Statements of His Excellency in a Meeting with a Large Group of Guardians, Disabled Veterans, Students, and Schoolchildren

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

The blessed birth of the master of the free, Hazrat Aba Abdillah al-Husayn (peace be upon him) and the Day of the Guardian; as well as the birth of Hazrat Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas, the standard-bearer of sacrifice and devotion in the plains of Karbala; and also the blessed birth of Imam Sajjad, the master of worshippers and supplicants; and also the thirteenth of Aban, which is the day of the renewed manifestation of freedom, courage, and revolutionary zeal in our Muslim nation, is congratulated to all of you dear attendees and to the entire nation of Iran.

This year, the occasion of these three births and the Day of the Guardian coincides with the thirteenth of Aban, the day of the occupation of the spy den and the day of struggle against global arrogance. There are various occasions that are all almost concentrated in a few days close to each other. Our meeting today is also a gathering composed of elements that each in their own way symbolize these great occasions: a group of our dear guardians - both those affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and those from the committees who are now in the police force - are present. A group of our dear students, a group of our dear schoolchildren, and a group of our dear disabled veterans are also present. This is a fragrant and blessed gathering, and God willing, it will receive divine grace and the compassionate gaze of the Guardian of the Islamic Jurist (may his soul be sanctified).

I would like to say a word about the guardians; and a word about the students and schoolchildren, and a word about the disabled veterans, so that the connection between these three social groups and the three assemblies present in our society becomes clear; then I will present another matter.

The students and schoolchildren, who are active youth in the fields of science, knowledge, and awareness, are preparing themselves for the future management of the country in various layers, are indeed the hopes of the future of the nation and society. This country, this nation, and this system need these youth for their future. Therefore, one of the main elements for the dignity of any country and the securing of its future is the youth who are currently engaged in education. The better and more effective their education, their performance, and their intellectual, moral, and religious upbringing, the more secure the future of the country will be from all aspects; in addition to the fact that at any given time, students and schoolchildren can play a role according to the needs of the country at that time.

The guardians are those who, in the most sensitive moments of our national history, emerged from these universities and high schools and from among the layers of the people, took a firm stand, and played their roles bravely and courageously. That is, those students and schoolchildren who, during a certain period - such as the revolutionary period, the very sensitive and dangerous period after the revolution, and the period of the imposed war - prepared themselves and endeavored to play a constructive and strong role, are these guardians. These commanders that you see today were young people at the beginning of the revolution, at the same ages as our current students and sometimes our schoolchildren; enthusiastic, aware, courageous youth, filled with religious and revolutionary fervor, along with selflessness. At that time, there were other young people as well - they were not the only youth of the country - who either did not have this courage, or their faith was not as strong, or they were engaged in other activities of the country and did not enter this perilous field where these true soldiers of Islam and the revolution and the self-sacrificing individuals entered. Therefore, these brave and aware youth are considered one of the main elements of the dignity of the nation and the country and the pride and securing of the future of our country and system; who, in the most sensitive moments, truly demonstrated manliness. What they did was not merely the expression of a fervent and passionate faith - although that was part of it, but it was not only that - but at the same time, with their own thoughts, with their own minds, and with their own human and talented efforts, they were able to create astonishing works. Many of our military tactics, many of our extensive operational activities in the battlefield, and many of our intelligence operations that led to the destruction of the enemy - both in the war and in intelligence and counter-security operations against the enemy - were the work of these youth. They had neither teachers nor training courses in these areas; but with a sense of need and by exerting pressure on their inner talents, they suddenly sprang forth like a fountain and accomplished astonishing feats. Of course, many dangers threatened them; however, those dangers could not drive them out of the field. In fact, it can be said that for every young generation, our guardians - who themselves were young people during the war and in this perilous field - are a beautiful and attractive model.

Our disabled veterans are also mainly composed of this self-sacrificing group; that is, those who, with this same spirit and feeling, emerged from their work, study, and family environments; entered the field of danger and even approached the threshold of martyrdom; however, martyrdom did not befall them, and they returned to life; but with physical disabilities. They sacrificed their health for this path; then they also practiced patience. When a disabled veteran exercises patience, when they account for God, when a strong, beautiful young person endowed with natural virtues walks among other people with blindness or the loss of a leg, hand, liver, health, and deprived of many blessings that a person enjoys due to physical health, yet feels grateful, yet feels pride and dignity that they have done something for the sake of God; this price and value is no less than that of our martyrs and sometimes even more. This is a general definition of the three groups that are present here today and have perfumed this atmosphere.

I tell you, for a nation, if political and social dignity is at stake, if material welfare and comfort in life are at stake, if achieving great spiritual and worldly aspirations - both - is at stake, if pursuing knowledge is at stake, if pursuing global and international power is at stake - and whatever this nation seeks - this can only be secured if this nation can create elements and states within itself. First and foremost is faith; faith in that goal and faith in that path. Lack of faith, carelessness, and being fickle do not align with a bright and glorious future. If you look at history, you will see that every nation that has reached a certain point has had, first and foremost, faith and belief. If you study the course of history - not the history of a thousand or five thousand years ago; this contemporary history; the history of those countries that are present in the world today; - you will see that what they have - whatever it is - the positive and constructive matters they possess, were granted to them in a season when they had these characteristics; first faith. Then, a society that, with its correct thought and discernment, has found dignity, pride, and the happiness of life in the path of God and knows that if it acts according to God's religion, both this world and the hereafter, both material and spiritual will be granted to it, must also know that the first condition of this path is to have faith in this thought, this foundation, and this path. Look; God Almighty says in the Quran: "Indeed, We have sent you as a witness, a bearer of good tidings, and a warner, so that you may believe in God and His Messenger"; O Prophet! We have sent you as a witness, as a bearer of good tidings, and as a warner so that you and all those who are with you may believe in God and the Messenger. The Prophet himself is also included in this address; "so that you may believe in God and His Messenger, and support him and honor him and glorify him morning and evening"; meaning that without this faith, nothing will progress. Embed this point in your minds; then look and see what those who strive to undermine public faith - and have always strived - are after. You know that this faith is the main foundation of the happiness and pride of the nation. Any factor or propagandist that weakens this faith - in any way; whether it causes doubt and hesitation, or leads to carelessness and recklessness, or drags them into a state of carelessness and fickleness - pursues that wicked goal; that is, it confronts national dignity, national pride, and the happiness of the nation.

Another element is the sense of responsibility. This faith must be accompanied by a sense of responsibility; that is, a person must recognize a duty towards themselves; they must know they have a duty. Without a sense of responsibility, this faith will lose its effectiveness. These two elements must be accompanied by courage, bravery, a spirit of coming to the field, and attention to one's inner strength. Because one of the things that causes any group, any nation, any army to suffer defeat is being oblivious to their own power.

Today, the spiritual influence and political authority of the Iranian nation is widespread throughout this region - whether in the Middle Eastern countries, in the East, or even in Africa and many other places. This is due to the great works that the Iranian nation has accomplished. Today, the Islamic Republic is one of the most powerful systems. This meaning has, of course, been acknowledged in high-level political analyses even in our enemy countries; this has been written, said, and recorded. This authority and spiritual and political influence that you see examples and signs of today in Palestine and in many non-Islamic countries is attempted to be obscured and denied in the eyes of the Iranian nation - especially in the eyes of the younger generation. That is, it is made to appear that the Iranian nation is an isolated and sidelined nation; that no one pays attention to it! This is the work of the enemy. Why? So that the nation remains oblivious to its true identity and to the immense power and capabilities it possesses. This is one of the enemy's plots. Therefore, courage, bravery, and awareness of one's capabilities and the authority that exists in this nation due to faith are also one of the conditions for shaping that future.

Unity of word is also the same. Everyone must be united. There are differences among every human group. You will not find any human group that has unanimous agreement on various issues; however, this difference of opinion should not sever the bond of unity in a nation and a group. Now observe how the enemy's plots are. There are groups that share the same thoughts on the most fundamental issues; in belief in Islam, in belief in the Sharia, in belief in the Islamic Republic, in religiosity, sometimes even in observing the recommended practices, their thoughts, beliefs, paths, and even actions are the same; but with the enemy's insinuation, they feel separation and hatred towards each other; they line up against each other in the relevant centers of the system; they line up against each other among the people; they line up against each other in various sectors! Among these groups, whoever is stricter towards others, with an open declaration of enmity, and sharper and more inflaming of the fire of discord, whether they know it or not, is more in the service of the enemies of this nation and this system. Unity and solidarity are also one of the necessary conditions. This is the construction and securing of the future of this system. Of course, there is much to say on this matter.

