Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with Various Segments of the People of Qom

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

We welcome you dear brothers and sisters from Qom; to the faithful youth and the resilient people, as well as the esteemed seminarians and scholars of the Qom seminary. The 19th of Dey (January 8) is undoubtedly one of the days of God. This day had a fundamental impact on the history that followed and the course of the movement throughout the revolution. If the uprising of the people of Qom had not been recorded at the forefront of this movement and revolution, it is highly likely that the enemies of the Iranian nation and the adversaries of the revolution would have even denied the Islamic identity of the movement. Thus, Qom became a symbol of the faithful uprising of the people, a symbol of adherence to the rope of God, and a manifestation of "that you stand for God in pairs and individually." Therefore, the 19th of Dey is the starting point of the Islamic Revolution of Iran.

In this historical movement, both the people of Qom and the esteemed and revered seminary of Qom played a role. The youth and men and women of Qom, before and during that movement, demonstrated that their adherence to Islam is not merely lip service, and the Qom seminary and the esteemed authorities of Qom also proved that they possess the capacity and capability to guide a massive popular wave in this boundless ocean. These are not things that can be forgotten. Today, that same faith, that same people, and that same seminary in Qom remain steadfast; thus, Qom has been and will continue to be the fundamental axis of the revolution. The youth of Qom should not forget their very significant role and contribution. That day was the day of beginning; today is the day of continuity on the straight path. If that day was significant, today, too, vigilance and caution to avoid deviating from the straight path is crucial. The Almighty God said to the Prophet and the companions of the Prophet: "Indeed, those who say, 'Our Lord is Allah,' and then remain steadfast"; meaning to stay on this path and be steadfast; do not lose your way; do not mistake the line; do not forget the goal. This is a message to us and to all the people of Iran. When a nation continues its path with the same intention and determination, and does not falter - which it will not - the gates of the divine promised city - the city of happiness - will be opened to the people. After the victory of the revolution, all the efforts of the enemies of the revolution and the arrogant powers were focused on the idea that now that they have lost control, perhaps they could divert the path of these followers; just as they did during the Constitutional Revolution. Most of the efforts over these twenty-five years have been concentrated on ensuring that this divine line and this correct path and straight way are not lost. Of course, the scholars, youth, elders, and esteemed authorities of the seminary have a heavy responsibility in this regard; all are involved. The intelligence of the people, their courage, and their spirit of purity and freedom - which, thanks be to God, is manifested everywhere in the country and is prominently present in Qom - guarantee the continuity of this path.

It is necessary to say a few words about the heavy tragedy of the Bam earthquake; because such events are terrifying and devastating for the country and the nation as a whole, not just for the grieving people affected. In this matter, one cannot abandon and forget the tragedy and not learn from it. The issue of natural disasters is a significant matter in Islamic thought. These disasters exist; they are always and everywhere present. The loss of human lives and the hardships of life are inevitable and unavoidable; however, in every disaster, there are lessons to be learned to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies.

One point addressed to the victims of Bam; those who have lost their youth, parents, children, and loved ones - which is a heavy tragedy for them - I say one point to the people and one point to the officials.

The victims of Bam should know that such heavy tragedies in the divine measure and record are not without reward; the reward for each tragedy is proportional to its severity, and the victims should consider God as the answerer of their grieving hearts and the needs of their broken spirits; they should trust in God. The phrase "Indeed, we belong to God and indeed to Him we will return" is correct; it is healing; it is a consolation for the grieving hearts. The one who knows that in the face of every tragedy - whether a natural disaster or an imposed tragedy - that befalls a person, the Almighty God grants them a bright reward that enlightens their eyes and hearts, will find solace in this reality. The Almighty God says: "Upon them are blessings from their Lord and mercy"; the blessings and mercy of God upon the afflicted is the greatest reward for them. This is not mere flattery or a superficial greeting, but rather a divine grace and favor upon the afflicted; thus, in another part of the Quran, it says: "He is the one who sends blessings upon you and His angels to bring you out of darkness into light"; divine blessings take a person out of darkness; they guide them to light; they remove darkness from a person. This is the greatest achievement for the afflicted. Our dear ones, in the face of this great sorrow and tragedy, should remember God and share their pains and reflections with Him; they should seek help and solace from God; the Almighty God will reward them.

The point addressed to the people is that, firstly, the people across the country performed a great act in this incident, which, although it was human, Islamic, and an act of responding to conscience and the call of the Almighty God to righteousness and piety, was also a political movement that the people undertook, demonstrating their national solidarity and presence in front of the eyes of the world and showing that they trust the Islamic system - which is responsible for providing assistance. In regimes where the people are separated from the government, the people enter the field of aid themselves and do not trust the governmental apparatus; like the previous regime, where we would be stationed in the affected areas and the people would help us; they did not pay attention to or trust the government, and they were right. Here, the people showed that they trust the governmental apparatus; the Basij, the Relief Committee, the Red Crescent, and various agencies, and they perform their most delicate work through them. This was a significant political movement by the Iranian nation. Do not think that international calculators do not see and understand these things; indeed, every manifestation of your solidarity and presence creates a defensive shield against the enemy's onslaught. When they see that the people are so present in the scene and willing to help and support, and have solidarity both among themselves and with the governmental apparatus, they understand that it is not easy to attack this country, this nation, and this system. Therefore, I sincerely thank the people for their help, presence, concern, and expressions of feelings. Of course, this assistance must continue; even if now, according to the officials, material assistance is apparently not needed; however, cooperation is necessary, and the people's support, God willing, can help continue this work.

Another point I want to convey to the people is that these natural disasters are the result and product of human actions. These are calamities that we create for ourselves through negligence and carelessness. If the one responsible for building the house of Zayd and Amr considers themselves accountable and works well, scientifically, and with compassion, either the earthquake will not have casualties, or it will have far fewer. The result of negligence leads to such heavy losses; the loss of several thousand lives occurs, and the grief remains in the hearts of the nation. There must be a strong sense of responsibility. Those who build buildings; those who sell houses to people; those who are in governmental agencies responsible for overseeing these matters; and those who invest their resources in this area are responsible, and they must think about such matters. Where responsibility and duty are taken seriously, losses are minimized; but where there is negligence, tragedy occurs - "So by what your own hands have earned"; "Whatever strikes you of misfortune is from yourself" - and innocent and oppressed people become victims. Therefore, all those who are active in these areas have responsibilities and must be aware of these points; they should minimize the damages themselves.

Officials must also take the lead in this regard and should not allow some to threaten people's lives with their negligence. Bam is not the only city in Iran that is at risk of such disasters; this applies everywhere. The officials and agencies responsible for these matters are obliged; they must be diligent and careful. The next point is that the responsible agencies must also perform their duties well in providing assistance and relief. We thank the various agencies that have been active in this matter; both the Red Crescent and the IRGC and the army, especially the Basij, and also the Relief Committee and others who have entered this field and have worked on health, transportation, electricity, and telecommunications, all of which have done good and outstanding work; however, there is still much work to be done. I am aware that there are shortages, and the officials must pay attention to these shortages and not let the afflicted people suffer again from injustice and neglect. Of course, we have reminded the officials of these issues and will continue to do so. We mention this to make it clear that we demand these issues from the officials and deem it necessary for them to fulfill these heavy responsibilities; negligence is not acceptable.

Of course, in this earthquake matter - which was a great tragedy for the people - for some international politicians and arrogant powers, it also provided an opportunity and, in fact, a pleasant incident to pursue their political agendas, which the uproar of the Americans in this matter is of this kind. In the face of the flood of assistance that came from all over the country, in this vast and immense volume, to these people, and also alongside international assistance, there was also assistance from the arrogant government of America, which, of course, was for the people, and the officials were obliged to accept all assistance and deliver it appropriately; but what does this have to do with the continuous, unbroken, permanent, deep, and fundamental enmity of the arrogant regime of America towards the nation, country, and interests of Iran and the system that the people cherish? The officials of the United States have not shown in any way that they have reduced their enmity towards the Islamic system and the people of Iran; rather, at this very moment, they shamelessly accuse the people, the government, and the system, and they continue to do so. They constantly threaten and adopt a hostile, aggressive, and angry demeanor, and then on the other hand, they say a few words; they hide their iron fist in a silk glove! It is not possible to ignore that enmity and those evil intentions. Of course, we are not stubborn; we are logical and reasonable. The United States regime has oppressed the Iranian nation for years; it has opposed the Islamic system for years; it has orchestrated various plots against this nation and the Islamic system; it has continuously and increasingly defended the usurping Zionist regime, with all the crimes that this regime commits; it has inflicted injustices and oppression upon the nations of Iraq and Afghanistan, and it still does; it harbors evil intentions against the Islamic system and the beliefs of our people and our interests, and wherever our country's interests have been, it has sought to obstruct them; it has the intention of a powerful presence in Iran and devouring its financial and vital resources. What makes the Iranian nation alert and angry in the face of such false postures is these actions. If they set these actions aside, we have no stubbornness against anyone. Threatening and humiliating a nation in this way, politically attacking it, attempting to divide that nation, imposing various economic pressures on it, threatening the ruling system over that nation and country in this manner, and speaking with the language of global arrogance and bullying, and then presenting a false smile, causes the people to dislike and become angry with these words.

The Iranian nation is an independent, free, intelligent nation, and is deeply attached to its national and Islamic identity; it is fiercely averse to any kind of threat and foreign interference and domination; a dignified and honorable nation that anyone who approaches this nation in peace, friendship, and normal interaction will encounter a good, welcoming, and interested nation; but if someone intends to bully this nation, threaten it, seek to dominate it, and constantly show their teeth and claws, it is clear that this nation is not one that will submit to anyone.

You dear Iranian nation should know - and you do know - that you are powerful. The very fact that the enemy has been trying for twenty-five years to strip you of your religious and national identity and has failed is evidence of your power. The very fact that the enemy resorts to threats is a sign of the power of the Iranian nation. Increase this power day by day and show that you are present in the scene. Any nation that steps out of the scene and abandons the political, economic, and cultural atmosphere of the country will immediately be exploited by the exploiters and foreigners who will come into that space and claim ownership of it. Protect your country. The country belongs to you; Iran belongs to you and no one else. Maintain this country and this system with the faith, determination, unity, and power that God has given you.

Elections are approaching. Participation in elections is one of the strongest means by which this nation can protect itself like a steel armor against the attacks of enemies and the ill intentions and malice of the arrogant and intervening powers. Elections are very important. What I have asked from the Almighty God in the elections, and I know that our dear nation desires the same, is that the elections be enthusiastic, healthy, strong, and conducted with the presence of the people, and God willing, the Almighty God grants our nation the success to send capable, righteous, and effective representatives to the parliament. One of the most important pillars of the system is the Islamic Consultative Assembly. If there are faithful, sincere, and capable representatives in the parliament, it can resolve many issues. The most important matter that I expect and emphasize is the elections. Of course, elections are a field of competition, and individuals must compete with each other; healthy competition. Anyone who believes in and adheres to this system can enter the field of elections. Those who do not accept this system and the constitution, their presence in the parliament is a mistake, and they themselves should know that their presence in the parliament is a mistake in the eyes of this nation. It is clear that those who do not accept this constitution, this nation, and its actions, slogans, paths, and goals should not come to the parliament; however, those who accept the system, Islam, the constitution, and Imam should enter the field of competition; but it must be healthy competition and not stubborn and hostile competition. These factions and lines and parties have no credibility in my view. Some, while they are in conflict, try to make it seem that the leadership and the system are involved in their factional and line disputes! This is not correct. I do not recognize parties and personalities; I recognize that anyone who comes to the parliament must be pious. The first condition is piety: "Indeed, the most honorable of you in the sight of God is the most pious of you." Furthermore, they must be advocates for the deprived; they must know that there is deprivation in the country and their efforts should be to alleviate deprivation. They must also be against corruption and firmly and seriously oppose financial and economic corruption, not just in words, to combat corruption. Of course, they must be capable, sincere, and knowledgeable as well. Qualifications are based on these matters, and the officials of various agencies - whether the Ministry of Interior, the Guardian Council, or the agencies operating under these centers - must base their criteria on the law; because these matters are foreseen in the law.

If the law is strictly and impartially observed without bias towards one faction, group, or party, what we desire will be realized. Government agencies should ensure that they play the role of referees. In a sports game, the referee has a specific role. If either of the two teams competing wins, in fact, the referee who has officiated well has succeeded; but if the referee favors one of the two teams - whether that team wins or loses - the referee has failed. Government agencies should maintain their refereeing role and ensure they do not lean towards this party or that party and this faction or that line. They should sincerely and purely observe the law; everything will be correct; the people will also gain the power of choice. Of course, those who are introduced as candidates for the elections mean that they are qualified, and this introduction is a signature of their qualifications. Agencies must ensure that this signature is not meaningless, false, or a lie. Lying to the people is wrong; both rejecting a righteous person and accepting an unworthy person are both bad and wrong. Agencies must ensure that these wrongdoings do not occur, so that, God willing, the day of elections arrives, and the people look and, with free thought and correct votes, choose the one they believe is more qualified, with knowledge and understanding, and send them to the parliament. A credible and honorable parliament can be very beneficial for the country.

We hope that the Almighty Lord does not cut off His favors, blessings, and mercy from this nation, and just as throughout these years, His power and will have always been directed towards assisting this nation, may it continue to be so in the future, and may all be included in the pure prayers of the Awaited Savior, may our souls be sacrificed for him.

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