Statements in Meeting with Members of the Assembly of Experts for Leadership

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

I am grateful to God for granting me once again the opportunity to be in the presence of this esteemed assembly of respected scholars and trusted experts of the people, in a session filled with sincerity and purity, to speak and listen, and God willing, to benefit. I am also thankful to God for the favorable opinion expressed by His Excellency Mr. Meshkini (may God prolong his blessings) towards this humble servant; this is divine grace and a completion of God's proof upon us; 'And how many a beautiful praise I am not worthy of, You have spread.' (1) God willing, we can act in a manner worthy of this favorable opinion, recognize our duties, be guided towards great responsibilities, and achieve success in fulfilling them; and certainly, in this path, we are in dire need of your prayers.

The formation of the Assembly of Experts is one of the manifestations of the Islamic movement and the Islamic foundation of our society and system, and we take pride in it. The establishment of a society based on divine teachings and values, and the emergence of a government and political power, is itself one of the miracles of Islam that occurred in this era, and our courageous nation, following the great and esteemed Imam, was able to realize this reality, and it became clear that, thanks be to God, this is the beginning of a great global movement; as it is observed that from the beginning of the revolution until today, in all regions where Muslims live, Islamic sentiments and faith and the desire for Islamic life have been increasing day by day. You observe the events of the world; Islamic countries are witnessing popular movements in the name of Islam and with Islamic inclinations; and this is undoubtedly one of the blessings of establishing an Islamic government in this part of the world. Within the country, too, God Almighty has granted this nation and its chosen ones the success to move in a way that leads towards Islamic life and the pure life.

We do not claim that what we have today is a complete Islamic life; but we claim that we are moving towards an Islamic life. From the beginning of the revolution until today, whatever efforts have been made, undoubtedly the main lines of these efforts are Islamic and Quranic, and our society, thanks be to God, has been advancing towards an Islamic society day by day, and this movement has never stopped, and we hope it will never stop.

Of course, when we say Islamic life, our belief is, and the reality of Islamic teachings also shows, that Islamic values fulfill all the needs of human life; that is, the creation of justice, the creation of material and spiritual growth, the creation of an environment where people feel comfort, freedom, and independence - in the complete sense of the word - and do not feel the domination of foreigners; today, thanks be to God, this spirit exists in our society. Of course, we have predicted our movement on a correct basis; that is, this country and this nation and the Imam (may God's mercy be upon him) and you gentlemen and the rest of the eminent scholars and all the classes of people who served the revolution, started and continued the movement on a correct basis.

It is possible that at every stage the enemy wants to turn every one of our successes into a negative point and portray every point of strength as a point of weakness; we expect nothing else from the enemy. From the day the Islamic movements started in the world, the colonial propaganda movement against the Islamic Republic and the Islamic system also started; that is, just as the attraction of our nation's movement brought other nations to move, the effort of global arrogance is to create a counter-attraction. Wherever people are motivated by Islamic movement and with Islamic motivation, this propaganda is more intense and comprehensive. As I said, we do not expect the enemy not to propagate against us. We do not expect the enemy to acknowledge the existence of a truly popular system; if the enemy does not acknowledge this, it is not against our expectations. We do not expect the enemy not to claim the existence of repression and lack of freedom in this country; they must say it; there is no other expectation. We see that when the enemy reaches the Islamic movement, how blatantly and openly it intensifies its injustice and concealment of truth, and it is not ashamed!

In our country, thanks be to God, from the first day of the revolution's victory until now, the presence of the people in the creation and advancement of this system, and in the preparation, establishment, and implementation of laws, has been noticeable. In the executive and legislative branches and in the matter of leadership, the presence of the people is noticeable. With this quality and clarity, we do not know of any country in the world where its people have such a comprehensive presence so freely, willingly, with enthusiasm, with a sense of faith, and with a religious backing. Such a clear thing is denied by enemy propaganda; we expect nothing else from the enemy. Today, we do not expect colonial loudspeakers not to speak ill of us; not to question the system; not to claim negative points that do not exist; not to multiply the weaknesses that naturally exist in every country and many of which are influenced by the presence of superpowers; we would be surprised if the enemy, instead of enmity, showed friendship.

If today the global loudspeakers and propaganda, instead of this malicious movement they carry out against the truths of the Islamic Republic, acted differently, it is obvious that the enthusiasm of people for Islam in the world would increase; but they do not want that; it is against their purposes. If today in North Africa - in Algeria - and in regions where Islamic inclinations and enthusiasm are high, no words are spoken against the Islamic Republic and no propaganda is made, it is obvious that people would be more attracted than they are; and this would be an irreparable loss for the system of global arrogance; therefore, it is entirely expected that they speak ill of us.

What is important is that we continue our movement internally in a logical manner. The system at the levels of decision-making, policy-making, legislation, and execution - wherever the system is fundamentally acting - pursues this Islamic goal with strength and power. We consider it our duty and responsibility to, God willing, bring ourselves one step closer to Islamic goals with every step we take; we will, God willing, carry out this duty with strength and power; we have absolutely no fear of the propaganda, uproar, and anger of the arrogant world. Of course, the condition for success in this path is the unity and harmony and unity of the word of the nation; therefore, the enemy's goals are also to create division among the nation and, if possible, to separate the nation from the system and the government and the officials; which, thanks be to God, they have not been able to do so far and, God willing, they will not be able to do so in the future.

If today we want to specify the major political duties for the religious scholars and those who have influence among the people, undoubtedly one of those duties will be to increase the trust and confidence that people have in the Islamic movement of the system day by day. In fact, it is the trust of the people that creates their support; and the support and connection of the people to the system's officials is what guarantees the success of this Islamic movement with Islamic goals; and if this exists - which, thanks be to God, has existed until today and, God willing, will always exist after this - the enemy can do nothing. Certainly, the iron fist of the superpowers and the owners of weapons and knowledge against the people will not be able, with all the power and strength they have, to divert this nation from this path and prevent us from pursuing Islamic goals; but the condition is the point I mentioned; the unity of the word must remain; the mutual trust between the system and the people must remain. Officials must trust the people; as, thanks be to God, this trust has existed so far. It is the people who are the real supporters of the system; this support depends on trust, and this trust must remain. God willing, the unity of the word must not be lost. The unity of the word of the nation is the key to progress and invulnerability.

Our belief is that God Almighty will also help; as He has helped until today; we see this clearly. There are places where one feels that the work being done and the success that comes is nothing but divine confirmation and the backing of God's support. The amount of material tools and means is sometimes less than what the product of these means is; one understands that God Almighty provides unseen help and support and protection.

Today, thanks be to God, the flag of Islam is in the hands of the nation and the system. We hope that we will not be ashamed before Islam and will not be a source of disgrace for Islam; we will be a source of honor for Islam on a global level; and not only give hope to Muslim nations but also attract non-Muslims to Islam and draw them towards Islam; our correct movement towards Islamic goals and our material and spiritual successes, God willing, will advance these.

I once again express my gratitude to God Almighty. I also thank you, respected gentlemen, for coming and giving us the opportunity to be in your service and to see you. I hope wherever you are - whether in religious seminaries or throughout the country - you will be successful. God willing, may God Almighty include you in His favors and may we witness more progress towards Islamic goals day by day, and may this movement be pleasing to God and be under the attention and acceptance of the Guardian of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for him) and may the sacred spirit of the Imam be pleased with us.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings