Meeting with Thousands of People from Khuzestan and Kerman

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

Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our master and prophet, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure and chosen progeny, especially the Awaited One of God among the inhabitants of the earth (may God hasten his noble return).

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters, beloved people of Khuzestan, beloved people of Kerman. This session is a very cordial and blessed one, God willing. It is a great pleasure for me to be able to meet a group of the people of these two important provinces. I extend my warmest greetings to all of you, each and every one of you, especially to the families of the dear martyrs and the esteemed disabled veterans.

I take advantage of this very sweet and cordial session to first say a few words about these two provinces. Our young generation, our new generation, needs to become more familiar with the honors of their generational, historical, and heritage. This work is necessary today and will be necessary tomorrow as well. Clarifying the historical sequence of the valuable legacies of various parts of the country should be one of the targeted tasks of all the well-wishers of the country and the revolution. I will say a few sentences about Khuzestan and a few sentences about Kerman, and then I will refer to a national and important issue, which is the upcoming elections, and then I will say a few words about this important international Islamic issue, namely the issue of Gaza; this is the program of our speech today and our remarks with you, dear brothers and sisters.

Regarding Khuzestan, it can be said that in the history of the last one hundred and twenty to thirty years of our country, Khuzestan has been one of the main and most important centers of the resistance of the Iranian nation, and the people of Khuzestan have been the embodiment of the resistance of the Iranian nation during this period. If our youth are familiar with history, they know that about a hundred years ago, during the aftermath of World War I, when the British attacked this region of Iran and Iraq, it was the defense of the people of Khuzestan that pushed the British back. The fatwa of the scholars of Najaf was taken up by the valiant people of Khuzestan, they raised the flag, and stood against the British. The British had entered there with an army and military capabilities; it was no longer a matter of propaganda; they had dominated Iraq and wanted to dominate this region of Iran as well; the people of Khuzestan stood against the British according to the fatwa of the scholars of Najaf — the late Amirza Muhammad Taqi Shirazi and others. During a trip I made to Khuzestan several years ago, they brought the flag of that great struggle, and we also gifted that flag to the holy shrine of Imam Reza; that flag, which belongs to the people of Khuzestan, is still present. In history, these things are important; they are very valuable. Khuzestan stood firm against the British, not only to defend Khuzestan but also to defend Iran.

In the matter of the national oil movement, in the late 20s, Khuzestan was the site of the field confrontation between Iran and Britain, in the form of the seizure of the Abadan refinery — which was under British control — and the seizure of areas and centers that the British had established for themselves. The people of Khuzestan were at the forefront here as well.

More importantly, the steadfastness of the people of Khuzestan against Saddam's aggression in 1979 was remarkable. The first group of defense came from the people of Khuzestan themselves. Saddam made a wrong calculation, thinking that if he attacked the cities of Khuzestan — Abadan, Khorramshahr, Ahvaz, and others — the Arab people in these areas would join him against their own country! This was a grave mistake made by Saddam; he thought Khuzestan would fall into his hands and that the Iranian Arab people of Khuzestan would assist him. The first people who stood firm were those whom he had hoped for. The dear martyr, General Ali Hashemi (may God be pleased with him) is one example. At the beginning of the war, the Saddam forces had heard of his reputation and had been searching for him for years; whenever they captured someone, they would ask, "Where is Ali Hashemi?" They were looking for Ali Hashemi. The mother of the martyr was alive until recently. The Khuzestani relatives, both Arab and non-Arab, Lor and Bakhtiari and others, were the first to stand against Saddam and formed a front; this is a great honor, this is a great merit, this is not a small matter.

In another respect, Khuzestan is an outstanding province because the blood of martyrs from all provinces of the country has been shed on the soil of Khuzestan; what does this mean? It means that Khuzestan is a symbol of the solidarity and unity of the entire Iranian nation. Young people, the vanguards, the self-sacrificers, came from all over the country there, fought with their faith and motivation, and sacrificed their lives for Islam, Iran, and the Islamic Republic; Khuzestan became a symbol of the unity of the Iranian nation. Everything we had heard throughout history about the heroism of the Iranian nation — about sacrifices, about selflessness, about steadfastness — we witnessed with our own eyes in Khuzestan during the Sacred Defense. Therefore, Khuzestan became the embodiment of the outstanding characteristics of the Iranian nation. This is about Khuzestan; our dear youth should accompany these few words with tens or hundreds of times more of the merits of that important region of the country.

And now about Kerman. Throughout the years of my acquaintance with Kerman and the people of Kerman, I have observed brilliant points in this province and among its people; it is not something to be heard, it is something to be seen and felt. If we want to mention a few of the most important of these characteristics, I must say that, firstly, the deep cultural identity of Kerman, secondly, the nurturing of elites in Kerman — one of the characteristics of this province is the cultivation of elites — [also] the moral nobility and sincere faith of the people of Kerman, and the pioneering of the people of Kerman in joining the Islamic and revolutionary movement. I will never forget in 1963 at the Masoumiyeh School in Kerman — if I remember this name correctly — these young and adolescent Kermani students, like a chain, would regularly come to this school with the revolutionary elements and the fighting clerics who were there, they would come and go, delivering and receiving statements, messages, and lessons, and they would go and distribute them throughout the province. The emergence of a great personality like Haj Qasem Soleimani is rooted in these. The nurturing of elites and the connection and engagement with prominent Islamic concepts and the struggle for them is a great characteristic that I have witnessed with my own eyes among the people of Kerman.

Yes, one Qasem Soleimani is enough for not only the province of Kerman but for the entire Iranian nation to take pride and boast; this is true, but another important matter alongside this is what is the cultural background that nurtures Qasem Soleimani; we must rely on this cultural background. That sincere faith, those sacrifices, that intellectual integrity and divine guidance that God grants to the people are cultural foundations. Of course, these foundations always exist, but when there is no Islamic Revolution and Islamic Republic, these potentials do not manifest; when the Islamic Republic comes into existence, then these personalities emerge one by one: there is martyr Hossein Alam al-Huda, there is martyr Ali Hashemi, there is martyr Hemmat, there is martyr Haj Qasem Soleimani.

I want to tell you dear youth, the youth of Khuzestan and Kerman, to take pride in these characteristics, to be proud, to appreciate this generational and historical legacy, and to use these characteristics to build the future of your country. This country must be built; we have many deficiencies, we have many backwardnesses. Decades, even centuries of the rule of tyrants have held our country back in many respects. Given the historical background, we should have been at the forefront of the world in science today — which we are not — we should have been visibly demonstrating the laws of Islam and the teachings of Islam in every aspect of our country's life; we should have shown the constructive power of Islam in managing the country; we have not been able to do so and we are behind; these backwardnesses must be compensated. You young people can do it, the Iranian nation can do it. God willing, may God protect you and increase these preparations and bring them to fruition in various sectors. Well, now these few sentences about Khuzestan and Kerman.

And now the important issue of elections, the decisive issue of elections. In about two months, we have two important elections in the country. Earlier this year, I referred to these elections; at that time, the distance was great, now the distance has decreased. The Iranian nation must be well-prepared to conduct these two elections in the best possible manner. One election is the Assembly of Experts for Leadership. The importance of the Assembly of Experts for Leadership lies in the fact that when necessary, it can choose a suitable leader for the country, and over time, it can and must monitor the preservation of the vital conditions of leadership in the existing leader. This is the importance of the Assembly of Experts for Leadership, which the Iranian nation, the people of the provinces, must pay attention to, be vigilant, and conduct this election in the best possible way. And the other election is the Islamic Consultative Assembly — which is held simultaneously with these two elections — is very important. The Islamic Consultative Assembly, according to the Constitution, is the one that lays the groundwork for the future of the country. If the country has problems, it needs legislation and the prudent presence of the Islamic Consultative Assembly to resolve these problems; the importance of this election lies in this. These two elections must be held with grandeur.

Earlier this year, I mentioned four characteristics regarding these elections to the Iranian nation: firstly, strong participation, secondly, real competition, thirdly, true integrity, and fourthly, security of the elections; these four characteristics must be realized. Before discussing these four characteristics — which I will say a few sentences about today, and if we are alive and have the opportunity, I will speak again with our dear people in the interval between these two months — the principle of the logic of elections in the Islamic Republic must be clarified. Why do we hold elections? I say that both the words "Republic" and "Islamic" are dependent on elections. "Republic" means popular sovereignty, meaning the governance of the country is in the hands of the people. Well, how do the people participate in governance? There is no way other than elections. Some people raise objections about the necessity of elections, discouraging the people, not realizing that if there are no elections in the country, it is either dictatorship or chaos and insecurity. What prevents the emergence of dictatorship in the country is elections; what prevents chaos and turmoil and insecurity is elections. Elections are the correct path through which the people can secure national sovereignty, popular rule, and republicanism in the country. This is the issue of republicanism. Elections can choose the Guardian of the Islamic Jurist in the country, meaning it secures Islamic governance. Elections can establish representatives in the Islamic Consultative Assembly who, according to Islamic regulations and teachings, draft laws for the management of the country. Therefore, both republicanism and Islamic governance are dependent on elections. Thus, in the Islamic Republic system, elections are essential.

In these elections, naturally, the four points we mentioned are important. First, participation; participation means the enthusiastic presence of the people in the elections. If there is enthusiastic participation of the people in the elections, it shows national unity, it demonstrates the motivation of the Iranian nation to be present in the arena; the motivation of the Iranian nation and national unity creates national power; national power leads to the security of the country; when the country gains security, then science progresses in that country, the economy flourishes in that country, various cultural, economic, and political problems in the country become solvable; participation creates such a miracle. Elections bring transformation to the country. Some people mention transformation, express support for transformation, but in practice, what is the necessary prerequisite for transformation is neglected; that is, elections. Through elections, transformation can be created in the country. Those who have various political, economic, and cultural viewpoints want to create transformation in favor of their political or cultural or economic views; very well, what is the way? The way is to bring to power through elections — whether it is the elections of the Assembly, the elections of the Assembly of Experts, the presidential elections, or the council elections — those who align with their political thought and political or economic or cultural orientation; this is transformation. Therefore, the foundation of transformation is elections.

All those who have audiences have a duty to invite the people to the elections. Prominent scholars, university professors, seminary professors, the media, journalists, young people, individuals within families, all can be heralds of the elections and invite their audiences to participate; then the elections will be enthusiastic. If participation is weak, the Assembly will be weak, and a weak Assembly will not have the full capacity to resolve problems. If we want problems to be resolved, we must increase participation; this is the duty of everyone. Anyone who wants the problems of the country to be resolved, this is the way. This is the issue of participation. Of course, if there is life and opportunity in the future, I will speak again about this.

Now, regarding the issue of competition; what does competition mean? Competition means that political factions compete with each other to participate in the elections; various political and economic orientations compete in the elections; the field must be open for the competition of political factions and political views, as well as economic and cultural views; this is the meaning of competition. Competition means that young people who want to enter the electoral arena compete with experienced and seasoned individuals; they strive, and they strive as well. A good and strong Assembly is one that includes both these young people and those experienced and seasoned individuals. Competition means this; one of the most important issues regarding elections is this competition. Competition means everyone should be able to campaign, but the campaigns must be correct. I will discuss campaigning later, God willing, if I have life. Campaigning must be accompanied by ethics and piety. Campaigning is different from slandering, different from lying, different from making false promises. Campaigning means expressing one’s views to the people; this is campaigning and it must be made available to all, God willing. Well, there is much to say in this regard. Regarding the integrity and security of the elections, if there is life, I will present further remarks later.

Therefore, keep the issue of elections in mind. Some people discourage the public from participating in elections; this is a wrong act, this is a mistake, this is detrimental to the country. It is detrimental to the "country"; it is not detrimental to a particular person or individual, it is detrimental to the country. Some people, in order to discourage the public from participating in elections, constantly bring the problems of the country to the forefront. Well, if problems exist, what is the solution to these problems? The solution to the problems is elections. In fact, in order to resolve problems, participation in elections is necessary. This is regarding the elections.

Now regarding the international and Islamic issue of Gaza. Two and a half months have passed since the beginning of the Gaza incident. This incident is an unprecedented phenomenon in the recent history of the Islamic world; in recent history — perhaps in this past century — we do not have a similar incident; it is an extraordinary incident, a unique incident. How is it unique? From two sides, from two angles, this incident is unique. From the side of the Zionist regime, this incident is unique; why? Because such savagery, such criminality, such bloodthirstiness has never been seen in this historical period I mentioned; such child-killing, dropping bunker-buster bombs on the heads of patients in hospitals, such ruthlessness, such wickedness, is unprecedented and has not been seen; this is from the side of the Zionist regime. On the other side, from the side of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian fighters, such steadfastness, such patience, such resistance, such madness inflicted upon the enemy has not been seen. The people of Gaza, the fighters of Gaza, stand firm like a rock, like a mountain; this is very important. Water does not reach them, food does not reach them, medicine does not reach them, fuel does not reach them — water does not reach them! — yet they stand firm and do not surrender; this is very important. Their refusal to surrender will lead them to victory, as signs of victory are already visible today. Indeed, God is with the patient. The Zionist regime, with all its equipment, with all its capabilities, has become powerless against the Palestinian fighters — who can be said to have equipment that is not comparable to that of the Zionist regime. You have heard that they have withdrawn significant and active parts of their army from the field, because they see they cannot do anything and are only suffering casualties; these are important, these are unprecedented phenomena.

One fundamental point is that the defeat of the Zionist regime in this incident is not just the defeat of the Zionist regime; it is the defeat of America. Today, in the world, no one distinguishes between the Zionist regime and America or Britain; everyone knows that they are one and the same. America shamelessly vetoes the Security Council resolution to stop the bombardment and ceasefire! These are not different; they are one and the same. What does "veto" mean? It means complicity in dropping bombs on children, women, the sick, the elderly, and defenseless people. In this incident, America lost its credibility, the mask of Western civilization was removed. The great victory of the Palestinian nation lies in the fact that they have exposed the West, America, and the false claims of human rights. Today, everyone knows that these pretenses, the name of human rights and humanity, what their essence is. The ugly face of the monstrous beast of America and Britain has been revealed, and it has become clear to all the people of the world. Israel could not have committed such savagery without America; if America had not been in agreement, Israel would not have dared. The Zionist regime was able to commit all these crimes over the course of two and a half months with the backing of America; this is known to everyone in the world. America’s credibility has been tarnished; this alone is the greatest success; this is the greatest victory for the front of truth and the front of resistance. In the field, the signs of the defeat of these criminals are appearing one after another, and in the human sphere, they have completely failed; this is the reality of this scene. The essence of the White House has been exposed, the essence of the American and British governments has been revealed.

Well, what is the duty today? To assist the resistance. Everyone, in whatever way they can, must assist the resistance. Assisting the resistance is a duty; assisting the Zionist regime is a crime and treason. Unfortunately, some Muslim governments commit this crime; however, they should know that the Muslim nations will not forget this. Today, it is a duty for Muslim governments not to allow goods, oil, fuel, and such things to reach the Zionist regime, just as it does not allow water to reach the people of Gaza; this is the duty of Muslim governments. The duty of Muslim nations is also to demand from their governments to cut off any assistance [to the Zionist regime], and to sever their relations; if they are unable to permanently sever their relations, at least temporarily cut off their relations and put pressure on this wicked, bloodthirsty, savage element.

You see today that the conscience of the world is pained, it feels pain. In America, in European countries, people are taking to the streets; this is no joke. Political figures in some of these governments and countries are resigning because of their governments' assistance; university presidents are resigning; scholars, prominent individuals are criticizing, protesting. The conscience of the world is pained, yet some still continue to provide assistance to this oppressive and savage regime.

I want to say, do not doubt that victory is with the front of truth. Do not doubt that the usurping Zionist regime will one day be uprooted from the earth, and this, God willing, is among the certain futures; by the grace of God and His might and with His permission and honor, this will happen, and we hope, God willing, that you young people will witness that day with your own eyes.

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