Speech in Meeting with Officials and Executives of the Islamic Republic on the Occasion of Eid al-Fitr

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

I reciprocally extend my congratulations on this great and blessed Eid to you dear brothers, capable and devoted officials, and the entire nation of Iran and all Muslim nations.

Certainly, if we, as our Islamic duty dictates, take advantage of the blessed month of Ramadan and all these precious opportunities of the days of God, and cherish the blessing of remembrance and prayer given to us, and connect ourselves with the source of power, dignity, and greatness — that is, the sacred essence of the Almighty — without a doubt, that fundamental and desirable transformation will occur both in our souls and hearts and our essential human identity, and consequently, in our living environment, work, effort, and struggle, bringing us closer to the goals of Islam. This is a fundamental difference between Islam and other methods and programs that propose transformation and idealism to humanity.

We believe — and this is among the self-evident truths of Islam, indeed of all religions — that it is only through connection and attachment to the Almighty that a person can achieve perfection and elevation. Of course, the opportunity of Ramadan is an exceptional one. It is no small thing that the Almighty states in the Quran: 'The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.' One night is better and more virtuous than a thousand months and more effective in human progress, in Ramadan. It is no small thing that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) considers this month as the month of divine hospitality. How is it possible for a person to enter the table of the Generous and leave deprived? Unless one does not enter. Those who do not enter the table of forgiveness, satisfaction, and divine hospitality in this month will certainly remain deprived, and this deprivation is in the true sense. 'Indeed, the wretched one is he who is deprived of God's forgiveness in this great month.' The true deprived one is he who cannot obtain divine forgiveness in Ramadan.

I have repeatedly stated that the essence of the matter is for a person to attribute himself to divine servitude. A servant is one who submits to the will and command of God and the divine law. The essence of all divine instructions, commands, and the laws of the prophets is this one word, and perhaps God elevated the prophets to servitude before choosing them for prophethood; as it certainly is. In a narration, it is stated that 'Indeed, God took Muhammad as a servant before taking him as a messenger.' First, the Almighty clothed him in the garment of servitude, and then he was elevated to the stage and rank of prophethood. It seems that this is a necessary prelude and the main condition in any elevation. In any degree of perfection, servitude is the main condition. Of course, servitude also has stages. The lower stage of servitude, the one that people like us can aspire to, is this.

We should prepare ourselves for obedience; consider everything from Him; truly regard divine blessings as blessings and gifts from God; not consider them as products of our own power, knowledge, and ability; know that we are also instruments. Our mind, our hand, our action, our skill, and our effort are instruments for realizing the divine will. Truly, the worthy servants of God — like our great Imam (may his soul be sanctified) — knew the value of Ramadan and those hours and days and made the most of it. We have not visited the infallible Imams (peace be upon them); but one could observe a trace of those same devotions and attentions in the sacred existence of our great and honorable departed Imam.

The essence of the matter is that the Iranian nation — which has risen for God and taken steps in His path — must become divine and rely on God, so that, God willing, it can reach the final point and ultimate stage of this path with divine help. The material world, a world that has not inhaled the fragrance and aroma of spirituality — which of course refers to the ruling powers of this world; otherwise, among the masses and peoples, there are many healthy, righteous, and sincere individuals — cannot imagine that a system based on spirituality can come into existence and negate all the usual relationships of material powers. The most important reason why the Islamic Republic system is the object of hatred by the powers and the world's arrogant leaders is that this system, by its existence and presence, negates the material systems governing many international relations and the relations between powers and nations.

In the Islamic system, the axis of movement and power is a divine matter. In the Islamic system, unlike material systems, those who are accepted by the people are those who, in their view, conform to divine and Godly criteria. In material systems, there are other criteria, another type of selection, and another type of movement. In the Islamic system, the people, in the true sense of the word, have value and the power of choice and decision-making; not in a hypocritical manner, not in the form of unreal and nominal democracies and facades and demonstrations that do not reflect reality. In the Islamic system, the nation is the decision-maker. The people are truly the owners and controllers of their destiny and affairs. This is a real matter.

The choice in the Islamic system, for the people who elect representatives for legislation, or for the management and administration of the country's current affairs and economic and political planning, or for any other matter, is a true choice; that too based on a real belief. Where is this, and where is what exists in the world today; the game of parties, people voting even without knowing the person they are voting for. For example, there are only two parties in this society, and they have slogans and advertisements; that too such advertisements, with those factors that exist in today's Western advertisements that truly, if their details were explained to our people, they would be astonished. In Islam, it is not like this.

Today, it has become known that the era of nations has begun. In the world, this is how it is expressed and termed. The reason is that in various parts of the world, nations have risen against dominant oppressive and imposing systems and have either forced them to withdraw completely or to moderate their methods and approaches. I say that the era of nations did not start today; rather, the decision of nations and the true will and power of nations began and manifested on the day when our great, honorable, courageous, and praiseworthy nation was able, not only against a regime, but against an internationally agreed-upon Eastern and Western understanding among powers and superpowers, to rise and establish the Islamic system and, despite the will of the powers and superpowers, preserve this system. This is the meaning of national will and power. Others also learned this from the Iranian nation.

Truly, many politicians were despondent that nations could, without relying on weapons, only with their presence, with their bodies, with their cries, and with their self-expression, change a political reality and create a political event. A few years ago — perhaps five or six years ago — during a trip I made to Africa — to the frontline countries fighting racism in South Africa — I spoke with several leaders and politicians and well-known political and popular figures of that region. With one of the most prominent African politicians and popular figures, I shared this point and said, the solution for this region and the destruction of this oppressive, tyrannical regime of South Africa — whose situation at that time was much harsher than today; because of the person who was in power in that country at that time — is for the majority of the people to apply the same experience that the Iranian nation practiced.

The overwhelming majority of the people there are indigenous black people. The rulers who believe in racism and white supremacy are a small minority. Even there are white people there who are of the same mind and belief as the black people; but that oppressive government continued to oppress and rule, which is still almost the same. I said these people do not need weapons for this fundamental struggle; only their presence in the streets is necessary for them to come out. The nation — in the true sense of the nation — should show that it opposes that oppressive, discriminatory system against all human truths and international rights. I said in Iran, this event happened and only the nation came to the streets. Of course, the people resisted, were killed, lost their loved ones, sacrificed their lives; but they did not tire. This is the characteristic of the great popular presence that achieves any purpose. Of course, it varies in time, goals differ, some are achievable sooner and some later, some are accompanied by more difficulties; it depends on the nation not getting tired.

That great revolutionary popular politician — whom those who know that figure all accept and he is an experienced man — confirmed and said: It is true, this experience is completely practical; however, we lack in this place the motivating and unifying factor of your nation — that is, deep religious belief and that great leadership; and he was right.

Wherever nations join hands, are present, continue this presence, and endure its hardships, it is impossible for international powers — America and the likes of America — to do what they want against them. Nations are victorious. This is a reality. Standing firm, resistance, presence, and unity are among its conditions.

Today, you see in the world that gradually in regions of the world, the same experience of Iran is being repeated and for this reason, our great Imam, firmly said that the enemy cannot defeat this nation as long as it stands and is united, and he said: 'America cannot do a damn thing against the Iranian nation.' We also repeat the same words. This is the belief of the Iranian nation and the officials and those involved in the Islamic Republic system.

The secret of the matter is this presence, will, and unity of the people, and this has made the Iranian nation victorious and dominant over its enemies until today. We thank God that during this period, we have not been defeated even in one scene and our enemies have been defeated. They have been defeated in every way they entered. They entered through military warfare, they were defeated and could not force the Iranian nation and this system to retreat. Is this not a defeat? All powers join hands, they cannot push a nation back from where it is, even one step, it is their defeat. They were defeated in the political arena, they were also defeated in the economic arena and they will be defeated even more.

The people, behind the government and the capable officials and managers of this country — who are truly a blessing from God — move and continue their cooperation. I have repeatedly told friends that whenever I remember that we have such a president and such officials, I thank God from the depths of my heart and with all my being. The people appreciate it, as they do; they cooperate behind their officials, as they do; they stand firm. Without a doubt, the economic siege and various malice of America and its minions will not be able to do anything. All these problems that exist will be solved with the capable and competent fingertips of faithful officials who have the people behind them; there is no doubt about this. For this reason, our enemies abroad know and see these truths — that is, the firmness of the Iranian nation. Those who are unconscious and confused and slow to understand and do not understand your power in the usual course of your nation, understand it on a day like Quds Day.

These political dregs and waste, these fugitives, these political remnants of this nation — who are stuck to their masters in this corner and that corner of the world — raise their heads and ask each other: What news from Iran? The news is the news of Quds Day in Iran; the news is the news of the twenty-second of Bahman in Iran; the news is the news of the unity of the people and their steadfastness against any conspiracy of the enemies. They should not console themselves with the existence of differences and factionalism among the country's officials. From the beginning of the revolution, they have had these contradictory, wrong, and ridiculous statements. If someone from the beginning of the revolution until now, puts together the analyses of political circles — those who run the radios and guide the governments — regarding individuals in the Islamic Republic, they will be sure that these people are either very foolish, or deliberately pretend to be foolish, or are struck by God.

Every day, they have made a judgment about personalities. A single person is one day a radical, one day moderate; one day a compromiser, one day a fanatic; one day popular among the people, one day despised by the people! In their view, two people are one day friends, one day against each other! They do not understand the spiritual and divine relationships of an Islamic system; thank God they do not understand, thank God that 'God has taken away their light.' God has taken light from their hearts and discernment from their minds. What difference, what factionalism?!

Of course, in a living society where people are free, everyone has the right to express their opinion. People are close to the officials. The highest ranks of the country's officials have the possibility of ordinary and daily interaction with the most ordinary people. In such a society, it is natural and inevitable that there are different political and economic opinions. But different opinions are one thing; what you want and wish for and advertise — that is, disruptive and opposing factions — is another thing. This second one, thanks be to God, does not exist and will not exist, and the Islamic society cannot have two factions among itself and among those who believe and are committed to these goals, who want to undermine each other and undermine each other. Such a thing is not possible; unless someone does not believe in this path.

Our nation must, God willing, continue this unity of word, this path, and this effort. The world needs you and your stance. This great issue of Palestine, these various issues of oppressed Muslims in different parts of the world who are strangers in their own homes, this great Islamic movement that is now almost felt and observed everywhere in the Islamic world and Muslim-populated areas — from Asia to Europe and Africa — and Muslims feel Islamic identity and move and speak their word and show their unity and frighten their enemy, all of these need your steadfastness, resistance, unity, and strong will.

We hope that the Almighty will always support and succeed the dear Iranian nation and keep it steadfast in this path and make the soul of our great Imam happy with the movement of the nation and officials and make the sacred heart of the Imam of the Age pleased and satisfied with all of us.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings