Full Text of the Supreme Leader's Statements in Meeting with Various Segments of the People

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

I welcome all dear brothers and sisters, especially the esteemed families of martyrs, the Disabled, and the freed prisoners present in this gathering, as well as those who have traveled from afar and other cities. May God preserve you, the faithful, revolutionary, and vigilant youth who are the treasures of this country for the nation and for Islam and Muslims, and may His grace increase upon you day by day.

The blessed decade of Fajr has arrived. These days are unforgettable for the Iranian nation. From the time of Imam's arrival until the complete breaking of the tyrant's back by this people, this nation has experienced glorious and epic days. The decade of Fajr symbolizes the glory, greatness, and sacrifice of the Iranian nation. The dignity of Iran and Iranians, indeed the dignity of Islam and Muslims, was established during this decade by the resilient, brave, and heroic Iranian nation. With the onset of the decade of Fajr, the memories of this nation from the past twenty years are repeated, and it is very good that these memories and events are reflected in detail to the new generation by the informed.

My dear ones! This twenty-year period that began with the decade of Fajr in 1357 (1979) until today represents both the honors and brilliance of the Iranian nation on one side and the sufferings imposed on the Iranian nation on the other. These sufferings imposed on our nation—one of which was the eight-year war, along with economic, political, and propaganda sieges and various pressures throughout these twenty years until today—were for what purpose? What do the global arrogance and the power-seeking circles of the world, along with the great capitalists who dominate many Western countries, want from the Iranian nation? This is an important question. I tell you that the main reason for this enmity is that the Iranian nation has shown and stated in action and speech that it does not want to submit to the domination of foreigners; because this nation has endured the suffering of foreign domination for many years. Many of today's misfortunes of the nation stem from that period of foreign domination. When a foreign government and power dominates a nation, it shows no mercy towards anything of theirs; neither their world, nor their religion, nor their honor, nor their dignity, nor their national resources, nor their oil, nor their human power. They plunder and destroy these. It is this destruction that today the Iranian nation suffers the consequences of.

The Iranian nation made a significant statement in its revolution, and that statement was that Iran and Iranians do not want to be under the domination of foreigners anymore—whether those foreigners are America, England, or the Soviet Union of that time—they want to remain independent. They harbor animosity and enmity towards this independence of the Iranian nation and know that this independence is rooted in religious spirit and Islam; thus, they also oppose Islam. Whoever is closer to Islam and has a stronger spirit of independence faces greater enmity from them. This enmity, this malice, this twenty-year-long animosity is due to these reasons. However, the Iranian nation stood firm and steadfast and taught other nations a lesson.

O great nation of Iran! O dear youth! The lesson you taught has been learned by other nations; not only the masses of nations but also their intellectuals. Today, the epic of the Iranian nation is reflected in the poetry, prose, and art of many countries. Why? Because the Iranian nation, through its steadfastness and courage, has shown that the superpowers do not possess as much power as they pretend; their power is that of cannons and tanks, and the power of cannons and tanks cannot fight against the hearts of nations, the feelings of nations, and the faith of nations. When a nation stands firm, all centers of global power become helpless before it. Nations have proven this until today. The Iranian nation has repeatedly pushed the enemy back and thwarted them with its steadfastness and progress. Today, what the enemies and dominators aim for is precisely this. As the Iranian nation, we walk on a path of glory; we continuously overcome great events and shape our significant historical moments ourselves.

In the near future, the Iranian nation has parliamentary elections. I find it necessary to mention some points regarding the parliamentary elections to everyone—especially to you, the youth. Although, thanks be to God, our nation is aware of many issues, reminding of these points is not a flaw. These elections are important; they are significant for the Iranian nation and for the enemy. What is important for the Iranian nation? It is important for the Iranian nation to have a strong, vibrant, and enthusiastic presence in the political scene of the country after twenty years and to shape its legislative power with its vote and will. Why is it important for the enemy? Firstly, the enemy wishes that in these elections, the people do not have a noticeable presence, so they can claim that the people are discontent with their revolution and system! Secondly, they want the people to be influenced by chaos, slander, and demagoguery, to become terrified, and to be unable to send their true representatives to the parliament; to be swayed by deceptive and colorful propaganda and unable to find the elements they trust and send to the parliament. Therefore, you have recently heard that one of these American figures has once again expressed their presence and said, 'We are waiting to see how the Iranian parliamentary elections will turn out!' Very well; wait and see how the Iranian nation will once again hit you in the face! Of course, I had previously heard news that these individuals—mainly Americans and some of their agents in other places—sat in private meetings and said that they are waiting for the elections in Iran; but now this gentleman has once again naively revealed what was said in private meetings in public gatherings and has shown his and his colleagues' hand to the Iranian nation! They want to interfere; they are watching and coveting; but they should know that the Iranian nation is vigilant.

Everyone must be vigilant; both the officials and the political figures and all segments of the nation. The election officials must carry out their work with utmost vigilance so that no blemish occurs in their work; that is, they must adhere to the law. I defend both the Ministry of Interior and the Guardian Council; both are officials of the Islamic system and each has its own duty. The Ministry of Interior must act strictly according to the law and ensure that the people's votes are not betrayed. They should gather the people's votes as much as their capacity and power allow and recount these votes with complete honesty and precision until the result is known. The Guardian Council must also vigilantly and honestly ensure that no violations occur in the elections. It is the right of the people that the Guardian Council does not allow the enemies of this nation, the enemies of this revolution, and the enemies of Imam to enter the legislative power of the country of Imam; especially in a parliament that is formed in the year of Imam. Both are obligated; both the Guardian Council and the Ministry of Interior. We must all pray and seek God's assistance for their success and help them. Regarding the people and the political figures, what is important is that the elections must take place in an atmosphere that is both vibrant and lively, as well as calm and dignified; that is, there should be enthusiasm and vitality, but no tension; there should be dignity, calmness, confidence, and stability. This is the desired atmosphere for the elections. Anyone who acts this way has served; anyone who acts contrary to this, either makes the people pessimistic about the elections, or discourages them from the results of the elections, or inflames the atmosphere with rumors and slander and false conflicts, and takes it out of calmness, has committed treachery; whoever they may be; let everyone know this.

The people are watching closely and in these matters, they recognize their friends and enemies, and their well-wishers and ill-wishers. A well-wisher is someone who keeps the atmosphere lively and vibrant and, at the same time, prepares the atmosphere for the elections with their calming words so that the people come and participate in the elections. God willing, this election will be more vibrant and enthusiastic than previous elections, and the number of participants will be greater. A malicious and ill-hearted person is one who, firstly, bites and tries to make the people pessimistic, and then inflames the atmosphere; that is, they create an atmosphere of slander, an atmosphere of pessimism, and an atmosphere of political tension; these are very bad. Some advocate that there should always be conflict! Why should there be conflict?! A nation does not reach anywhere under the shadow of internal disputes. Whatever a nation wants and whatever aspirations it has, it achieves those aspirations through unity, solidarity, and cooperation. Why do some make all their efforts to sow discord among hearts; to fill hearts with animosity towards each other and constantly create an atmosphere of slander against one another?! What is gained for the country, the nation, the future, and the system, except that their hands are empty of truths, purity, trust, and honesty?! They want to say something; they speak this way; they write this way! They must lead the atmosphere of the country towards lively and enthusiastic solidarity; it is everyone's duty.

The people must also search and, in this time remaining until the elections, as a religious and ethical duty, find candidates who, when questioned by God in His presence, can answer why they sent this gentleman or this lady to the legislative power, saying it was for this benefit. Elections are a duty. Elections are a great task and a divine action; seek suitable individuals for this important task. What kind of person is suitable? They must be competent; this is our twenty-year experience. Competence alone is not enough; they must also be religious. A religious person has a lower probability of treachery. Those religious individuals who sometimes slip, first lose their piety; then this slip comes to them. Therefore, they must be religious and God-conscious so that you can trust them for the tasks of this country. They must also be courageous and not lose heart in the face of the threats and intimidation of this and that—foreign, domestic, bullies, and powerful individuals. Someone who loses heart in the face of threats will also falter in signing; their feet will tremble in moving forward; they cannot be trusted. A representative must be courageous, honorable, trustworthy, and supportive of the weak and the underprivileged. The law must be able to defend the rights of the weak; otherwise, a law that makes the rich richer is not an Islamic law. The law must be able to untie knots and address the grievances of the marginalized. A representative must be someone who understands these matters; someone who is as experienced as possible. In these great tasks, experience is very important. Seek to find these important characteristics in individuals. A religious, chaste, competent, courageous person, who has the power to resist against this and that, if they enter the legislative power, based on our twenty-year experience, can work for the benefit of the people and the country in sensitive points. Such individuals are important. Of course, wherever a representative comes from in the country, they represent all of Iran, not just the specific locality from which they were elected. Therefore, they must think of the interests of the entire country; keep this in mind as well. Seek to recognize such individuals. If you cannot identify them correctly, ask trustworthy and religious individuals whom you are confident about.

By God's grace, I am hopeful and know that throughout the period of the revolution until today, the hand of the Almighty God has never abandoned this nation; just as Imam once told me, and I have experienced many times that the hand of the Almighty's power and support is directed towards our nation. These sincerities, these purities, these illuminations that exist in the hearts of all segments—especially the youth—throughout the country, attract God's mercy, and the Almighty God, with the attention and grace and prayers of the Almighty Mahdi (may our souls be sacrificed for him), will, God willing, bring about the elections in a way that will be beneficial for Islam and Muslims and will lead to the honor of Iran and serve the goals of the Islamic revolution, and God willing, a good and strong parliament will be formed.

What is important is that everyone truly feels a sense of duty and be present in the scene. All segments of the people throughout the country, God willing, will respond to the call of the revolution, the call of Islam, and the call of Imam in these elections so that the Almighty God, by the blessing of the pure souls of the martyrs and the pure blood of these dear ones, guides this nation to the right and pleasing path.

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