenei the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution to a
group of people in Kazerun, Fars province.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all sentient beings, and peace
and greetings be upon our Master and Prophet, Ab-al-Qassem Al-Mustafa
Muhammad, and upon his immaculate and infallible household, especially the
one remaining with Allah on earth.
I am grateful to Allah the Exalted who provided me with the opportunity
to be here in this enthusiastic gathering of the faithful, revolutionary
people of Kazerun on this trip. In fact, I felt I owed a favor to the
people of Kazerun. On my trips to Fars province during my presidential
term, I did not find the opportunity to visit this province. I am grateful
to Allah who bestowed the blessing on me to visit this city which is one
of the most prominent cities in this province and in the whole country in
terms of its historical background and its deep revolutionary
characteristics. I am grateful to Allah the Exalted who gave me the
opportunity to be in the company of you dear brothers and sisters.
Thankfully, this gathering is brimful of enthusiasm, spirituality,
revolutionary zeal, and deep religious beliefs. This is one of the divine
blessings that has been bestowed on you dear people, which is a reward for
your long history of efforts for the sake of Allah.
Kazerun has been a memorable and prominent town in the contemporary era.
The people of Kazerun played a very important role in fighting the
colonialist English government during their invasion of the Persian Gulf.
They also figured prominently under the late Ayatollah Kashani (may Allah
place him in heaven) during the movement that led to the nationalization
of the oil industry. During the uprising that took place on June 5, 1963,
Kazerun was among the cities whose people played a leading role. In the
last year of the movement and before the Revolution, the youth of Kazerun
and the faithful people of this county displayed such steadfastness and
staged such an uprising against the evil Pahlavi regime that they were
considered among the top eleven revolutionary cities placed under curfew
across the country. That is a very important point about this county.
Kazerun also offered a number of martyrs during the same era.
Regarding science, literature, and the training of prominent
individuals, the history of Kazerun is full of honors. Moreover, the fact
that Salman al-Farsi - who was one of the esteemed companions of the
Prophet (s.w.a.) and a prominent, immortal figure in the history of Islam
- is attributed to this county is a source of honor for Kazerun. Of course,
Salman al-Farsi belongs to the entire nation. All the people of Iran, all
those who speak Persian, and all those who were praised by the Holy
Prophet (s.w.a.) in Fars province are proud of Salman. Salman belongs to
our country and our nation. The people of Kazerun believe that he was born
in this area. The people of Isfahan believe that he was brought up in
Isfahan. These two beliefs are not contradictory. In addition to the
people of Shiraz, Fars province, Kazerun, and Arzhan plain who rightly
believe that the holy name of Salman al-Farsi is associated with them and
besides the people of Isfahan who rightly believe that this divine
individual was brought up among them, all Iranian people - living near or
far from these areas - are proud of this personality.
"We must not say that Salman is from Persia, we must say that Persia
belongs to Salman" [speaking in Arabic]. Faith, knowledge, struggle for
Allah's sake, and perseverance in order to achieve the source of the truth
raised his position so much so that the Prophet (s.w.a.) said: "Salman is
a member of my household." The Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) considered Salman to
be a member of his household. Salman is considered to be superior to such
great companions [of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.)] as Abuzar, Ammar, Meghdad,
and many others. Salman sought the truth and insisted on it. That is what
gave him such a character as Salman. This is an object lesson for us. This
is a model for the Iranian youth.
Similarly, the selfless efforts, sincerity, and adherence to the right
ideology - that have not been easy to gain - make the people of Kazerun a
model and imprint on the minds of those who are interested in the fate of
this country. These are what I consider to be noble. I insist on these
values as a criterion to distinguish among Islamic values. From an Islamic
point of view, men and women as well as the youth who live in Kazerun must
insist on these values in order to be considered noble. They must insist
on resistance, steadfastness, and adherence to what they have identified
as right and affectionately followed. This is the source of honor. "The
most noble among my Ummah are the companions of the Quran and those who
spend their nights in worship." While others consider the wealthy and
powerful people as noble, Islam has a different yardstick to determine
nobleness. Those who exert more efforts for the sake of Allah, those who
adhere more to divine principles, and those who tread this path more
sincerely are considered to be nobler by the Almighty. I would like to
express my heartfelt and sincere respect for you dear people of Kazerun.
As you express your kindness to me and the government officials, I should
tell you that my heart is also brimful of the same affection for you.
As I said, the people of Kazerun have been devotedly supportive of the
Revolution. As a result, the people of Kazerun and Fars province in
general were not popular with the evil Pahlavi regime. This province was
considered an insufferable province. Just take a look at Shiraz and see
the signs of the cultural efforts of the evil regime as well as its
efforts to give birth to a radically different culture. Then compare those
efforts with the efforts that a government must make for a province like
Fars in terms of reconstruction. You will realize that the evil Pahlavi
regime paid no attention to the development of this province and building
the infrastructure necessary for its progress. There are no proper roads.
The province has been suffering form the lack of water.
Building dams, roads, and major industries all across the province has
been treated with laxity. Despite being at the heart of the country and
enjoying such historical grandeur, this province is considered among
underprivileged provinces in terms of its transportation system. That was
because they did not want to do anything about these problems. There was
no sympathetic attitude on the part of the Pahlavi regime to help solve
the problems in this province and the country at large. There was a
different attitude. There were other concerns involved.
The day railroads were introduced into this country, the first thing
that occurred to everybody was that the railroads had to connect the
capital city to the Persian Gulf through the central provinces - that is
to say, Fars and Isfahan. That was the most natural thing that they could
have done in this country. But they did not do so. An English political
writer who is a politician himself - and is linked with the same
colonialist government that acted against the interests of this country -
has confessed in his book that the railroads in Iran had to start from
Tehran and go through the central provinces - that is, Fars and Isfahan -
connecting the capital city to the Persian Gulf. However, they did not do
so.
First, I believe that positive things have been done regarding the
roads in this province after the Revolution. Second, railroads that
connect this region to water sources and to other parts of the country
will, by Allah's favor, be built by the Islamic Republic. We will
definitely do this. This is the right of Fars province, and it must be
done. Thankfully, positive steps have been taken on all fronts -
industries, building dams, major industries and so on - especially during
the recent years. Like in other provinces, different administrations ought
to provide such production services in this province as well. The people
of this province deserve these services. And by Allah's favor, the
administrations will do so.
The Iranian nation made use of its whole being in order to achieve
04/05/2008
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on May 4, 2008
by Ayatollah Khamenei the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution to a
gathering of people in Nurabad, Fars province.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all sentient beings, and peace
and greetings be upon our Master and Prophet, Ab-al-Qassem Al-Mustafa
Muhammad, and upon his immaculate and infallible household, especially the
one remaining with Allah on earth.
It was a great blessing for me to find the opportunity to make a trip
to Fars province and pay a visit to you dear, sincere, faithful, and
revolutionary residents of Mamasani. I never had this opportunity before,
and I am glad to meet this large enthusiastic gathering of brothers and
sisters living in this town and this region.
Undoubtedly, the first merit of the esteemed people of Mamasani is that
they embraced the Revolution - which originated from an Islamic reality -
with all their hearts. Of course, faith in the household of the Prophet (s.w.a.)
and his descendants is deeply-rooted in this town and region. It has
always been the case here. In the era before the Revolution and during the
reign of the evil Pahlavi regime, the martyr Ayatollah Madani - who was an
early revolutionary martyr - had been exiled to this town. The people
received this faithful and honorable descendant of the Prophet (s.w.a.)
with open arms. That was indicative of their deep, sincere, and pure faith
in the Revolution and in the descendants of the Prophet (s.w.a.), Imamate,
and wilayat.
During the imposed war, the valorous nomads of this region were among
the people who went to the battlefields and sincerely laid down their
lives to defend Islam, the Revolution, the Islamic Republic, and their
dear homeland. This sincere readiness to realize lofty ideals is one of
the greatest honors that a nation can gain.
There is another prominent merit that is peculiar to the esteemed
residents of Mamasani, which is the result of the tribal lifestyle of the
people living in this region. If we take a deep and insightful look at
social phenomena, we will observe many positive points in these phenomena.
The tribal structure is one such phenomenon. Tribes are the manifestation
of family bonds and blood relationships among people. This has been
endorsed by Islam. Relationships among relatives are an admirable deed.
The fact that paying regular visits to relatives has been emphasized in
Islam - these kinds of relationships are among the obligatory religious
duties and ending them is considered as one of the things that have been
declared haraam - is all based on this consideration. These family bonds
among tribe members are one of the positive aspects of nomadic lifestyle.
Of course, I have to tell you that the positive aspect of this family
bond is the valuable factor that I talked about. However, the negative
aspect - that is, the bias that results in confrontations among different
tribes - must be eliminated. This negative aspect is not acceptable in
Islam. Family relationships and tribal bonds are admirable, but we must
not reject the others. Brotherhood in Islam is spread among all believers.
"You are the descendants of Adam, and Adam was made of earth." This
verse was the answer the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) made to those who were
biased in favor of their own tribal bonds and rejected others. That is to
say, tribal bonds are very respectable, and family bonds are considered
important. However, we must not turn them into a means of rejecting those
who are outside a particular family or tribe. I advise you to preserve
family bonds among nomads because these bonds are very valuable. But
different tribes must not reject one another. We are all brothers. "You
are the descendants of Adam, and Adam was made of earth." Therefore, we
must be humble. As you can see, this Islamic teaching is very deep.
My dear brothers and sisters, you emerged victorious out of a great
test. You proved your adherence to and your support for Islam and the
Islamic Revolution. We are proud of nomads living in our country. As I
said before, some countries are deeply concerned about the existence of
different ethnicities in their countries. However, we are happy about the
fact that we have various tribes of nomads in our country. The reason is
that our nomads - regardless of where they live - have always protected
their nationality and religion, and they have always been supportive of
the clergy. Our nomads have always been interested in Islamic principles
and our national traditions.
Thanks to our traditions which have been most common among our nomads,
our nationality - which has, by Allah's grace, been accompanied by
religion and faith in God - has prevailed in different eras. In particular,
the nomads who live in the central part of the country - Fars and Isfahan
provinces - have adhered most to the principles of wilayat, and they have
been supportive of Islamic thought and the lifestyle of the Prophet's
household (a.s.). Therefore, throughout the Pahlavi era, whenever there
were any problems between the clergy and the arrogant and autocratic
government, nomads sided with the clergy and stood up to the bullying
autocratic government. In this province, nomads stood up to the domination
of the English and fought them. They withstood the autocratic rule of evil
kings - during the reign of the Qajar dynasty and through the movement by
the great cleric, the late Ayatollah Sayyid Abdul Hossein Lari. Later on,
nomads displayed their nomadic valor and their deep faith in religion
during the reign of Reza Khan and throughout the cleric movement. You must
preserve these attitudes.
Dear young nomads, today's world is one in which only strong faith that
is based upon firm foundations can lead nations to victory. In the world
in which various autocratic policies call people to profligacy, only those
whose faith is based on firm foundations will be able to overcome all the
waves that are made throughout the world. That is what our youth did when
they overcame the waves made by the arrogant powers threatening the
Islamic Revolution. First, our nation achieved a victory in the Revolution
and then during the Sacred Defense and in various other arenas. Dear youth,
you must preserve this faith. You must strengthen this faith by basing it
on intellectual foundations. Everybody - including city dwellers,
villagers, and their relatives living in towns or villages as well as
those leading a nomadic life - must feel that they have to further
strengthen this deep faith, which is accompanied in this region by
internal sincerity, by reading books and by making use of faithful
intellectual people.
