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

At the outset, I congratulate all the esteemed gentlemen on the auspicious birth of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her). Your assembly coincides with these blessed days; God willing, these gatherings, discussions, and listenings will be encompassed by the attention of that esteemed lady.

I thank His Excellency Ayatollah Meshkini and His Excellency Ayatollah Amini. What Ayatollah Meshkini has expressed regarding the importance of the governance of Islam and the Islamic system in our country is entirely correct, sound, and endorsed by us; he has articulated our heartfelt sentiments. It would not be inappropriate for me to also express a few sentences on these matters.

In the part where he spoke about the significance of the great event of establishing the Islamic system, I must say that the greatness and significance of this event is such that the most important political apparatuses in the world have been preoccupied with it for years. The reason is that with the Islamic Revolution and the establishment of the Islamic system, a new horizon has emerged in the life of the Islamic environment - the collection of countries and Muslim nations - and the revolution and Islamic system have provided them with new ideals. The nature of these ideals is such that it unsettles the arrogant system; because the foundation of the arrogant system is based on economic, cultural, and political domination over the regions where Islamic countries are located. The survival of the arrogant system is dependent on these regions; as it needs both the resources and the markets for its products. When the thought of Islam and Islamic ideals is revived in these countries, the arrogant system feels threatened; because Islamic ideals are fundamentally opposed to the dominance of this system. In Islamic countries, we practically observe the reflection and manifestation of the Islamic system, and we see that their youth, intellectuals, and the general populace have been influenced by the natural message of the establishment of the Islamic system. If one follows the events of the Islamic world over the past twenty years, they will clearly understand the reasons for the anxiety and agitation of America and other arrogant apparatuses. They feel threatened, and they have the right to feel threatened. However, this does not mean that the Islamic system intends to go to war with any country or specific system in the world; rather, it means that introducing this thought into the lives of the people is a source of danger for them. They have been able to condemn the Marxist system in the realm of theory with the slogan of democracy; however, they cannot condemn the Islamic system with this wave; because the Islamic system is a popular system, and popular governance in the Islamic system is more genuine, more real, more authentic, and more rooted than in Western systems. Today, Western systems, which claim to be democratic, are in contradiction. With the analyses they provide, their democracy is flawed; while the Islamic system is one that relies on the votes, thoughts, and beliefs of the people. They engage in extensive propaganda in an attempt to deny this truth and this important aspect of the Islamic Republic. The waves we observe today in the hands and mouths of the propagandists of arrogance - such as the denial of the republic - are due to their opposition to this truth. A system that has relied on the votes of the people since its inception cannot be denied. The essence of the system was chosen by the people; the drafters of the constitution were chosen by the people; the constitution was ratified by the people; in multiple elections, the people freely went to the polls and elected presidents and representatives of the parliament. This is a reality that exists. They are forced to resort to various interpretations and fabrications in order to divert the public mind and the public opinion of the world or the public opinion within the country. The popular system - whose popularity is clearer, more prominent, more genuine, and more authentic than the democracies prevalent in the world - has also been able to fill the great void that the world is grappling with today - namely, the spiritual void.

From the beginning of the revolution until today, it has been entirely natural for all their destructive and obstructive capabilities to be directed against this system; in order to either eliminate it from the field or prevent its progress or infiltrate it. They have undertaken these actions and efforts and have been unsuccessful in all cases. Of course, this does not mean that our Islamic system has progressed as it should and as expected from an Islamic system; no, these shortcomings are attributed to the collective of those involved in the system - especially those who claim religion, spirituality, and sanctity. Truly, the shortcomings mentioned are all valid in our personal behaviors, in our conduct, and in various areas. If these shortcomings did not exist, today the manifestation of the system and its successes in various fields would be greater than this. Nevertheless, the authenticity of the Islamic system and the impact of the luminous decrees of Islam are such that to the extent that God Almighty has granted success and the officials of this system have been able to act and move, and the people have followed this Islamic path with faith and eagerness in every area we have entered, great successes have been bestowed upon us. We must recognize the immense successes that this system has achieved; an independent system, a system based on the luminous decrees of Islam, a system founded on true meritocracy, a system in which people feel a sense of religiosity. The future is such that, God willing, the complete realization of Islamic decrees must manifest itself. We all bear great responsibilities.

The matter I wanted to address in this session - which is connected to these topics - is that today, as understood from the words of the well-wishers of the system, it is certain that the enemies are both attacking and preparing for future assaults. Today, no one can deny this. They explicitly state that they want to uproot the foundations of the Islamic system! In the statements of our enemies outside these borders, this point is clearly present and cannot be denied. That we close our eyes and attribute all shortcomings to the structure of the Islamic system and to the Islamic nature of the system - a task that the enemies promote and instill - and ignore the enmities and the effects of these enmities from the superpowers and influential financial and economic and political centers of the world is no longer an acceptable argument. Although until a while ago, some truly thought and spoke this way; but today it is clear. We must see where the enemy's attacks are directed; what they are relying on and what their targets are.

In a clear view of the issues, one can identify several points clearly. One point is the theory of Islamic governance. This is one of the targets of the enemy's attacks. Whether it is against the foundations of Islam, or the constitution, or some prominent aspects of the Islamic system that are symbols and indicators of the system, there is a theoretical and intellectual assault. This assault is no less significant than practical aggression. Because - as you have pointed out - the reliance of the Islamic system is on the power of the people. The power of the people is also based on their faith; if they are believers, they will defend; but if the foundation of faith weakens, this support and defense will gradually diminish. Therefore, what targets the firm faith and belief of the people should not be underestimated. The remedy for this is intellectual struggle. A scientific movement in this area is necessary. Of course, we do not exempt the government from this responsibility. Our address and admonition to the Ministry of Culture and the institutions responsible for official propaganda have been due to this direction over the years until today. Ultimately, the government bears one of the most important responsibilities; just as the media plays a significant role in this responsibility; just as all artistic institutions that are affiliated with the Islamic system are responsible; however, the responsibilities of the government should not negate the responsibilities of the scholars and seminaries. Ultimately, the production, elucidation, and formulation of thought is the work of the seminaries, and the seminaries must enter the field in this regard.

Of course, a lot of work is being done today. I am among those who have the most information about what is happening at the level of the seminaries in this regard. We see their works coming from various corners. Of course, the absolute volume of work is good, but the relative volume is low; that is, compared to what it should be, both in terms of quantity and quality, it is insufficient. Today, the Islamic government and the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist are among the clear aspects of Islamic jurisprudence and rational considerations; that is, if one wants to speak based on rational considerations, this theory is among the clearest, most evident, and most defensible theories; but this is distorted in people's minds through various methods - by likening it to the governance of the church and monarchical governance, etc. - which requires struggle.

I have repeatedly mentioned this point to friends, and I say it to you as well: the volume of the enemy's hostility and enmity towards us is very high; however, our power and capability to confront and struggle - whether in our offensive struggle against the enemy or our defensive struggle - is also very high. If we decide to confront the enemy's aggression - to make this decision and rely on God Almighty and utilize our own capacities - the enemy's power is much less than ours. We are among our own people; we are facing our own people, we speak the language of our own people; however, the enemy does not have these capabilities or does not have them to the extent we do. Therefore, we can even influence the public opinion of the world.

Today, those who propagate against us and Islamic theories are disgraced in the world. You observe how much America is rejected in the world. The financial and economic apparatuses and those who are today pursuing global thinking for greater consumption of the world are condemned and detested in the world. Their propaganda is the same; however, when they enter a vacuum and in an unopposed space, they have impacts. Therefore, we can also influence the public opinion of the world.

Thus, first and foremost, one of the important tasks is the intellectual work that falls upon the seminaries and thinkers; whether to produce or to guide. Today, fortunately, there are many university groups that passionately defend Islam, the revolution, and Islamic principles. The seminaries can pay attention to them and assist them; they can collaborate with them and support them; so that in contemplation and thought, they do not deviate from the correct line.

Another point is the disruption in the operation and work of the Islamic Republic system, which is primarily countered by the government. In our meetings with government officials, we have emphasized this point seriously and warned them. When we encounter friends who are responsible for executive affairs - of course, the executive branch also includes the judiciary; it is not exclusive to the executive branch - we remind them that they must consider initiative, seriousness, follow-up, and enthusiasm in their work. In this regard, confronting deviations and errors must be serious. Both government officials and judicial authorities, if they see deviations and errors, must confront them. Of course, in that letter we wrote to the esteemed heads of the three branches, we emphasized that small errors should not be used as an excuse for heavy confrontations, and indeed many small errors can be overlooked. It is the large errors that create disruptions in work; like a stone thrown in the path of a factory or workshop; in addition to stopping work, it also destroys and eliminates the wheels and gears of that factory.

The magnitude of an error is based on two things: one is that the error itself is large - for example, major financial corruption, major treachery - and the other is that the wrongdoer is responsible or trustworthy. Sometimes, the occurrence of small errors by individuals from whom trust is expected is much more damaging than the large errors of others. Being trustworthy makes the error committed significant. These errors must be confronted; this affects the efficiency of the system. If government officials in their respective positions and judicial officials in their respective positions confront these deviations and errors, both the efficiency of government officials in various fields will increase and this economic problem - the issue of employment, the issue of exports and imports, matters related to money, etc. - will largely be resolved. That is, confronting corruption will lead to individuals being more careful, and it will also make treacherous hands fear and withdraw. These two factors will lead to progress in the economic and current affairs of the country and government. Therefore, the remedy for the attack on the inefficiency of the system is to prove its efficiency; and proving efficiency is done in this manner.

Another point of attention is that they turn the inefficiency of the system into an established principle through propaganda, which I believe is one of the dangerous things that sometimes friends and insiders also err in. In the course of criticizing a device, organization, or official, sometimes the way it is spoken creates a reflection in the outside world and in the minds of the audiences who are listening to us that is far greater than the reality! This must be taken into account. We must not align ourselves with the enemies of the system. They constantly emphasize the inefficiency of the system, and we also, whether by portraying the judiciary as inefficient, or the government as inefficient, or by portraying trustworthy and honest individuals serving in the system as inefficient or bad, continuously repeat this! Each of these actions should be carried out in its own place: pursuing corruption should be done with the correct legal methods in its own place; such false atmospheres should not be created. These do not contradict each other; they are not mutually exclusive that if we want to fight corruption, we must create an atmosphere of uncertainty and insecurity and suspicion towards everyone. On the contrary, I believe that if we confront corruption and the corrupt genuinely and seriously, this should give people a sense of calm. This should not be generalized to say that everyone is like this! Such things should not be said in discourse.

Another point is the issue of unity among the forces faithful to Islam and the Islamic Republic system. Of course, we have said this many times. From the beginning of the revolution, this has been an important matter for the system, and Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) repeatedly stated this; the well-wishers of the system have always said this; but in practice, what should have been done has not been done. We must truly define the borders of friendship and enmity. Today, there are those who oppose each other who genuinely believe in the essence of Islam, in the governance of Islam, in the government being derived from religion - that is, the unity of religion and politics - in the fundamental principles of the constitution - such as Articles Four and Five and the issue of the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist - and other matters. They engage in such opposition and create such uproar over minor details and issues that the main enmities are left in a safe margin and the main enemies remain in the shadows! Who are the main enemies? Those who oppose the essence of the Islamic system. As you have stated, the greatest blessing of God is the existence of this system, and the greatest good is defending this system. This is the greatest task that must be accomplished. Some have banded together to oppose this system - whether through theorizing or through political propaganda and various cunning tactics - and they undermine the system. Their issue is not criticism of the system or its officials; from their perspective, criticism is a means to destroy the system itself. Those who are capable of understanding and grasping the situation clearly understand this and must understand it.

Of course, those who are enemies of the system are not such that they cannot live in this system; no. Opponents of Islam can live in this system; those who do not accept Islam at all can live in this system. Islam has not stated that anyone living under the Islamic system must believe in Islam and its principles; no. They can live and enjoy citizenship rights and security. If a thief breaks into the house of a non-Muslim and commits theft, that thief will also be punished. In general, there is no difference in citizenship rights between those who believe in the system and those who oppose it. They can live; however, they do not have the right to oppose and fight against the system. They do not have the right to take up an axe and strike at the roots of the system. Here, the system must prevent them. Now, should we sit and discuss what the meaning of overthrowing is? Is a certain stage part of overthrowing or not? The term overthrowing is not something that has descended from the heavens. Anyone who opposes the system must not be assisted in this opposition, and their path must be blocked, and if their actions fall under one of the legal offenses, they must be punished. Everyone must agree on this matter. Then we come to gradually blur the boundaries with those who do not accept the system and are intent on opposing it, and constantly fall upon our own people! This is not correct. This discussion of insiders and outsiders that we raised two or three years ago and worried some people, means exactly this. The meaning of outsider is not that they should not live in this country; no. Outsiders can live; however, it must be clear that they have no connection with the system; so that they will be a source of effect in certain matters. The boundary must be maintained, their words should not be repeated, and their actions should not be endorsed. This is the essence of the matter. Interestingly, many of those who complain about why you mentioned insiders and outsiders do not consider the officials of the system and the faithful people as insiders - they consider them outsiders - and do not trust them! In practice, they themselves are the ones who divide individuals into insiders and outsiders! They say, why do you make it clear to the people that we are outsiders?!

I see the remedy for this in this: today, the Islamic and faithful forces are not few; thanks be to God, they are abundant. We cannot compare today with the beginning of the revolution. Today, we have several times more capable, faithful, and authentic forces than at the beginning of the revolution. Back then, many entered the field in the name of the Islamic system and the Islamic Republic who had neither experience nor deep information. Today, how many faithful youth, good managers, and sincere and dedicated forces do we have throughout the system; behind them is also the immense force of the people. You see this immense popular force and their religious demonstrations; you see the youth's inclination towards religious gatherings and religious propaganda. Wherever a banner of religious elucidation is raised, you see the youth flocking there. Wherever a wise and knowledgeable person enters the field of discussion and dialogue, you see the youth coming and sitting down. The pure, faithful youth are like mirrors. Therefore, the forces are abundant; the people, thanks be to God, support this system. Today, in the countries we know, the Islamic Republic, in terms of public support for the system and its officials, is either unparalleled or rare. We must take advantage of this opportunity. Both in terms of theorizing and strengthening the theory and in terms of action, we must strive and endeavor.

God Almighty has promised that He will grant us victory. The divine promise is true and is accompanied by emphasis and an oath. He will not fail. If we support God - which we all are determined to do - we must be serious and straightforward; we should not have unnecessary considerations and enter the field, without a doubt, God Almighty will grant us victory and support. By the grace of the Lord, the future is very bright and the ground is also prepared.

We hope, God willing, that all the esteemed gentlemen, all the officials, and all of us will be included in the pure prayers of the Awaited Savior, may our souls be sacrificed for him, and may God Almighty help us to fulfill the important duties that we express and that are in our hearts, in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

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