Statements at the Allegiance Ceremony of Teachers and Students

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

Without a doubt, the bitter incident and heavy loss of the absence of our great leader and Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) is the most bitter and calamitous event that has occurred for the Iranian nation throughout the history of the Islamic Revolution, and it is among the rare events that have affected all Muslims worldwide.

On the other hand, this calamity and loss is also a divine trial for our people and all the classes of this great, heroic, and resilient nation. Those who emerge successfully from this test are those who, with their good choices, turn bitter and calamitous events into steps towards their own elevation and perfection. Although this calamity is severe and bitter, those who face it, if they can make correct decisions and choices and take the right actions, this very bitter and calamitous event will become a means of their elevation and perfection. Conversely, if the divine test and trial is met with poor handling, and the society faces the event with lack of insight, weakness of will, confusion, and failure to seize divine opportunities, turning to human weaknesses and deficiencies, the calamity will not build them up or advance them; rather, it will bring about a compounded calamity.

The Noble Messenger of Islam (peace be upon him) used an event like the Battle of Uhud and the defeat that befell the Muslims as a means for the perfection of the Muslims. Similarly, our great Imam and leader, over the past ten years, used events that were very bitter, heavy, and calamitous for all of us as a factor for strengthening and advancing the nation. That dear leader, before the victory of the revolution, used events like the incident at the Feyziyeh School or the uprising of the fifteenth of Khordad—with all the pressure and heaviness it had for the people—as a tool and means towards his revolutionary goals and those of the Iranian nation, and advanced the people.

All tests and trials have two sides: either the person or nation undergoing the test succeeds and triumphs, or they fail. The passing of our dear Imam is a test for us, and thanks be to God, up to this time, our nation has acted in a way that they have succeeded and emerged with honor in the test that has arisen. While global arrogance had decided to the highest degree to use this event to weaken Islam, Muslims, and the Islamic Republic system, the great, mature, and divinely favored nation, in these very conditions, was able to bring about the stabilization of the Islamic Republic system for Islam and Muslims.

Today, political analysts around the world admit that the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic system, in terms of power, strength, and stability, are not weaker or less advanced than in previous years, if not stronger and more advanced. The reason for this admission is the growth, awareness, will, and conscious decision of the Iranian nation in proving the solidity of the Islamic Republic. With this movement and the presence of the people in mourning ceremonies and their expression of loyalty to the dear Imam and the Islamic Republic system, and with this unity, harmony, and sincerity seen among all classes during these days, and with the courage observed from all the people in facing the event of the passing of the late Imam, the enemy did not dare to make a mistake in the face of the decisiveness and national and Islamic will of the Iranian nation.

I tell you dear educators that the issue of culture and education is the foremost issue in our system. In the long term, nothing is as important as education. The role of the teacher and educator in our society is a primary role. In truth, the front line of the struggle against disbelief, oppression, global arrogance, and the bullying of the world's political devils is this very front line of school, education, and culture. The young students who are under the care of the country's cultural apparatus are the dearest and richest capital and reserve for the future of this nation. Appreciate the value of education, teaching, and the cultural front. Young people and adolescents, appreciate the value of study, discussion, learning, and self-building.

You teachers, educators, and the young generation are the ones who will build tomorrow and will disappoint global arrogance and keep alive the bright point of hope—which the Imam and the Islamic Revolution created—in the hearts of the oppressed of the world. Our dear Imam always emphasized this fundamental matter, and we believe that this issue is among the firm principles and necessities of the revolution and the Imam's line.

Today, global arrogance, the world's political bullies, and the empires of wealth and power throughout the world, which are immersed in corruption and decadence, are enemies of Islam and the Islamic system; because Islam and the awakening of Muslims expose and threaten them. Naturally, they will do whatever they can against Islam, the Islamic system, and the Islamic Republic. In one situation, the Islamic Republic can completely protect itself from the danger and harm of the enemy, and that is when it disappoints them with its power. The day the Islamic Republic, by proving its political and economic power and its ability to continue living, disappoints the enemy, we can be assured that the enemy will abandon its plots; because it feels its efforts are futile.

The effort of all classes and individuals of the people and the first, second, and third rank officials in the government system should be to add to the power of the Islamic Republic system, and political, economic, and military power is not achieved except through construction. All those who play a role in the administration and construction of the country must multiply their efforts. In the field of production, producers must raise the country's production as much as they can. Administrative and governmental sectors must increase the quality of their work with good practice, gaining the trust of the people, and providing sincere services to them, and those who are a source of inspiration and guidance for the people in cultural fields must increase their efforts.

If global arrogance and the devils of the world feel that the Islamic Republic is weak, they will increase the pressure. Thanks be to God, we are strong and possess the necessary stability. The capital that the Islamic Republic of Iran has—the trust of the people and their support for the system—I do not think any government has it. This blessing must be preserved by the officials and all the people. In our country, there is no separation between the government and the people; all are soldiers of the revolution and must be. All must maintain the spirit of being soldiers for the revolution. In this regard, there is no difference between the people and the officials and authorities. In relation to Islam and the Islamic system, all have a single duty.

Again, I emphasize and recommend to you dear cultural brothers and sisters to consider this work important and give it importance—as you do—and appreciate its value and be patient with its difficulties, and know that the most fundamental and foundational work in our society is your work; because complete education and training will lead to complete higher education, and both of these will create a complete and highly desirable administrative, organizational, and governmental system. Therefore, the foundation of the welfare of the nation, government, and country is laid here.

We hope that the Almighty God, through the blessing of the great spirit of our dear Imam, this beloved deceased of the nation who is in the company of the truthful, the righteous, and the prophets and is enjoying the presence of the Lord, and is certainly observing and concerned about the state of the nation, will always show us the right path and help us continue on that path. May God keep us under His attention and favor and preserve you dear brothers and sisters.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings