Statements in Meeting with Members of the Cultural and Social Council of Women

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

First, I extend my congratulations on the birth of the great lady of human history and the most distinguished woman known throughout the life of humanity, Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her), to you ladies, all the women of our country, Muslim women, and the entire Islamic community. May God grant us all the success to be good followers of that noble lady and her pure family. Her descendants are our Imams and leaders; God willing, we will be good followers of those noble ones.

The issue of women, which is the subject of the work of the present ladies, and you have mentioned some of the discussions related to women, is a very important issue. Of course, after the revolution in our country, the status of women as members of society and as those who have feminine duties—such as motherhood and wifehood—has improved significantly compared to the past. Although in the past, some women in the country—not the majority—may not have been in a bad situation personally, and certain women enjoyed some of the general benefits of society; however, personal issues are not the primary concern for women. If we look at the dimensions of a woman's life, the most important aspects and characteristics of her existence are not purely personal matters.

The social personality of women as members of this great community is very significant. In the past, women did not pay attention to this aspect at all and did not consider it important. Women were not assumed to have a role in the public responsibilities of society; they themselves did not assume a role, especially at the broad level that is discussed today. Now, you observe that all the women in remote villages and cities consider themselves as individuals who uphold this revolution and its companions and owners. In this regard, there is no difference between men and women; sometimes women have more passionate faith and a clearer vision regarding societal issues and consider the country and its issues as belonging to themselves.

When did such a feeling exist among our women, and that too at such a broad level of society? This is a blessing of the revolution. The same self-awareness and sense of social personality that has arisen in men can be said to have arisen in women with greater intensity. Previously, it did not exist at all; but now it exists to a very high degree. Also, the aspect of feminine jobs and roles, and knowing the value of being a mother and wife, are among the things that have been given attention.

In the two or three decades before the revolution, due to the entry of European cultures, the foundation of the family had become unstable; meaning that the family no longer had the authenticity, value, and grandeur that it has in Islam and our traditional culture. When there is a family, the wife and mother are the main members. Women have a very essential and elevated place in this structure. Therefore, when the essence of the family—meaning the woman—is questioned and unstable, nothing is in its proper place there. These are discussions that really need a lot of reflection and scrutiny.

Islam has very correct reflections and valuable guidance regarding these issues. This is something that the revolution granted to the women of our society and brought them into the arena of jihad, politics, and influencing the fundamental construction of the country—which is the construction of the revolution. This is very important and is not comparable to any other time except the early days of Islam.

What has happened to women in the past, in Eastern and Western cultures, Iranian and non-Iranian, does not need to be repeated by me; it is known to all of you. Islam truly gave a new life to women; however, the point you recently mentioned is important, and I always emphasize it. That point is that despite all this, women in our Iranian society, neither in terms of social rights, nor in terms of individual empowerment and authority, nor in terms of laws related to these, are still not at the level that Islam has desired.

A bad attitude towards women prevails over a part of our society, which is not exclusive to Iran. If one looks, it is seen that unfortunately, throughout history, a historical injustice has always been done to women; mostly because their value and place have not been recognized. Of course, wherever else this has been the case, in whatever form it has been and is, it does not concern us; but in our society, it must be in the form that Islam has desired. Women must find their true status and should not be subjected to any oppression or injustice because of being women. This is very bad.

What injustices have been done to women, which are called injustices, and what injustices are not even called injustices, but in reality, they are; like this inclination towards luxury and consumerism, unnecessary adornments, heavy expenses, and becoming a means of consumption. This is a great injustice to women. It could be said that there is no greater injustice than this; because it completely distracts and diverts them from their ideals and developmental goals and engages them in very small and insignificant things. This was something that was done in the oppressive monarchical regime, and now it should have been stopped. Of course, in the early days of the revolution, it was very good; but later, there have been some neglects, which need to be properly planned for.

Islam has a realistic view based on nature and true needs towards women, men, and all creatures; meaning it does not expect more from anyone than their capacity and what has been given to them. Islam's foundation is this; a real and logical foundation. In the supplication of the dawns of Fridays, there is a phrase that states: "And He made what He bestowed upon His servants sufficient to fulfill His rights"; meaning what God Almighty has bestowed upon someone is sufficient to fulfill divine rights. The real understanding of each person's realities is in accordance with the expectation that exists from them.

