Statements in an Interview with the IRIB Reporter After Participating in the Elections

Reporter: Peace be upon you.

His Excellency: Peace be upon you, Mr. Hayati.

Reporter: On behalf of the media community of the country, especially the national media, I extend my greetings to Your Excellency.

His Excellency: Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.

Reporter: Like in previous elections, you participated in the first moments of voting and cast your vote. What is your message to the people of Iran?

His Excellency: In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. I also greet Mr. Hayati and all friends; brothers and sisters in journalism. In Islamic teachings and directives, it is recommended to be proactive and swift in good deeds. It has been said: فَاستَبِقُوا الخَیرات (So strive for good deeds); meaning always be at the forefront of good actions. We wanted to participate in this good deed and great task - the issue of elections, which is both our duty and our right - as early as possible.

Elections are important, always; at certain times, their importance increases. My recommendation to our dear people is that, firstly, as we have previously stated, everyone should participate in the elections; everyone who loves Iran, everyone who loves the Islamic Republic, everyone who loves national glory, dignity, and greatness should participate in these elections.

Secondly, I recommend to all our dear people to strive to be proactive, meaning to act swiftly in fulfilling this duty and asserting this right. This act, this acceleration here, is not haste; it is not recklessness; it is progress in good deeds; do not wait until the last hours; firstly, for the reason we mentioned, the sooner one engages in good deeds, the better. Secondly, God forbid, an incident may occur for a person, and one may not be aware of it an hour later! Now that we are healthy, now that we are capable, now that there is no significant engagement that prevents us from acting, let us enter and fulfill our duty right now. Some people wait until the end, and then an obstacle arises. Why should one not consider the possibility that an obstacle may occur? This is our second recommendation.

Our third recommendation is that people should truly intend good, have a divine intention; to participate in this great task with the aim of creating increasing credibility for the country and complete independence of the country, as its results will be; responding to national dignity and independence; meaning this is a response to this great need. We have enemies who are coveting, and our choice must be such that it discourages and disheartens our enemy; they should be careful, vote with insight and open eyes; God willing, the Almighty will reward them. This is among the good deeds that, in addition to worldly rewards, both short-term and long-term, also has an afterlife reward; what could be better than this!

God willing, may you all be successful and supported, and God willing, may all the people of Iran, in this election, just like in past elections, achieve success and become a source of progress and dignity for the country.

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

Reporter: Thank you very much for your message to the people of Iran.

His Excellency: You are welcome; goodbye to you.