Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with Various Segments of the People

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

I sincerely welcome all dear brothers and sisters from various segments who have come from different regions, and I hope that the Almighty God makes these feelings, which arise from your pure hearts, a source of abundant blessings in society and bestows His mercy upon these sincere intentions and pure hearts.

The issue of the Iranian people's presence in various arenas of managing the country is a very prominent and distinguished phenomenon. It is a mistake to think that the presence of the Iranian people is only evident in the electoral scene. Yes, elections in the Islamic Republic have always been a brilliant moment for the nation over these twenty-seven years and have represented the depth of this nation’s and this system’s belief in the people's involvement in their own destiny; however, the depth, blessings, scope, and effects of the Iranian people's presence are much greater than this. Today, if we observe the internal scene and the various scientific, technical, social, and economic advancements in the country, as well as the international scene, the dignity of the Iranian nation and the prominence and significance of this nation's policies in the region and on the global stage is an important phenomenon that has attracted the attention of all analysts and keen observers. All of this is the product of the people's presence in various arenas.

This very slogan of nuclear energy—which our people raise in every corner of the country and on every occasion, embodying a national demand—demonstrates the conscious presence of the people in the scene. The presence of the people in the scene means that all individuals—young and old, from various segments, men and women in every part of the country—consider the fundamental issues of the country as their own issues; they regard scientific matters and advancements in science and technology as their own fundamental issues; they demand the commitment of the country, the system, and the officials to the fundamental values of the revolution as a true demand of their own everywhere; this is the presence of the people in the scene. The presence of the people in the scene means not being indifferent; it means not abandoning the country's destiny; it means not being apathetic towards the events occurring in the country; this is the meaning of presence in the scene.

When a nation—its young and old, its large and small segments—has motivation and thought regarding various issues of its country, expresses that thought, stands firm on it, and defends it, this nation is a living nation, and its future is guaranteed.

The problem of our great nation—before the victory of the Islamic Revolution—was not only that foreigners brought political officials to power without their knowledge and removed them; this was indeed a great calamity, but the issue was that the people were completely unaware and alienated from the currents of the country, the progress of the country, the comparison of the country with other countries, and the measurement of the speed of the country's movement towards its goals. If someone was engaged in work, it was for themselves; they were pursuing their own work; the work of the country was not considered the issue of the people. The result was as you observed; the youth either read about history or heard from the elders; some of you remember, and you saw how the country was managed by a few individuals—who themselves were pawns of international policies. The nation had turned into a backward nation in various fields because the people had no concern for the country and its major issues; they were unaware of what was happening in the country, what policies were governing the country, what future awaited the country, and who was interfering in the country; the people paid no attention to these matters, and no one introduced them to the field of knowledge and awareness. The result was as we saw: a few individuals took the helm of the country's affairs who had no attachment to the faith of the people, to the world of the people, or to their afterlife. Their attachment was limited to their personal lives and to maintaining their personal lives through collusion with foreign masters; this was the state of our nation's life before the revolution. The revolution turned the page; the people became the owners of the country, the decision-makers in the country's issues. The presence of the people in the scene means this. Some should not say that the people are only wanted for elections; no, elections are a sign. Elections are a moment of the people's presence. The demand for aspirations, the demand for goals, the attachment to these goals, the concern about how much progress we have made and how far we have come and what we will do; how we will grapple with difficulties; today these concerns are widespread among our people. The people are sensitive to the issues of the Middle East. Today, regarding the issue of Iraq, regarding the issue of Lebanon, regarding the issue of the oppressed people of Palestine, and regarding the issues of Muslims, both young and old are sensitive to these matters, have questions, inquiries, and motivation. Following this motivation is action. This is the characteristic of the people's presence in the scene, and this is the great service that the Islamic Revolution has rendered to our country, and this nation is a living nation. The sign of being alive is progress in various fields. And you see that the Iranian nation has made rapid progress in various fields throughout the duration of the revolution. The same nation whose destiny was decided by others who gathered to make decisions for it, and the Iranian nation had no involvement even in determining its own leaders and managers; that same nation has now reached a point where its role in regional issues is decisive. This is no longer our claim. This is the claim of the arrogant powers and the world’s power brokers who admit that without the presence and will of Iran, important issues in the Middle East cannot be resolved; they must seek Iran's opinion; they must know the opinion of the Iranian nation. In practice, wherever the nation insists on something, all the global power structures cannot impose their will against the will of the Iranian nation. In this very issue of nuclear energy, everyone has agreed that Iran should not have this technology and advancement; however, the Iranian nation has firmly insisted on obtaining this right, and the result has been that they have reached very advanced stages of this work; and of course, this is not the end; God willing, they will achieve even more advancements.

We mention this so that the youth of our country—who, thanks be to God, constitute the majority of our nation—prepare themselves for the future of this country; the youth from every segment—especially the educated segments—must know that the future of this country belongs to them and is in their hands. Today, it is you who will build and design the tomorrow of this country with your own hands and will. If the nation is determined about something and stands firm on that word, no power in the world can overcome this united national will. The condition for this success is a resolute will; another condition is national unity; which, thanks be to God, our people possess. Of course, some wish to sow discord among the people; they give divisive slogans; they want to set the people against each other; but they have not succeeded so far; and God willing, they will not succeed in the future either.

Today, the issue of elections is at hand. Every election is important. The importance of elections is from two perspectives: one is the principle of the people's presence; when a nation takes to the polls, it means it is alive. The one who chooses for themselves proves their own liveliness. A person for whom decisions are made, for whom choices are made, and who sits idle and passive, watching, has a weak sign of life; they cannot be considered a living human being or a living nation.

Thus, the first effect of elections is that it demonstrates the vitality and self-awareness of a nation; this must be practiced and proven by our nation through the opportunity of various and successive elections. Just as from the beginning of the revolution until today, we have had an average of one election per year, where the people have come to the field, chosen, determined, shown their votes and resolve in the scene of action, and established it; this is very important.

The next effect is that when the will of the people enters the field in an election, what aligns with the majority's opinion and aspirations is realized; whether in the election of the president, whether in the election of the representatives of the parliament, and whether in these two elections that will be presented to the Iranian nation in two days, God willing; that is, the elections for the Assembly of Experts and the elections for the councils.

I have previously stated that the elections for the Assembly of Experts are among our most important elections. The Assembly of Experts must always be prepared; it must consist of trustworthy, wise, righteous, and benevolent individuals who are ready for the day of need and the moment of destiny that may arise; so that they can carry out their great task at the appointed moment—which is to elect the leader. Therefore, this is a very important election. This assembly must always be ready to work; it must be present; its members—elected by the people—must be individuals whom the people can trust and rely upon. The selection they make must be accepted and approved by the people; this is a very important issue. Therefore, the level of the Assembly of Experts is the highest level of election; the people must recognize and choose worthy individuals. If they do not know individuals, they should seek the guidance of trustworthy and reliable believers whose introduction serves as a religious justification for them; seek a religious justification. Seek to be able to say, if the Almighty God asks why you chose Zayd for the Assembly of Experts, that this Zayd was introduced by certain individuals whom we knew to be knowledgeable, trustworthy, and reliable; have a justification before God. One cannot rely on every introduction and trust it. The introduction of trustworthy individuals; the introduction of those whose intentions are known to be divine; who have not entered the field for worldly gains or political maneuvering and commotion; but have introduced themselves as a duty; one gains confidence from their words and sends individuals introduced by them as experts to the Assembly of Experts.

The issue of councils is the same. The type of elected members of city and village Islamic councils differs from the type of elected members of the Assembly of Experts; however, their duty is also a very important one. Those who should serve in the city council must be individuals who are active, diligent, honest, and concerned about serving the people; they should not be thinking of themselves, their own worldly affairs, and organizing worldly matters for themselves, but should strive to work and serve the people. If the city and village associations, the city and village councils—which are elected by the people—are composed of righteous individuals, many of the urban and living problems of the people will be resolved.

Participation in elections is very important. Your enemies, O nation, strive to diminish the presence of the people in various elections. They seek to weaken these electoral institutions so that the symbols of religious democracy in the Islamic Republic become weak and they can accuse the Islamic Republic. Those who take pride in being advocates of democracy—worldly politicians—strive for the elections in Iran to be weak and lackluster. You see that close to every election, foreign radios and the enemies of the Iranian nation begin a campaign to discourage the people so that they do not enter the electoral field. The nation must recognize their intentions and act in direct opposition to what they desire.

God willing, on Friday, the people will enter the electoral field with determination, resolute will, and complete motivation. They will fill the ballot boxes with their votes and present their choices to the eyes of the world. Once again, they will demonstrate the growth, presence, and readiness of the Iranian nation to the world. At that time, in the type of selection, the same attentiveness must be observed. The youth, men and women, and various segments should seek to choose righteous individuals.

My dear ones! The foundation in all responsibilities is piety, trustworthiness, and honesty. If capable individuals lack trustworthiness and honesty, their capability will not benefit the people. In addition to capability, individuals must be pious, trustworthy, honest, straightforward, and devoted to the religious goals and aspirations of the people. Find such individuals and vote for them. In Tehran, in other cities and villages, wherever these elections are held—wherever in the country these elections take place—the people should enter the electoral field with reliance on God and with the intention of drawing closer to God—which is an act of worship—and warm up the scene, and God willing, on Friday, they will display a new popular and revolutionary test before the eyes of the world.

Rest assured that when you enter the field with this intention and sincere resolve and firm will, the Almighty God will also assist, and good results will follow from this election, and God willing, both in the Assembly of Experts and in the Islamic councils of cities and villages, divine blessings will be upon us, and God willing, a new and fresh chapter in the management of these sectors in the country will emerge.

We ask the Almighty God to include the pure prayers of the Awaited Savior (may our souls be sacrificed for him) for the dear nation, the officials, the organizers of the elections, and all the people, and God willing, the officials of the country will also be granted success to hold these elections in the best and most glorious manner. Thanks be to God, the preparations that have been made—as I have been informed—are very good; everything is in its place, and all necessary tasks have been anticipated, and it is now the turn of the people to enter the field and the scene, and to complete the work with their presence and will.

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