Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Revolution in Meeting with Executive Officials of Fars Province

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

Our meeting today with you, dear officials of this province in various sectors - which takes place on the last day of my presence in Shiraz - is more about expressing gratitude and appreciation than it is about recommendations and advice to you, dear friends.

First, I must sincerely and deeply thank the dear people of Shiraz and other cities in this province for their expressions of kindness and hospitality - which are well-known and recognized traits of the people of this region. Secondly, I would like to thank you, dear brothers and sisters who are engaged in various sectors, for the cooperation and kindness you have shown, as some of the burdens and challenges of our trip rested on your shoulders.

I also apologize to the people of the cities we could not visit; therefore, I have sent representatives to various cities in this province. Thanks be to God, it is a vast province with many counties, and one wishes to speak face to face with all the people from different parts of this province; however, "man cannot attain all that he wishes"; many desires remain unfulfilled. At the same time, some brothers, sisters, and young people made the effort to come from various cities to Shiraz, participating in various meetings - on the first day and other days - and endured hardships; I sincerely thank them as well.

The province has very extensive capacities and potentials, which the esteemed governor has pointed out; they are also mentioned in the reports related to Fars Province; both natural capacities and various potentials related to the climatic differences in the north and south of this province, and above all, the potentials and capacities of the human workforce, which are truly remarkable in this province.

One point is that everyone serving the people of this province, regardless of their rank, should be grateful to God. Truly, these people, these insightful, gentle, and talented individuals, deserve to be served; serving these people is indeed a pleasure. Of course, many of you are also from among these people. When one observes the characteristics and traits of the people of Shiraz and Fars, one feels that serving these people with such characteristics, such traits, such gentleness, such attention to detail, and such abundant talents is indeed a privilege, a fortune; appreciate this. Wherever you are and in any of the three branches of government, at any rank, value this and thank God. Truly serve these people and dedicate time to them. Honor and respect the people and visitors. All people everywhere deserve respect; and where one sees human and moral excellence in a community, one is more inclined to honor them. This is my main and significant advice to you, dear brothers.

In this trip, decisions have been made regarding various issues of the province; the esteemed government has provided good budgetary support for the resolutions and decisions of this trip; government officials are gathering today to formalize these as government resolutions; these should be implemented as quickly and efficiently as possible so that the people can benefit from them.

In my opinion, one of the very important things that should be considered in Shiraz is the centrality and significance of this holy shrine, which few cities in our country possess such a distinction and prominence. The three noble Imams and many other Imams in this city greatly elevate the sanctity of this city and its association with the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist (peace be upon them). It is appropriate that in public advertisements, in the media, and in various initiatives undertaken in service, economic, and other fields, this aspect - which reflects the high spirit and meaning of the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist in Fars - be highlighted. This is, after Mashhad and Qom, the third shrine of the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist in all of Iran. Both in terms of serving the pilgrims of this shrine and in terms of introducing and attracting the hearts of the eager from all over the country and beyond to this grand sanctuary, efforts must be made.

One of the things one feels in this province is that despite having outstanding talents, it is a modest and reserved province; like individuals who possess great knowledge and virtue but are not very inclined to speak out or show off; this is felt here. All these glories in the past and present. Yesterday, I enjoyed seeing the academic, literary elites, entrepreneurs, and beneficial personalities for society - both intellectually and practically - in the meeting of elites; however, the advertising and presentation of all this talent in Shiraz is not as it should be. The people of Fars are not talkative; one feels it. It was said that the people of Fars are people of action; they meant that they are not inclined to work. I say no, they are people of action, meaning they are not talkative; otherwise, thanks be to God, they are very industrious here; there is scientific and practical dynamism; in industry, in agriculture; one admires it. The people of Fars are not talkative, not inclined to speak and create a commotion to draw attention to themselves; this needs to be compensated in some way. In the past, Hafiz said:

"I, who have grown weary of the breath of angels,

I draw the discourse of the world for you."

One becomes weary of the breath of angels. The discourse of the world is accepted for him. One sees that this spirit still exists in Shiraz; they are not inclined to talk and show off. However, the talent here is abundant; these talents must be utilized.

Yesterday, one of the gentlemen who spoke raised the issue of the Faculty of Arts and the strengthening of art here. Some think that art is synonymous with irresponsibility, irreligiosity, and lack of discipline; this is wrong. Art is one of the beautiful manifestations of divine creation in humans. What is criticized in art, and what the insightful have always criticized, is the wrong direction of art. It is bad to lead art towards the seduction and irresponsibility of humans; otherwise, if art is aligned with the spirit of religion, with the direction of religion, it is one of the most prominent phenomena of human existence. Today, thanks be to God, this is the case. Today, our poets, our painters, and various artistic fields, when one looks at them, one sees that they are mostly accompanied by the spirit of religion and piety. What is wrong with that? If we have a center for artistic education and strengthening here, while maintaining this correct orientation, it is very good; there is no fault in that. This immense talent should be utilized in this direction; it is very good.

One of the things that should be more focused on in this province is tourism. Here, due to the presence of the holy shrine of Hazrat Ahmad ibn Musa (peace be upon him and his father and brother), there is a doubled aspect of tourism. This is a burial site, a place of pilgrimage. The tourist attractions here are very numerous. I believe that if the country’s officials and the province’s officials can utilize this tourism issue correctly, with proper advertising and correct orientation, its income will make the province independent of all other expenses. The issue of tourism is very important.

I would like to point out the ancient buildings related to before Islam; Persepolis and the other things that exist in this province. One can look at these historical sites from two perspectives; these should be differentiated. One perspective is that these belong to the tyrants of history. Each one we look at is somehow connected to one of the tyrants of history and human oppressors. Yes, from this perspective, there is a negative view of them. Most religious people and those who have a natural aversion to despotism and tyranny do not find these historical sites attractive. However, there is another aspect, which is that these buildings are the product of the artistry of the Iranian artist; the product of the elevated and enlightened thought of the Iranian in years and centuries past; this is the positive aspect of the matter. All the historical buildings - whether here, in Isfahan, or in other parts of the country - are of this kind. It is true that tyrants used them, but who is the creator and originator of these collections? It is the Iranian mind, the fingertips of the Iranian artist, the elevated spirit of the Iranian, the creativity and taste of the Iranian; this is a source of pride for a nation. When we look at it from this perspective, we see that they are positive; whether Persepolis or other regions. Show these.

In the world, there are things that do not have much of a prideful aspect, yet they are sometimes used as historical glories. Those who do not have historical glories create them for themselves! We have so many historical glories, so many things that are a source of historical pride for the Iranian nation, a source of self-confidence for the Iranian nation; why should we not show these?

Someone told me that they had gone to Greece; they took us to various tourist centers and showed them to us; among them, they took us to a place and said this is where the Iranian soldiers came and were defeated. They take people to an empty desert and show them that this is where the Iranians campaigned and were defeated. They show an empty space, proving a historical event with an empty space. Well, here near Kazeroon - as I have heard - there is a statue of Valerian, the Roman emperor, kneeling before the king of Iran. Very well, go show this; this is the contrast! There are so many positive points that can show our past.

I must tell you; I have a firm, resolute, and scientific belief that what Iranians have done after the advent of Islam is not comparable at all to what they had in their historical past. Iran, during the Islamic period, in the third, fourth, and fifth centuries Hijri, was at the peak of knowledge, civilization, and global politics and economics. Nowhere in the world - from east to west, from Asia to Europe - was there anything at this level; this is thanks to Islam. Iran had never reached such a peak before. During the various Iranian dynasties - from the Buyids to the Ghaznavids, Seljuks, and others, to the Safavid period - this part of Iran's history is not comparable; however, that other part of Iran's history is also our history; that is also Iran; now there was a tyrannical ruler at its head, there were wrong traditions and false rites; that is another matter; but it is Iranian art. In any case, the issue of tourism must definitely be worked on; both in terms of Islamic shrines, of which you have the best here, and through our literary and artistic glories, of which you have the highest - namely Hafiz and Saadi - and in terms of what existed in our historical past.

One of the things that I believe should be done here - now the details of these will, God willing, be concluded by our friends in the summaries of the trip and actions will be taken - is that this is an agricultural hub; it is appropriate that long-term drought resistance research, which is extensive and has various methods, finds a center here in this city. One of the things that can find a center here is this. Just as you mentioned unique points in the medical field, you can also have a unique point in this matter. And of course, many other works can be done in this province. God willing, the officials will find success in carrying them out; you too, God willing, may each of you, wherever you are, help advance these programs.

Value this service; value this popular presence; value this attention and spiritual readiness of the dear people; and seek help and guidance from God, God willing, God will assist. Ask God to provide the means for the continuous advancement of this country through you and the officials of the country, God willing, and to make the future of this province and the future of the country better than its past.

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