Statements in Meeting with Representatives of the Islamic Consultative Assembly

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

We must express our gratitude to the Almighty God for granting us the opportunity and time to remain in this difficult test - the test of being alive and living - for another year, and with the hope of divine grace, acceptance, and success, to meet again at the end of this year with our dear brothers and sisters, the representatives of the parliament, on the anniversary of its formation and election.

First, we thank you, the esteemed representatives and the respected Speaker of the Parliament, who today articulated sufficient and clear statements that were beneficial. You, the esteemed representatives, in addition to the efforts you have made in legislation, oversight, and other legal duties - of which the respected Speaker provided a report today; he also elaborated on more details in yesterday's session - have played a significant role in important domestic and foreign political arenas, for which we must sincerely express our gratitude. In a situation where the system is faced with a broad front of hostility and animosity worldwide, which manifests itself on various occasions, one can see that the parliament, like an active and living member, has shown its position - in the issues of Palestine, in nuclear matters, and in various other issues - both in domestic matters, as mentioned; in some provocations and unethical behaviors, the parliament has played a role; this deserves appreciation and gratitude.

When one looks at the composition and structure of the parliament, considering the differences in factions, orientations, and political tastes - which is a natural matter - one sees the parliament as a vibrant, faithful entity with a sense of responsibility. This is indeed correct.

Today, your country - and perhaps it is more accurate to say your history - is concerned about your and my behavior. We are living in a sensitive historical moment. Our role, our decisions, our actions, and our omissions will impact future generations and the destiny of the country; although all periods of the revolution have been of this nature. These thirty years will significantly influence our historical future; however, it seems to me that this period, these current limited conditions, have unique and distinctive characteristics.

The state of the world is changing. The political conditions of the world, the political balances, and the power balances are undergoing transformations, and one observes a new formation. You, who have a hand in politics, know well that in these conditions, all elements present on the scene can play a role in favor of their goals and ideals, or they can remain idle and ineffective. When shifts are taking place, and global transformations are occurring, an inactive, less active, and negligent element will certainly have a weaker role in the future transformation, in the new shape that is to dominate the political situation of the world. An active, alert, and awake element that monitors the scene, observes interactions, and makes predictions can secure a stronger, more blessed position closer to its goals and ideals in the new formation that is to come. This is the current situation.

Look at our own region, the Middle East; the events occurring today in the Middle East and around the Palestinian issue have no precedent; nothing like this has ever happened before. This is a sign that a shift is taking place, a transformation is occurring. If you look at the world stage - the position of America, the position of some European countries, their influences in the world, their roles - you see that significant changes are underway. During these thirty years, at certain junctures - of which I have some examples in mind - we have seen something similar; however, today one can clearly feel this.

If we can play a role in these conditions, it will certainly be in favor of the future of the country, the future of the system, and the future of our history. This role-playing also depends on having the necessary cohesion, authority, sufficient motivation, and close and sincere cooperation within. We must look at the issues of the country, the issues of legislation, the relationship between the government and the parliament, and the various positions regarding domestic and foreign issues from this perspective; all these matters should be viewed from this angle. Then many things that may seem important to us at first glance will diminish in value and lose their significance. Therefore, I believe that the current parliament - which, thanks be to God, has a good composition; you are faithful, revolutionary, familiar with the issues, and among you are many educated and knowledgeable individuals; the issues of the country are also sensitive matters - in the two years remaining of its term, should make the most of every opportunity to ensure that what is just, rightful, and worthy is accomplished through this parliament.

Fortunately, the people of the country, contrary to the expectations of the opponents of the system and the enemies of the system, have truly shown a good state of being. The people have demonstrated their affection for the Imam. According to the statistics that are always provided to us every year, this year the attendance of the people is greater than in previous years. What does this mean? This large crowd from Tehran and the provinces gathering in the hot weather of that day, staying for hours under the sun - now where we were, there was a partial roof, a shade, a semi-shade - in these vast areas, on this path, in these streets, this dense crowd in Behesht Zahra, women, men, children; I heard some endured seven or eight hours under the sun there, which truly deserves appreciation and gratitude from the people. I must sincerely thank and appreciate our dear nation and the attendees of this great gathering for their loyalty.

These matters are very important. With twenty-one years having passed since the demise of the Imam, the people are still so attached to him. The Imam is the embodiment of the revolution, the embodiment of religion, the embodiment of those ideals to which he called and first opened our eyes to these ideals and guided us towards them; he was the herald of this nation's capability to ascend to higher levels and perfection. When people respect a person with these characteristics, it means they respect these ideals. These ideals are the very things that secure the happiness of a nation. A nation that is vibrant, a nation that is faithful, a nation that wholeheartedly accepts Islam, a nation that believes in itself, that trusts in its God, can overcome any obstacle in its path to perfection. These matters are of great importance. You are representatives of such a nation. This is in the realm of emotional, rational, and spiritual connection with the Imam, especially in the presence during the forty-million-strong elections of last year; these are very valuable, these have great meaning. You and I are indeed servants of such a nation. There is a time when a nation is indifferent, a nation that is shameless and lazy; well, that has its own implications; there is a time when a nation is active, interested, enthusiastic, passionate, emotional, and insightful; this has different implications.

We are very responsible; both I, and you, and the government, and various officials; all of us. Just as I mentioned that day at the Imam's shrine, we must also consider spiritual calculations. It is not just that rationally one says that we must work; no, the Almighty God will also question us. To the extent of the ability given, to the extent of the blessings granted, there is questioning and accountability.

If, God willing, we can do something that will make us proud before the Almighty God, then the verses that this esteemed reciter beautifully recited - "The great terror will not grieve them, and the angels will greet them" - will apply to us. The great terror; the Almighty God considers something to be great, indeed the greatest; it is a very terrifying face before Him. However, those who work, strive, and fulfill their duties will be at ease there. We must believe in these matters.

Many words have been said about the parliament - both inside and outside the parliament - reminders have been given, and we have also expressed our views. I will mention a few points that may be somewhat repetitive.

In looking at the issues of the country - which manifest in your responsibilities as lawmakers - two characteristics of "idealism" and "realism" must be considered. Your perspective should be idealistic. Do not lower your ideals, do not shorten them. The view must be idealistic, but with attention to reality. We set a ceiling; however, the duties we assign to ourselves, the government, or the officials must be based on the existing realities, but towards that ideal, so that these capabilities increase day by day. Realism, in the sense that it opposes idealism, is not desirable. The criterion is that we want to reach those ideals; however, alongside this, realism is necessary; one must not fall into delusion. Sometimes one may be deluded in decision-making, in what must be done; well, this is also wrong. Ideals must be kept in mind. The steps must be arranged according to the existing realities, one after another, and progress towards those ideals. This is one point.

Another point that has always been a topic of discussion, which we have also mentioned, you also say, the government also says, is the issue of cooperation between the parliament and the government; this must be realized. That the parliament says that all the work has been done on our part, it is the government that must come forward; on the other hand, the government says that all the necessary work has been done on our part, it is the parliament that must come forward; this cannot be. We must sincerely cooperate. Both the government and the parliament each have their legal limits. Of course, some of these limits are not clearly defined. Truly, some of these lines are not clear and distinct, which is one of the flaws in our laws; we must clarify these lines. Today, the country needs cooperation; that is, there should be no motivation for disobedience towards the parliament in the government, nor should there be a motivation to annoy the government or delay it in the parliament. Therefore, both must sincerely, realistically, and with consideration of each other's positions, help each other; this is a very important duty.

For example, in the matter of law - which is currently a topic of discussion - both sides engage in dialogues. On one side, it is correct that the government must comply with the law - meaning what has been legally established is a duty for the government to comply with - on the other side, the legislator must consider the executive role. Implementation is a difficult task. Some of you have been executors, ministers, or have been present in various executive sectors; implementation is very different from designing execution, from the plan that one must prepare for it to be executed. Therefore, we must pay attention to the realities. The government is the element in the middle of the field that wants to carry out the tasks. We must facilitate the work of the government. We must respect the work of the government. It is true that the government must comply with the law; it is also true that the parliament must ensure that the government can comply with the law; otherwise, if we assume that we have placed a duty on the government but did not approve its validity; well, this cannot be; these are problems. Or suppose the government brings a bill to the parliament - which the government has naturally prepared considering its capabilities, its power, the existing resources of the country, and the favorable conditions - then changes are made in the parliament to this bill that completely alter it. Often, government officials complain to us about this. I have experience in this matter. I have been in both the government and the parliament; I know how it can be done and how it can be corrected and how it can be acted differently. Attention must be paid to these points.

Truly, sincere work must be done; this is not related to political lines and boundaries. What we are saying is not addressed to those who are politically aligned with the government; no, even those who politically oppose the government; they are also faithful brothers, Muslims, children of the revolution. The discussion is about the revolution. The discussion is about the interests of the country. Everyone must have this commitment. On the other side, this law is organized in this way; on this side, the government will be obliged to comply with this law. This is how the government can be practically compelled to execute the law. This cooperation must exist from both sides.

Another point I want to mention is regarding the committees in the parliament, which have significant duties and roles. Committees must work hard. The public session of the parliament is certainly a place for decision-making, but fundamental work is done in the committees; in fact, we have had individuals in the parliament over these years who, before coming to the committee to express their opinions, would study, go and observe, read, and weigh the aspects of the issue. This kind of work is very good. Then when you enter the parliament, when you enter the session, when the law is presented, when supporters and opponents speak, every point from their speeches is taken into consideration. If this is not the case, if one is empty-minded, the words of supporters and opponents are like something being said in the air; one's decision-making will not be based on evidence; whether regarding the law or some other resolutions; determining individuals, ministers, or non-ministers. When prior study has been done, one enters with evidence. Sometimes ten people oppose, the atmosphere is one of opposition; however, if you are in favor, you have reasoning, you have thought, and based on the understanding and insight you have from the issue, you act; this is correct. I mean to convey to the gentlemen and ladies that the review work in the committee, even before the committee, must be taken seriously. Therefore, presence in the committees is very important, and punctual and continuous attendance is very significant.

Another point regarding the oversight role of the parliament. See, the parliament has an oversight role over the executive bodies of the country - which is very important - and also define an oversight role for the parliament itself and for all representatives. I believe that you will be in the parliament for another two years; it is uncertain whether you will be in the parliament after this or not; you may never set foot in the parliament again; however, hundreds and hundreds of individuals will pass through here over time; individuals will come and sit on these seats. If today you can establish a solid and effective control mechanism for overseeing the work of representatives, as long as this system works well, its reward will be yours; its divine reward will be yours. On the other hand, unfortunately, the same applies. If today, with the power that God has given you - the capability of representation - you can implement this control tool, but do not, you will be questioned. On the Day of Judgment, God will question you. It is not all about whether we think we have words that are acceptable in court or not. These courts are nothing; human courts are of no importance; divine courts are significant. "He knows the treachery of the eyes and what the hearts conceal"; the depths of our hearts are clear to God. If we have done more than our duty, no one knows, no one thanks us; but God knows, the recorders write, and God thanks us. If we have fallen short, no one knows; we have pretended in a way that they think we have done the work well; while in reality, we have fallen short. No one knows, no one reproaches us; but the recorders see, write, and the Almighty God holds us accountable. This, in my opinion, is very important.

Well, a representative - like all of us - is exposed to such slips and harms. Wealth is a source of temptation. This is not my word; it is the word of Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him); "Wealth is a source of temptation"; wealth is tempting. Money leads hearts astray; it shakes many; those whom one does not think would slip, one sees sometimes they do slip. Power is the same, so is favoritism, so is affection, so is enmity; these can lead us astray. There must be oversight over one's work. We thank God that you brothers and sisters welcome this issue with open hearts.

The last point is regarding the fifth program; this is very important. Of course, this program is under discussion in the parliament, and you are busy with it. In my opinion, in reviewing the fifth program, it should be done in such a way that the issue we previously mentioned does not arise; that is, the program does not fundamentally differ from what has been presented to the parliament as a bill; that it should be amended, completed, not transformed. This requires cooperation between the government and the parliament. In our view, both the government and the parliament have roles in this regard.

Finally, dear brothers! Dear sisters! You must appreciate this blessing. That you have been elected by the people to the position of representation and can play a role in the governance and directives of the country, in the musts and must-nots of the nation, is a great opportunity, a great blessing. You must thank God day and night.

This country was not in the hands of the people, nor in the hands of the representatives of the people; the people had no role. From the very beginning when constitutionalism, voting, law, and parliament were established in this country - except for one or two parliaments in the early days - the parliaments of this country had no meaning at all. There was no parliament, and in no sense were there people. Neither were the managers of the country elected by the people, nor were the lawmakers elected by the people, nor did the people have any role; this country was something else, it was a different movement. Thanks to the revolution, this state has emerged; this must be greatly appreciated, it must be valued highly; one must thank the Almighty God day and night for this great blessing.

We hope, God willing, that the Almighty God grants us the success to be grateful and to serve in this capacity. We hope that the Almighty God brings joy to the pure soul of our great Imam - who was the conqueror of this great victory and the opener of this path - and elevates his ranks. We hope that the Almighty God elevates the ranks of the dear martyrs and the dear jihadists who have worked over these thirty-one years to strengthen this foundation day by day and to deepen this tree, and grants all servants their rewards; may He also reward you, dear brothers and sisters, God willing.

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