Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with Members of the Assembly of Experts

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

First of all, I extend my greetings to the esteemed gentlemen, elders, and scholars present in this gathering, and I hope that the Almighty God bestows His blessings upon your efforts and gathering, and that this will, God willing, be beneficial for the Islamic Ummah and the future of Muslims.

We thank His Excellency Mr. Mashkini and Mr. Amini (may their blessings be upon them); they have expressed very important points that deserve follow-up and pursuit. We are on the threshold of the month of Muharram, which is the month of teaching the struggle in the path of God by the greatest of creatures, His Holiness Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him). We hope to be good followers and students for him and to fulfill the right of following and obedience to this great figure according to what is our duty at this time, God willing. Just as he undertook that great struggle for the defense of God's religion and the defense of Islam and the Islamic Ummah, with no expectation or intention other than to gain God's satisfaction, we too should walk on this path, with our intention and goal being, according to what we understand and discern by the standards, to gain God's satisfaction.

The issue of governance and managing societal affairs in Islam - as the gentlemen have stated - is a very important matter. If the representatives of the people and the experts of the Ummah gather together to discuss this issue and its ramifications and requirements, every minute of these discussions can be significant and fateful and can earn divine reward; because the matter is very important. In Islam, sovereignty over the people does not mean a privilege or special right for the ruler; likewise, governance is not an arbitrary matter without criteria - as if by chance and luck, someone comes to take over the affairs of the people at any level - but rather it is subject to criteria, and the most important task is to observe these criteria. Of course, the possibility of error and mistake, both in judgment and in the performance of those who have been correctly judged, is always conceivable; therefore, we do not expect infallibility from anyone. However, Islam has set criteria and conditions for the selection of rulers at every level, whether at the higher levels - where major policies, significant tasks, and the overall management of the country are in their hands - or at the intermediate and lower levels, and what is incumbent upon us is to fully observe these criteria. Thus, in Islam, what we recognize as Islamic sovereignty, and upon which the overall foundation of this society is based today, is religious democracy, which fundamentally differs from the democracies prevalent in the world. The root of the legitimacy of the people's vote in the democracies prevalent in the world is fundamentally different from the legitimacy of the people's vote in the Islamic people's democracy that we seek and consider as Islamic governance and the sovereignty of Islam. Therefore, there is a difference in methods between these. In the prevalent global democracies, the regulations that we consider for managing the country and for its managers do not exist; there may be other regulations. Here, there is no power-seeking. It is not the case that the dispute is over who will ride the horse of power and gallop to use any means for this purpose.

When we say that our politics is identical to our religion and our religion is identical to our politics, one side of the issue is that politics and its foundation must be based on religion. The other side of the coin is that political activity cannot be outside the religious and ethical criteria and regulations. Unethical actions to gain power are absolutely impermissible and disqualify anyone who is in the path of management; therefore, these regulations must be fully observed at all levels. The law has set criteria for leadership, the presidency, the officials of the three branches, and various levels of management, down to the levels of city and village councils and other places, which arise from that Islamic view and thought. These criteria must be met. It must be determined that these conditions exist in this person, then he should be presented to the people's vote if the criterion is the people's vote; or appointed if the criterion is appointment, as is the case with some responsibilities that exist. The Islamic ruler is responsible for important societal issues, for the poverty of the people, for discrimination and social gaps, for the ethics and spirituality of the people, for preserving the independence of the country and the freedom of the people - within the limits that Islam has prescribed. These are responsibilities, and since Islam has desired this and this has been taught to the people, and our people believe in Islam, their expectation from the officials in the country at every level is that they fulfill these responsibilities and perform what is their duty. The effectiveness of governance means this. If the people observe this effectiveness in the officials of the country, their belief in them and in the Islamic system and Islam will increase day by day. The enemies of Islam and the propaganda loudspeakers of the world constantly repeat that the people have problems with Islam and the Islamic system; while the people themselves created this Islamic system and have preserved it until today. The people have no problem with the Islamic system; they have problems with discrimination, poverty, corruption, and the non-observance of regulations in some parts of the administrative structure of the country regarding the managers of society. The people have problems with individuals, not with the Islamic system.

The people accept the Islamic system and believe in it and have defended it and continue to defend it today. Therefore, I consider it my duty to thank the people for their presence in the elections of the councils. Although the people had rightful grievances against the councils, nonetheless, you observe that according to official statistics, more than twenty million people were present at the polling stations and voted. Certainly, if the councils had fulfilled their duties and had instilled hope in the people regarding their intentions and effectiveness, the people's reception would have been even greater. The people are willing to fulfill their duties in managing the country and to reclaim their share and rights. If those who have been elected in councils across the country, God willing, fulfill their duties and avoid political turmoil and engaging in matters that are not their responsibilities, and focus on their duties - which is to manage the affairs of cities and villages and address the problems of the people within the scope of their responsibilities - undoubtedly, the people's interest in this important institution of the Islamic Republic, which is emphasized in the constitution, will increase. The enemies of the system and the Islamic Republic have raised their voices in recent days to shout and make incorrect and malicious uses of the phenomenon that has emerged in the Islamic Republic - namely, the people's presence in the councils and the election of individuals. The truth of the matter is different from what they say. They are players in the political arena and speak against the Islamic Republic for political interests in the world; a number of them inside also repeat the same words and express what they desire. The truth is that the people are interested in the system and its institutions, and their expectation from the officials is work, service, and fulfilling their duties. In this regard, there is no difference between the city council, the Islamic Consultative Assembly, the government, and other institutions; each must fulfill its duty, and the people will become interested and encouraged by them. If some do not fulfill their duties, neglect, become preoccupied with other matters, and possibly cause corruption - as has been observed in some cases where those whom the people elected for a task, instead of attending to that task, engaged in activities that are not beneficial to the people, but rather harmful to them - naturally, the people will become disheartened.

Another difference between the prevalent democracies of the world and the religious people's democracy is that in the religious people's democracy, the common practices of the world and extravagances and expensive propaganda should not be carried out at all. We observe thousands of talented young people in Sistan and Baluchestan with good and usable abilities for managing the country who are stuck in one place, waiting for a minor means to pursue their work; then some come and spend billions on propaganda to attract the people's attention; sometimes with methods that are incorrect and sometimes contrary to Islamic principles, as has been heard in some areas, candidates have sought to attract the people's attention with anti-Islamic and anti-system slogans! Of course, the people responded to these with their indifference; however, it became clear that the supervising body over these matters was not precise and did not fulfill its duty, and the people's understanding and sense of responsibility towards that body was more supervision, and they often rejected these individuals. Of course, the elections have passed; however, the fact that the officials do not fulfill their duties has not passed. This is subject to review and follow-up, and it must be determined whether they truly acted with intent or not. Why should individuals who have been explicitly removed from the political arena by the Imam be allowed to enter the field against the Imam's wishes and contrary to what is the foundation of the Islamic Republic? Of course, the people responded to these individuals with rejection, and it became clear that contrary to what they claimed, they have no base or weight among the people.

Observing regulations in all sectors and areas is a necessary matter and must be carefully and fully adhered to; then individuals who are qualified should be made available to the people so that the people's votes can select the best among them; then elections, in the usual manner that exists, God willing, will be beneficial. Everyone must observe this meaning. When we proclaim the realization of Islam in the world, this is not a small matter; behind this slogan lies the feelings, faith, and beliefs of a large portion of the world's population. If we can prove that we are truly pursuing this slogan and demonstrate that this slogan is effective, then over a billion and several hundred million people will stand behind this slogan; this is not a small thing. Today, apart from the Islamic region and the Islamic community, there are many hearts in the world that can accept this message that democracy, in the manner that the Americans - the epitome of bullying and tyranny - have become its standard-bearers, does not remedy the pains of the people. America is the epitome of bullying and tyranny and has material tools of oppression, but these are not enough; these are fleeting: "For falsehood is fleeting." In our lifetime, we have seen similar fleeting moments concerning powers that today have no trace of their existence, both at the national and international levels. The Soviet Union, which today has no sign in the world, was a power until just a few years ago and, decades ago, committed the same bullying and exercised the same powers. What the Soviets did in Hungary, Poland, and Eastern Europe is what America is doing today in the world or threatens to do. Although at that time there were two powers and two poles competing with each other, that competition did not prevent the creation of atrocities and crimes. That vast country also committed such acts within itself. It seized regions of the world and forcibly changed governments. It is not the first time that the world has faced international bullying and tyranny - which today is epitomized by America; it has existed before and we have seen that they were completely obliterated and annihilated. Therefore, there is no guarantee that the bullying powers will remain in the fleeting moment they create. This fleeting moment is like a flame that rises and then subsides, and the factors for the destruction of this movement are embedded within it.

There was a day when only in one point of the world, the American flag was burned and the slogan "Death to America" was shouted; but today you see in several points of the world, the American flag is burned and the slogan "Death to America" is shouted! In America itself, the American flag was set on fire; this is a significant phenomenon. What caused this action? Was it not the steadfastness and resilience of a brave and faithful nation to its goals and its path that could gradually make this wave widespread? These things are gradual - not instantaneous - and their effects can be understood in the long term. For twenty-four years, we have been grappling with problems; however, during all this time, we have progressed and have not stopped at any point. Those who constantly try to recite verses of despair and discourage hearts, if they are not enemies or agents of the enemy, are oblivious and do not have a broad perspective on matters. When we look at matters broadly, we see that today the Islamic Republic has been able to awaken the Muslim nations. Now, some individuals inside our country come and shout for America's return! Is this not a sign of the utmost ignorance, weakness, and submissiveness in the hearts of these individuals? By the grace of Islam, we are strong. We must recognize our strength and utilize it. First and foremost, we must demonstrate our effectiveness within the country. Effectiveness is not a miraculous thing; if everyone fulfills their duty, recognizes their path, and does not deviate from it, this becomes effectiveness; it is the same for the government, the judiciary, the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and the Islamic councils. Those who have been elected in the Islamic councils must respond to the trust of the people and truly avoid political maneuvering and the actions that their predecessors sometimes took that disheartened the people from certain matters; they must engage in work and genuinely show the people that they want to work for them. The government, the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and the judiciary also have no other way to gain popularity in the eyes of the people than this. The people love Islam and the Islamic system. With the insinuations of the enemies and the actions and maneuvering of the political players in the world and the followers of the ball collectors inside, it is not possible to turn the people's opinion away from the Islamic system. Wherever you go in the country, it is the same. When you go to Sistan and Baluchestan and the cities far from the center and other parts of the country, you see that it is the same; the people want the Islamic system from the depths of their being; however, they have expectations from this Islamic system, and these expectations must be met. These expectations are rightful; they expect justice, welfare, progress in their lives, the resolution of problems, the reduction of class gaps, and that dear ones do not gain undue advantages in the political arena and the management of the country. These expectations are correct expectations; these are the teachings that Islam has imparted to us and the people. The behaviors of the great figures of early Islam and those who are role models for the people and for us have been narrated; this is part of our nation's culture over many years. We must act upon these expectations; even if necessary, we must impose strictness upon ourselves and exert pressure to fulfill what is incumbent upon us, and God willing, overcome the problems. The people love the system; it is we who have the duty to act according to the standards of the Islamic system in all areas.

We hope that the Almighty God does not withdraw His grace from this nation, from this country, and from this Islamic system, and just as until today - as Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) said - in all periods of the Islamic Republic and in all the twists and turns and ups and downs, the hand of divine power has helped us, and we have felt and seen it in various instances, may He assist us in the future in the various tests and trials that lie ahead, and may we be worthy servants for preserving the divine trust and, God willing, gaining the satisfaction of the Lord. May God include all of you and us in the pure prayers of His Holiness, the Awaited Savior (may our souls be sacrificed for him), and may He grant mercy and grace to the pure spirit of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) and the martyrs of the righteous.

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