Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution at the Grand Gathering of the People of Qom

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds. And peace and blessings be upon our master, our prophet, and the beloved of our hearts, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure and chosen progeny, the guided, infallible ones, especially the Awaited One among the inhabitants of the earth. I express my gratitude to the Almighty God for granting me once again the opportunity to be present among you, the enthusiastic, faithful, revolutionary, and aware people of Qom - the city of knowledge and jihad. Qom, the beloved city, the city of uprising and revolution, the city of knowledge and jurisprudence, the city of guardianship and leadership, the city of the seminary, the city of great scholars, the historical and unforgettable nurturing ground of our great Imam, Ayatollah Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified), the city of eminent authorities, the city of hadith scholars, jurists, scholars, interpreters, and great authors of Islam, a city with exceptional honors, a city with an unforgettable history, both in knowledge and in revolution and jihad. In this dear city, three prominent points among all these bright spots draw the eye: First, the holy shrine and the noble resting place of Lady Fatimah al-Masumah (peace be upon her); that great lady from whose sacred tomb this bubbling and surging spring first emerged, and whose blessings reached the entire world, especially the Islamic world. Second, knowledge, jurisprudence, and hadith, which this city has championed; the seminary that has stood firm and established in this sacred city for over twelve hundred years. Great scholars, eminent jurists, valuable philosophers, high-ranking hadith scholars, and esteemed authors have either emerged from this city or sought refuge in this city, residing under the pure light of the beloved of the Imamate and leadership - namely, Lady al-Masumah (peace be upon her). The third point is the prominence of you, the faithful, brave, aware, and time-conscious people of this city. When this movement first emerged, it was the people of this city who responded and extended a helping hand to the Imam. I do not forget, in this very Grand Mosque of Qom, when the first weeks of the great struggle and movement of the clergy had just begun, people from various strata of Qom came to the place of the lessons of our great Imam, raised their voices, and said, 'We supported you and we will continue to support you; why is this matter not progressing?' It was about the provincial and local councils. Thus, from the very first step, the people of Qom did not leave the Imam and the struggle alone. On the day when the treacherous and mercenary pens insulted the great Imam, it was again this city; it was these people; it was these youths; it was these mothers, sisters, and wives who rose up; it was these youths who came to the streets; they sacrificed their lives, were beaten, and faced pressure; yet they stood firm. The struggle of the people of Qom led to the struggle of the Iranian nation. Your presence in the streets of your city taught the people of other cities; it showed them the way; they understood they had to enter the field, set aside indifference, and they did so, and this great storm and this volcanic furnace began to operate and shook the world and liberated the Iranian nation. Then, when the defense of the nascent Islamic system arose, again you, the people of Qom, were at the forefront. Your army, your youths, your Basijis, your families, your mothers, your fathers; these were the ones who gallantly and selflessly entered the field and were able to play a very brilliant role. I am happy to be among you, and I feel at peace that I am discussing one of the very important and numerous issues of the revolution with you. What I want to share with you today is that the main slogan of our revolution was these three words: independence, freedom, Islamic Republic. The Islamic Republic is the same system that entered the field; it is progressing with its efforts and the challenges it has faced, and it is opening the way. The slogan of freedom is one of the very attractive slogans; it has been repeated; discussions have been held about it; articles have been written; books have been authored, and slogans have been chanted. Many words have been said about freedom; some with moderation, some with extremism, some with negligence. The slogan of freedom has remained alive; however, the slogan of independence, unlike the other two slogans, has been isolated. The slogan of independence is one of the most important slogans. Without independence, a nation cannot be optimistic about its freedom and its slogan of freedom. Some want to deliberately, some inadvertently, some out of negligence, and some out of malice, to consign independence to oblivion. Today, I will present some points regarding the issue of independence - at a time when this speech can accommodate it - before you, dear brothers and sisters. What does independence mean? What concept and value does independence hold for a nation? Independence means that a nation can have control over its destiny; foreigners should not reach out and insidiously and maliciously determine its fate. This is the