Statements of the Supreme Leader in Meeting with Members of Islamic Associations from Offices, Factories, and Hospitals Nationwide

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

First, I extend a warm welcome to all the esteemed brothers and sisters, members of the Islamic associations, and I hope that all of you will be successful and supported in fulfilling the heavy duty that you bear. It is also necessary during these days to seek assistance from the sacred and pure spirits of the Imams of guidance, peace be upon them, and the family of the Noble Prophet, peace be upon him and his family, and the holy presence of the noble Prophet of Islam, as these days remind us of their martyrdom and sufferings, so that we may find our path under the blessings of these luminous elements and chosen servants of God.

I find it necessary to renew and honor the memory of Martyr Rajaei and Martyr Bahonar, who were truly and justly models of two revolutionary, faithful, and sincere figures, and whose lives and martyrdom were instructive.

The main topic of our meeting today is the subject of Islamic associations. One day, when analysts around the world observed that across the country, there were groups of faithful and revolutionary elements known as Islamic associations, they were astonished. Government offices, which were not created by the Islamic system, meaning they were not established according to the needs of the Islamic society! Of course, there were good and righteous people among the offices; they were not few. But the selection in these offices was not based on Islamic principles! In the past, no one was admitted to these offices based on Islamic criteria! They saw that Islamic associations, with these characteristics, were present in offices and factories.

Factories, at the beginning of the revolution, were a place of hope for the counter-revolution to create disturbances in production and cause trouble and problems for the Islamic Republic. They saw that here too, Islamic associations were present, lively, vibrant, and active. The same was true in the market. There were those in the market who wanted to exploit the situation and fill their pockets in the chaotic market of the early revolution. They saw these associations in universities as well; across the country, in neighborhoods, and everywhere. When analysts looked at the situation in Iran and saw that the level of society, wherever they looked, was covered with Islamic associations and their names, titles, and signs, they were amazed at the capabilities of the Islamic system. They praised the Islamic system. They said: 'Amazing! See how this Islamic system has been able to replace its own sincere elements everywhere, to achieve the goals of this system in offices, factories, markets, neighborhoods, schools, universities, companies, and everywhere, and to support those goals!' We heard these words that day. We saw that some analysts in the world considered the phenomenon of 'Islamic associations' to be a remarkable and praiseworthy phenomenon. The associations were indeed very beneficial and provided many services. Now, a question in this regard is: 'Has the era of Islamic associations ended? Will the era of Islamic associations ever end?' We must answer this question.

In response, I say that the era of Islamic associations in the Islamic Republic system has not ended. Even if we assume that a day will come when we no longer need Islamic associations, that day is not today. That day is when, if we look at offices, institutions, workshops, and everywhere, we see that everyone has become so good and everyone's behavior has become so excellent that there is no longer a need for an Islamic association. Meaning, no mistakes are made, no wrong steps are taken, no incorrect words are spoken, and there are no ill-willed and malicious elements anywhere. Everyone is faithful, everyone is healthy, everyone is honest, everyone is working, everyone is revolutionary, everyone is powerful and striving. At that time and under those conditions, all these offices and institutions are Islamic associations. If such a day comes, we will say: 'Very well! Islamic associations in this form are no longer necessary. All offices are Islamic associations.' Has such a situation arisen today? Is there no error, no wrongdoing, no ill-will, no neglect of the Islamic path within government institutions, factories, markets, or organizations where there are Islamic associations, that we can say Islamic associations are no longer necessary? Therefore, our answer is that 'No, Islamic associations are necessary. They must exist. They must work with strength and keep their initial goals, which the Islamic Propagation Organization has also set a charter for them, in mind.' As far as I have been able to review this charter, it seems good to me. Therefore, Islamic associations must act according to these goals. Today is not the time for anyone to say 'We do not need Islamic associations!' No, Islamic associations are necessary. Individuals cannot judge whether we need Islamic associations or not. It is the system that must judge. This is the first point.

The second question is: 'What should we do to ensure that Islamic associations have the highest benefit and efficiency?' This is the subtle and important point that you, brothers and sisters of the Islamic associations, wherever you are—whether in universities, markets, offices, or factories—must pay attention to. The point is here: 'What should we do to ensure that these associations have maximum efficiency?' The first point is to ensure that unworthy elements do not enter the associations. Of course, opportunists, exploiters, ill-wishers, and malicious people who appear good but are bad inside are everywhere. Didn't you see from the beginning of the revolution, who went under what names and covers and what blows they dealt to the nation and the country of Iran? It is not difficult for a few exploiters, deal-makers, worldly and malicious people to create an appearance—as it was in the expressions of Imam, may God sanctify his soul—grow a beard, stand there, and sometimes even speak more fervently and zealously than our always revolutionary and faithful Muslim youth; then, when they see the opportunity is right, commit a wrongdoing. Such individuals are found everywhere. Even in our attire, such people are found, in the form of clergy! They are also found among the youth, with a show of revolutionary fervor! In all classes and everywhere!

First, we must be vigilant that the group called 'Islamic association' is a healthy and reliable group; there should be no strangers in it. Second, we must nourish the Islamic association in terms of Islamic insight. The elements present there should become aware of the concepts and issues of the revolution and Islam. It should not be that ignorant and uninformed people, under the name of 'Islamic association,' say something that is not from Islam; do something that contradicts Islam and lengthen the tongues of ill-wishers against Islamic associations. This can be ensured with the guidance and organization that the Islamic Propagation Organization has been set to do for years. Meaning, associations should be ahead of others in terms of thought and action. A member of the Islamic association should not speak falsely, should not backbite, should not be ill-willed, should not be influenced by ill-wishers, should be compassionate, should be wise, and in short, whatever elevates the personality and dignity of the associations should be ensured. Another point is that managers should cooperate with them. Officials of various departments should cooperate with and assist Islamic associations.

Everyone must know that the Islamic system is not just a name to say 'The system has become Islamic' and that is enough. No! Today, there are countries in the world whose names are Islamic, and there is no news of Islam in them. Or their name is 'Islamic Republic' or 'Islamic Government,' but Islam is not there. We must be different from them. The Islamic Republic and the Islamic system, for which a nation has worked so hard and sacrificed, is a system where Islam exists in the heart, in action, and in the existence of each individual. It is not that we say 'The system has become Islamic,' but the office is corrupt; bribery is rampant; ill-will and malice are everywhere; misconduct and wrongdoing exist; idleness exists; laziness exists! This is not the Islamic system. The Islamic system is one where individuals each day strive to improve themselves. In the Islamic system, one of its ever-living slogans is: 'He whose two days are equal is at a loss.' If you and I are the same today as we were yesterday, we are at a loss and have been deceived. Today must be better than yesterday. In every way, including spiritually. In the Islamic system, one of its ever-living slogans is that everyone must strive for self-improvement. They must weep for their sins; seek forgiveness and repent for their wrongdoings; increase their good deeds; reduce their bad deeds and transform every wrong connection into a right one. If this is the Islamic system, we cannot accept that in any part of an office, there is misconduct, idleness, and rumor-mongering. A few people receive government salaries and sit from morning till noon spreading rumors, speaking nonsense, creating discouragement and despair, and mocking and insulting good people! How can such a thing be?! Then, alongside them, a group of faithful people are busy working. Are these and those the same? Never such a thing!

Managers must pay attention to this point and must strengthen Islamic associations so that through Islamic associations and with their strong hand and presence, signs of wrongdoing and misconduct decrease; then disappear, and signs of strength and spirituality increase, and then become widespread.

So, one condition is that for the efficiency of Islamic associations, managers must cooperate with them. It should not be said in any department that 'This manager does not accept the Islamic association. He has no connection with the Islamic association. He does not work with them.' No; the manager must value the Islamic association more than others; because the manager wants the work environment to be good so that he can serve well, and improving the work environment is through Islam, Islamic propagation, and Islamic associations.

Of course, Islamic associations should not interfere in management work. We do not want to have two managers in one organization! They should not weaken the manager. Of course, if the Islamic association identifies and recognizes wrongdoing in someone—whether high or low—the manager should transfer it to the centers where it should be transferred. But they should not create conflicts. It should not be that when this manager wants to choose a deputy or appoint a head of a section, the Islamic association says: 'Sir, we are opposed!' No; you should not get involved in this work. The environment must become Islamic. The work must become Islamic. The minds of individuals must be influenced. But the responsibility of the organization lies with the manager. He must manage and carry out the work.

It is not that we want to appoint two managers in one organization. As I said, if you see that there is improper behavior in the manager, transfer it to its centers; which now those centers are either higher authorities or other departments that must be informed. Sometimes, someone creates corruption; someone creates disruption in work; someone engages in bribery; someone keeps clients waiting; someone discourages clients... they must be identified. Some people in some government organizations discourage clients. Their job is that whoever comes to them, when they return, they will have a grudge against the entire organization. Their job is to create enemies and dissatisfaction! They must be identified. Who can identify them within the vast organization of the country? Who can introduce them to their proper places; introduce them to the authorities to punish or prosecute them? Who can prevent the infiltration of enemy elements within some of our organizations? Islamic associations!

Therefore, Islamic associations are an eye of the central system in all parts of the system. They are the seeing eye and the speaking tongue of Islam and the revolution in various areas of this system. Of course, the speaking tongue means that you should revive Islamic concepts and teachings in the work environment. It should be such that in the work environment, Islam is felt. Not like the era of the tyrant when a person entered an environment and felt that everything in that environment was anti-Islamic. When they reached a Muslim and a religious person, the looks were filled with hatred, coldness, and indifference. The behavior of women; the dress of women; the interactions of men; the frivolities that some men and women sometimes engaged in; everything was non-Islamic. The opposite of that is the Islamic environment; in such a way that when a person enters an office, they look and see the signs of Islam everywhere. When it is noon, people go to pray. When a client comes, they are greeted with a cheerful face; their work is done, and Islamic boundaries are observed. Women come with appropriate dress. The interactions and behavior of men and women within the office are dignified and respectful. This environment is Islamic. You must work to make the environment like this. Confront the factors that take the environment out of the Islamic form. With speech, with lectures, with distributing appropriate booklets, with timely reminders, with enjoining good and forbidding evil; which is your duty within your work environments and everywhere. With these methods, work to make the atmosphere Islamic. Meaning, anyone who enters this office, this government company, this factory, feels that this is a place for Muslims, and the environment is Islamic. This is your main duty, and everyone is obliged to help you in this duty. All organizations; especially the management with whom you work, are obliged to help you in this path and facilitate your work. Today, Muslim nations, in terms of realizing and implementing Islam, have their eyes on our nation. Their hope is here. Do you see how Muslims around the world are fighting with hope?! Do you see in the European country of Bosnia, despite all the malice and cruelty against Muslims from all sides, they are fighting?! None of these European countries and international organizations have dealt honestly with these oppressed people. Pressure is coming at them from all sides. Some help is coming to them from some places; but their need is greater than this help. But you see, despite this, how they stand and resist and fight! They inform us that 'We are standing to preserve Islam until the end.'

All over the world, today Muslims have such hope. This is due to the blessing of the flag of Islam being raised here and by you, the faithful and Muslim nation. Day by day, Islam must become more rooted, deeper, more practical, and more present in the lives of people here so that it can resist; otherwise, it will not resist.

I especially emphasize the behavior of men and women and the dress of women within offices. Some have complaints; they have grievances. The families of martyrs and faithful women complain to us. They call here, write letters, or when they see us, they repeatedly say that the behavior of some women in our society is not appropriate and worthy of the status of a Muslim woman. By correcting these women who are working in offices, a large part of this issue is resolved. These Muslim women who are in offices must have Muslim behavior, dress, appearance, and demeanor; and you have a duty and responsibility in this regard. Of course, with Islamic methods; with the same method that Islamic forbidding of evil has and not with non-Islamic methods and improper harshness.

Rely on Almighty God and seek help from Him. The burden of duty for all of us in relation to Islam is a heavy burden. Almighty God must help. God willing, we will be included in the pure prayers of the holy presence of the Imam of the Age, may our souls be sacrificed for him. May his help, prayers, and attention be upon us, and may we, God willing, be considered among the party of the Imam of the Age and his Shia and companions, in his absence and presence. God willing, may God make the sacred soul of our dear Imam pleased and satisfied with all of you and gather the pure souls of the martyrs with His saints and righteous ones, and grant all of you success and support.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings