Statements of His Eminence at the Inauguration Ceremony of President Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Mohammad Khatami

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

Thanks be to God, today is a blessed day for the Iranian nation. We hope that God will bestow His blessings upon all members of this nation, the officials, and the dear President who has officially taken on the responsibility today. God willing, we can all benefit from the divine grace and the pure prayers of His Holiness Baqiyatullah (may our souls be sacrificed for him) and we say: 'Bless us in what You have given us.' (32) This great divine gift, God willing, will be a lasting gift with great blessings for the nation.

Thanks be to God, the situation of the country at this sensitive juncture is such that any country and nation with such a situation and such resources has the right to look to its future with logical and justified hope. Firstly, in all events and affairs, we see signs of divine grace and the help of the Lord. This very thirty-million election was a manifestation of the Lord's grace to the Islamic Republic system. Precisely at the time when the propaganda horns from countries claiming democracy were asserting that the Iranian nation had separated from its revolution and system and turned its back on the ideals of its Imam, the nation appeared on the scene and, as a duty and in accordance with the Imam's will, organized an election with such grandeur and magnificence, which we have rarely seen since the beginning of the revolution. See how much this is a manifestation of divine grace! Just as Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) once told me—and I have experienced this myself during various responsibilities—the hand of divine power has always helped us in hardships.

My dear ones! Know this: Sometimes events occur that the country's officials, those who are informed of the affairs, know from the so-called 'behind-the-scenes events' and know that the cause of those events could not have been an ordinary and natural factor, and nothing but divine grace is behind this matter. We believe in this matter. The Quran speaks to this meaning. We believe that 'God will surely help those who help Him.' (33) Who has helped God's religion more than this nation and entered the fields of danger?! Therefore, divine help is a natural and obvious matter. We have had it; we will have it in the future, God willing.

This is the main point, which includes most or all of our capabilities. The other major point that should be considered is this great nation; a nation that is with the government, interested in the ruling system, and when necessary, sacrifices for it. A nation with faith. A nation present on the scene, which the past shows that wherever necessary, it defends the Islamic country and its Islam with power and courage. It has been this way in the past, and God willing, it will be this way in the future. The war scene also showed this. Before that, the revolution scene had shown it. The construction arena also—in recent years—showed that wherever the presence of the people is necessary, this nation appears with honesty, sincerity, and enthusiasm.

These people do not impose on anyone. They feel duty-bound and enter the scene. In the future, by God's will, it will be the same. Of course, it is unlikely that we will have a military experience in the future; but if we assume that again an individual or a heedless, God-stricken system thinks of military confrontation with these people, it will again face the same nation, the same youth, and the same active believers who show their faith everywhere. The nation showed it in the elections; it shows it in political scenes, in marches, and in stances. This nation is a great asset, and this nation is with the Imam; it is on the Imam's path. Even now, the most beloved person among this nation and in their hearts is our great Imam, Imam Khomeini.

Others can say whatever they want. They can analyze however they want. It is wrong for someone to ask about their condition from others. Some have become accustomed to sitting and seeing what the news agencies affiliated with the Zionists and the arrogant powers and capitalists who oppose Islam, Muslims, and the Islamic system say about Iran! It is clear that they cannot tell the truth! They cannot even understand the truth. They do not know our nation, they do not know our country, they do not know our system, they do not know our officials, they do not know our personalities. You see how much they make mistakes and you see how they comment on our personalities! To the extent that all those who are informed and knowledgeable laugh at their naivety. They express their wishes: the same story of 'the camel and the cottonseed'! What they have in their hearts and want, they express as analysis. This is not the description of the Iranian nation. The description of the Iranian nation is what you observe. The description of the Iranian nation is the sacred defense arenas over eight years. The description of the Iranian nation is the presence in this thirty-million election. The Iranian nation is a Muslim, revolutionary nation, believing in the Imam, interested in the Islamic system, and ready to defend the values it believes in and adheres to. This is a great asset. Any government and any state that has such a nation behind it should be hopeful for the future. It should feel powerful. It should feel that it can work. It should feel that it has a duty to work.

What I say to the officials of the future government and the dear President—who, thanks be to God, are themselves attentive to these points—as a reminder is that firstly, all our efforts should be to know this nation. Secondly, to fulfill its demands and needs. This nation has a great right over us. It is this nation that has preserved the country, and it is this nation that is truly a sign of the power of the Lord.

In the several periods when our great Imam endorsed the presidency—the people's votes—I looked at his statements and saw that consistently—regardless of who he was addressing—he spoke about the people and the nation. This is the wisdom of the Imam; the same thing that we, no matter how we look and study, see that this is correct, this is better. Especially the oppressed classes, the poor classes, and the weak people are the loyal and enduring forces of the revolution, the Imam, and various governments and will continue to be. Those dear ones who, God willing, will take responsibility in the near future should use this permanent reserve as much as they can and serve and work for them as much as they have the power. The current situation, thanks be to God, is this. This is a country where fundamental and significant steps have been taken for reconstruction.

Perhaps during the previous regime, even a part of what has been done in the reconstruction of this country in recent years was not done; because the work must be seen in both quality and quantity. If they did anything for the country—which in terms of quantity is truly less than what has been done in this short period—in terms of quality, it was flawed; because the independence of this nation was not considered in it. The basis of that regime's policy was dependency. A few relatively brave statesmen once during Reza Khan's time wrote an oil contract in which the interests of the Iranian nation were somewhat considered. For the sake of the British, Reza Khan entered the cabinet room with his boots and took their writings—the oil file—and threw them into the fireplace and burned them in front of their eyes! This is something they themselves have written. People like Taqizadeh and others have written this story.

The policy was a dependent policy. Even when they were building railways, it was more for the benefit of connecting the two fronts of the Allies, who had to fight against Germany at that time, than for Iran and Iran's trade. This is the trans-Iranian railway! (The north-south railway was to connect the Soviet Union of that time to the south, in the Persian Gulf, where the British were stationed, so they could transfer weapons, and the Allies' war fronts against the Axis—Germany and its partners—could always be capable of defense. The railway was also built for this. The supporters of the vile regime and the remnants of the previous regime, even after fifty years, still talk about the north-south railway; a railway that was created based on a treacherous plan and disregard for the independence of this nation, and in it, the dignity and status of this nation were not considered.

Now you observe: the vast railway lines that were built in Iran after the imposed war are exactly what the Iranian nation needs. One of the orientalists who traveled in Iran during that time says: I am surprised how the Iranian railway did not pass through the cities that are the main centers of Iran's trade!? (These very places that today, thanks be to God, we see under the coverage of proper communications and connections due to the Islamic Republic).

Neither the quantity of what was done in this country before the Islamic Republic nor its quality is comparable to what this popular and divine system—the Islamic Republic—has done. A system connected to spirituality and faith means this; a system that has the great popular support, votes, emotions, backing, and help of the people; it also has faith, spirituality, brotherhood, harmony, reliance on God, and faith in the unseen. That results in this.

Despite all the conspiracies and opposition that have been made against this nation; with all the various political, economic, and propaganda sieges, this nation has been able to support its governments one after another, and the governments have been able to advance the country in terms of development and prosperity, and in terms of political aspects, international prestige, and national power. These are the values that our country has, and thanks be to God, our governments all enjoy and will continue to enjoy. This is a manifestation of the great divine blessings and the same hand of power that I mentioned God Almighty has always had in supporting this system and will continue to have.

Of course, I have recommended and I emphasize that efforts should be made to eradicate poverty, injustice, and discrimination, which are the legacy of past tyrants, in this country. I have devoted the most attention to this matter and I do, and my recommendation is that others should also act in this way. If all these blessings and benefits, which, thanks be to God, the manifestation and peak of which was also in recent years, the government of our dear brother Mr. Hashemi Rafsanjani, may God preserve him, and all that we have done, were multiplied and we did many times more, but we did not pay attention to this point, our work would be incomplete and unfinished.

My dear ones! The Islamic system is not a capitalist system. Four years ago, right here—on the day of endorsement—I said this subject to the attendees and said: 'Our system is not a capitalist system. The capitalist system looks at wealth accumulation, economic prosperity, and total national income, and it does not matter to it how this wealth is obtained, by whom it is obtained, and how many percent of the people use it!' National income must go up, wealth must increase, economic effort must be supported; which is also supported. The laws are also in this direction. The executive power is also in this direction. Capitalist countries—not all, but some—the maximum they do is to put insurances and guarantees for the oppressed and deprived classes, so that a minimum also reaches them. This is the capitalist system.

The Islamic system is not like this. The Islamic system says: 'With justice, the heavens and the earth are established.' (34) The principle is justice. Of course, there is wealth production. The Islamic system does not want a poor society. It does not want a poor nation and a meager public income. It uses wealth; it advances science, extracts underground resources, brings people to rational growth, engages in trade, and sets up industry. Islamic history showed that Islam, thanks to these luminous laws, was the owner of science and industry in the entire world for a long period. But the direction of all these is justice. There is wealth; but justice must be guaranteed in society. For justice, we are waiting for the Imam of the Time. Prophets came; all came to establish justice; 'so that people may uphold justice.' (35) These are very meaningful words that the Quran has told us; Nahj al-Balagha has told us, and it is also in the narrations of the Imams.

This specifies the direction. Justice means this: if society is prosperous, everyone should be. We do not say everyone should be equal; because equality is not possible. Ultimately, efforts, ambitions, and strengths are different. Some strive more; some strive less. Some have more initiative. Talents are not equal. 'And they will continue to differ... and for this, He created them.' (36) People have differences in talent. The discussion is not that they should be equal. The discussion is that they should work according to their talents and strive according to their ambitions, and everyone should be able to obtain according to their power. No one should be deprived; no one should be oppressed; no one should remain suppressed. This is the main goal.

When we came to power—on the day of struggle, we tried, on the day they proposed responsibility, we accepted it in any case—it was for the realization of this goal. Those who are not familiar with our culture should believe. Although I know they certainly do not believe that these responsibilities have no attraction for us. Insiders know. Those who are closely familiar with this culture and people know. These responsibilities only have value, popularity, and attraction for establishing justice, establishing God's rule, and paving the way for God before the people. Effort should be for this.

Of course, work has been done in this area. If I do not say how much our dear brothers in various responsibilities in past periods have strived for this matter, it is ingratitude. However, we have a longer way ahead than what we have traveled so far. We must do more work than we have done so far. This is the issue. The basis of the government's work should be on this. Whether in the cultural field, in the economic field, or in the construction field, the direction should be this; while activities are diverse.

We thank God that the elections were good and very fortunate and accompanied by the general satisfaction of the people. Today, one feels that for our nation and the general atmosphere of the country, it is like a day of celebration, and this too is the grace of the Lord.

We hope that God Almighty will make this day and this event auspicious and blessed and include it in His grace and blessings. We hope He will divert evils from this nation; crush and defeat the enemies of this nation, and bring this nation to its great aspirations. We hope He will make the dear President and his officials—whom he will choose—successful in the important work they have ahead; make the sacred heart of His Holiness the Guardian of the Age pleased with all of us; keep the blessed soul of our great Imam—who is certainly happy with these events and ceremonies—always happy and gather the pure souls of our great martyrs with the Prophet and his family.

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