Therefore, Islam has paid attention to human and non-human needs, desires, and natures; it has considered them and given divine rulings; but it does not mean that it has no ideals for humans. We are condemned and imprisoned by the prison of nature and move within the framework of natural laws; but is there not a goal set before us within this framework that says we must move in this direction?

Idealism in Islam and the inclination towards peaks and ideals is a definite and certain thing. Women, like men and all creatures, must move in this direction. This does not align with intense inclinations and being engrossed in completely personal and worthless things. Of course, in the Islamic system, they should be eradicated. This inclination towards consumption and luxury, and the like, which is nurtured in ignorant societies, should have been eradicated in the Islamic society, or at least placed at a moderate level without excess; but unfortunately, it is observed now that some segments of the people are still engaged in the same past entertainments, which are typical of societies far from Islam and spirituality and truth. This is wrong.

What I wanted to say is that any deficiency that exists in the status of women in our society has a remedy; because Islam has a comprehensive and complete view towards women. We must find the ways of remedy. The day the Cultural and Social Council of Women was formed, exactly these points were considered. In that gathering, Mr. Ahmadi and other brothers were also present. Today, we must see what legal tools women need to move in the desired path of Islam for women, what thoughts and reflections should be made, what guidance should be given, what guiding centers should be established; we must provide and prepare these for them. Of course, there must be a center that manages and follows these preparations and spiritual supports—not material supports; in material supports, everyone is a partner—this center is the Cultural and Social Council of Women, of which you ladies are members.

You must think and reflect on this issue. You have a relationship with the parliament and the government. Moreover, the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution passes resolutions that must be implemented. From the early days of the formation of this council, Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) explicitly stated that the resolutions of this session must be implemented. This group that you ladies have formed is connected to that center; you must seriously think and see what the problems of women are. Of course, I do not mean these small general problems that should be resolved in various administrative sectors—like insurance issues and the like. These are not things that a specific group should address.

You must see what duties women have because of being women and what guidance they need to bear these duties; what recommendations should be made to women and what laws are necessary for them to enjoy their social and human rights; what organizations should possibly be established to take on some of the tasks. You should examine these; then recommend to various bodies—like the parliament or the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution—to pass resolutions and carry out these tasks. When we did not have this group, we did not have it; but now that we have it, it must work and move a lot.

In my opinion, the importance of the work that women are doing today is not less than the importance of their usual jobs at the national level; rather, it is more important than most of them. Yes, you should raise this question as to why women do not have key responsibilities and management roles? This is an acceptable question. If there are good qualifications in women—not that we are biased and say a woman must necessarily be responsible somewhere—where there is no Islamic prohibition—because in some places there may be an Islamic prohibition—it includes higher levels. When they want to examine such cases and choose individuals as the most qualified, they should also consider women alongside men and among this group and choose the most qualified without any bias. Of course, this is a custom and a culture. Such things are not ordered by issuing directives. No, these are part of the culture and beliefs of society. It must be said so much, repeated, and reasoned until it becomes established.

In my opinion, what your group and any group of women—working in different forms and with different goals—are responsible for today is to remove the wrong belief that Western and European culture has instilled in the mind of the Iranian woman in recent decades. Of course, there was also a wrong belief in the past; meaning the inclination towards some wrong forms of consumption and luxury existed in the past as well. With the entry of European culture, this fashion and novelty in consumption was strangely intensified. This was calculated and anticipated. The leaders of Western policies—who were mostly Zionists and colonialists—did this with intent and purpose. These wrong beliefs must be removed; and this cannot be done except by presenting Islamic discussions and works. If this is done, the root of these problems that are sometimes raised—improper hijab, the spread of corruption and immorality, and such things—will be uprooted by themselves. These are mostly effects; the causes are those beliefs and cultures that must be worked on.

We hope that God, by the blessing of Islamic guidance and the existence of Fatimah Zahra (peace be upon her), grants this success to our women. Among Muslims and in Islamic culture, there is a woman of such greatness. God Almighty could have placed the greatest and most exalted woman among other nations and previous communities—it would not have been a problem; this could have been done—but He placed her in the Islamic community. This is also a proof and a warning for us that we can place this high and noble model before our eyes and follow it. God willing, you dear sisters will also succeed in pursuing this important path with strength and firmness, and may God grant you success.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings