Statements in Meeting with the Chosen Representatives of Kurdistan Province

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

This session is very eloquent and delightful for me. Although friends and brothers have made good statements - clear and sufficient - and we have been at your service for over two hours, I am not tired at all and I am ready and have been ready to hear from other attendees as well. Of course, noon is approaching, and we are nearing the time for the call to prayer; our limitation is only in this regard; otherwise, I do not feel tired at all. I mention this because it was indicated by this esteemed speaker that someone is tired; no, I do not feel tired at all and I am ready to listen, but time is limited, and naturally, there is not much time left until noon.

What you friends, brothers, and sisters have said has been very useful for me from two perspectives. One is the content of these remarks, which contained points of interest; whether in the realm of cultural issues, economic matters, and also various other fields that, God willing, will be useful for us, and we hope to utilize these good opinions in our future decision-making processes. The second aspect is that I was able to see, in a limited exhibition, the capacity of the outstanding human resources of this province. Although I have been familiar with the works of some of the Kurdish elites for a long time.

On the occasion of the presence of Mr. Ahmad Ghazi, whom we learned is the brother of the late Mohammad Ghazi, the famous translator, I would like to say that I perhaps read the first translation by the late Mohammad Ghazi about forty years ago or more, which I believe was the translation of the book "Mahatma Gandhi" by Romain Rolland. Both the book and the translation by Mohammad Ghazi are truly outstanding. A few years later, I also read another translation of his from another very important work by Romain Rolland, which is "The Life of the Heart" - I think it is three or four volumes - with very exquisite prose, truly adorned and embellished. Of course, I cannot comment on how closely the translation matches the original; those who know the original language should comment, but in terms of language and prose, it is truly something remarkable. We are familiar with the works of Persian translators and writers, and the evaluation of these works is somewhat in our minds. With this consideration, I believe that the translation by the late Ghazi is a remarkable translation. I have, of course, met him once; at the end of my presidency in Shiraz at the Hafez Congress, I met him - he was introduced to me - his throat had a problem, and he spoke with a microphone; we talked for a few sentences.

Or the prose of the late Abd al-Rahman Sharafkandi (Hajar) that friends mentioned. He has truly done a great job; this translation of the book "The Canon of Medicine" by Avicenna is a complex and very valuable work. For a thousand years, this book, written in Arabic by an Iranian, has been used in the great medical universities of the world, and it had not been translated into Persian. I was aware that until a little while ago, perhaps until a hundred years ago, in the medical schools of European countries, "The Canon" was presented as a reference and had been translated into European languages; however, Persian speakers were deprived of knowing "The Canon"! In the mid-years of my presidency, I paid attention to the point that why we had not translated "The Canon". I called a group and said, come and strive to translate "The Canon". An order was given, and they went to pursue this work. Well, these works require love; they cannot be done by order and command. In the meantime, I was informed that this book had been translated and - I think the book is about eight volumes - they brought the book of the late Hajar. When I read the book - now, I neither have expertise in medicine, nor have I sat down to compare this book with the Arabic text of "The Canon" - I saw that anyone who reads this book, truly and fairly bows their head in reverence to the strength and beauty of this beautiful prose. This translation has been done very well. I did not know him, of course; I asked, and they said he is Kurdish. Then, a few years ago, I learned that he had passed away.

Or I am familiar with some Kurdish poets, among whom the late Sotoudeh, a great gentleman, is one, who was also a very good poet. I became acquainted with him from the early days of the revolution until the times when he became ill and came to Sanandaj and apparently passed away here. Or the late Golshan Kurdistani, whom I had seen his poetry before I met him, and I also observed him up close. These are some acquaintances, and the cultural personality of the Kurdish people has been a fixed and clear truth in my mind, but today, as I said, I actually observed an exhibition, and this was very precious and valuable for me. I wish there had been an opportunity for more of the wise individuals of this province to come here and show their minds, hearts, tongues, and thoughts, which would certainly have been more beneficial for me. God willing, from what we have seen and understood, I hope we can make sufficient use of it for the advancement of our dear country and this rich and fruitful province.

In these two days since my presence in Kurdistan, in the conversations I have had, the emphasis has mostly been on describing the bravery of the Kurdish people; whether in public meetings, military meetings, or in some other sections, but truly and fairly, I have noted that the other beauties of this human collection and this geographical section of the country outweigh the bravery, courage, and valor of these people, which is one of their characteristics. There are many beauties in this province: good morals, pleasant voices, beautiful nature, delicate poetry, high literature, bright thoughts, and faithful hearts; these are what one observes and sees here, and truly and fairly, they deserve appreciation.

Fortunately, in the Islamic Republic, this valuable section is respected and praised. We appreciate and value these spiritual and cultural values wherever they exist; whether in Kurdistan, Fars, Isfahan, or Khorasan. It is expected that this truth and this real meaning will be conveyed and reflected by the Kurdish elites - although this meaning was reflected in the statements of friends, I also know that undoubtedly some of the Kurdish elites see and think this way - and the Islamic Republic does not look at it with a discriminatory perspective; neither towards Kurdistan nor towards any other special point in the country. That we have repeatedly stated that we consider the diversity of ethnicities as an opportunity for our country is a fact. Truly, for us, the diversity of ethnicities is an opportunity. The Islamic Republic's view of ethnic and religious diversity is absolutely not a prejudiced, ethnic-centric, or one-sided view; I declare this firmly. It is neither today, as I speak from my own intention and heart, nor has it been throughout the past times - in the 60s, during the blessed life of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) - such a thing has not existed. The Islamic Republic's criterion for judgment is Islam and Iranian identity; Islam and Iranian-ness. All Muslims and all Iranians in this view, within the geographical boundaries of the country, have value. This thought is what the Islamic Republic seeks to institutionalize.

In my opinion, this province is a cultural province; I have repeatedly said this. They tried to make this province a security and military province. They distorted the truth. This was not done by the Islamic Republic, and naturally, it could not have done so. Who did it? The enemies of the Islamic Republic. They propagated that the Islamic Republic does not favor or accept the Kurdish ethnicity or the Sunni sect. This was a lie; it was contrary to reality. Later, it became clear, it was proven, and everyone saw it. This view was the view of the tyrannical regime. The nature of that regime was a prejudiced view; not only towards the Kurdish ethnicity but towards various ethnicities in the country with various motivations and reasons. This view has been abolished in the Islamic Republic. Well, the enemies did not want this to happen; they had interests in preventing this part of the country from realizing what the nature of the Islamic Republic is.

Some of these economic problems and backwardness, which are all realities - I have read these in reports and I am aware of what the gentlemen said. These are realities that must certainly be addressed - are the result of the wickedness and the blind and severe enmities that created these conditions in this province at the beginning, guided by the enemies. And I believe that the Islamic Republic has prevailed, but not in the sense that these enmities have been eradicated. Our responsibility and yours remain. Everyone must strive to bring Kurdistan and the Kurdish region, with all its talents - natural talents, human talents - to its appropriate place in the great Islamic homeland. Some do not want this work to be done. Even now, they are trying. I do not want to mention in this cultural gathering points that are painful for people, but it is a reality; consider this briefly and succinctly and pay attention. The enemy is actively trying. Right now, just behind our borders - I mentioned somewhere yesterday - the espionage apparatus of global arrogance is openly active. I mean, the CIA building is officially and openly working in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, and their efforts are focused against the Islamic Republic and on guiding any movement they can use against the Islamic Republic. These are not analyses; these are facts; these are awarenesses that we have. And it requires vigilance. Now, the apparatus must be vigilant. There are also expectations from the people. But there are higher expectations from the elites of the country and the elites of the region. You dear ones who understand the pains well, know them well, know the remedies well, with your clear minds, you have insight into many issues that the masses do not have insight into, we expect from you. The Islamic Republic has brought forth a new discourse; contrary to what they propagate and say - which this propaganda also comes from the enemies and opponents of the Islamic Republic - the Islamic Republic is not a creator of enmity, it does not create tension, it does not cause disputes, it does not seek trouble. If there is trouble, it arises from the nature of the Islamic Republic. This nature is characterized by an independent view of global issues and not being influenced by the powers in small and large matters. This is from the teachings of Islam; this is the instruction that Islam has given us. Islam does not want the Muslim nation to be influenced in its orientation, its movement, its policies, and its decision-making by centers that have their own arrogant interests and profit-seeking views. It must consider what the interests of the nation and the Islamic community require; the officials of the government are obliged to observe that. Based on this, we have not been influenced by the policies of the arrogant and dominant powers. In various matters, their vote was one thing, and the vote of the Islamic Republic was another. This is unacceptable to them; therefore, they begin enmity. The Islamic Republic is compelled to defend itself. The nature of resistance, the nature of independence is just this; it creates friction. The Iranian nation could also have a government that submits to the bullying of this and that. Then, these frictions would certainly not exist; but what would not exist is not only these frictions; other things would not exist either: national dignity would not exist, national progress would not exist; just as we saw during the tyrannical regime.

The statistics I mentioned the other day in the main square of this city are instructive statistics. This province of yours, with all its facilities, had three hundred sixty-five students thirty years ago; according to the statistics that are official and preserved. The literacy rate in the province is twenty-nine percent. Yes, the problems that are imagined for the province today did not exist then; but with this identity, with this situation, with this weakness and humiliation. Is this bearable? And you generalize this to the Iranian nation; it was the same everywhere. Books and memoirs from the era of the tyrannical regime, written by those who were part of those collections, show that when one reads them, sweat of shame appears on their forehead. The greats and decision-makers of the country had to consult the American and British ambassadors for selecting a prime minister, for decision-making in purely internal matters, for the main lines of the country, to see if they were not opposed! This is not something that the opponents of that regime have fabricated; no, these are statements that they themselves have written. Of course, in the same documents that were provided to us, these things existed, and they are now explicitly writing them.

These days, I have a book in my hand that I am reading, and one is truly astonished. Where is that national pride?! Where is that national dignity?! Where is that feeling of pride in being Iranian?! Where is that reliance on this nation that has such a glorious historical heritage?! None of these existed during the tyrannical regime; the Pahlavis were one way, before them the Qajars were another way; one worse than the other. The Islamic Republic has dismantled this system. We must consider this as a new, clear, and valuable truth and base our calculations and actions on this. I feel that the esteemed and dear elites of this province can play important roles in this section, which is essentially a cultural-political section.

Of course, nurturing elites is one of the important duties of the elites. As you can see, there are outstanding young people, thanks be to God; like this young lady who came here and expressed some words. One feels that our student youth - both boys and girls - are outstanding talents. Of course, this exists everywhere in the country, and here one clearly sees that, thanks be to God, it exists. Part of this nurturing of elites, of course, relates to the decision-making and governmental apparatuses that rightly should pursue them, and God willing, it will be emphasized that they should be pursued; both the points you mentioned and all other duties; but part of it is also the responsibility of the elites themselves; it is the responsibility of professors, teachers, religious educators, educators of literature and culture, educators of science in their fields and within their student education and training to influence the thoughts of the youth. And pay attention that today the enemy is worried and upset about the existence of a united, cohesive, progressive Iran that is attentive to great honors, and does not want this work to be done. This great movement today has occurred under the shadow of Islam, which is our religion, the fundamental spiritual bond of our nation, and they want to destroy it. Of course, they have not been able to, and again, with God's grace, they will not be able to, but we should not be negligent of their plots. And in my opinion, our dear and esteemed elites have a great responsibility.

Additionally, some of the points that friends mentioned are well-thought-out points; that is, they have been thought through, worked on, and decided upon. Some are, of course, new points that should be paid attention to.

Regarding the issues related to students and university researchers that were mentioned, and that they are not being paid attention to, and no budget is allocated, I remind you of this newly established Scientific Vice Presidency of the President - which is a very good institution and the reference for such matters; they have also done good and great works - that I believe attention should be paid to it; it should be referred to. And we hope that God Almighty grants success to all of you.

Today, for me, this session was very beneficial; we became acquainted with you - especially with some of the esteemed figures - up close, and we heard good, useful, and constructive words. And we hope, God willing, that this session will bring great benefits for the future of Kurdistan and the future of the country with divine grace.

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