Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with Elites of Semnan Province

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

This is a very sweet and pleasant meeting; a gathering of elites from this province alongside a group of officials from various sectors.

I sincerely thank all the friends who expressed their statements here. Truly, all the words are useful for me and various officials, and we hope that we can all benefit from these opinions and statements.

Of course, I am personally not satisfied with the small number of elite friends who spoke; I would have liked a larger group of the elites of this province—who are present here from various scientific, cultural, and literary sectors, as well as other sectors—to come here and each say a few words; we would benefit, and the reflection of this matter in the media would show part of the face of this province to our dear nation.

Let me tell you: Despite the good works being done in this period (after the Islamic Revolution) regarding the elites of the country, which were never done in the past—this is that a scientist, a philosopher, a literary figure, a poet, a youth, a Quranic element come on television, sit down and speak, and the people recognize them; in the past, there was no news of this. Some personalities, if we count after the revolution, have perhaps been discussed a thousand times on television, either directly with them or with their families, friends, or students. When I say a thousand times, it is not an exaggeration; I have a specific case in mind. In the previous regime, they were not honored in this way even once; they were not respected in such a manner that they would come before the eyes of the people; the people would see them; recognize them; their youth, their elders, their literary figures, their scholars, their teachers, their clerics. The field was in the hands of others—still, the face of the elite of the country and the nurturer of the elite of the country is not clear to most of our people. I myself, who have had connections with many prominent scientific figures, yet unknown in the country, from my youth until now, when I go to the provinces, individuals from the elite come there and speak, whose faces are new to me; prominent and distinguished faces; our country is full of them. I do not want to say that we should boast and develop undue pride; I want to say that we should recognize the identity of our nation. This nation is a nation that nurtures elites; in the true sense of the word. Women, men, youth, elders, various sectors, individuals who will never have their voices broadcasted by any camera or microphone; yet one sees that they are elites.

Sometimes I sit with the families of the martyrs in their homes, under their roofs, and I see that sometimes the mother of a martyr is truly an intellectual and spiritual elite; a distinguished person. We have seen this here; I have seen it in other places as well. One is affected. An elite is someone who can convey their distinction without claims, with their personality, with their identity, and with their essence, to others. I see this. Among the people of the provinces and the people across the country, there are distinguished individuals everywhere; however, we are unaware of each other. It would have been good if there was an opportunity, and if we could, instead of these six friends who honored us—besides the governor—sixty people would come and speak. I am truly a customer and a seeker. Unfortunately, the opportunity is limited. I recommend that meetings of elites and their speaking and listening to them become a norm. Various officials, at different levels, should do this. Wherever we go, part of our program is this, but the collection of provincial officials, national officials, and ministers should appropriately incorporate this into their programs; I do not have a suggestion about its form now; they should investigate; see how to bring the elites into the field and introduce them and recognize them. First, these individuals must be recognized. Therefore, I am very happy with this meeting. Of course, I was a bit late (half an hour), and I apologize to the friends. The reason was that after the prayer, the responsible gentlemen—ministers and officials who came from Tehran—told us to sit for ten minutes for summarizing the work and discussions they had for the travel actions; however, their ten minutes turned into about forty minutes! In any case, it took time until we renewed our ablution and came here.

I want to say a word to the officials present in the meeting; both to the esteemed and dear governor, Mr. Haj Abdolvahab, who is truly a good governor and a good personality; I have a history with him in various works. I have said this here, and I have previously said it when he was a governor elsewhere—years ago—and I have said it to other governors, and I tell various officials: What is on paper and in our determination and will, is far from what happens outside and in reality. Our art is to be able to give that mentality a tangible and external realization; and it should happen. It is true that without this mental role, nothing will happen outside; however, it is necessary to know what they want to do and decide to do it; but there is a gap between deciding and wanting and gaining enthusiasm until reaching that desired point, which can only be bridged with effort, with hard work, with accepting hardship, with sweating, and following through. I gave the example of mountaineering yesterday to the student youth at the university. One looks at the top of the mountain; people have gone up there who have either reached the summit or are close to it. When one looks from down here, their heart soars: Ah! Then when they strive to set off, but after two or three turns, they see, wow! It is hard! Many turn back from the middle of the way; many get tired; many also stay there. That desire and mental image of the desired point is up there. To reach and give it a tangible form, continuous work is necessary. Officials must carry out this continuous work; pursue it and want it; sincerely, with complete trust and with effort, until, God willing, it happens.

Today in these reports you heard; both in the industry report they mentioned, and in the reports of education and higher education, Mr. Governor also raised some points tonight. Today is not comparable to before the revolution and the time of the tyrant. The volume and quality of work that has been done, at that time, even crossed our minds that such works could happen; but it has happened. However, the capacity is much more than this. Did you not hear what they said about the desert? The desert is one example. Human talents, the human element, and human capacity are very, very high. The goal should be the same thing that I have said many times. The country must be among the top ranks in science, in knowledge, and consequently in what is derived from science, in the first ranks of the world. I do not say five years later, ten years later; no, take the goal fifty years later; but we must go and reach, and this requires effort, and I tell you: Rest assured that this nation is the nation that if it makes this movement, it will reach. Not all nations are like this; some nations do not have this talent; some nations do not have this geographical position; some nations do not have this cultural past; they do not have this great and rich heritage; some nations do not have this much human talent. Nations are not all the same; however, this nation has capabilities from all these aspects that if it makes this effort and makes this decision, it will reach. This Iran cannot remain the Iran of the Qajar and Pahlavi periods. This Iran is the Iran of the Islamic period; we must be able to stand at the peak of human civilization, which is our right; because of our Islam, because of our faith, because of our talent, because of our Iranian identity. Therefore, I recommend to the officials to pursue and be serious in following up on work.

To the elites, I also say: Being an elite is truly a value; but "and all that will happen"—as Saadi says—this value is that following being an elite, elite nurturing should come. Our dear elites in every field should dedicate themselves to nurturing. First, nurturing oneself; a person has no limit; a person's knowledge can increase day by day. This Mr. Dr. Kordavani, who, thanks be to God, is a first-rate specialist in his work—according to himself, he is seventy-seven years old. Of course, God willing, he does not look more than fifty-five!—if he studies and researches more in the field of the desert, he will certainly gain more information; let alone the youth; let alone those who are in the process of growth; in the process of expansion. Nurturing oneself and nurturing, in my opinion, is the duty of the elites.

I conclude the meeting with apologies and thanks. It was a very good meeting, and God willing, the good memory of tonight will remain in my mind and yours and be a source of effect for us.

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