The only thing that concerns me about this region is the issue of the
shortcomings and limitations that exist in different parts of the region.
Unfortunately, this region which has a lot of capabilities is suffering
from deprivation in various areas. This warrants special attention by the
officials to this region. There is of course no doubt that some of these
problems have arisen from negligence in the past, which should be made up
for by the current diligent and hard-working administration. What makes me
happy about this issue, is the current government's trips to different
provinces across the country. Traveling to different provinces across the
country, the attentiveness of the country's top-ranking officials to the
problems of different cities, getting in touch with the people, and facing
the realities in person rather than through reports are what make me happy
in this regard.
One of the objectives which I pursued and stated during my previous
trips to the different provinces across the country was calling the
government officials' attention to the deprived and underprivileged
regions in the country. Today, these objectives have fortunately been
accomplished. One of the objectives of the current diligent administration
is its close investigation of the present conditions of all provinces,
towns, and cities across the country, especially the problems of this
region and province where below-normal rainfall has caused and will
continue to cause problems for farmers, stockmen, and those who are
waiting for rain.
I have been informed through reports that the government has developed
plans and allocated funds to compensate for part of the problems caused by
this drought. I hope the government's plans, which have been formulated
according to the available resources, will be implemented in the best way
possible. And I hope these plans will benefit the people. Let's pray to
God and ask Him to bestow His blessings and mercy upon these faithful
people and these dry lands. I hope God Almighty will bestow His blessings
on us.
Providing the opportunity to boost economic growth was among the points
I emphasized in my address to the Iranian nation and officials at the
beginning of the year. The reason for such emphasis is that our enemies
are constantly focusing on this issue. Dear people, the enemies of the
Islamic Revolution have used all possible means to undermine the Iranian
nation's determination and willpower for many consecutive years - nearly
30 years. They have tried to do so through political plots, coups, the
8-year imposed war, and their poisonous propaganda which is constantly
broadcast against the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic through the
Zionist and arrogant powers' mouthpieces. They have done everything they
could. They have finally come to the conclusion that they might be able to
trap the Iranian nation in an economic plot.
Of course, this is not anything new. Economic sanctions and embargoes
have been imposed on us in different ways since the early days of the
Islamic Revolution. They mounted pressure on us, yet our nation resisted
their pressure. They are still going to continue mounting pressure on us,
but our nation will resist this pressure. Our nation has overcome economic
embargoes during the last 30 years and taken great strides towards
progress on all fronts. Similarly, our nation will resist all plots today,
especially the economic plot, despite the evil goals of the politicians of
the global arrogance network.
The solution to this issue lies in our nation's unity and their efforts
to help the country develop an independent economy. The Islamic Revolution
saved us from political dependence. And a lot of efforts have been made in
the country to reach economic independence, but this requires
determination on the part of all people from different classes so that the
country will be able to reach a level in its economy where threats of
sanctions and embargoes will no longer be important. I am addressing this
point to the whole nation, not just the residents of Mamasani County. All
the people should make a joint effort to accomplish this goal.
Our country enjoys great human and financial resources. We can reach a
level where our country may no longer be intimidated by economic sanctions
and embargos in the world. This could be achieved by making the necessary
investments, by making appropriate plans, and by working in a determined
manner under a specific time-tabled plan. This is a national duty upon us.
Everyone can play a role. We also have a vast land and great resources to
help us in this regard.
Of course, there are limitations as well. I told the people in Shiraz
that we could satisfy our country's needs if we avoid wasting our
resources. One of the problems which we have not yet been able to overcome
in the country is the problem of wastefulness, especially the water
supplies. Our country happens to be among countries which do not enjoy
great water supplies. But we can satisfy our needs with the current water
supplies if we avoid wasting our supplies and if we make proper and wise
plans in this regard. These are the duties of the whole Iranian nation,
and the Islamic Republic government is to utilize the capacities of the
Iranian nation in this regard. I hope the problems will be solved one
after the other.
Of course our nation has suffered problems during the last 30 years.
But one could only gain national grandeur at a price. No country can
assume a strong identity or gain national grandeur and independence
without paying the price. Our nation has paid this price and will continue
to pay the price in the future. I should tell the superpowers and their
agents who close their eyes to the realities and who open their mouths to
bully and intimidate others that the Iranian nation will not be made to
retreat by any threats. Threats can never stop our nation from following
the path we have chosen, that is the path towards perfection, grandeur,
complete independence, and full establishment of the principles of
religion in the country. And I hope following the principles of Islam will
help us overcome all the problems. This is the path which the Iranian
nation has chosen, and we will not retreat from this path. Our enemies
cannot do anything via intimidation.
These days they have started to intimidate us again. The Americans and
the Zionists are intimidating us, and some of the European governments are
unwisely and ignorantly following the US. Has the Iranian nation not
experienced such situations before? Have you not put this great nation to
the test before? We will strongly continue our path and will not let the
arrogant powers of the world trample upon our nation's rights. This is our
duty and our right, and we should exercise this right in accordance with
our responsibilities. We should not let the enemies violate our nation's
rights in different ways through their psychological warfare, and their
different tricks and plots. And by Allah's favor, we will not let them do
so.
You dear people should know that adherence to the principles of Islam
is the only way for this nation and other Muslim nations to overcome their
difficulties. Islam can save us. During the last 30 years of the Islamic
Revolution's life - and now that the Islamic Republic is at the peak of
prosperity - we have been more successful whenever we have adhered more to
the principles of Islam. If we have not succeeded in certain cases, it is
because we have not carried out our Islamic duties properly. If we
properly carry out these duties, we will reach our goals. Thankfully, our
nation is a ready, enthusiastic, brave, vigilant, and conscious nation
that is aware of its rights and will defend its rights.
I pray to Allah the Exalted to bestow success upon our officials in
carrying out their duties towards the Iranian nation, especially those
living in regions which have been underprivileged for years - including
the honorable people this region. I hope God Almighty will bestow success
on the officials and will provide the means for them to carry out their
duties towards you dear people.
Dear God, bestow Your mercy and blessings on these people. O God,
enlighten the faithful and pure hearts of these people with the light of
Your guidance and blessings. Dear God, strengthen the bases of the Islamic
Republic on a daily basis and bestow the ability to carry out our duties
towards these dear people on us. Dear God, make the heart of the Imam of
the Age (may our souls be sacrifices for his sake) pleased with us and put
us among those who will benefit from his prayers.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
03/05/2008
The following is the full text of the Speech delivered on May 3, 2008
by Ayatollah Khamenei the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution to a
group of Basij members in Shiraz, Fars province.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
The company of Basij members is reminiscent of the fragrance of jihad
wherever they gather in the country, especially if they gather in a place
where enthusiastic people have throughout history, rushed onto jihad with
all their hearts and their bravery, and went down in history. The Basij
organization in Shiraz is one of those places.
The issue of history is not a trivial matter. If you look at the
history of this nation, you will realize that this nation has played no
role in the past when such issues as seizing power were at stake. They
never supported any particular groups or played an active role in such
events. It was only during the Islamic Revolution that the people made a
movement at the call of our exceptional leader. It was not the case of a
special group of people or individuals entering the scene. It was an ocean
of people entering the scene. Even during the Sacred Defense Era, it was
not only the Armed Forces who sensed the responsibility. All the people
were involved. They entered the scene wherever there was a willing heart,
or a group of people filled with enthusiasm and genuine faith.
Amidst this great nation and land, what remained was Basij which I
would like to liken to an immaculate tree. The most devoted, enthusiastic,
and motivated people present on the scene were Basij members who never
gave up.
The establishment of Basij was one of the innovations of our
magnanimous Imam (r.a.). Turning Basij, which first meant a combination of
sacred motives, commitment and devotion, into an organization was one of
the major innovations of our magnanimous Imam (r.a.). This was indeed a
great movement by Imam Khomeini (r.a.).
It was Basij - that is to say, a group of enthusiastic volunteers -
that helped establish the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps. Although
Basij is affiliated to the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps, the early
members of Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps were the former Basij members.
Basij members stepped in and helped form this organization. This is an
immaculate tree.
Therefore, our nation did not feel enervated at any point during the
great event that took place within our country - namely, the Sacred
Defense. In spite of the fact that we were incomparable to our enemies in
terms of our military might, weapons, and ordinary military capabilities -
in fact, all we had was not even a fraction of what our enemies possessed
- we never felt inadequate. Despite the hardships during the Sacred
Defense, enthusiastic presence of our youth filled hearts with hope, and
it proved to be very effective indeed.
Most of you were probably not present during the Sacred Defense Era.
You probably did not realize the importance of that era. You were too
young to enter the battle. Firstly, it is upon everyone to familiarize
themselves with the situation of volunteers and faithful youth of that
time. This is not limited to you only. It is upon everyone to know what
miraculous deeds were performed through the active and faithful presence
of Basij members on battlefields. This is a fact everyone should be aware
of.
There are certain books and records in this regard. I suggest that you
read the biography of some of these major generals or their accounts of
what was going on during the war, especially the first years which were
very tough. I advise the youth to read these books and gain knowledge on
what went on during the past and the history of the Islamic Revolution.
Here is where the value of Basij lies. They were the first people to
attract elites, both scientific and academic elites as well as prominent
political figures. They also magnetized prominent social figures as well
as faithful and sincere hearts. It was a scene where students, teenagers,
and even old people whose days of struggle had come to an end were
magnetized. Everyone felt his thirst for spirituality would be satisfied
by joining Basij and entering those difficult scenes. The Sacred Defense
Era and the presence of Basij happened in such a manner.
Therefore, this event will remain alive in the history of this nation -
that is, the establishment of Basij and the role that it played during the
Sacred Defense Era. However, I would like to say that the role of Basij is
not limited to the battlefield, although fighting is undoubtedly one of
the manifestations of the presence of the people and Basij on the scene.
Our best manpower, the purest intentions of our youth, and the most
virtuous youth can join Basij. And this has been the reality. Basij forces
can go wherever Islam and the Islamic Republic feel the need for their
presence. Fortunately, we see that this can be verified by the
accomplishments that young Basij members have achieved in the arena of
science and knowledge. Wherever there is a need for the presence of the
people and active motivated manpower, Basij can be there.
You dear youth who are now in Basij and who are organized by this
resistance force, must have the following conception of the responsibility
of a person towards Islam: you should feel that you can be effective, you
can accelerate this great movement, you can solve some problems, and you
can withstand various types of invasion including political aggression,
propaganda, psychological warfare, and military attacks. The Islamic
Revolution and the Islamic Republic as well as our nation need this
motivated and faithful public presence. That is because our government
relies on God and divine powers, and the most important divine powers are
the faith of the people. Allah told His Messenger (s.w.a.): "Allah is the
One who assisted you thorough His assistance and through believers." That
is to say, the assistance of believers is one of the manifestations of
divine support and power.
The Islamic Republic relies on Allah and not on any power or allies. We
are considered among the most active countries in the world in the
political arena. According to the enemies' estimates - in terms of our
diplomatic system, and the activities of our different administrations
regarding international relations as well as our conventional political
activities - our activities are considered to be successful. We rely on
our internal power, which is the result of being connected to God, relying
on Him, and being focused on divine blessings bestowed on human beings in
order to increase the efficiency of our administration and policies. This
is a duty that currently rests on the shoulders of the Islamic Republic.
Therefore, there is always a need for Basij both when there is a threat -
whether political or economic or military - and when there is not. And
fortunately, people from various backgrounds have responded favorably to
fulfill this need. People living in various parts of this country as well
as people from various backgrounds - city dwellers, villagers, nomads,
students, white-color workers, people in various other sectors, laborers,
and farmers - answered this call to join Basij organizations. Our esteemed
nomads are a case in point, and your province is one of the provinces that
are populated by a large number of nomads. The nomadic members of Basij
living in this province are considered among the most active members in
the country.
In most other countries, the number of different ethnicities is usually
a cause for concern. It is the other way round in our country. As far as I
know, our nomads have always actively and vehemently supported the
religion, religious people as well as religious movements, and scholars of
religious studies. It has been like this in the past, and it is the same
now. During the Pahlavi era the nomads of Fars province stood against the
bullying of the Pahlavi regime. They tried to deploy them against
religious people, but they failed to do so. The nomads supported the
revolutionary activists. They supported the activists spiritually when
they could not do so physically. That is what our nomads are like. The
situation must be the same in other portions of our society, and they must
maintain this state of readiness.
As I have constantly said, the Islamic Republic has definitely made
some enemies for itself by declaring its determination to seek
international justice as its ideal. All those who believe in the efficacy
of hegemony, coercion, and aggression in international relations are
opposed to and enraged by the Islamic Republic's shout for justice.
Similarly, our shout for national independence makes some enemies deploy
their forces against us. Faced with a nation that declares independence
and tries to stop the foreign agents from plundering the country, all
monopolists, all those who seek to dominate the world, and all those who
used to plunder the resources of this country naturally want to deploy
their forces against our nation. It is wrong to assume that the enemies
are hostile to us just because of a particular stance on the part of the
Islamic Republic or a government official. They are opposed to the very
existence of our government and its structure. They are opposed to the
slogans shouted by our government and our Imam.
Unlike the domineering powers, the nations are on our side. They praise
our young Basij members. Their acts and the memory of what they have done
have captured many hearts within and even outside the world of Islam.
These threats will be there forever, and therefore the people and Basij
members will continue to be present on the scene.
Every now and then the domineering powers start propaganda waves
against the Islamic Republic. They keep broadcasting such propaganda. They
shamelessly broadcast propaganda about the nuclear issue at one point and
human rights and other issues at another. But who are the people who
broadcast this propaganda? The name of those who broadcast propaganda
against us is enough to cast doubt on this propaganda. They themselves
have violated human rights more than others. They have organized the
highest number of attacks against nations. They have plundered national
resources more than all others. It is these people who are at the
forefront of this propaganda. But the Iranian nation is watchful and alive.
The youth must always be vigilant. They must broaden their religious
and revolutionary knowledge as much as they can. They must be indomitable
against the enemy.
If you are determined to fully avail yourselves of this identity,
preserve it, and by Allah's favor, pass on this immaculate tree and this
sacred movement to future generations and to those who will join you, you
must strengthen the foundations of your knowledge. I strongly recommend
that the youth avail themselves of lofty religious knowledge. Martyr
Ayatollah Motahhari's works are exemplary in this regard. Slogans and
orientations can be very beneficial, but we must give these slogans and
orientations a sense of depth. The youth must read martyr Ayatollah
Motahhari's books. They must not treat the autobiographies of our wartime
commanders with indifference. They must familiarize themselves with these
martyrs who laid down their lives for Allah's sake. Reading the
autobiographies of commanders must be a first priority, but it must not be
the only concern.
The other day I was reading a book that provided an account of the
operation that a squad of a Basij company carried out during the Sacred
Defense. The presence of a group of people on the battlefield, their
extremely effective activities, their enthusiasm, their faith, the blow
that they dealt to the enemy, and finally the spirituality that they
gained during the battle are all reflected in the speech of our veterans
and in the biographies of those who were martyred. I myself greatly
benefit from these accounts. Whenever I read such works I find them very
useful. You must benefit from these works. You dear youth are the future
hopes of this country, and among our youth those who are most motivated
and most faithful will give the nation most hope - Basij organizations are
definitely one of those who will bring hope for the country. I pray to
Allah the Exalted to bestow increasing dynamism this bright path, this
immaculate tree, and this spiritual identity.
Dear God, enlighten the young hearts of these dear youth with the light
of Your knowledge and the light of reliance on You. O God, make our dear
youth more steadfast in advancing the goals of the Islamic Revolution. O
God, associate our martyrs with Your saints in the hereafter. Dear God,
let us be martyred for Your sake. O God, let our acts, speech, hearts, and
beings be at the service of a divine cause. O God, make the sacred heart
of the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake)
satisfied with us.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
01/05/2008
The following is the full text of the speech delivered on May 1, 2008
by Ayatollah Khamenei the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution to a
group of teachers in Shiraz, Fars province.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Teacher's Day and Teacher's Week have always been very significant for
me and ones in which there are many responsibilities to be fulfilled.
This year I happened to be here in Shiraz with you honorable teachers
to hold my annual meeting with teachers among you dear brothers and
sisters. This is a happy coincidence, and to be honest, I should say that
your province and city has acted as an instructing model on many occasions.
There are few prominent scholars who have not at one point or another,
availed themselves of the knowledge of the scholars and teachers of Shiraz
on Islamic jurisprudence, philosophy, literature, poetry, art, and other
fields and sciences.
Teacher's Day belongs to you, and in a sense, it belongs to the whole
Iranian nation. That is because teachers have an individual identity as
well as a collective teaching identity. The latter belongs to all those
who can learn from the teachers. The value of teachers is due to their
collective identity, and I must confess that we have not worked enough in
this regard. We have practically given in to the cultural atmosphere that
considers teachers to be of no value except in material terms - that is,
teaching ability that could be utilized to make money. This is the
dominant culture in materialistic civilizations. The capacity for earning
money is the criterion to judge the value of anything. In this cultural
milieu, teachers are treated with respect to the extent that they can
directly or indirectly serve as a means to make money. We - namely, the
whole teaching portion of our nation - have given in to this misguided
culture.
That is while, in Islamic thought, education goes far beyond such
issues. Education is concerned with giving birth to a human being. Islam
looks at the issue from this perspective. This is like trying to dig out
water from a land that looks arid. Education is like planting a seed in
fertile soil and irrigating it so that a fresh sapling comes out of the
soil. That is the real issue, and it may or may not make money for you.
Islam looks at teachers and the issue of education from this point of view.
I do not intend to downplay the past and present material demands of our
teachers. There are undoubtedly a number of demands and expectations, most
of which are reasonable. And there are some officials who are responsible
for these affairs. We must tell them to consider these issues.
The honorable Minister of Education, whose speech you just listened to,
is as I realized a very committed, persistent and devoted person. I hope
he will manage to fulfill his duties properly in regard to the teachers.
But the scope of my words goes even beyond this. I am not addressing you
teachers only. I am addressing the whole Iranian nation - those who enter
the educational arena led by you teachers.
The issue is to understand the value of a job, an act, and a character
which in my opinion is not duly appreciated in our time. Of course this
was not the case in the past. Before some aspects of the Western culture
had influenced our country, going back to almost 1,200 years after Islam,
there were more or less opportunities for education in our country based
on the requirements of the time. Those days, teachers were highly
respected. The method of education at the time, which was based on Islamic
principles, was in a way that required students to act very politely
towards their teachers.
We also behaved in the same way. Our students also had the same
attitude towards us when we used to teach. Students thought very highly of
their teachers. Of course, there are traces of such traditions in the
Islamic seminaries, and this is because Islamic seminaries have been under
less influence from the Western culture. Therefore, some aspects of that
tradition are still followed in Islamic seminaries, and teachers are
valued highly by their students. Students stand in awe of their teachers
which is of course not because of their fear. Students sometimes challenge
ideas in class. In Islamic seminaries, students challenge ideas in class
more than they do at universities. They do not even have to ask for the
teacher's permission to do so. They even ask questions or challenge ideas
when the teacher is busy talking. When this is the case, teachers listen
very patiently, yet they might get cross with them at times.
This means that students sometimes adopt a bold attitude towards their
teachers when it comes to scientific issues, but the same learner is very
modest and humble towards his teacher outside the scope of those cases.
They never address or behave towards their teachers in an informal manner.
For almost 1,200 to 1,300 years, this was the dominant culture in our
country. Later on, Western culture penetrated our country. Just look how
many times teachers have been beaten, offended, or humiliated by their
students in class, or just take a look at the number of teachers who have
been killed by their students because of a low mark. Such cases have of
course been very rare in our country due to our great historical
background. These cases are much more severe in other places where western
cultures are dominant.
I want the value judgments about teachers to be based on Islamic
principles. Our society needs to respect teachers. If a student's parents
respect his or her teachers in the true sense of the word, the students
will also have the same feeling towards the teacher both in and outside
the classroom. We are in need of this. That is superior for you to all
other material privileges. Our magnanimous Imam was a sage in the Quranic
sense of the word. A sage is a person who has the insight to see something
that is hidden to the eyes of the others. The words of a sage may seem
simple, but the more you think about them, the more layers of meaning you
discover. The Imam was like that. Just take a look at the Holy Quran and
try to understand the depth of the parts in which the word "wisdom" has
been used: "This is of the wisdom which thy Lord has revealed to thee" [The
holy Quran 17:39]. A superficial look may give you the impression that
they are ordinary pieces of advice. That is what we normally keep telling
each other. However, when you delve into them, you see that their depth
increases as you go on. Take 'respect for one's parents' as one of the
instances of this wisdom. It is not possible to find materialistic
justification for this respect in terms of the benefits that it brings
about. The more one reflects upon this issue, the more one realizes that
the depth of the issue. That is what wisdom means. Being a sage himself,
Imam Khomeini said: "Teaching is a prophetic vocation." This is a great
remark.
Apart from Quranic verses - and the Quranic verse: "Who recites to them
His messages and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and the Wisdom"
which has been repeated several times in the Holy Quran- there is a
tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) that ascribes the act of
educating to the Prophet (s.w.a.). The tradition is: "Allah did not assign
me to be strict with others and with myself. Rather, He assigned me to be
a facilitating teacher." [Speaking in Arabic]. The Prophet (s.w.a.) says
that he makes life easier and facilitates things for his students with his
instruction. The facilitation referred to in this tradition is different
from leniency, and it must not be confused with laxity. By "...strict with
others and with myself" he meant that he would involve neither himself nor
the people in the confusing complexities of life. Rather, he meant he was
to lead people onto the right and straight path. That is what facilitation
means. Sometimes you cannot find the right path when you want to achieve a
particular goal, like climbing breathlessly up and down rough hills
without being certain whether you will achieve your goal or not. That is
what is meant by "...strict with others and with myself". But there are
other times when you are accompanied by an experienced guide who advises
you to take a particular path which he assures will be shorter and
smoother and which is sure to lead you to your final destination. "... a
teacher who facilitates things" refers to this point. This indicates the
high status of teachers, which is the main point I wanted to raise.
I would like to tell both the people and teachers that they must
appreciate the position of being teachers. Of course, I would like to
address this point more to the people than teachers. That is because
teachers are normally aware of their value. Wise teachers who have a great
deal of knowledge and transfer it to other people are totally aware of
what they are doing. This is all analogous to a lock that could be opened
with a key. Teachers give the key to their students and tell them how to
use it. That is what instruction is. This is similar to a mathematical
problem that could be solved in no other way. The teacher provides the
solution. That is what teachers do in all situations. Therefore, teachers
- serving at various levels - know well what they are doing. All the same,
I want to address these remarks mainly to the people. I want instruction
and education in our society to enjoy the same status that Islam has
intended for them. I am not sure of the validity of the tradition "if
someone teaches me something, he has made me his servant". However, the
whole concept is right. That is because after learning something from
somebody, you enter a new phase for which you need to be grateful to the
person who provided you with the guidance, and you need to consider
yourself to be his or her servant. That is the main point.
There is another point that has to do with values. I should tell you -
and I mean to address this to teachers - that from an Islamic point of
view students too ought to be treated with respect just as teachers are.
Students have to be respected. They must not be insulted. This has a very
deep educational aspect to it. There is a tradition in this regard that
says "be humble to those whom you teach and learn from." [Speaking in
Arabic]. "And do not oppress scholars." [Speaking in Arabic]. Oppressors
are of two kinds: political and intellectual. You must not be an
intellectual oppressor. You must not be like the pharaoh who oppressed
scholars. About 40 or 45 years ago, I myself knew one such teacher whose
behavior, teaching, and speaking were like those of a pharaoh, nothing
like the way a father treats his child. A teacher may sometimes be rough,
but this is different from humiliation. Being rough is not the same as
being insulting. Students have to be respected. Definitely each of you has
had many experiences of treating your students with respect which has
proved to be effective and has smoothed the way for his or her education.
Using abusive language, insulting, and beating are not appropriate ways.
"Beating is education" is among the maxims that have been common for many
years but has been shown to be ineffective. And that is what I believe in.
students have to be strictly controlled and shaped, but this has to be
done gently. That is what the art of teaching is. That is about all I
wanted to say about the valuable aspects regarding teachers.
Education is a great issue. Over the past years in my meetings with
teachers and sometimes with members of the High Council of Cultural
Revolution as well as ministers of education, I have raised some points
which are not simply my personal opinions. Without any exceptions, the
points I have raised are all based on expert views. Those who are involved
in education have endorsed these views. I have demanded them to do what I
talked about. Fortunately, I noticed that the minister pointed out in his
report that some of these views are already being practiced or that there
has been some progress in this regard, while they have made some
preliminary measures regarding others. That is fine but not enough. We
need a far-reaching change in the educational system.
Last year in a similar meeting with teachers in Tehran, I put forth the
idea of a comprehensive reform in the education system. What does this
comprehensive reform mean? I have said on numerous occasions that I do not
feel shy when I want to learn from Western or non-Western people or
foreigners. I do not try to avoid learning from them. We do not shy away
from learning an administrative, educational, scientific, or innovative
method from other countries. We do not feel shy. We will pursue this goal
and never back away. We will even learn at their knees. However, in
addition to this act of learning, there are two other points that have to
taken into consideration. Unfortunately, these two points were disregarded
during the era of the imposed cultural revolution - that is to say, the
Pahlavi era which was a period for cultural transformation in our country.
They closed their eyes and opened their arms. They simply accepted
whatever they were given. One of the points is that we must evaluate
whatever is offered to us and see if they are good for us or not. If they
are a hundred percent good for us we must totally accept them. And if they
are a hundred percent useless and detrimental, we must totally reject
them. If the offers are somewhere between these two extreme points, we
must accept the ones that are useful for us and reject the rest of them.
That is all for the first point.
I gave you an example and said that there is a difference between the
person who sees something - such as fruit, food, or medicine - recognizes
it, voluntarily puts it in his mouth, and swallows it and the person whose
hands and feet are held tightly and who is injected with nourishment.
These two are different. It is the former case that is the right one. The
latter is wrong. They must not inject us [with whatever they want]. We
must make our own choices. This is one point that was disregarded. We must
not accept whatever we are offered like inert and unconscious people who
simply receive nourishment through their mouths or through injection.
During the era of cultural transformation, we just waited for others to
put things in our mouths.
The second point is that the false dichotomy of student-teacher must
not be maintained forever. Yes, we are prepared to learn - something that
we do not know - from those who know. But it is not right to remain an
apprentice for ever. We must become masters. They did not pay enough
attention to these two points.
Education is one of the things that we learnt. They had a good
education system, and we learnt from them. We learnt that primary schools
are better than our traditional schools. Classification of schools into
primary and secondary was something good. It was useful, and we did not
reject it. But we did not ask "how much of it?", "what type of it?", and "what
approach?". We did not pay attention to these points and adopted whatever
they offered. First, they said there had to be six grades at each level,
and we learnt from them and adopted their system. Then they changed their
system and said that there had to be three grades, five grades, and so on.
We learned from them and adopted their new system. That would simply not
do. They had their own books with different lessons and prescribed the
same things to us, which we adopted. The structure of our education system
is a total emulation, both in terms of form and in terms of content. That
is not the right way. We must see what we need and determine the
shortcomings of the present method. The present method has some
shortcomings, one of which is its reliance on memorization rather than on
creative thought processes. Our education system is based on rote learning.
Young students have to constantly involve themselves in memorization.
Let me tell you in parentheses that memorization is not something bad.
There is nothing bad about children getting involved in memorizing and
extensive reading. That is something good. That is because the information
gained from memorization is stable. Of course, students may not understand
some of what they read. I used to go to a primary school whose curriculum
was different from the ordinary curriculum enforced by the educational
system. In that school, they used to teach us Saadi's Golestan ("The Rose
Garden"). I still remember some of the poems. I did not understand the
poems when I read them back then. Later on, I gradually learnt the meaning
of the verses. That is something positive. There are some things that you
may not understand, but memorization helps build a point of reference for
mental processes. Memorization is something positive, but rote learning is
not. And it is not right to base our endeavors on memorization. Rather, we
must base them on thinking, even if it involves memorization. That is a
great shortcoming, and it must be remedied.
If we do not remedy these shortcomings, who will? The era of cultural
transformation - which the late Ale Ahmad called westoxication - and the
era of being awestruck by the dazzling features of the Western
civilization are over now. Today, the glowing, heavily made-up face of
their civilization has revealed its true colors to us and to many people
throughout the world. Its ugliness and hollowness have been revealed now.
Today, we know many things which we were not familiar with 50 years ago.
The Iranian nation is familiar with many of these facts today.
Today, we must set this system right. Who should do this? The education
system is the main body in charge of this issue. Of course, I must tell
you that although there is a headquarters in the education system, and it
is necessary for the education system to seriously pursue this issue,
those who are in charge of the education system must remember that the
guiding principle is to let experts use their expertise. You must by no
means deprive yourselves of the expert views of the pundits at the High
Council of Cultural Revolution. You must consult them and present the
Iranian nation and the future generations with a well-thought-out outcome,
one that will remain as an everlasting righteous deed. That is one more
point which I think is very important.
Teacher education is another issue that is of paramount importance. I
believe that academic potentialities have to be utilized in this regard.
Of course, the education system fortunately enjoys good potentialities in
teacher education and teacher training today, and we must make the best of
these potentialities. You must not shut the door on other sources. You
must make the best of all potentialities.
Some people may not have an academic degree, but they may be experts in
a particular field or area of activity. There were a number of such people
in Mashhad who were men of letters without having had any academic
education - some of them did not even have non-academic education - but
they were experts. Other such cases are probably to be found in other
fields as well, and we must not deprive ourselves of their knowledge and
skill.
To put it another way, I would like to tell you that the education
system is responsible for training well-educated and efficient individuals
at all levels. It is a mistake to think that school education is simply a
prerequisite for academic studies. That is not the case. There are some
people who have pinned all their hopes and aspirations on entering
university. You have heard about such cases: the case of a youth who has
not managed to pass the entrance examination and has hurt himself, has
been depressed, or has been stigmatized by his parents. That is not the
way it should be. It is true that university is a route to scientific
growth and a route to making progress in research. That is necessary for
the progress of the country. You are well aware that I am a proponent of
broadening knowledge and that I insist on it. But this does not mean that
we do not need good salespersons, drivers, businessmen, and technicians.
Not all men and women that fulfill different functions in the country are
required to go to university. However, everybody is in need of literacy
and the education offered at primary and secondary levels. Therefore, this
education is not just a preliminary course for the sake of entering
university. Academic education is very good indeed, and it is needed, but
the scope of school education is far wider. You must try to train some
people in schools who have the necessary level of knowledge required by
all those who function in different positions. Some people enjoy the gift
and enthusiasm to enter university, but some others do not have either the
talent or the enthusiasm, and therefore they do not manage to go to
university.
Of course, this has nothing to do with administering justice. We must
try to create equal conditions for all. That is to say, if someone has the
necessary enthusiasm and talent but lacks financial means, we must help
him go to university. That is what justice means. That is to say, we must
provide the opportunity for everybody. Once I met a young man who had not
continued his education. As is my habit, I asked him why he had dropped
out and started working. He had a good job. He did not give a clear answer,
but when I insisted he said: "That runs in my blood." The job was part of
his being. If somebody has a natural tendency towards a particular job
like salesmanship, we must simply let him do whatever he has a gift for.
There is no need to force him to go to university. There was no need then
to insist that the young man should go to university. That is the right
attitude towards this issue.
The issue of educational activities is the next point that I would like
to talk about. Establishing a separate office for moral education was one
of the best innovations after the Revolution, an idea that was put forth
by the late Shahid Bahonar (may Allah bestow His mercy on him and place
him in paradise). They closed it down under some pretexts. Of course, I do
not want to make this issue look suspicious, but it was indicative of lack
of perspicacity. They closed down this special center for education under
the pretext that its function is to be fulfilled collectively by all
teachers and that it was not to be carried out by a separate educational
body. I also believe that it must be fulfilled collectively. I also
believe that as teachers of physics, mathematics, geometry, literature,
civics, or any other subject, you can function as an instructor of
religion and morality and help build up the morality of your students.
Sometimes a mathematics teacher says something when solving a mathematical
problem that makes a lasting effect on the hearts of her students. All
teachers must consider this as their responsibility. I would like to tell
all of you who are present in this meeting and all teachers - regardless
of what they teach - that you must not turn a blind eye to this issue
because moral education is part of your responsibility. And it would be
much better if you could make use of your spiritual influence as a teacher
and create a beam of light in the hearts of your students. As a teacher of
mathematics or literature in the first or second grade in primary school,
sometimes you may say a word about spirituality, about treading the path
of Allah, or about affection towards Him that may properly shape the
personality of your young or adolescent student, something that may be
more effective than 100 hours of different forms of moral lecturing. That
is a separate issue and is certainly a duty.
But it does not deny the fact that we need to have a separate
department in the education system that is assigned to deal with all
concerns related to moral education. That is because I am certain that
education will not go a long way without a moral component. Being devoid
of its moral component, education is sure to lead to the same disastrous
consequences that Western societies are now suffering from after the
passage of over 100-150 years. These are issues the effects of which are
not to be revealed in a matter of 10 or 20 years. You just wake up and are
shocked into the reality that a generation has been helplessly ruined - a
whole generation: that is totally disappointing. I have a great deal of
information and moving figures in this regard, but there is not enough
time to mention them now. Of course, I have talked about these figures [regarding
moral issues in the West] on other occasions - full, honest confessions
indeed. It must not be assumed that this is just a claim, being made from
a long distance away. That is not the case. That is what they themselves
say. That is the warning that they themselves give. This disaster has
already happened in the West. It is like a flood that sweeps all houses
away. That is what happens if knowledge is not accompanied by moral
education. When science progresses in a society but there is no moral
education, generations of humanity are ruined. And this is an additional
problem apart from atomic bombs, political dishonesty, different types of
lies, and profit-seeking trusts and cartels, which are a separate issue
and are a natural byproduct of the generation issue. Therefore, moral
education is of paramount importance, and it must be an organized endeavor
in the form of an office with appropriate, efficient organization. We must
not just go through the motions of moral education.
Literacy is another issue, and we must somehow deal with it in our
country. First, it is sometimes observed that in some parts of the country
school-age children cannot go to school, and this is an extremely
dangerous and inauspicious phenomenon. Primary school education must be
made obligatory for everybody. As a minimum requirement, the certificate
of elementary education must be considered something as necessary as a
national ID card or driver's license, something that everybody must have.
This is a very important point that is often neglected, preparing the
grounds at times in some parts of the country for some individuals to take
advantage of it.
It is really necessary for the education system and the literacy
movement to decide on a certain minimum level of education. For instance,
they should decide what obligatory education must be provided for those
who are under 50, 55, or 60 years of age. They must determine an
educational threshold level - 5 years, for example - for all people across
the country. Those who are older than that must be dealt with more
leniently, but they must not be left to their own devices. All men and
women who are under 50 or 55 must absolutely be literate so that we do not
have illiterate people - in the strict sense of the word - in the country.
That is almost all I intended to tell you. And I believe that our
country's present generation, some of whom were present during the
Revolution and the Sacred Defense era, enjoy inexhaustible capacities.
Some of them were to some extent in contact with the prevalent mood of the
Revolution and the Sacred Defense era, and we are not far away from that
era. This generation can do many things. We can still benefit from the
support of our Imam. His wise divine outlook on the social and national
affairs is still alive among us. Therefore, the Imam is in a sense alive.
We must safeguard our allegiance to the Imam and the Revolution. Those who
broke their allegiance to the Imam, the Revolution, and the Islamic
Republic are certainly doing harm to themselves. "Those who shift their
allegiance do harm to themselves, and those who keep their allegiance to
Allah will receive a great reward from Him." We must safeguard this
allegiance, and relying on this allegiance of the present generation - our
country is fortunately full of young and dynamic people - we can
accomplish great deeds. Nuclear energy is a case in point, and you can see
that the Iranian nation has attracted international attention in this
regard. In spite of the fact that propagandists and politicians are
shouting insults at us, I can assure you that nations admire you. Even
those politicians admire Iran deep in their hearts. Whenever I see the
course of negotiations - whether in IAEA or other political gatherings - I
can see that they are astonished at and praise the Iranian nation for its
perseverance, enthusiasm for knowledge, and insistence on preserving this
scientific and national honor. All the reports that I have received point
to the same fact. That is only one instance.
Twenty years ago, not even one out of a thousand people would have
believed it if we had said that one day the Iranian youth would be able to
manufacture centrifuges, would manage to enrich uranium, and would
generate electricity out of uranium without having received any
instruction from outside and by just relying on their general instruction
and their innovative thought processes and endeavors. Well-educated
specialists would have been the first to reject the claim. They would have
said "it is impossible", "is it really possible to do such a thing?", "what
a naďve idea!" The Iranian nation proved that it can do it. It is the same
in all other fields, but nuclear energy has appeared as a manifestation.
It has attracted global admiration. This nation has the talent and
enthusiasm to do the same thing in all other fields. Our nation also has
the courage to step in and do the same thing in other fields. That is
something obvious, a self-evident reality. You have many other undeniable
rights as well.
That is what I meant by innovation. Our youth, our nation, and our
intellectuals, especially you teachers, must innovatively tread the path
of innovation determined to foster innovation. God will assist you in this
regard.
Dear God, bestow Your grace and assistance on this nation. O God, make
our behavior, intentions, and actions favorable to the Imam of the Age (may
our souls be sacrificed for his sake). O God, increase the dynamism of the
Iranian nation on a daily basis.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
30/04/2008
The following is an excerpt of the Speech delivered on April 30, 2008
by Ayatollah Khamenei the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution to a
group of clerics in Shiraz, Fars province.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all sentient beings, and peace
and greetings be upon our Master and Prophet, Ab-al-Qassem Al-Mustafa
Muhammad, and upon his immaculate and infallible household, especially the
one remaining with Allah on earth.
The two factors which Ayatollah Haeri Shirazi mentioned in regard to
security are indeed true: "Power should be accompanied by faithfulness and
spirituality." Although the primary purpose of faithfulness and
spirituality is self-edification, the importance of faithfulness in the
protection of society is no less than power, which is considered as the
other element of security. People can be ensured of security according to
Mr. Haeri's words - which are indeed true - when these two factors go hand
in hand, that is when spirituality is accompanied by material power which
is influential, which could set the limits, and which could lead the
people in society in an influential way. People can endure hunger, and the
inability to satisfy sensual desires .But lack of security is not
something they can endure.
Living in a society which is affluent and prosperous but not secure is
very bitter. Therefore, security is of paramount importance, and it needs
to be complemented by spirituality and spiritual guidance along with
material power. Today we can say that material power boils down to
political power. This is a reality which should deeply concern us - both
me as well as you dear brothers and sisters. Why should we be concerned?
This is because the Islamic Republic is a model which could have both
factors at the same time. The Islamic Republic means the political power
of the household of Islam and religion. This is the essence of the Islamic
Republic. There existed a time when spirituality and spiritual guidance
dominated our country. There were a lot of prominent intellectuals,
scholars and philosophers in our country. But they were only concerned
with delivering speeches to different groups of people or to a specific
audience in order to have an influence on them. This was what they mainly
did.
Today the Islamic Republic is flourishing. Allah the Exalted has put us
to the test as the standard-bearers of spiritual guidance. This is indeed
a great scene on which we have been put to the test by God. We should be
concerned with what I previously mentioned, and this is because it is upon
us to feel what a great duty we are shouldering. There was a time when
being a cleric or student at an Islamic seminary - studying lessons on
religion - would bring about limited responsibility for us as clerics. But
today studying at an Islamic Seminary and becoming a cleric who is to
raise the flag of guidance and be the standard-bearer of propagating
religion lays upon us a responsibility which is as great as the Islamic
Republic itself. Of course the responsibility has been shared. It is not
limited to a specific person or official. We are all responsible in this
regard. My responsibility may be greater than that of yours, yet we are
all responsible towards this issue.
Such a perspective should draw our attention towards what the Islamic
seminaries and clerics in general should be most vigilant about. And I
should tell you that self-edification tops the list of the
responsibilities which have been placed on us as clerics. And today we
even see some honorable women who have entered this scene.
In the first place, we must focus our attention on ourselves. We must
strengthen ourselves spiritually. Those who are spiritually strong can
shoulder heavy duties, but those who have problems within themselves
cannot do so. Piety and self-edification is our primary duty.
The youth and the young students of Islamic seminaries must appreciate
their youth. Your pure and immaculate hearts can build a personality for
you today that will help keep alive the light of spirituality in your
hearts forever so that no one can ever extinguish this light. This is the
first thing that we must take into account.
We must pay attention to Allah and remember that we will one day have
to go to Him. This is an easy task for the youth. Therefore, you must not
take your youth for granted. Avoiding sins and avoiding deeds that are of
a suspicious nature as well as admonition are some of the manifestations
of this appreciation. Allah has provided us with the means of admonition,
the example of which is praying. The obligatory prayers that we say five
times a day are one of Allah's greatest blessings for us. We would be
engulfed in negligence if it were not for the sake of prayers. These
prayers drag us out of negligence. Saying prayers properly and attentively
is one of the means of self-edification. Reciting the Holy Quran and
reading it regularly are the means of self-edification.
Fortunately, I can see today that recitation of the Holy Quran is an
increasingly common phenomenon everywhere among the students of Islamic
seminaries. The fact that we encourage people to recite the Quran well and
consider it as an honorable act is because good recitation increases the
attraction of the Quran, makes hearts get closer to it, and makes people
remember it. The same thing could be observed among the advice and
recommendations of the late Ayatollah Qazi. He used to advise his students
to recite the Quran whenever they got up in the morning. This was the
advice by such spiritual a man as Hajj Mirza Ali Agha Qazi. He used to
advise people to regularly pray and read Sahife Sajjadiye, which is a
world of understanding.
Certainly theology is one of the things that should top our list. We
must understand religion. Today, your audiences need you. They need to
become aware of religion and theology. These days the great Martyr
Motahhari is increasingly remembered due to his martyrdom anniversary.
Motahhari was an example of those who are familiar with theology and
religious understanding. Keeping in mind that his life did not last long,
if you just take a look at his works, you will see the extent of the grace
that God had bestowed upon him.
I advise the youth to read his books. He has new things to say.
Religious realities, religious knowledge and analyzing religious
understanding and beliefs are needed today as much as they were the day he
talked about them. Students of theology must be familiar with Islamic
jurisprudence as well as intellectual sciences. Intellectual sciences
provide us with the means to access the minds of our addressees. Today,
there are some people who shape the mentality of others through the use of
some shallow philosophies are only similar to philosophy in form. Some of
these philosophies even serve political purposes.
Both now and in the past, there were some so-called philosophers in the
West who served capitalist causes. Of course, they did not make a mention
of economy or capitalism, but what they produced as philosophy is now
being used to promote capitalism. This means that those who consider the
world as the bait for their policies will not stop at anything. And this
is one of the ways in which they try to train the minds of their audience
so that they will have the same mentality as other nations. They use such
things to manipulate the way people think.
It is not possible to fight them through causing uproar,
excommunicating, insulting, and losing temper. It is like a knot that has
to be untied. Stomping on the knot will not help undo it. We must think.
Today, our Islamic seminaries are in need of intellectual sciences. They
have to know logic and philosophy. Of course, Islamic jurisprudence is
undoubtedly the backbone of Islamic seminaries, but logic and philosophy
as well as theology are also necessary.
When our magnanimous Imam Khomeini (r.a.) issued his earnest command
regarding hijab in the years after the victory of the Islamic Revolution,
some of his supporters asked why he had said so. When the subject of
velayat faghih was brought up in the Assembly of Experts, some people
objected, saying that there was no need for bringing up such an issue.
They were wrong. Imam Khomeini (r.a.) was right, and he made the right
move.
The essential criterion is that we must insightfully and wisely be
inspired by Islam, express our inspiration courageously, and move towards
that goal in a foresightful manner. Foresight is necessary, but it has to
be accompanied by identification of our goals. We must not confuse
foresight with losing sight of our goals and frameworks. Some people
imagine that foresight means that one should move away from the main
principles, frameworks, and standards. This is exactly what lack of
foresight means. This is complete conformity with the demands of our
greedy enemies. The goal must be set, and then we must pursue the goal in
a determined and foresightful manner. We must be cautious, and caution is
a manifestation of piety. Piety requires that we be cautious and not fall
into the trap of the enemies or be caught off guard. This is wisdom, which
is the third factor that the clergy and students of Islamic seminaries
must observe today.
We must strengthen piety within ourselves. Through the use of knowledge,
we must help our minds grow. Regarding the obtaining of knowledge, we must
not be satisfied with mere education. We must use our initiative and
generate knowledge. From the very beginning, the students of Islamic
seminaries must learn to listen critically and only keep the result of
their active reasoning in their minds. This is a firmly established
concept in Islamic seminaries.
Today, our Islamic seminaries must train clerics, thereby seeking to
shoulder part of the responsibility. The Islamic Republic is capable of
being expanded. Of course, this does not mean territorial expansion,
rather it means qualitative expansion. We can proceed towards justice,
spirituality, morality, and practicing Islamic laws only if we have
knowledgeable, pious, courageous and wise clerics. Students of Islamic
seminaries must be trained with this goal in mind. And you dear brothers
and sisters must pay attention to the fact that this goal makes the
training job a spiritually valuable task. This is something that goes
beyond individual matters. You must take care not to be diverted from the
path to this great goal by trivial issues. You must take care not to be
separated from one another due to assumptions and fancies. The clergy are
a unified front. We must not let trivial disagreements destroy the unity
of the clergy or let our energy be spent on arguing...
30/04/2008
The Following is the full text of the speech made on April 30, 2008 by
Ayatollah Khamenei the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution to a
large group of the people of Shiraz.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all sentient beings, and peace
and greetings be upon our Master and Prophet, Ab-al-Qassem Al-Mustafa
Muhammad, and upon his immaculate and infallible household, especially
the one remaining with Allah on earth.
I am grateful to Allah the Exalted who gave me the opportunity-
belatedly- to meet you dear people of Shiraz. My dear brothers and
friends in Shiraz and Fars province have been continually complaining
about the delay.
I would like to tell you that I was no less enthusiastic than you were
to meet you dear people and your beautiful, blessed, and honorable city.
This is a city for scholars. It is the city for science, talents, and
wisdom, and a place where historical and international figures were born.
Shiraz and Fars province enjoy a high status among other cities and provinces
across the country.
As is my custom, I usually point out some of the prominent
characteristics - historical and other characteristics - of the places
that I travel to and the people I meet. The reason is that I want the
local people, especially the youth - no matter in which part of this vast
and honorable country they live - to have a clear understanding of their
historical background. However, this explanation appears to be
unnecessary for the city of Shiraz and Fars province. That is because the
luminaries of this city and province are so numerous and your city is so
famous throughout the world that it is not necessary for anybody to say anything
in order to introduce Shiraz and its past. But I would like to mention a
couple of points for a particular reason.
Throughout the past centuries, Shiraz has proven to have vast human
potentialities in almost all scientific areas. Moreover, the city of
Shiraz and Fars province have a prominent and bright record regarding
social and religious issues and whatever is related to the fate of
nations in general - that is to say, national resolve. The more one thinks
about your history, the more one realizes the extent of the wisdom of the
people of this area.
rom a religious point of view - which I am going to emphasize more -
the shrines of Ahmad Ibn Musa and his esteemed brothers and other
descendants of the Prophet's (s.w.a.) household are another important
sign. That fact that the esteemed descendants of prophets addressed the
people of Fars and chose their province as their sanctuary is very significant.
This is especially true about the prominent character of Ahmad Ibn Musa
who is considered to be one of the most prominent descendants of the
Prophet's (s.w.a.) household. He has been described as a generous,
glorious, and modest person and his father - that is, Musa Ibn Ja'far -
considered this honorable man as superior to his other children and
relatives and treated him with special kindness. Shiraz attracted the
attention of this esteemed descendant of the Prophet's (s.w.a.) household
as well as other descendants. They came to this region, and they were
supported by the local people. Until this day, the blessings of this
esteemed man keep benefiting the entire Fars province and an important
portion of this country.
Regarding literature and art, Saadi and Hafiz are like two glittering
pearls on the body of the Persian language and literature. This is not
something that requires further introduction. In other areas of knowledge,
there have been great figures in this province, each being unparalleled
in their own time in philosophy, Islamic jurisprudence, literature, grammar,
art, exegesis, philology, astronomy, physics, and medicine. It would not
be appropriate to mention the names of all the figures who were among the
most prominent people in their time and who managed to reach the peaks of
perfection. Introducing all these figures requires another meeting, and
that is enough for now. There are very important and valuable pages in
history regarding social issues and the tendency of you dear people
towards religious courage and taking action.
The activists among the ulama living in this province who were offered
to the theological history of this country are scarcely found in other
parts of Iran. These activists were supported by the people.
Later on after the Revolution and in the present era - both during and
after the Sacred Defense - you dear people, youth, scholars, and faithful
men and women managed to achieve a prominent position and demonstrate the
identity of the people of Fars province and Shiraz in action without
pretension.
Today, this province is famous in various areas for scientific and
technological endeavors as well as in-depth research and scientific
innovation. There have been some scientists in your city and province who
are considered as prominent international figures in science. This
province is a pioneer in medicine, electronics, industries, petrochemistry,
science, and engineering. Shiraz University has been a pioneer in
establishing various fields of study. The presence of you people and
youth in various arenas has been outstanding. Your armed units - both the
army units and the armed units of the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps
serving in this province - played a leading role during the Sacred Defense
era.
Therefore, throughout history this province and this city have proved
to have a praiseworthy potentiality in religious matters, depth of
religious faith, scientific endeavors, anti-autocracy movements,
defending the great achievements of the Iranian nation, and many other
arenas. This fact has to be considered by government officials, and they
have to know that this place is a great source of human talents. This fact
must also be considered by the people themselves - especially the youth
and young teachers - and they have to know that each and every one of
them can serve as a spring and help quench the thirst of this land and
the whole country.
I would tell you that the faith of the people of Fars province, and
Shiraz in particular, is not just a claim. I am giving you these facts
after carefully studying and considering all aspects of the issue. There
were efforts to confront such faith due to the great historical background
of this city, due to the presence of great scholars and clerics in the
history of the city, and due to the movement that was led by these
scholars and clerics. But the people of Shiraz and the youth of this city
made great contributions during the Islamic and clerical movements of
1961 and 1962. Across the country, cities such as Qom, Tehran, Shiraz,
Tabriz, and Mashhad played an important role during those movements. And
Shiraz was among the most important cities in this regard. It was due to
this fact that some of their scholars were arrested and transferred to
Tehran.
This movement was started by the evil Pahlavi court in the early 30s
(solar Hijri) and continued for more than 20 years up to the victory of
the Islamic Revolution. They tried their utmost to present Shiraz to the
world as having a totally westernized identity. In the latter part of
that decade - probably around the years 39 and 40 (solar Hijri) - I myself
was witness to instances and manifestations of the corruption that was
intentionally spread on Zand street and many other centers those days.
They purposefully tried to encourage the youth to involve themselves in
immoral activities and neglect of the religious duties. This trend
continued up to the fifties when there was the feast in Shiraz and the
things that probably all of you know about. Maybe, some of the youth have
not heard about the feast. This was one of the movements.
Another movement that promoted anti-religion beliefs in this city more
than most other cities was the heresy by the Tudeh party that had its
roots in this region, and they had numerous activities here. When they
realized that the ground was prepared for the influence of the clergy and
religion in this city, especially during the years in which the late
Sayyid Nureddin - the brave, charismatic, active clergyman who was aware
of the requirements of time - had stepped in, probably they even tried to
encourage the Tudeh party to challenge this clergyman.
The organized movement by the Pahlavi court on the one hand and the
widespread movement by the then Marxists - that is the movement started
by the Tudeh Party - on the other hand acted like the two blades of a
pair of scissors against this the people and the youth and their faith.
But these people and these youth were the ones who gave rise to one of
the most prominent events in this city in 1962 and 1963 - during the rise
of the Islamic and clerical movement. I mean Qom, Tehran, Shiraz, Tabriz,
and Mashhad were pioneers across the country, and Shiraz was one of the
pioneers. As a result, a number of prominent ulama of Shiraz were
arrested and taken to Tehran.
Despite all their efforts to put the people off religion, they did not
get the favorable response from the people. Acting and resisting the way
they did, the people nullified their investment. Later on in the last
years of the reign of the evil Pahlavi regime - namely during the years
1977 and 1978 - the people of Shiraz and Fars province were also considered
as a model for many cities across the country.
You should not think of what I said simply as a preface to my speech
here. What I said were not words of welcome, nor did I intend to make any
compliments. I wanted to come to a conclusion. Now I would like to
discuss a point regarding the general issues related to the Revolution,
which is also related to the things that I talked about.
Throughout the history of our country, we find only one model of
seizing power. Let me clarify the issue to some extent. In our country,
seizing power has always been done through military power and what we
called coup d'état. This has always been accompanied by the confrontation
of powers. And people have never been involved in the process. Different
dynasties seized power in this country without the people having a role.
Take the case of your own city - Shiraz. First there was the Zand dynasty,
and later the Qajar dynasty gained power. They seized power from the Zand
dynasty. The war was between two armies who were seeking power - two
military powers in fact. People played no role in this regard. During the
history of our country - before and after Islam and up to the present -
seizing power has always been done in that way. There exists only one exception
which I will later talk about. Besides this exception, seizing power has
always been accompanied by military invasion and without the people being
involved in the process. This was because people lacked the necessary
motivation to get involved.
Both when power was passed on from one dynasty to the next and when
there was some power struggle within a dynasty, people had no role at
all. To give a local example from Shiraz, I would say that during the
Qajar dynasty and for some time after the death of Fath Ali Shah, one of
the sons of Fath Ali Shah called Hossein Ali Mirza ruled this city. Hosssein
Ali Mirza wanted the throne. But Mohammad Shah - who was Fath Ali Shah's grandson
- had been enthroned in Tehran. A war took place. There was a war between
the two parties outside the gates of Shiraz. Of course, the people were
downtrodden in the course of this war. The people suffered losses, and
their farms, possessions, property, and lives were threatened. But they
did not at all get involved in the war. That is a recurrent theme in the
history of this country.
Of course, I have to say that there was one exception - the historical
validity of which is under question and which is mixed up with myths.
This exception is the allegedly popular uprising of Kaveh the Blacksmith
who managed to overthrow Zahhak. If the story is true, it is the only
exception in the history of this land. Of course, there is no mention of Fereydun,
Zahhak, and Kaveh the Blacksmith in the history of this land written by Europeans
from the Pahlavi era onwards. They have recorded the events in another
way, which is a separate issue, and I do not want to discuss it now.
As the greatest revolution in the history of our country, the Islamic
Revolution put an end to all monopolies and turned them into a democratic
rule. This was indeed the greatest change in our history. This was
achieved by the power of the people. There was no confrontation of powers.
People entered the arena, and were led by the clergy as the pioneers of
the movement. It was the people who could, by the great power bestowed on
them by God, seize power from the hands of autocrats and tyrants. They
returned people to power, and established a democratic rule. As far as I
know, this is the only event in the history of this land which happened
in such a manner.
This event deserves consideration from various aspects. I should say
that today, after the passage of almost 30 years, since the beginning of
the Islamic Revolution, we should still have an all-encompassing and
comprehensive outlook on this event. The minor details and the ups and
downs are not very informative. We must highlight and revive the adoption
of a comprehensive perspective - which has of course been done by a great
number of our people and prominent compatriots as well as some foreigners
- in public opinion.
In all events that take place throughout the world, there are a number
of elements that have to be considered together and not separately. The
first element is the primary causes of the event in question. Motives,
goals, historical factors as well as geographical and geopolitical
factors all affect our knowledge of the event. The second element is considering
the role of those who started the event. In our country, the first element
consisted of the people's faith and freedom-seeking campaigns, the
repercussions of which were manifested in various incidents in our
history - such as Mirza-e Shirazi's hukm against the use of tobacco and
the nationalization of the oil industry. The clergy and our magnanimous
Imam (r.a.) made the best of these factors and started the revolutionary
movement. This is the background I was talking about.
The second element was the people, who entered the unparalleled Islamic
Revolution into the annals of history. Unfortunately, we see that some
quasi-intellectual perspectives deny the importance of the role of the
people and their participation. Such perspectives are misguided. When the
people develop a general tendency and when some consider this tendency as
against their interests, they label it as 'populist', a movement started
by the laymen. This is the wrong reaction. It was the will of the public
and their faith-based participation that started the Revolution and led
it to its final victory. Relying on its faith, sentiments, and national
pride, and by taking pride in its historical background and cultural
heritage, the Iranian nation managed to create this great movement.
The goal of the Iranian nation - which was attested to in different
languages whenever I asked this question of people from different
countries - was to gain freedom and independence by relying on Islam. The
slogan "independence, freedom, Islamic Republic" - which was a common
slogan during the Revolution - was shouted by our people from the bottom
of their hearts, and it was exactly what the people wanted. People could
see that the country, great as it was, did not have rulers who could
independently make their own decisions, who were the followers of
outsiders and arrogant powers and who were under their yoke and weak
against the outsiders and dependant on them. But these rulers were tough
and oppressive towards their own people. They treated their own people
cruelly and harshly and did not let them make free choices. Throughout the
Constitutionalist movement up to the Islamic Revolution, the people never
went to the ballot boxes enthusiastically and voluntarily to elect a
particular candidate. Electing was meaningless because the government was
hereditary, the government officials were installed by foreign powers,
and the Majlis that had been formed as a result of the constitutionalist
movement was also installed by others and the MPs were not elected by the
people. The people fell victim to the decisions that were made by this
irresponsible system. The people decided to gain independence, freedom,
national grandeur, and material prosperity and well-being in this world
as well as spiritual honor in the hereafter. That was the ambition the
people cherished, and they stepped in to realize it. That was the second
factor.
The third element is the factors that act against the event or the
movement, which bring about some consequences. This was true of our
Revolution as well. In the beginning there was a hindrance. It means that
the Iranian nation had to gain freedom and independence by exerting
efforts and also that it had to bear the consequences and pay the price. Anybody
who wants to achieve something without making any efforts or paying the
price for it will never be successful. No one will ever realize his or
her ambitions by avoiding risks or by sitting around and waiting idly for
the right opportunity to arise. This is true of nations as well. Only
nations that courageously steps into the arena and pays the price will
achieve grandeur.
The eight-year imposed war was the price that the Iranian nation paid.
That was the price for seeking independence, freedom, and grandeur. The
Iranian nation paid this price without turning a hair. Our nation endured
8 years of war because it knew that it was the price for gaining national
independence, power, and glory. The victims of the indiscriminate
assassinations of the 60s [solar Hijri] were another price that our nation
paid. Economic sanctions which have been imposed on us since the
beginning of the Revolution are yet another price that our nation has
been paying. Right now as I speak to you, the arrogant powers have been
threatening us for two years with sanctions and economic blockades. They
pretend as if they have never imposed an economic blockade on us before.
The capitalist and colonialist camp is using all its economic power
and media networks to exert pressure on our nation in the hope that it
will force the Iranian nation to retreat and to surrender. Not only do
they want us to give up our nuclear rights - the nuclear energy is one of
the rights of the Iranian nation - but also they want our nation to give
up its right to grandeur, independence, free decisions, and scientific
progress. The Iranian nation is now on the right path towards scientific
and technological progress and is determined to make up for two centuries
of backwardness under evil despotic governments. Our enemies are alarmed
and do not want our nation - which is located in a strategic part of the
world - to achieve these accomplishments.
They do not want the Iranian nation to be known as the standard-bearer
of Islam. That is the reason why they exert pressure on us, but the
Iranian nation is standing firm. They threaten us with economic sanctions.
They have imposed various types of sanctions, but the Iranian nation has
not suffered any losses. We used sanctions to make further progress. Once
we were in need of weapons, but they refused to sell even the most
primitive weapons to us. We took advantage of these sanctions, and the
same people who imposed sanctions on us are now seriously worried that
the Iranian nation is turning into a regional power. All this progress
was caused by their sanctions. Those sanctions did not harm us. We
managed to turn these sanctions into opportunities. The situation is the
same today. We are not afraid of the sanctions imposed by the West. By
Allah's favor, the Iranian nation will make very serious efforts in the
face of all sanctions and economic blockades and will increase its
progress by several times.
Such a comprehensive perspective on the Revolution - that is to say,
taking into account all motives and major causes of the Revolution and
the formation of the Islamic Republic as well as the pivotal role of the
people and their religious faith as the main cause of the Revolution and
considering the costs - causes us to disregard trivial issues no matter where
we are or what position we have. This perspective causes us to focus on
the greatness of the Revolution and its general development, which has
thankfully been continuing with full strength during the past 30 years.
Although they have been making more and more plots against us, the
Iranian nation has made increasing progress on a daily basis.
The enemies of the nation are constantly waiting for the opportunity to
make the best of every small or big issue in order to undermine the
determination of our nation. They even take advantage of natural
disasters such as earthquakes and droughts or such issues as inflation
that are rampant in the whole world. If you take a look at the
commentaries broadcast by foreign radios, you will realize that economic
issues form one of the pivots on which our enemies' propaganda revolves.
They are doing these things in the vain hope that they will manage to
undermine the determination of the Iranian nation.
The Iranian people are now familiar with their officials. It is a
mistake to pretend that the current economic conditions and inflation are
the result of laxity on the part of our officials in various sectors. The
government officials are fully aware of what is happening in society.
Today, the West has more economic problems than other regions in the world.
According to their own reports, the US economic crisis - which started in
the US and which is gradually spreading to Europe and other countries -
has been unprecedented in the last 60 years.
The United Nations declared that a food crisis has engulfed the entire
world. By Allah's grace, the Iranian nation suffers from fewer problems
than do most of these conceited countries, and it must solve the existing
problems through the efforts made by the people and the government
officials. This requires efforts on the part of all those who live in this
country.
Government officials, including those serving in the executive,
legislative, and judiciary branches, all have responsibilities to fulfill.
The people also have some responsibilities to fulfill. What I told you
about the human capacities of your city and your province means that
these human capacities must be useful for the future of this country and
the Revolution and that the people must feel responsible towards
utilizing these capacities. Wherever we live, we must feel responsible
towards the destiny of the country and its future, and we must realize
that we can play an effective role in this regard. University students,
academics, teachers, students, farmers, those who are active in industries,
and those who invest in different industrial and agricultural sectors
must all feel responsible. Through a sense of responsibility on the part
of all our people and through guidelines provided by our government
departments - government departments, the Islamic Consultative Assembly,
and the judiciary branch - the Iranian nation will be able to overcome
all the problems and obstacles that its enemies throughout the world want
to create for it, and we will be able to form the exemplary community
that Islam indented to create for Muslims.
I designated this year as the year of innovation. This innovation is
not peculiar to a particular arena. In laboratories, research centers,
classrooms, Islamic seminaries, universities, industrial workshops,
clerical environments, agricultural regions, and other places, the
innovations of creative people can help push any task a step forward and
help the country go though an important phase.
I also warned the people and the government officials about the
economic issues both in the beginning of this year and the beginning of
last year. As I said then, the enemies have focused their attention on
sensitive economic issues in order to create problems for the economy of
this country. They intend to create as many problems as they can or at
least use their propaganda means and pretend that there are problems when
they cannot create problems. This is a policy that is vehemently pursued
in various forms by our enemies in their propaganda today. Financial
discipline, frugality, and avoidance of extravagance are the ways in
which we can confront these problems. I would like to stress that our
nation must know that extravagance is one of the most dangerous maladies
that can afflict a nation. We are to some extent suffering from this
extravagance. Let me refer to one of the instances which is related to
water shortage - which has affected your province and several other
provinces, and I hope that Allah the Exalted will send down His blessings
in the form of rain for you. Being uneconomical with water is one of the
instances of extravagance. This extravagance is not just limited to
drinking water. We are also uneconomical with the water that is used for
irrigation. It is the duty of the officials in charge of supplying water
to pay special attention to this issue. Therefore, we must treat the
issue of extravagance - regarding both water and other things - as
important.
Fortunately, the Iranian nation paid a heavy price - and it did so
willingly and bravely - and managed to pass through various phases, tread
difficult paths, and achieve the position it has now. But there is still
a long way to go. With its strong determination, with the efforts of its
youth, and with the talents that are embodied in our manpower, our nation
will, by Allah's favor, find practical solutions and manage to tread this
path with prefect grandeur. In different meetings, I will talk about
different aspects of these issues and discuss various points in this
regard during my stay in this province.
I would like to express my gratitude to you dear, talented, kind,
faithful, hospitable, and good-humored people. Thankfully, most of the
good qualities of the Iranian people are to be found in you dear people
of Shiraz and Fars province. I thank Allah the Exalted who has bestowed
dynamism on you. I hope this dynamism will increase day by day. I pray to
Allah the Exalted to bestow success on you.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
25/04/2008
The following is the full text of an interview with the Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei conducted on April 25, 2008.
Interviewer: As usual, you are among the first to cast your ballot. The
Iranian nation is ready to hear your advice and recommendations regarding
the importance of this round of the election and the people's role in it.
Supreme Leader: In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
The importance of this round of the election is the same as the
previous round. In terms of its importance, the second round of the
election is no different from the first round. The same sentiments and the
same sense of responsibility that caused us to go to polling stations are
calling on us now to go to the ballot boxes and cast our votes. There is
an old Persian adage in this regard that is well known: "'Who did the
job?' 'The one who finished it.'"
By Allah's Favor, our esteemed nation will go to polling stations in
constituencies where the election has gone into the second round so that a
good number of ballots are collected and, by Allah's grace, a good
parliament is formed.
Interviewer: Thank you very much indeed.
Supreme Leader: Thank you.
May Allah accept these efforts from all of you and bestow success on
you. I hope that you will find many more opportunities to do this
responsibility.[1]
***
[1] In response to a prayer by one of the officials in charge of the
polling station in which the Supreme Leader voted.
23/04/2008
The following is the full text of the speech made on April 23, 2008 by
Ayatollah Khamenei the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution. The
speech was delivered to a group of Iranian model workers.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Dear brothers and sisters, model workers, representatives of working
classes, and government officials in charge of labor, welcome. Undoubtedly,
the meetings that comprise of men and women who make efforts and chant
labor as their slogan are the most favorite meetings before Allah the
Exalted. Work and labor have a high status in our Quranic and Islamic
literature. Of course, labor is not limited to working in factories, on
farms or other such sectors. However, the scope of righteous deeds, which
have been stressed so much in the Holy Quran, includes this aspect of
labor as well. That is to say, it is a righteous deed when you do
something which is accompanied by conscientiousness, sense of
responsibility, diligence, and innovation and which is in line with
financially supporting a family. "Except for believers and those who do
righteous deeds" [Quranic verse]. The scope of righteous deeds also
includes these aspects. What else could one desire? What else is better
than being busy doing something out of which one makes a living? At the
same time, what they do constitutes a righteous deed, which has been
placed next to faith in Quranic verses: "Believers and those who do
righteous deeds." That is what we mean when we talk about the value of
labor.
It is not idle talk or a ceremonial act when the officials of an
Islamic community express their appreciation and praise for labor and
laborers. It is a fact that there are some people in the world who may pay
lip service to laborers. But there is a difference between a person who
shouts a slogan in order to drum up the support of a social class and the
person who genuinely considers labor - that is, labor as a righteous deed
- to be of divine and spiritual value. The Islamic thought supports the
ideology of the latter person. This means that, according to Islamic
thought, laborers are involved in an act of worship. Laborers' work
constitutes an act of worship.
In addition to this divine, Islamic and spiritual value, there is
another critical secret behind the value of laborers in society: The
autonomy of a country is dependant upon labor. No nation will ever get
anywhere by indulging itself in laziness and in disregard for labor.
Relying on a divine or non-divine resource - such as oil or other such
resources - a nation may earn a living and lead a superficially good life
by making excessive use of foreign products. But such a nation will never
achieve independence. An independent nation will not attain grandeur
except through working. That is what makes labor so valuable. This is the
way we look on workers. Considering things from this perspective, we think
of kissing the hands of workers as an act rewarded by God. The person who
kisses the hand of a laborer has done something appropriate. This is
because he or she has expressed his or her appreciation for one of the
means of achieving independence for the nation and the country. That
points to the extent of the value of labor.
The working classes of our country enjoy one more merit that does not
exist in most other counties - maybe this merit is present in some other
countries as well which I may be unaware of, but I have seen it in our
country with my own eyes. The merit is that our working classes, in the
great test of the Revolution and during the Sacred Defense Era, showed
that they were brimful of the national and religious sense of
responsibility. They showed that other portions of society were not ahead
of them - and that they were most probably even ahead of the others in
this regard. At least they were in the vanguard. Laborers assumed an
influential role during the Revolution. Particularly during the Sacred
Defense Era, laborers from all over the country supported the Iranian
nation during this great test. They proved their sincerity by offering
their lives, bodies, and jobs to the Sacred Defense. This is the merit
that our working classes enjoy.
These are realities. Idle talk is done by those who do not believe in
these realities. The Iranian nation must appreciate its working classes.
In the realm of our religious and social concepts, we must hold the word 'laborer'
sacred. The laborer is sacred. The laborer is one who works so that his
country and his nation achieve the grandeur of independence. This must
turn into a firm belief for us all. We must all know how important
laborers are. The word laborer applies to all those work for the country's
progress, the improvement of working conditions, and an increase in the
production capacity of the country. These are one of the things that have
to be taken into account regarding laborers and the respect they deserve.
There is something else that has to be taken into account. As the
honorable Minister of Labor and Social Affairs said, government officials
have some responsibilities towards the laborers. There are various
responsibilities in this regard. Fortunately, one could see and feel that
the Administration is hard-working. The fundamental elements of the
present Administration are, in the true sense of the word, working like
laborers. They are active, and they work tirelessly. They are doing
important and valuable work. Detecting the problems of the working classes
of the country and trying to solve them is one of these responsibilities.
Unemployment is definitely one of these problems. Improving employment,
encouraging the entrepreneurs, and establishing labor agencies are the
necessary things that have to be done. This shows that, in the ideology of
the Islamic Republic, there is an entailment relationship among these
elements.
This is not the case in the mentality of materialistic governments.
Their mentality holds that in capitalist countries the laborer is just a
tool in the hands of his or her employer. According to the mentality of
those extinct schools of thought, which claim to support laborers, there
is a war between laborers and their employers. They wanted to make a
living out of this war while calling themselves the supporters of laborers.
The same capitalism, extravagance, and various types of financial
corruption, which existed in the name of supporting the working classes,
also plagued the so-called socialist government of the U.S.S.R. Their
school of thought was the school of contradictions and inconsistencies.
Islam and the Islamic Republic do not believe in either of these two
schools. We believe that these two factors - that is entrepreneurship and
the establishment of employment and entrepreneurship agencies - form one
arm, while the existence of a workforce forms the other arm. These two
arms must both be there, and they must cooperate with one another. The
government's duty is to strike a fair balance between the two in order to
facilitate their cooperation and to prevent injustice. The government must
be there to ensure that neither of the two transgresses on the rights of
the other or avoids doing its reciprocal obligations.
Fortunately, we are not suffering from a lack of efforts and endeavors
today. All those working in the production sectors have made efforts and
have progressed. But there is still a long way to go. There is a lot of
room for progress. We must work hard. We need both conscientiousness on
the part of the production sectors - that is, laborers and those who work
- and attention and carefulness on the part of government officials so
that this movement remains an appropriate and unbiased process. As I said
in the beginning of my speech, appreciation of labor and reverence for
laborers must be the top of the agenda, and everybody must know that
laborers are to be respected. Using their hands, minds, and spiritual and
physical energy, laborers lead the country towards independence.
Dear brothers and sisters, independence is the main issue facing our
country today. The Revolution brought autonomy to us. It gave our nation
the courage to stand up to the unjust system of global domination. However,
if this nation is to retain its autonomy and its cultural influence in the
face the global domineering powers, it must strengthen its economic
foundations. This will cause our independence to set its roots in the
country, which is itself dependant upon production, labor, flourishment of
labor, and innovation in various labor sectors. This innovation must be
everywhere, from research centers and laboratories to workshops and farms.
If we do these things, then all our bloodthirsty enemies who want to take
away our national independence will shut their mouths in despair and will
retreat into a corner.
As it was mentioned, the problems of the working classes - their
insurance, their housing, their relationship with employers, and the
reciprocal rights and obligations of workers and employers - must
constantly be followed, and the importance of conscientiousness and sense
of responsibility must be underlined. There are good prospects in this
regard, and these are all aimed at a certain goal. This nation is a
hard-working nation.
Our nation has proven that hard work for Allah's sake will not exhaust
it, and this is the factor that makes the enemies disappointed. Today the
hopes of our enemies - that is, the arrogant Americans and the evil and
dangerous global Zionist network - and their greed to conquer the Iranian
nation are far less than they were 20 years ago. That is because they can
observe the dynamism with which the Iranian nation is moving ahead. Of
course, they have their propaganda machines. In spite of the crimes that
they are currently committing in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Palestine, and in
spite of America's crimes and disgraceful practices - such as torture and
similar acts - they claim to support human rights and democracy with
utmost impudence. They level fanciful allegations against the Islamic
Republic. This is propaganda. When they fail to defeat us in practice,
they use their tongues and broadcast propaganda against us. These are all
because of the Iranian nation's progress. You must make more progress.
This nation must keep moving ahead. By the favor of Allah the Exalted, the
enemies will shut their mouths. Allah the Exalted has promised to grant
success on the nation that is determined to achieve its ideals.
I would like to tell you a couple of things about the election that is
going to be held two or three days later. This election is very important.
In the first round of the election, the Iranian nation did an undeniably
magnificent job. They broadcast negative propaganda against our nation,
and they caused uproar throughout the world in the hope that they would
somehow manage to make the election dull and prevent the Iranian nation
from going to ballot boxes. However, their efforts backfired, and the
Iranian nation took part in the election with more motivation and more
enthusiasm. The presence of the public at polling stations will have a
great contribution to increasing the international reputation of the brave
Iranian nation.
But the task is unfinished. I wish the elections never went into second
rounds so that neither the costs nor the troubles of the public were
doubled. However, the competition was tight. As a result, the election
went into the second round. A number of the representatives have not been
elected yet. The parliament is not complete.
In my opinion, there are two critical points that the Iranian people
must take into account. The first point is their mere presence in the
arena. The Iranian nation must act in a way that its inexhaustible
motivation is revealed to the enemies. This is what makes the enemies
disappointed. If the enemies think their uproar and propaganda may
undermine the nation's motivation, their hopes will be boosted, and they
will step up their aggression. The enemies must be made to feel that the
nation's motivation is inexhaustible, and this must be demonstrated in the
second round of the election. This will be actualized by Allah's favor,
grace and might and through the influence that He exerts on the people's
hearts. The Iranian nation will emerge victorious out of this challenge as
well.
The second point is the election of qualified representatives, or
rather "most qualified representatives". People must vote for those who
are sympathetic towards the public and those who are ready to join forces
with other officials in the Administration, in the Judiciary Branch and in
various government departments to do a great job in a unified effort. The
country will not progress unless we are unified. It will not progress if
there are splits and quarrels among us. As you saw, when there is a slight
problem among our government officials, foreign radios cheer up and start
interpreting the problem and causing uproar, while the problem itself is
not important. Suppose that there is a difference of opinion or
interpretation between two government officials or between two groups of
government officials, which is not important for the normal course of
events. But the enemies want to take advantage of these small
disagreements as well. They cheer up and start causing uproar. They talk
and write about it, and foreign radios start churning out various
interpretations on it. Those who are well-informed hear and see how they
cheer up when they find out that there has been a slight problem among our
officials. All these things point to the importance of the role of
solidarity and unanimity in the country.
This country will progress if the officials are unified, if the nation
and the officials are unanimous, and if the nation is unified. During the
last ten years of his blessed life when our magnanimous Imam was in charge
of the Islamic Republic, all his efforts were aimed at this goal - that is,
unity and unanimity among the people. We are pursuing the same goal today.
We and the Iranian nation must try to create unanimity among our officials.
We must try to prevent splits, confrontations and needless fault-finding.
Everybody must move on the same path. Thankfully, the Iranian nation is
a unified and vigilant nation. The Iranian nation is truly vigilant. I
have observed cases in which for the sake of unity our people have
refrained from expressing their genuine feelings, thereby rendering the
enemies' provocations ineffective.
I have heard that our working classes were constantly provoked in some
eras with the aim of distressing the society. But the working classes were
vigilant and knew what was happening. They did not give in. The enemies
could not provoke them. This bears testimony to the Iranian nation's
vigilance, which is one of Allah's greatest blessings.
I hope that you and the entire Iranian nation will enjoy the prayers of
the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake) and his
attention. I hope that Allah the Exalted will increase the grandeur of the
Iranian nation and this country's independence on a daily basis. I hope
that Allah the Exalted will bestow increased blessings on the working
classes and all those who work for this country.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings.