Statements of His Eminence in Meeting with Domestic and Foreign Guests on the Tenth Anniversary of the Passing of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified)

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

I extend my warmest welcome to all the esteemed guests of the Islamic Republic who have come from other countries, as well as to all the dear brothers and sisters who have traveled from various parts of the country to participate in the commemoration of the great Imam in Tehran. Although our nation has always honored the memory of the great Imam over these ten years, this year’s tribute and commemoration is more public and widespread.

One point that must be noted here is that honoring our great Imam is not merely an expression of gratitude and recognition of the past, but rather an insistence and emphasis on the path and line that the great Imam left for the Iranian nation and all Muslims around the world through his revolution, his uprising, his conduct, his teachings, and his will. The Imam, as a model, as a teacher, as a leader, is present in our minds and in the reality of our society. His body is not here, but his thoughts are here, his path is here, his lessons are here, and these lessons are what the Iranian nation and all Muslims around the world need; they needed them yesterday, and they need them today. Therefore, the lesson of the Imam is alive, the path of the Imam is alive, the line of the Imam is alive, and the Imam's guiding finger is before everyone's eyes. If we were to summarize this lesson for the Muslims of the world, it would be a return to pure Islam; an Islam that can bring everything to the people and nations.

Islam grants nations independence and freedom; both freedom in their living environment - freedom from dictatorial and oppressive powers, freedom from superstitions and ignorance, freedom from ignorant prejudices and misguided thoughts - and also freedom from the economic power and political pressure of global arrogance. Islam provides nations with prosperity and economic advancement along with social justice. The economic advancement that increases the gap between social classes is not what Islam seeks. The economic model that Western countries prescribe for the world’s people, which enriches certain classes and boosts economic prosperity at the expense of weakening, impoverishing, and oppressing other classes of society; this is not acceptable to Islam. Economic prosperity accompanied by justice, with a spirit of mutual support and brotherhood, is achieved under the shadow of Islam. What are the current predicaments of the Muslim nations in the world? The existence of dominating and arrogant powers that rule over the Muslim nations from the other side of the world; they interfere in their lives; they keep them in poverty, weakness, and discord; they exploit their wealth in an illegitimate manner. Lack of independence, lack of freedom, lack of human dignity, scientific backwardness, and backwardness in various aspects of life are other predicaments of the Muslim nations. All these predicaments can be resolved through a return to Islam, through acting upon Islam, and through the governance of Islam.

The message of our great Imam to the Muslims was: the rejection of foreigners, the rejection of the enemies of Muslims and the enemies of Islam. Today, these are still the predicaments. The Iranian nation has tested this path and has liberated itself from humiliation, backwardness, and subservience to powers. We do not claim that we have been able to establish a complete Islamic system in our country; however, we claim that we have strived in this path and will continue to strive for the realization of complete Islamic governance until the end. The Iranian nation does not retreat in the face of threats from powers. The Iranian nation and the officials of the country consider the recommendations of the Imam as significant and guiding advice for themselves. This is the Islamic system, this is the Islamic line. Thanks be to God, the officials of the country - the officials of domestic affairs, the officials of foreign policy, the officials of important tasks - are those who believe in the path of the Imam and strive and struggle for it. We follow the same policies that the great Imam taught to the Islamic Revolution and the Iranian nation, inspired by the essence of Islam and the Quran, and we see the solution to our predicaments and problems in following this path; precisely the opposite of what the enemies of Islam intend to instill in minds and announce in the mental space.

Muslim nations felt a sense of identity and dignity with the Islamic Revolution; they realized that the precious gem of Islam, which belongs to them, can be their solution. Islamic sentiments have been ignited everywhere around the Islamic world. This angers the enemies; it disturbs the world oppressors and arrogant powers; hence they strive against Islam. Today, all the conspiracies against the Islamic system - this massive propaganda conspiracy that is currently directed against the Islamic Republic, against the officials, and against the Iranian nation - is due to a desire for revenge against Islam. What angers them is the commitment of the Iranian nation to Islam and to the Quran and its commandments. They want to divert the Iranian nation from this clear path that will guarantee their future; because over these twenty years, the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic system and adherence to Islam have caused them significant losses. However, the Iranian nation stands firm; it will continue this path, and the nations of the world see their aspirations reflected in the mirror of the Iranian nation.

Every success that comes to the Iranian nation is, in a sense, a success for the entire Islamic Ummah. Every blow that the enemies inflict on the body of the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation is a blow to the Islamic Ummah; this is felt by the Muslim people of the world - those who are familiar with the issues of our country and revolution.

We see a bright future; both by the grace of the Lord, the future of the Iranian nation is bright, and the future of Islam in the world is bright. The hearts of the youth and the newly emerging generations in all Islamic regions are gravitating towards the attractions of Islam, and this inclination is increasing day by day, and God willing, in the not-too-distant future, we will witness that the affairs of Muslims are improving day by day.

We hope that the entire Islamic Ummah and you dear brothers and sisters will be included in the pure prayers of the Almighty God, and God willing, Islam and Muslims will gain more strength and dignity day by day.

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