Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with Members of the Commemoration Headquarters of 9 Dey

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

First, we thank our dear brothers, His Excellency Mr. Jannati and the active brothers in the coordinating council; as they mentioned, thanks be to God, over the years, wherever they felt a duty to manage these public movements, they entered the arena. Of course, we all know that hearts are in the hands of God. It is the Almighty God who brings people to the streets, and this immense popular presence, and the body of society that well reflects their fervent spirit - in various ceremonies: like the 22nd of Bahman, like Quds Day, and recently in these two years, like the 9th of Dey - is due to the Almighty God; it is His power that guides hearts. Not only in the case of the massive presence like that of the 9th of Dey and similar events, but if even a thousand people want to gather in one place, management is necessary; this management has been well executed by the Supreme Council of Advertising. We also testify to this and thank the friends who are involved in these matters.

In the case of the 9th of Dey in 2009, there is a fundamental point, and that point relates to the identity of the revolution and the essence of the revolution. That is, the same spirit that prevailed at the core of our revolution and that unprecedented historical massive presence in 1979 was demonstrated on the 9th of Dey; just as it has been shown in various other events, but it was particularly evident on the 9th of Dey; to the extent that there was no room for denial, doubt, or contemplation for anyone, whether adversaries, friends, or others. What was that spirit? It was the spirit of faith that dominated the hearts of the people. Thus, here we have two elements side by side: one element is the people; that is, in any country, in any society, if the people strive, show insight, act, and enter the arena, they can solve all problems. That is, the greatest mountains disappear in the face of the people's presence; they can move great mountains. This is a clear truth that many social analysts in Islamic countries and other countries have not grasped correctly; we have felt this. The great art of our Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) was precisely this.

Once, fifteen or twenty years ago, I told one of the activists in the anti-colonial struggle - who is well-known; I do not want to name him - this; he immediately acted on this advice. We felt this. I said the great art of our Imam was that he brought the people into the scene. The people came with their bodies, with their presence, and established what they wanted, what they had strived for, with their own presence. All political and non-political obstacles, colonialism, and the great powers of the world that dominate the affairs of nations are compelled to retreat in the face of this event. It is the same today. Even now, in any part of the world, if nations enter the arena with a specific goal, with specific slogans, and if that firm faith is in their hearts along with righteous action, no obstacle can withstand them. This is a prescription; this prescription was implemented by our Imam in our revolution. The Almighty God assisted Imam and placed this influence and effect in his words that impacted the hearts of the people; the people became believers in that path and that goal and, following this faith, acted accordingly. Righteous action means action that corresponds to faith. It is the same everywhere. Therefore, here an action was taken that was unbelievable for all global political analysts, and they were bewildered; both the powerful and the margins, the followers, and the extensions. Thus, the first element is the presence of the people.

The second element is the element of the people's religious faith. Religious faith is the miracle worker that can, firstly, mobilize all the people and bring them forth, secondly, keep them in the scene, and thirdly, ease the hardships for them; no other faith has this characteristic. Religious faith says that if you prevail and advance, you are victorious; if you are martyred, you are victorious; if you are imprisoned, you are victorious; because you acted according to your duty. When someone has such a belief and faith, defeat has no meaning for them; thus, they enter the arena. This is the same factor that had an effect in the early Islam, and it also had an effect in our revolution; the 9th of Dey demonstrated this. The 9th of Dey was a sample of the same characteristic that existed in the revolution itself; that is, the people felt a religious duty and, following this duty, performed their righteous action. The righteous action was to come to the streets, show themselves, and say that this is the Iranian people. With this movement of the people, the immense propaganda of the enemy that sought to introduce the rioters as the Iranian people and show that the Iranian people had turned away from their revolution and their system was completely thwarted; that is, the people showed that this is the Iranian people. When foreign analysts looked at this, they said that since the passing of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified), or perhaps some said since the early movements of the revolution, there has been no gathering of this magnitude, with this pulse, with this enthusiasm and excitement, where the people entered the arena. This is the truth of the 9th of Dey.

This movement was a great movement and accomplished a great task. Mr. Jannati rightly pointed out. The sedition of 2009 was not merely what was seen in the streets by a number of people; it was a deeply rooted issue, a profound illness had been created, it had objectives, and many grounds and preparations had been laid for it, significant works had been done, and very dangerous goals were pursued through this work, which could not be resolved with various political and security responses; it required a massive popular movement; which this movement was the 9th of Dey; they came and dismantled the sedition and the seditionists. Therefore, the event of the 9th of Dey is a lasting event in our history. I said that year - it was last year or the year before - that this event is not a small event. This event is similar to the events of the early revolution. This event must be preserved, it must be commemorated.

Of course, you gentlemen who are responsible for managing this movement, strive not to let the slogan aspects dominate this event. I repeat: the work of the coordinating council of advertising is management; otherwise, the people do the work, and hearts are in the hands of God. It is the Almighty God who brings the people into the scene; that is, it is the same divine faith, divine success, and divine support that brings the people into the scene. However, management is necessary; you manage, and your management is commendable. Therefore, strive to ensure that the slogan aspect does not dominate. Of course, slogans are necessary. Slogans are a must; enthusiasm, excitement, and epic are necessary; but the depth of the slogans must be explained; that is, the works that have been pointed out must be clarified: what was the message of the Iranian people that day, what is it today? What is the movement of the Iranian people and the direction of this movement? We move in the shadow of religion. It is with the help of the Almighty God and the owner of the religion that we move. Our goal is to realize the divine ideals and that which the religion has promised the people and brought as a gift for them.

Additionally, be aware; one of the other characteristics that exists in the event of the 9th of Dey, which again closely connects it to the events of the revolution, is the issue of Ashura. That is, in the early events of the revolution, Muharram also occurred, and the Imam expressed that great, astonishing historical point: "The month in which blood triumphs over the sword." This is not a small statement: the victory of blood over the sword. We have become accustomed to repeating these statements; sometimes we forget their depth. Blood triumphs over the sword, the oppressed prevails over the oppressor, the slain prevails over the slayer; this is what happened in Ashura. The Imam raised this in Muharram of 1979, and in the case of the 9th of Dey, the presence of Imam Hussein was also there, the presence of Ashura was there. If those despicable and truly lamentable movements by those also despicable groups had not occurred during Ashura, this massive movement and this public mobilization of the people might not have emerged in this form. Here too, the presence of Ashura was significant.

We hope, God willing, that the Almighty God assists you. We hope, God willing, that the Almighty God never diminishes the shadow of Imam Hussein, the shadow of Ashura, the shadow of religious faith from us, and may God grant you success.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.