meaning of independence. If a nation loses its independence; that is, if foreigners - who certainly do not care for it - gain control over its destiny, it loses two things: first, its self-esteem, its honors, its sense of identity; second, its interests. An enemy that gains control over a nation's destiny is not concerned for that nation, and its interests do not matter to it. The one who comes to subjugate a nation under the grip of its power is primarily - in truth, in the beginning and the end - concerned with its own interests. What matters least to it is the interests of that nation that has lost its independence. We have numerous examples in this regard from the nineteenth century and then in the twentieth century. European colonizers came and gained control over many regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America; they humiliated the nations of those regions; they plundered their culture, their identity, their wealth; they even trampled their language, their script, their history, and their traditions underfoot. They humiliated nations; they milked them; they looted their wealth; they destroyed their culture; they remained as long as they could, and then they left. I have seen some examples of this kind with my own eyes, some I have heard, and some I have read. One example is the vast and large country of India. The British came from afar; first with deception and trickery, and then with weapons and military force, they seized the land of India. They remained in control of this land for many years; they humiliated the people; destroyed the elites; and depleted India's wealth. Britain filled its treasury and the pockets of its capitalists with the resources and products of India; however, it left India in poverty and misery. It was not just material wealth; they also took away their spiritual wealth and imposed their language upon them. The official language today of the governments of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh - which collectively constitute the ancient Indian subcontinent that was a British colony - is English! That region had dozens of local languages; they did everything they could to extinguish and eliminate these languages. When a nation loses its language, it means it is severed from its past, its history, its traditions, and its invaluable heritage, and it becomes unaware of them. I will mention another example. The President of Peru in Latin America, at a time when I was President, told me: 'We have recently discovered a very magnificent civilization in our excavations.' He said: 'For years, colonizers dominated Peru; however, they did not allow the people and intellectuals of Peru to understand that they had such a civilization in the past!' This means they even prevented the people from knowing their own history and being proud of their past! Another example is Algeria, this Arab and Muslim country. The French came and dominated that country for decades; they seized it with weapons; established a government there; appointed their own rulers and officers to govern and command that country; the first thing they set out to do was to eliminate Islamic artifacts and even to eradicate the Arabic language. Again, when I was President, one of the high-ranking officials of the Algerian government at that time came to Tehran and met with me. In the course of the conversation, he wanted to express something; however, he did not know the Arabic expression for that concept! An Arab speaker wanted to convey a meaning to me but did not know how to express it in Arabic! He turned to his foreign minister and asked him in French how to say it in Arabic. He then used the Arabic word! This means that the elites and intellectuals of a nation, due to the influence of colonialism, became distanced from their own language. Concerned Algerians later spoke to us and said they were determined to restore the Arabic language after the removal of colonialism. My dear ones! My brothers and sisters! The absence of independence acts in this way with a country. It takes away the national identity from the people of that country; it takes away their honors; it takes away their historical legacy; it plunders their material interests; it also takes away their cultural identity and language. This is the situation of a power's domination over a country. It was like this during the colonial era. In the period after colonialism - which is known as the era of exploitation - it was different. Of course, our country was never colonized; that is, foreigners could not come here and establish a non-Iranian government - for example, a British government; because the British were dominant here - the Iranian nation did not allow this; however, whatever they could - in places where they could and in times when they were able - they expanded their influence in Iran. I will present four examples from our recent history - from a hundred years ago to the present - to you. These four examples show us what happens to a country and its people when a foreign power gains control over its political and cultural institutions. One example is the Constitutional Revolution. You know, the era of despotism under the Qajar government had driven the people to despair. The people rose up, and the well-wishers of society rose up; their leaders were the religious scholars. In Najaf, a religious authority like the late Ayatollah Akhound Khurasani; in Tehran, three great scholars - the late Sheikh Fazlollah Nouri, the late Seyyed Abdollah Behbahani, the late Seyyed Mohammad Tabatabai - were the leaders of the Constitutionalists. The backing of these individuals was the seminary in Najaf. What did they want? They wanted justice to be established in Iran; that is, to eliminate despotism. When the people's fervor was seen, the British government, which at that time had a lot of influence in Iran and had some agents among the intellectuals, saw this and imposed its own version on them. Of course, among those well-wishers, there were some intellectuals. Their rights should not be overlooked; however, there were some intellectuals who were mercenaries and sold out and were considered agents of Britain. In any case, the Constitutional Revolution was the framework and structure of the British government. These intellectuals, instead of seeking a system of justice and creating an Iranian structure and formula for establishing justice, brought the Constitutional Revolution to power. What was the result? The result was that this great movement of the people, which was behind the scholars and under the banner of religion and with the slogan of seeking religion, shortly after led to the execution of Sheikh Fazlollah Nouri - this great martyr who is buried right here - in Tehran. Shortly thereafter, Seyyed Abdollah Behbahani was assassinated in his home. After that, Seyyed Mohammad Tabatabai passed away in isolation and loneliness. At that time, they also restored the Constitutional Revolution in the way they wanted; a Constitutional Revolution that ultimately led to the rule of Reza Khan! The second example is the government of Reza Khan himself. The British presented a contract to the Qajar government under which all financial and military matters of Iran would be under British control. The late Seyyed Hassan Modarres, that knowledgeable scholar, opposed this contract and did not allow this bill to be passed in the National Assembly of that day. After the British were deprived of this, they realized they could not act this way, so they thought of a new plan. They understood they needed to bring a dictator to power in Iran to eliminate figures like Modarres; to treat the people with utmost violence; to implement the demands of the British. Thus, they brought Reza Khan to power. The story of Reza Khan's rise to the throne in Iran is one of the most instructive stories in our history. It is a story that all the youth of this country should know today. The chaos before Reza Khan was eliminated by the iron fist of Reza Khan and with the help of the British government, and a forced and despotic order was established in the country that lasted for fifty-five years. The influence of the British in our political and cultural institutions put the people under pressure. The third example is the events of September 1941 when Reza Khan was deposed by his previous supporters and expelled from Iran. Mohammad Reza was brought to power; with a complete surrender to the British! He did whatever they wanted; there was no need for colonialism anymore! When a treacherous Iranian is willing to rule over the Iranian nation with the help of foreigners and implement the demands of that foreigner in Iran, what need is there for them to bother with the effort of colonialism!? They did this. Then, the fourth example occurred. That was in August 1953. After the overthrow of the Mossadegh government - of course, previously they had isolated the late Ayatollah Kashani with their tricks, sidelined him, and through their mismanagements, removed him - they returned to power and entered Iran and were able, through their influence, with their agents, to orchestrate the coup of August 28 and bring Mohammad Reza back to Iran after he had fled. Twenty-five years later, the dark dictatorial regime of the Pahlavis continued. These four periods are all instructive. When a nation allows a foreign power to infiltrate its political or cultural institutions, the fate of that nation is just like this. If the Islamic Revolution had not occurred, if this nation had not rallied behind the great Imam and created this historic movement, do you know how the Iranian nation would be today? A nation that had not grasped any of the scientific advancements of the West. No inventions, no discoveries, no construction. It had lost its resources; it had sold its oil cheaper than the water from rivers to those very enemies and had placed it at their disposal. The oil belonged to them, the refining was theirs, long-term contracts were for them! The enemies of this country had plans for the rest of the mines and resources of the country as well. They wanted to take the brains of this nation and keep the scientific apparatus of the country at a low level. During the days of American and British influence in Iran, the Iranian nation went through hard times. For a hundred years, first the British and then the Americans, with their influence, pushed this country backward. Today, at every stage we enter, we observe the signs of their shortcomings, their betrayals, and their misdeeds. One of the greatest achievements of the Islamic Revolution was that it curtailed America's hand. The Islamic Revolution is among its honors that it eliminated American influence, the hand of America, and the roots of America and American entanglements in this country. Of course, some individuals who were initially in power in this country and had their hearts set on America and Americans wanted to prevent this. I witnessed this closely in the Supreme Defense Council in 1979. They were passing a resolution based on which the American military advisory teams - those who had committed so many crimes and betrayals - would remain in the Army of the Islamic Republic under another name! I intervened and said, 'What is this action you are taking?!' After some discussion, they halted the matter. Then, God did not grant them the success to carry out this action, and they left. Once again, not even a year had passed since the victory of the Islamic Revolution when those same individuals plotted in Algeria to negotiate with the Americans - the sworn enemies of this nation - but the Imam prevented them and did not allow it. When one hears the names 'reform' and 'freedom' from such individuals, one has the right to be suspicious. Those who, after such a glorious revolution - whose sharp edge was against American domination - wanted, through various measures, to bring back the Americans who had left through the door, through the window, now speak of 'freedom' and 'reform' and have the remnants and mercenaries of the previous regime assist them! Every intelligent person has the right to be concerned and to harbor suspicion. Independence was the essence of the Islamic Revolution; it meant that foreign influence in this country is forbidden; it means that America, Britain, and others have no right to exert any influence in the political and cultural affairs of the country. Dear brothers and sisters! I raised the issue of independence because our constitution states that neither independence can hinder freedom, nor can freedom hinder independence; and this is a very solid and sound basis. If some, in the name of freedom and with the slogan of freedom, seek to open the door for the enemy and establish its influence, this is not freedom. This is what the enemy wants. This is the very trap that the enemy lays. Today is a sensitive day. This era is a sensitive era. I tell you, thanks be to God, that the officials of the country, the first-rate officials of the country, the heads of the three branches, stand firmly against the enemies; they are ready to exert all their efforts for the independence of this country, and the nation is also awake. However, among them are those who cannot bear to see this independence that this nation has achieved with the blood of so many martyrs and with the struggles of so many people being offered to the enemy of this nation! When one sees the propaganda apparatus of the enemy - the propaganda apparatus of the mercenary Americans and the CIA, the propaganda apparatus of the British government, the propaganda apparatus of the usurping Zionist government - clamoring for a certain bill in the parliament, engaging in psychological warfare; showing the tender-heartedness of a mother for a certain prisoner, for a certain official, one has the right to doubt; one has the right to question the truth of many of the claims made. Today, the enemy hopes to perhaps exploit weaknesses; to take advantage of naiveté; to re-establish its foothold in the political and cultural institutions of the country; but I say, this nation is awake; the officials are alert and will respond to the enemy's greed with strength. Our constitution is a progressive, very solid, and very intelligently written law. According to this law, everything is in its proper place and has been placed. My advice to all officials, to all legislative bodies, to all legal centers, and to all segments of the nation is to adhere to the law. If we adhere to the law, the enemy cannot continue its greed. The law must be observed. The law has also closed the door to the enemy's infiltration. If it is seen that in some cases, agitators are supported by the enemy's propaganda apparatus, the best response to the enemy here is that the law should be enforced. If the agitators of incidents such as those in Khorramabad are firmly and powerfully brought to justice by the legal authorities - whoever they are - the enemy will no longer dare. By adhering to the law, by adhering to justice, without succumbing to minor political disputes - which are exaggerated along with the noise - the enemy cannot continue its greed. I tell you; my dear ones! These political and factional disputes that are sometimes shown to be very large are not that big; they do not hold that much importance. The people are following their own path. The path of the people is the path of Islam, the path of the revolution, the path of God, and the path of our great Imam. The people do not care about these artificial and manufactured demarcations. The enemy wishes to incite factions against each other even more. I have repeatedly invited political factions, out of complete concern, in Friday prayers - which are the most sacred places - and in other venues, to come and sit together, to talk with each other. Let us take the points on which we agree as the basis and resolve our differences based on these. If you insist on the principles, the minor political differences do not hold any significance. Some accepted; some stubbornly resisted and continue to do so. What does this stubbornness mean?! Why should some sacrifice the unity of the nation, the national security, the national interests, and the welfare of this country for factional interests; which is very bad if it is without the enemy's influence, and if it is with the enemy's influence, it is even worse? I once again invite everyone to unity based on the fundamental principles of the Islamic system; based on the clear provisions of the constitution; based on Islam; based on the path of the Imam; based on the interests of the people; based on the struggle against anyone who opposes this nation. This is a clear line that all well-wishers, sincere individuals can gather around. Today, the heads of the country, thanks be to God, are all calling for this. The President says the same; the head of the judiciary says the same; the head of the parliament says the same; the prominent figures of the system all say the same. They understand that managing this great country with this faithful population is a great honor that God has granted them. They know that if they can assist these great forces, this brave nation, this loyal nation, and these people who have powerfully participated wherever their presence was needed over the past twenty years, resolve their problems, defend their interests, and defend their dear and great aspiration - which is the sovereignty of the Quran and Islam - this will be a great honor for them; both before God, before the angels of God, before the people of history, and before the people of the world today. Today, the Islamic Republic is esteemed in the world. The officials of the Islamic Republic are esteemed because of this bond they have with the people. The leaders and officials of the country know this and, by God's grace, adhere to it; however, some individuals with limited capacities, with small personalities, with various material attachments, and occasionally with poor judgment - let us say poor judgment in the midst of motivations to leave a way for good opinion - are taking another path. What is important for this nation today is that the officials of the country, with all their power and ability, should consider the main indicators for reforming the affairs of the country; the same three major indicators that were mentioned: fighting poverty, fighting corruption, fighting discrimination. This is the essence of the matter. If poverty, corruption, and discrimination are not tolerated by the officials of the country; divine satisfaction, divine success, divine guidance will be bestowed upon all; the knots will be untied. This nation is in the field; this nation is loyal; this nation has devoted its heart to the Quran. If we want these tasks to be accomplished, the way is to firmly close the door to the enemy's infiltration. Our great Imam had a principle he often expressed. He said, 'Wherever you see the sworn enemies of this nation and this country showing interest and support, harbor suspicion about their actions.' Sometimes, to discredit a personality, they show support for them. Sometimes, to elevate one of their puppets, they support them and create psychological warfare. Fortunately, our nation is political; our nation is alert and awake and will not be deceived by these things. My final recommendation is that legal institutions must be trustworthy. The judiciary must be trustworthy, the government must be trustworthy, the Guardian Council and the parliament must be trustworthy, the Expediency Council must be trustworthy; these are legal institutions. The enemy's propaganda, at any time for any group of audiences, tries to bombard one of these institutions with propaganda; to strip the people of their relationship, hope, and trust in them. I say, all these institutions must be trusted by the people; the nation must trust them; they are the guardians of the people. I do not say that mistakes do not happen; mistakes may occur; but every mistake has a remedy. If the bond between the people and the legal institutions is severed, there is no way to remedy it. This is what the enemy wants. Of course, the responsible institutions - both the parliament, the Guardian Council, the judiciary, the government, and the Expediency Council and others - must be vigilant and diligent and must follow the precise path that Islam and the law - Sharia and law - delineate for them, without hesitation, without consideration, and without observing unnecessary aspects. They must observe God, observe the people, observe national interests; God will bless their work. O Lord! Bestow Your blessings upon this nation through Muhammad and the family of Muhammad. O Lord! Grant victory to this nation over its enemies. O Lord! Strengthen and preserve the fortress of independence of this nation, which they have defended with such courage. O Lord! Keep the officials of this country alive, enduring, and successful so that they may serve this people. O Lord! Unite our dear martyrs with their saints. O Lord! Unite our great Imam with his pure ancestors. O Lord! Keep us alive in the path of God, in the path of the Imams of guidance, in the path of our great Imam, and let us die in this path. Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.