Meeting with Various Segments of the Martyr-Nurturing Nation of Iran

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

At the outset, I extend my greetings and sincerity to all of you dear brothers and sisters, the esteemed families of our martyrs who have come from various parts of the country, dear students, the hopes of the future of the country, the vital reserves of the revolution, and the rest of the brothers and sisters present in this gathering.

These days are significant from several perspectives. One sign of a nation's awakening is its ability to recognize the moments and understand the importance of the present time. During the era of tyranny, we passed through moments without understanding what happened, what befell us, and what duties were upon us. Perhaps much time passed while we were in such a state. One of the blessings of this movement and the characteristics of that unique and exceptional leader was this: he accounted for the moments and sensitized our minds. Sensitive fingertips can feel the slightest particle they come into contact with, unlike those that have become numb and dull. We were like that, and Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) made us sensitive to understand what is happening in our time.

The anniversary of the Imam is approaching. This is one of the reasons for the importance of these days, and I am incapable of speaking about the significance of this anniversary from various dimensions. We leave it for those days to specifically discuss this issue. Also, these days are sensitive due to the world's precise inquisitive attention towards us. This sensitivity did not just arise these days; rather, after the passing of the Imam, this attention and inquiry have persisted, and we have constantly been under the scrutiny of powerful investigative lenses from various directions.

On one side, the world's powers—the wolves—were watching to see if this would become prey, if there was still hope to be placed in this nation and country. On the other side, the oppressed of the world were paying attention to us. When we speak of the oppressed, we do not only mean nations; sometimes, even some governments of the world observe what we do and what stance we take. They themselves do not dare, but they enjoy the courage of others.

There are governments that are enamored with courage. Their admiration for the Imam was for this reason. Do not think that those who were enamored with the Imam on a global scale were all his friends. No, even his enemies were enamored with him. When I say enemies, I do not mean emotional enemies; rather, even many of his ideological and political enemies, and those in the arena of global power struggles, were enamored with that courage, power, and greatness.

The greatness of the Imam is the same as the greatness of you, the nation. Your greatness was largely reflected in the Imam, just as the greatness of the Imam led to the courage and greatness of the nation. These influenced each other. Thus, this inquisitive attention from around the world was upon us and has increased day by day, and now, for various reasons, this attention is more than ever.

We must express our stance. That is, the Iranian nation and the revolution must clearly state their decisive stance: what they are, which side they are on, and where they intend to go. This is a very important issue. Of course, the nation has stated their stance, and we lack nothing in this regard. I said some time ago that if anyone wants to know what is happening in Iran, they should look at the Quds Day march, the 22nd of Bahman, and the anniversary ceremonies of the Imam to understand what is happening in Iran. The Iranian nation has decisively stated their stance, but it is not such that in global matters, one person says something once and it is over. No, this continuity must be maintained.

Sensitivity towards Muslims worldwide and Islamic sentiments has increased day by day. This is another dimension of the great Islamic movement of the Iranian nation. When we hear that in occupied Palestine, people are being gunned down, the issue is not about batons and sticks; it is about massacre. The meaning of this is that the pressure on the Zionist enemy within the occupied territories has increased more than ever.

We feel that the pressure on Muslims worldwide has increased. Today, in Marxist countries that have spent a lifetime and a generation in estrangement from religion and alienation from God, a return to religion is being felt. In those same countries and in other countries, there is sensitivity towards Muslims. It is a very strange statement. Churches have gained prominence in countries where for fifty years—more or less—the bells of churches had not rung; that is, a tendency towards religion has emerged. But in these same countries and in the heart of Europe, in countries claiming freedom and democracy, in India, and in other parts of the world, there is extraordinary pressure on Muslims. What is the reason? Analyze this issue.

Is it not because the oppressive power apparatuses worldwide feel a new vitality towards Islam? Is it not because they see that Islamic identity has once again gained strength and life among Muslim communities? If in occupied Palestine, they open fire on Muslims, is it not because today in the occupied territories, Islamic presence has become serious? Is it not because in Arab countries—whether those neighboring occupied Palestine or others—Islamic sentiments, movements, and visions have become rooted, gained supporters, and those with pure thoughts and natures have turned to militant Islam? There is no doubt that this is the case.

If we see that the so-called human rights advocates, in front of their own eyes, witness the brutal massacre of dozens of Muslims in Kashmir and remain silent, it is because the people there are Muslims. Human rights are valid, except when it comes to Muslims! The United Nations, the Human Rights Committee, and various organizations around the world are waiting to see whom America is against, to pressure them under the pretext of human rights! They do not open their mouths in the face of the events in Kashmir and Palestine, as if nothing has happened!

If a flock of sheep is moving and someone shoots and kills thirty or forty sheep, those who see and understand would lament and regret what these animals had done! In a demonstration in Kashmir, dozens of Muslims are shot and killed, but all the claims of supporting human rights in the world are forgotten, as if such a thing never happened!

These American-trained dogs, these Israelis worse than animals, commit all those disgraceful atrocities in occupied Palestine, but it finds no reflection in the world because the parties involved are Muslims. This is the same world that, thirty or forty years after the fall of Nazi Germany, began to pursue those who were said to have killed or tortured a number of Jews! Perhaps even what actually happened was much less than what was said.

From all this, a clear truth emerges. I am surprised if anyone does not understand this truth today. For me, this truth is as clear as day: the arrogant powers of the world, at the peak of corruption, America, and America's allies—powers that are complicit in plundering weak nations and oppressing people worldwide—and also all governments that have no base among their people and need to rely on a power—and today on America—to remain in power (like these reactionary governments that unfortunately exist in our region), feel that this Islamic movement—what is today felt and observed in the Islamic world—is the greatest threat to them. They have sensed and felt this. They understand that this issue is not like the spread of Marxist and socialist thought and the like.

We have seen Marxist thought and its advocates and propagandists in our lives. Everywhere it was observed that they had to laboriously and insistently convince individuals of something they tried to give the appearance of faith. Religion is not like that. Religion is deeply and firmly rooted in hearts; it is enough to direct it, to remove the dust from it, and to correct misunderstandings about it. Therefore, they fear this and know that this is something that will severely damage the corrupt life, absolute power, and tyrannical dominance—which today America and its followers and adherents are afflicted with.

They have understood and felt that the center of this radiation and movement is Islamic Iran. All of you, especially you dear young people and students, should know that they are using all their power today to defeat the Islamic Republic. There is nothing they can do that they do not do. Those who know the scene, when they look, are surprised by the confusion and bewilderment of America—the axis of the movement—in finding ways to strike Iran. This confusion and bewilderment sometimes amuse those who observe the scene correctly, but they cannot reach anywhere.

For global arrogance and its ugliest chapter—the oppressive American government—the issue is not just that it has lost its market in Iran or no longer has access to our country's resources. Of course, this is also the case; because for the world's capitalist apparatuses, money, capital, and material gain are everything; but this is not the issue, this is part of the issue. The issue is that the arrogant apparatus sees, foresees, understands, and knows that if this movement—meaning the steadfast and faithful Islamic movement relying on the faith and emotions of the people—continues in this way, the continuation of America's arrogant power and its assistants and puppets will be difficult, if not impossible. They are right, and we do not hide this.

Of course, we have no direct or indirect role in shaping and launching the Islamic movement in the world that is based on our planning and design; we never had it from the beginning. The role belongs to Islam; that is, the fact that the Iranian nation has been able to raise the banner of living and life-giving Islam, not Islam that submits to the enemies of God, not tyrannical Islam, and not American Islam—as our dear Imam described it—but pure Muhammadan Islam (peace be upon him), hold it firmly, and not waver. This alone is a source of hope for the Muslim nations of the world.

Here, we find ourselves with a heavy responsibility. What I have said so far is the state of the world and the sensitivity of the times; but by recognizing this sensitivity, our duty and, more than anyone, your duty as young people, becomes doubled. We must adorn and build Islamic Iran in such a way that it becomes a source of pride for Islam. An illiterate, unhealthy, and undeveloped Iran; an Iran where the people have no unity and agreement, creates no honor for Islam, the revolution, and the Islamic movement; rather, on the contrary, it will cause disgrace.

Here, on the sidelines, I must also mention that sometimes one hears or reads things on the radios or in the statements written by the opponents of the revolution that make one wonder where they get these things from. The reason why global propaganda tries to attribute problems that do not exist in Iran to Iran; to magnify what is small tenfold and a hundredfold, is that they want to make the people of the world despair and hopeless about the issues of Iran. They want to say that this is Islam and the revolution, and that the revolution and Islam cannot manage and prosper a country and a nation. They ignore the dignity, awakening, courage, and indomitability of the Iranian nation, the revitalization of this revolutionary generation, the initiative, activity, and movement towards self-sufficiency in Iran; but if, for example, potatoes are scarce for a few days, all the radios of the world say that there is a potato issue in Iran! Not because potatoes are important; but because showing even a small weakness in Islamic Iran is very important to them. If they find a small weakness, it is a victory for them, and they become happy. You must strive to build Iran in such a way that it becomes a source of pride for Islam and Muslims.

Two things must be realized in the country, stronger day by day:

First, the preservation of the effects, symbols, and Islamic appearances of society. This is very important. The enemies try to bombard these words with propaganda; but do not listen to the enemy's words. The enemy is the enemy. The Islamic appearances of society must be preserved. This society is a model Islamic society. Women must be careful. Men must be careful. Those who have a mission must be more careful. Those who are in the attire of the revolution—such as the clergy and others who wear clothes associated with the revolution—must be more careful than others. All members of society must strive to make the appearance of society an Islamic appearance.

I remind you here of the absence of the call to prayer in our society. In this Tehran, the sound of the call to prayer is not heard. Why? The call to prayer is an Islamic slogan. We oppose reading poetry, the Quran, or elegies over loudspeakers late into the night, disturbing neighbors. We also oppose such things; but we are one hundred percent in favor of the call to prayer being heard at noon, sunset, and morning, especially from the throats.

The call to prayer is a very good thing; "Hayya 'ala al-salah" (come to prayer), "Hayya 'ala al-falah" (come to success), "Allahu Akbar" (God is the Greatest). Why is there no call to prayer in society? The call to prayer, with attention, gives hope to hearts. The sound of the call to prayer illuminates depressed hearts. Of course, for the morning call to prayer, do not use loudspeakers; using the throat is fine. Although it is a time of awakening, the loudspeaker may cause inconvenience. All the appearances of society should be like this. Mosques should be filled and overflowing with people remembering, prostrating, and bowing during prayer times.

Eyes see appearances, and behind the eyes are hearts. Do not think that eyes are just glass placed here. No, behind the eye is the heart, soul, and human mind. These eyes and the hearts behind them must be filled with the signs of Islam.

Second, alongside that, Islamic content—meaning knowledge—must be taken seriously. You who are students and others who are studying should give importance to studying in the university environment, practical work, research, and nurturing and developing talents. Wherever there is work, effort, employment, and especially construction—whether in factories, farms, offices, markets, and other places—the foundations and bases become strong. This is in terms of the people's movement towards lighting the lamp of Islam in this land.

If you can make this lamp brighter and more radiant—of course, thanks be to God, it is bright, and its light has spread across the world, but we must make it more radiant—this great Islamic movement in the world will increase. Of course, the dissatisfaction of the devils and tyrants with you will also increase; better. The more dissatisfied they are with us, the more God is pleased with us. The further the devils are from us, the closer the angels become to us. The more God is with a person and pleased with them, the more successful they will be in their work.

Do you think that those simple-minded, foolish, and arrogant people who, at the beginning of the revolution, in the name of Islam, in the name of coming to strengthen ourselves through the Americans, wanted to hand over our revolution to America with both hands and respect, if—God forbid—they had succeeded and kept the American military advisors in our barracks—which they were doing, and if we had not arrived, many of these things would have happened—if they had established relations with America and placed Iran in the service of America with complete humility and modesty, would it have been possible for our country and revolution to achieve all these successes today? Never.

By God, wherever there is a trace of superpowers and powers, there is a sign of the misery and misfortune of that nation. Our national honor, progress, this great movement, this popular enthusiasm, and the countless successes that the Iranian nation and our governments have had, thanks be to God, until today, are due to separation and disregard for satanic powers and getting closer to God, and this is the key to solving our problems.

We must please God from ourselves. We all must do this. No one should say that first, certain people should please God from themselves! There is no first and second; we must all strive to gain and achieve God's pleasure. God's pleasure is with my and your piety.

The signs of faith are not sinning, fearing God, being good with God's servants, being hostile and firm with God's enemies, easily overlooking small differences among brothers, and accounting for every detail with enemies. Be humble and consider yourselves lowly before the believers; "humble towards the believers." This does not go with showing off and boasting with each other. This is created with love, forgiveness, and tolerance. Piety is these things. Consider piety in financial matters, piety in matters of honor, piety in personal matters, piety in political matters, especially piety in work matters, as important. Know that in the pious movement of this country and this nation, such a peak and brilliance will be given to the movement of this nation that it will dazzle the eyes of the world.

Wherever we saw a display of piety, we saw this effect as well. The victories on the battlefield were like this. Khorramshahr was captured with piety. It was through piety and reliance on God that the enemy was defeated in the eight-year war. No defeat is more disgraceful than the defeat the enemy suffered in the eight-year war. These are not exaggerations.

We have repeatedly stated this point that if the East and the West, Europe and NATO and Warsaw, the regional reactionaries, and all of them, pour money and weapons and propaganda to separate a part of the country, or overthrow the government, or eliminate the Islamic Republic, and after eight years they cannot, this is their greatest defeat. We were able to achieve this victory with piety; it will be the same after this. Imam (may God's mercy be upon him) was a sign of piety for us. Whatever success there was in the work of this revolution, in the first degree, was due to the piety of the heart of that leader and guide and the embodiment of piety.

We hope that Almighty God will make the soul of that great one pleased with us. May the sacred heart of the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for him and may God hasten his reappearance) be softened towards us and may we be the focus of his attention. God willing, we will be granted the success to walk the path that God has asked of us.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings