Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in a meeting with hundreds of elites and intellectuals of Fars Province

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

This meeting today has been a very sweet and enjoyable session for me. Thanks be to God, it was at a sufficient level. In most of the important sections, dear individuals, leaders, and selected ones expressed thoughts from which I benefited. God willing, what the friends mentioned or recommended or requested will be collected and will be conveyed to the officials, and those sections that are directly related to us will be pursued, God willing.

What we can immediately gain from such a meeting is attention and awareness to this immense reserve of human resources. My purpose in holding this meeting during various trips is precisely this. In all trips, we insist on having a heartfelt meeting with the elites of that province in this manner. The aim is to make ourselves and some of the long-believing hearts understand how rich and abundant this immense source of human resources in the country is. With the reflection of this meeting at the national level and across the country, once again, another page will be added to this book of our national honors, and emphasis will be placed on it. This is our goal.

This meeting is more for my listening, and I wish there were more time so that we could hear from a larger number of you dear ones. What I heard was very precious and sweet for me. Certainly, if we had heard more, it would have been the same.

However, what I want to convey is that the outlook for the movement of the Iranian nation, with this background you observe, is a very bright outlook; both our past heritage, our existing valuable talents, the determination and motivation that is clearly felt in the statements of the friends in this meeting, and the religious and divine inclination in this movement, all together constitute a tremendous national wealth for us. All of these give us the promise that we, God willing, will be able to once again bring forth the Islamic civilization belonging to the Iranian nation for this era and for the Islamic community at this time and, God willing, present a model for the movement of the Islamic community.

Fars and Shiraz, as dear friends have stated, is a very rich land. I confirm this; both in the fields of science, literature, art, and in matters related to productive activities - whether agricultural or industrial - especially in the new industrial phase that the world is pursuing today, it is undoubtedly a leading province and a prominent collection. What can be hopeful for our future is that, thanks be to God, the slogan of innovation, which is essential for innovation, is precisely this flourishing of talents and the fruitful outcomes of previous investments - it is a true slogan - the slogan of our time and our daily needs. All signs indicate this. Innovation is a current necessity for the movement of the country. Innovation does not mean drawing a line through the past; rather, it means relying on the past to build the future. This requires that all our efforts and endeavors be directed towards building this country and this history.

Today, a great responsibility rests on the shoulders of the Iranian nation, and never before has our nation been so in control of its destiny. Throughout the long years and various periods of history, those who are familiar with the history of this country will confirm this. The nation has always been a tool in the hands of rulers; it depended on whether that ruler was wise, insightful, and possessed strong will or not; and to which direction this will was inclined and directed. The nation did not have its own initiative for guiding the country. All this accumulated talent that exists in this nation and what remains for us in history are the outpourings that have emerged from a vast underground reserve, depending on the efforts of its rulers. That is, the people, scholars of society, philosophers, literati, artists, and various classes of the country were not policymakers and decision-makers regarding the fate of the country. One day, the ruler's desire necessitated war, aggression, and adding new territories to the country's domains; the movement was in that direction. One day, it necessitated retreat, and again, the will and determination of the people could not overcome the lack of will of that ruler who believed in retreat. Uprisings occurred, resistances were made, but we do not find a massive collective movement in our history aimed at guiding this country towards its own goals, goals that are of interest and attachment to the nation. This period is a new chapter in the history of the Iranian nation.

Today, after the victory of the Islamic Revolution and during the period of the Islamic Republic, the fundamental and essential difference lies here. The difference is that individual ruling systems have transformed into a system of national will; the collective will has become the basis of this difference. And thanks be to God, this collective will is moving forward and planning under the guidance of Islam and the divine verses; this should be appreciated. Today, everything that exists in the inexhaustible treasure of the talents of the Iranian nation can be utilized for the rapid advancement of this country.

Therefore, we need innovation moment by moment; not just innovation in industry or agriculture, but innovation in various methods that may be proposed for the life of a nation; the emergence of talents, the flourishing of thoughts and minds. We are not a barren nation, thanks be to God. Our nation is one that its history shows it is progressive, creative, and possesses talent; therefore, we can. We have lagged behind the world for two hundred years. This is a bitter reality that we must accept. What caused this lag is another discussion; the reality is this; the reality is that we have lagged behind the advancements of humanity for at least two hundred years. Everything you have heard and observed, and what exists - which is far more than what was expressed in this meeting, at the national level, from activities, from works, from innovations - all of these together can compensate for part of these laggings, and if they continue and increase, and these activities are multiplied with our innovation and efforts, then we will be able to find our place.

The lag of a nation is a great pain, a severe illness. This illness must be treated and healed with high determination and persistent effort. The important thing is that we awaken to ourselves and acknowledge this illness, and after that, we must strive to treat this illness; these have been achieved. The Iranian nation has awakened, feeling that it must find its place and has realized that for a long time - for many years - it has suffered from lag and negligence; the Iranian nation has felt this. It did not remain in a sweet sleep - as was attempted to be prepared for us during the era of tyranny. That day, our eyes were closed like those of intoxicated people; with the repetition of the phrase 'the great civilization's gate' and such words, without taking a step, we were kept in a world of illusion and were stagnant. Stagnation also means lagging behind; because the world does not wait for us; the world was advancing rapidly, and we were stagnant.

This state of intoxication and stupor, thanks be to God, has ended; our nation has awakened; the great movement of the revolution has brought us to consciousness. Our youth today feel that they must hasten forward in this path; they must run. They have the energy to run, they have the determination, and the path is clear; therefore, we must move forward. Universities, seminaries, research centers, relevant officials, all of these have heavy responsibilities on their shoulders; these responsibilities are also clearly defined. And thanks be to God, we see that the movement has begun, and day by day, God willing, we will progress.

What you friends mentioned as recommendations is mostly practical and can be put into action, and it is correct and useful; and God willing, we hope that these will be implemented. What I always recommend again is, first and foremost, that you elites, the distinguished ones in whatever field you are, open the window of hope wider for yourselves day by day and give more hope to the younger generation. It is a deadly poison to portray a bleak picture and to instill despair and to show the future as dark; and this deadly poison is attempted to be spread in the country through hostile and adversarial propaganda; fight against this.

All signs give us the tidings of hope; they give tidings of progress; in all areas. And we hope that, God willing, these tidings will be realized in less than a generation, and our youth will see the day when Islamic Iran occupies its rightful place. The day when the nations of the world, scholars and thinkers of the world feel the need for Iran, for the Iranian language, for Iranian culture to take new steps in scientific matters, that day is achievable; it is possible. Just as today, to acquire many of the necessary human skills, one needs to learn the language of a certain country and nation; that day, the people of the world will feel the need to learn your language; to learn your culture. That day will come and is achievable. If we strive and continue the same effort that is observed today, and the same motivation that, thanks be to God, fills the hearts of our youth, our thinkers, our people, God willing, continues - which it will - that day will not be far away.

Once again, I thank you dear ones who participated in this meeting, especially those friends who delivered statements. And I hope that, God willing, we will be grateful for these outstanding capacities that exist in this province.

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