Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution at the Grand Gathering of the People of Qazvin

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds. And peace and blessings be upon our master and prophet, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure and chosen progeny, the infallible guides, especially the Awaited One among the inhabitants of the earth. I am grateful to the Almighty God for granting me the opportunity to meet with this historical and ancient city and with you, the devout, revolutionary, and warm-hearted people. We have found the people of Qazvin, both during the events of the revolution and in all subsequent incidents, to be a collection of loyal and faithful individuals; a devout people, possessing dignity, self-sacrifice, generosity, and a willingness to participate in great endeavors and charitable works. These qualities have characterized the people of Qazvin for a long time; they are not specific to any particular era. When we refer to history, we can significantly observe the merits of Qazvin and its people; this is important. There is a difference between a nation that has a historical and cultural background and is rooted in history, and a nation that has no roots in history; that has no cultural lineage or legacy. The great nation of Iran, with the historical legacies that we can see exemplified in your ancient and profound city, has been able to introduce itself among the nations of the world as a rooted and ancient nation. When I look back at the history of Qazvin, I see that a thousand years ago, a famous geographer of the Islamic world - "Maqdisi" - who visited Qazvin, introduced this city as a center of jurisprudence and philosophy. Nine hundred years ago, a renowned scholar like "Abd al-Jalil Qazvini" emerged from this city. The "al-Nuqd" of Abd al-Jalil Qazvini al-Razi is today one of the esteemed and noteworthy books in the hands of theologians and thinkers. Eight hundred years ago, a scholar wrote a book about Qazvin titled "al-Tadwin," which consists of three volumes. In that era, three volumes of books were prepared detailing the biographies of the scientific, cultural, religious, and political figures of Qazvin. These records are of great significance. At a time when many cities in Iran were small villages or did not exist at all, Qazvin had so many scholars and notable figures that three volumes of "al-Tadwin" were dedicated to their biographies. Seven hundred years ago, a prominent figure and a great historian like "Hamidullah Mustawfi" emerged from this city. Seven hundred years ago, a great poet like "Obaid Zakani" also came from this city. Four hundred and fifty years ago, the political center of this great country was Qazvin. I read somewhere that the result of studies related to Qazvin and the province of Qazvin indicates that so many prominent figures, including jurists, philosophers, physicians, mathematicians, historians, and artists, have emerged from this city that if someone wanted to name them all, it would take at least two or three hours! You young people of Qazvin, you girls and boys who breathe and grow in this climatic and cultural atmosphere, should rely on this ancient legacy. From my youth and seminary studies, due to the presence of two great teachers in the seminary of Mashhad, I became acquainted with the name Qazvin and Qazvini: the distinguished figure of the late "Haj Sheikh Hashim Qazvini" and the eminent figure of the late "Haj Sheikh Mujtaba Qazvini," two shining stars in the seminary of Mashhad, whom we have looked up to since our youth and adolescence. The name Qazvini in the mind of a Mashhadi student, thanks to the existence of these two noble figures, is regarded as a brilliant and honorable name. These two individuals - especially the late Haj Sheikh Mujtaba - were among the admirers and students of another prominent Qazvini figure, namely the late "Sayyid Musa Ziraabadi," a great personality who was considered a center of spiritual, mystical, and ascetic illumination for a wide range of students and seekers of knowledge. Before our time, many great scholars have emerged from this city: "Shahid Thalith" whose tomb is right here; the late "Mullah Muhammad Taqi Barghani" and his brother "Mullah Muhammad Saleh Barghani"; the fighting jurists, not the reclusive jurists, not the isolated individuals; men of religion who thought about the fate of the people; who fought for them and sacrificed their lives in this path. When you look at the revolution, you see that the entire country has presented great martyrs; however, the faces of martyrs and distinguished individuals from Qazvin are exceptional; like martyr "Rajai." In the revolution, we have few like martyr Rajai. Among the warriors - both from the army and the IRGC - martyr "Babayi" is a great human being and an unforgettable figure. Among the freed captives, their spiritual teacher, the late "Abu Turabi" is also one of these examples. I knew these three distinguished figures closely; I was familiar with their characteristics and I know how exceptional they were; these are the martyrs of Qazvin. The city of Qazvin has two thousand, and the province of Qazvin has nearly three thousand martyrs. These are the honors of the people of Qazvin. Regarding the people of Qazvin, it has been said for centuries that they are a religious, noble, generous, and contented people. After the revolution, the perspective towards all regions of the country - including Qazvin - has been a special one and different from previous eras; a perspective of service. The Almighty God has granted the people of this region abundant natural resources. As the esteemed Friday prayer leader pointed out, this province has fertile soil and agricultural potential and blessed plains. The waters must also be harnessed. Some work has been done, and more effort is needed. The people of Qazvin, like other regions of the country, have expectations from the government and officials; their expectations are justified and must be addressed. In all my travels before entering any city, I gather the opinions of the people through consultations and discussions, both with officials and with the general public. When I ask the people of Qazvin about their expectations from the government, they give the same responses that are heard in many other regions of the country. The expectations of the people include resolving economic issues, addressing problems related to youth - such as education, housing, marriage, and unemployment - and tackling issues related to inflation and urban and rural development. The expectation from officials is that they should meet the needs of the people to the best of their ability and the country's resources. This expectation is justified, and I endorse it. One of the reasons for our travels to various regions and cities is precisely this. The aim is to raise the issues of each city and province once again in detail for the country's officials. The officials are in the service of the people and intend to serve. They must be assisted so that they can provide these services more and more quickly. Of course, among the responses that the people have given to the questioners before our trip, there is also a reminder to the officials - especially those responsible for this region - to be advised by us and to follow up on their work, which we will certainly do. During these few days that I am in the province and city of Qazvin, I will maintain constant contact with officials and various sectors, and I hope that many of the reminders, advice, and points that need to be conveyed will be communicated to the officials. What I want to convey to all of you dear brothers, sisters, and my children is a few points: The first point is that in our country - especially at high levels of responsibility - the intention is to serve the people. Of course, the abilities of all officials are not the same. Some may have more capacity and capability, while others may have less; but all want to serve. The important thing is that the Islamic Republic system is based on the will, desire, and affection of the people. The people have elected the country's officials with their own will. In the arena of testing, they observe the performance of the officials, judge them, and take action accordingly. The second point is that the Islamic Republic and our dear, great, and naturally rich country face both opportunities and threats in global transformations. We have had and continue to have many opportunities ahead of us. For officials, the most important issue is to utilize all the opportunities that arise, while maintaining national dignity, for the advancement of the country - both materially and spiritually. The goal of the Islamic Republic is not merely to show a high gross national product in numerical terms; that is not enough. We believe that there should be justice in the country and that national wealth should be distributed among all the people. This is our great aspiration, and we strive and fight for it. The philosophy of the Islamic Republic is to be able to create justice, ethics, spirituality, and material welfare among the people, as Islam has demanded from officials, humans, and nations. This task is sacred and very significant, and of course, difficult. All the efforts of the Islamic Republic over the past twenty-five years have been aimed at achieving this goal. Those who go astray and ignore justice make a mistake. Those who overlook spirituality make a mistake. Those who disregard meritocracy make a mistake. Those who forget the people's nature of the officials make a mistake. The path is difficult in this regard, and movement along this path faces significant obstacles because all these criteria must be observed. We cannot deceive ourselves into thinking that we can say something and remain in a position of responsibility - or in the commonly used term, in a position of power - for a while without considering the present and future of the country and the material and spiritual growth of the nation; that cannot happen. The Islamic system requires officials to see themselves in relation to God. Whether the people understand their service or not, whether they express gratitude or not, should be secondary. Primarily, the official must feel that they are responsible before the Almighty God for serving the people and establishing justice among them. Our calculations show that the Islamic Republic has made significant progress in this regard over the past twenty-five years. We do not claim that we have fully achieved our goals; no. We must continue to move and strive; however, we assert and claim that the Islamic Republic has made progress in this path. Today, the self-confidence and hope of the Iranian nation are greater than in all previous periods, and their eyes are more open. Hope and enthusiasm among the great Iranian nation are one of the achievements of Islam and the revolution. We value this and consider it precious, and we strive for progress along this path. One of the issues that is very important for our people and is among the current issues of this year, and I must emphasize it, is the upcoming elections. The upcoming elections, like all elections over the past twenty-five years, are the most important issue of the country at their time. If the elections are conducted properly, they will guarantee the future and also secure the current safety. What constitutes a desirable election? A desirable election is one that is held in a healthy, free manner and according to the law; an election in which the people participate with enthusiasm and vigor; an election that everyone considers their religious duty to hold in a magnificent manner. This election can truly prepare a desirable parliament for the country. The parliament holds a very important position; it is the house of the nation; it is the manifestation of our national dignity; it can showcase our Islamic and national dignity to the world; it is the provider of public interests. It is with the laws of the parliament that officials can move forward and progress. The parliament can safeguard national security; it can serve as a strong barrier against the aggression of enemies and the greed of foreigners. These are the characteristics of a desirable parliament. When the people participate in elections and, with open eyes and insight, choose someone who possesses the necessary conditions and send them to the parliament, the parliament will be able to play such a significant role. The parliament - as Imam said - is the essence of the virtues of the nation. When more people participate in elections, the efficiency and credibility of the parliament increase, and it gains the ability to serve. There is much to say about elections and the parliament. I will suffice with this for today and only say this: the representative you send to the parliament must possess these characteristics to fulfill your demands. The representative must be devout; religious individuals can be trusted. The representative must be revolutionary; they must possess the spirit, enthusiasm, hope, strength, and revolutionary spirit to break through paths that seem to be dead ends and move forward. The representative must be diligent, proven, competent, well-planned, reputable, and youth-oriented, and must believe in the youth. Such individuals, wherever they are in the country, must feel obligated and come forward to nominate themselves. In these few days remaining for the registration of election candidates, the moral, Islamic, and patriotic duty of anyone who considers themselves to possess these characteristics is to come forward and participate in the elections. If they later see individuals more qualified than themselves, they can step aside; but for now, they must come forward. The people should urge such individuals to nominate themselves wherever they see them. The welfare and future of the country depend on holding elections with enthusiasm and the active participation of the majority of the nation. Of course, my perspective and feeling is that, with God's grace, the people will hold this election, despite the enemies' wishes, in a very grand and glorious manner. Of course, the enemies of our country and nation do not want a good election to be held in the country. This has always been the case. In most elections, our enemies exerted all their efforts to prevent the elections from being held with warmth and enthusiasm. Some affiliates of the enemies inside also tried in various ways to dissuade the people from participating at the ballot boxes. However, now, since the general atmosphere of the country leans towards elections and all officials of the country unanimously invite the people to participate in the elections, they do not dare to openly state that people should not participate in the elections. They fear the public atmosphere and public opinion. But know that the opponents of this country, the enemies of this nation, the enemies of the prosperity of Iran, the enemies of the progress and advancement of the Iranian nation, and the enemies of the Islamic Republic will do everything they can to prevent the people from participating in the elections of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and any other arena. They have not succeeded until today; with God's grace, they will not succeed in the future either. For our nation, especially our youth, it is very important to look at the slogans of the revolution; to study and contemplate the positions of the Islamic Republic, and then to look at the general atmosphere of the world. If you observe, you will see that, contrary to the enemies' astonishment, the voice of the Islamic Republic and the call of the Islamic revolution are gradually being accepted by the people of the world. Many of the statements we made twenty years ago and that this nation chanted are now being witnessed by the world. For twenty-five years, this nation has loudly declared that America is a world oppressor and aggressor, seeking to encroach upon nations; the powerful media propaganda of the arrogant powers affiliated with America also spoke of democracy, freedom, and human rights; however, many in Islamic countries could not understand what the words of the revolution and the Islamic system meant; but today, with the positions that America takes on global issues, everyone accepts this and believes it. Ignoring the rights of nations, devaluing the geographical borders of nations, claiming the right to encroach anywhere in the world under the pretext of illegitimate interests - in the Persian Gulf, the Indian Ocean, the Middle Eastern countries, Asian countries, and even in Europe - today, the people of the world see these realities; this is the very message of the Islamic revolution and the voice of the Iranian nation. Today, in the streets of Baghdad and other cities of Iraq, in various regions of Afghanistan, and in many other parts of the world, this harsh face, covered with the gloss of propaganda, reveals its true nature, and the people of the world see it. For twenty-five years, the Iranian nation has chanted against Israel. The Iranian nation has repeatedly warned in its slogans not to trust the hypocritical peace calls of the Zionists. Today, the entire Arab world and the Islamic world see the tragic scene of Palestine before them. Today, as the leaders of the usurping Zionist government have trampled all the agreements they made with Arab countries and Palestinian parties underfoot; have disregarded everyone and have paid no attention to any international commitments, other nations are coming to understand the words of the Iranian nation. During the imposed war - which occupied the Iranian nation for eight years - and after the imposed war, the Iranian nation shouted and proclaimed that this Ba'athi Saddam is a corrupt being and a wild animal in human clothing; but the very Americans who today speak ill of Saddam and are pleased with his capture were shaking hands with him; they established friendly relations and helped him! The current U.S. Secretary of Defense met with Saddam in Baghdad and promised him assistance. They helped Saddam so that he could pressure Islamic Iran. Many Arab countries and many in the region did not recognize the true nature of this savage being; but the Iranian nation, in the battlefields, during the bombings and brutal missile attacks, in Halabcheh, Abadan, and Dezful, had experienced this bloodthirsty wolf and his bloodthirsty aides and was telling the world. Today, the world understands these truths. This is the rightful voice of the Iranian nation that has become clear to the world today. My dear ones! The world and history are full of lessons. Today, the situation of the tyrant, oppressive, arrogant Saddam Hussein reaches a point where he lives in a hole and is willing to endure any disgrace for his vile and shameful life. Today, as he is captured, the Islamic world and those who know what this savage beast has been feel pleased. The Iranian nation - especially the families of the martyrs - are also very happy and pleased with the news of Saddam's capture. Of course, the people of Iraq have suffered greatly from this bloodthirsty wolf, and now they have seemingly been freed from him. I heard that the President of America told Saddam that the world is much better without Saddam. I want to tell the President of America that the world without "Bush" and "Sharon" is also much better! Those who think their power is eternal and everlasting should look at Saddam Hussein, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and the former Soviet Union; they should see how these hollow powers are merely an illusion and how the Almighty God, with His power, destroys and eliminates these hollow powers as if they never existed in the world! Today, those who rule over humanity in a dictatorial and tyrannical manner under the name of democracy and human rights - like the President of America - and those who, without having the slightest right in a land, subject the people of that land to brutal pressure - like the Zionist leaders who torture, kill, and suppress the rightful owners, the people of Palestine - should know that they will not have a better fate than Saddam. Nations have awakened. The Islamic Ummah is becoming increasingly aware. The hopes of the Islamic Ummah are good hopes. The horizon is bright, and the Iranian nation, by the grace of God, will continue to be at the forefront of this scene and, with God's help and power, will be able to present a living and exemplary model for other nations. I sincerely thank all of you brothers and sisters and the warm-hearted, faithful, and kind people of Qazvin; for the welcome you showed today; for the passionate and sincere affections that no one else among other nations has shown. This is unique to our Islamic Republic, where a bond of love exists between officials and the people with such intensity and purity. I ask the great God to make us worthy of this love. I ask the great God to grant me and all the officials of the country the ability to serve this nation increasingly. I ask the great God to elevate this nation in all arenas. I ask the great God to bestow upon you, the youth and the faithful and historically rich people of Qazvin, His grace, mercy, and blessings - as you deserve. O Lord! Crush and disappoint the enemies of this nation. O Lord! Grant victory to this nation in all arenas. Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.