Full Text of the Supreme Leader's Statements in Meeting with Officials of Islamic Councils Across the Country

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

At the outset, I welcome all of you dear brothers and sisters who have come from various corners of this sacred Islamic land and have created this warm and enthusiastic gathering. Serving the people is a great honor. When someone has the opportunity to serve the people, they must first thank God for this blessing and this precious opportunity; secondly, they must dedicate their time to fulfilling this important task. We have been repeatedly advised in religious rulings and ethical narratives that if someone does something for the people and takes a step forward, how much reward God the Almighty will grant them. The work you are undertaking today is a complete example of what is mentioned in those narratives. God does not grant success to everyone; however, the one who finds the opportunity to serve must express gratitude for this divine blessing.

The main problems of nations—wherever nations have suffered—have been due to the lack of compassionate officials whose only aim is to solve the people's problems. Those of you who have passed through your youth and remember the corrupt and tyrannical Pahlavi regime know that the only thing that was not on the agenda was serving the people. Whenever someone assumed responsibility, they thought only of themselves. The Islamic Revolution came and transformed that crooked and distorted structure. The President is from the people, the members of Parliament are from the people, and the officials of various sectors are alongside the people and from among the people. Today, thanks be to God, officials have been granted the success to establish councils at this broad level, and these councils are also in service to the people. You have such a blessing at your disposal today. Purify your intentions for God. My dear ones! There is no worship greater than serving the people; whether in the city, in the district, or in the village. The duties mentioned for the councils in the law are the same duties that, if our councils can, God willing, fulfill them completely, many of the current problems of the people will be resolved, and these matters have been precisely defined by lawmakers in the constitutional law and in customary law.

This work is a great task and one of the honors of the Islamic system. Islam is like this. While Islam recognizes the divine rulings and the divine will as having a complete impact on the guidance and welfare of humanity, it also foresees the will of the people, the presence of individuals, and the presence of the masses in all affairs. One example of this is the issue of consultation. God the Almighty states in the signs of the believers: "And their affair is consultation among themselves"; they conduct their affairs through consultation. Of course, consultation can take place in various forms; this is one form of consultation. Within the city and within the district, you sit and consult with one another; you address the existing shortcomings and problems and those matters related to the councils—though there may also be shortcomings that do not pertain to the councils—and you take action on them; it is as if the entire body of the great Islamic Iran is pulsating with the fresh blood of the revolutionary and Islamic spirit and is moving. The officials and councils of every city and village think about solving the problems of the people right there in that city and village. This is a very good opportunity. So, with the name and remembrance of God, intend to serve the creation of God.

Of course, the enemies of Islam have never acknowledged that the Islamic Republic is a system based on the people. They see it, they understand it, but they do not acknowledge it. Just as the enemies of truth have always recognized the truth, they recognize it today as well; but they are not willing to admit to that truth! However, the truth is the truth; whether the enemy acknowledges it or not. Twenty years have passed since the establishment of the Islamic Republic, and twenty elections—on average, one election each year—have been held in this country; meaning that the people have been present in the field of action and decision-making. At the same time, everywhere the horns of global arrogance accuse our country and our system of dictatorship, despotism, and being non-democratic! They are not willing to acknowledge and accept the truth; because they are the enemy. The enemy will not acknowledge any positive aspect of you. Do not pay attention to the words of the enemy. You must act for the truth, for the pleasure of God, for duty, and for the reform of the destiny of this great nation, and do what is your duty.

The horns of global arrogance have been against this revolution from the very first day and have propagated against this revolution. The reason is that this revolution cut off the hands of the enemies from this country. America and other world oppressors and bullies were sitting at this unowned table inside this country while the people lived in utter poverty, taking the wealth of this nation. The oil of this nation was taken, the resources of this nation were taken, the talents of this nation were taken, and good human forces were also selected and taken away; meanwhile, on the other side, corruption and immorality and dependence on foreigners were coming in! These hands were cut off, and they are angry. The enemy's goal is to be able to once again impose the same tyrannical domination over this country; but they are unaware. These people are awake, these people are familiar with Islam, these people are present in the scene, and these people will cut off the feet of any enemy that comes toward this country and will not allow it. The enemy is angry with these people, angry with this system, angry with these officials. Therefore, they deny everything good in this country. They also attribute things that are false and lies.

Everyone, at every level, who bears a burden in this country has the duty to carry that burden—the burden of serving the people. I have repeatedly stated that those who have responsibilities—executive responsibilities and similar to executive ones—if they dedicate all their time to this responsibility, perhaps, God willing, they can fulfill that duty in the best manner; but if they spend some of that time that is meant for this work on other tasks, the work will remain unfinished. I recommend that—as I mentioned in that message to you dear ones—dedicate your time to service, dedicate your time to work, purify your intention for God, and fulfill what is your duty—which has come upon you by the choice of the people—God willing, with sincerity and in the best possible way. God will also assist you, and God willing, you will be able to accomplish what will bring you honor and pride before God and before the servants of God.

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