Let me also tell you: the success of any nation in its progress is inversely proportional to the influence of foreigners and enemies in that country. Their relationship is inverse; that is, whenever a foreigner and a foreign power - even if that foreign power has not openly declared enmity - has more influence among the people, various classes, and the political space, that nation is further away from a future filled with dignity and pride. It is not that one must always confront every foreigner; no, sometimes a person befriends a foreigner for the sake of interests; but even with that friendly foreigner, one should not allow them to play a role in the internal affairs of this house, this family, this country, and this society. From the very beginning of the revolution, when the ties of American influence and other powerful entities - it was not only America; but America was the worst - were completely severed in this country, they have constantly been thinking of ways to infiltrate within the country and to implement their thoughts, words, actions, and goals. They use all means for this purpose, and they have utilized them over these twenty-one or twenty-two years. Today, the most they use is political maneuvering. This political maneuvering manifests in various forms. A politician, when they want to achieve their goal, sometimes frowns, sometimes smiles, sometimes shows anger, sometimes threatens, sometimes approaches, and sometimes turns away. These are political maneuvers. One day they say we have done great harm to the Iranian nation and, for example, we are sorry! One day they come to pass a law against the Iranian nation in their Senate. One day they praise the traitors and the most infamous anti-revolutionary groups. One day, because Iran is openly and explicitly opposed to Zionism - due to the usurpation that has occurred in Palestine - they propagate against it. One day they allocate funds to overthrow the Islamic Republic. These are political maneuvers; this is political maneuvering. They use every method; in their radios, in their propaganda, in their contacts with internal personalities, in deceiving them. Whenever they see any corner of this great trench that the Iranian nation has created against the enemy's infiltration is somewhat soft and permeable, they concentrate there to infiltrate; whether it be a political figure, a political party, or a government official. For this reason, God Almighty says in the surah full of epic and lessons of victory, after stating all the verses of epic, regarding the companions of the Prophet, He says: "They are severe against the disbelievers, and merciful among themselves"; these are severe against the disbelievers - meaning those enemies who have lined up - are severe. The disbelievers referred to are not the Jews or Christians who lived under the Prophet's shadow in Medina. At that time, there were Christians and Jews living in Medina, and the Prophet and his companions had good relations with them. They are not referred to as "severe against the disbelievers". "Severe against the disbelievers" refers to those disbelievers who, like the disbelievers of Quraysh, were constantly engaged in military movements against Islam and the Islamic Medina; or like the Jews of Banu Qurayza and Khaybar and the rest of the regions who were constantly creating obstacles - traveling here and there, gathering this group and that group against Islam, marching, inciting, creating rumors - or those who lived in Medina in the guise of Muslims but were disbelievers at heart and were constantly in contact with either the first disbelievers or the second disbelievers. "Severe against the disbelievers", meaning severe against these three categories. But "merciful among themselves"; they were merciful and kind to each other. See; this is the Islamic method. This is so that the enemy cannot infiltrate against these severe ones in any way. What does severe mean? Severe means with absolute firmness. Regarding iron, it says: "In it is great strength". It is strong; meaning it is firm. Severity here does not mean oppression, nor does it necessarily mean bloodshed. It means firmness; meaning this trench should not be loose and soft; this wall should not have breaches.

My message today and always to the political factions and personalities in this country is that in the face of the enemy, do not be in a way that they feel they can infiltrate into the heart of the revolution through this means and expand their influence. If I have sometimes complained about some individuals or some media in this country, it is because of this. They should not do anything that gives the enemy the impression that they can infiltrate into the system and expand their influence; as we have said, the more the enemy's influence increases, the weaker national dignity, national authority, national greatness, and the securing of the country's future will become. The relationship between these is inverse. If someone gives the enemy a foothold; if someone turns the thirteenth of Aban - which is the day of announcing hostilities with America - into a day of humiliation in front of America, and if someone, instead of strengthening national unity, is constantly thinking of division, know for certain that they want to pave the way for the enemy's infiltration. Therefore, this person cannot claim to be a supporter of national unity and national interests. It is very bad that in the Islamic system, some people give their hearts to the enemy; they do not stop at this, they repeat the enemy's words; they do not stop at this, they question the sanctities of the system; they do not stop at this, they do exactly what the enemy wants; that is, they undermine that faith - which was the first condition - in the people; they destroy the courage and self-confidence in the hearts of the youth; they take up an axe to strike at the walls of this system to create breaches! If they do these things, then the system will confront them and recognize them as criminals according to the laws; for being a criminal in the Islamic system is an eternal stain of disgrace, unless "except for those who repent, amend, and clarify"; someone repents; they correct what they have corrupted; they clarify the ambiguity they have created; they make clear their past mistakes; then God Almighty will forgive them and their crime will turn into righteousness. But as long as they have not done these things, they are a criminal; then those who, contrary to the law, support this criminal, this is one of the worst actions!

The worst habits in a country are when various agencies accuse each other. This makes no sense; it disrupts the cohesion and unity of the governing bodies of the country. A complete group can only work when its agencies complement and assist each other. Not that one agency is always thinking of discrediting another agency; and that agency is always thinking of destroying and discrediting that agency. This cannot be. A person who is a criminal is a criminal; of course, they are a criminal to the extent of their crime, not more. Crimes are not of equal measure. It is not that when someone commits a crime, one sin wipes out all the good deeds; no, that is not the case; but a crime must be considered a crime. That behavior and action that has been determined according to the law and according to the correct rules and methods to be a crime, and its owner is a criminal, should not be praised and commended by four inattentive people. These inattentions harm the future of the country. If someone does these things, then says they also believe in national dignity; they also believe in the happiness of the nation; they also want the future of the nation! These do not align with each other. What I say to you youth - whether you guardians, whether you students, whether you schoolchildren, and whether you disabled veterans - is this: My dear ones! You are the youth upon whom the present and future of the system rests. Once, a group of youth in this country did things that brought us to this point; from now on, it is yours, your day, your duty. I tell you youth: My dear ones! Faith is the main foundation. Courage and self-confidence are one of the main pillars. A sense of responsibility is one of the main pillars. Unity and solidarity among the faithful forces are one of the main pillars. Of course, there are other foundations that I have now focused on these few matters. If you pay attention to these issues, know that this country, which, thanks to this revolution and this system, is today one of the most solid and cherished countries in the world, will also be one of the most powerful, proud, and leading countries in the future. Officials must fulfill their duties; they must understand, comprehend, and meet the needs of the people. The problems that currently exist among the people - deprivations, disarray, discrimination, and unemployment, which is our constant kind reminder to the officials about these matters - are obstacles. Removing these is not the goal; removing these is necessary to reach the goal. The goal is to build a country that can be a model in the world; "so that you may be witnesses over the people". Rise to such heights that you can oversee the entire world; over all methods, over all civilizations and cultures. This has stages that I will, God willing, discuss in a future talk about which stage we are currently in. We have started a path, and we have made significant progress. Contrary to the perception that the enemy wants to instill, this nation has made considerable progress and has reached good places; however, continuing the path requires that these obstacles be removed. This poverty, this unemployment, some of these corruptions that are observed here and there, some of these divisions and oppositions, and the like are hindrances to the great national movement. These must be removed from the path so that this nation can advance. God willing, if this nation can, just as it has removed great obstacles from its path, also remove these thorny issues from its path, know that the Iranian nation and the dear Islamic country of Iran and the sacred system of the Islamic Republic will, in the future that is, God willing, visible and attainable for you youth, be at the pinnacle of the countries of the world and will determine the path for humanity.

O Lord! By Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, grant your attentions, successes, and assistance to this nation and these dear youth to reach this future. O Lord! Include your attentions and pure prayers for our Master and our absent Imam (may his soul be sanctified) upon all of us. O Lord! Make the pure souls of our dear martyrs and the sacred spirit of the Imam of the Revolution pleased with us. O Lord! Make us grateful to those who sacrificed their lives, bodies, health, and opportunities for this revolution.

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