Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Revolution in Meeting with Elites of Yazd Province

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

Before I begin my remarks, I would like to mention two brief points:

One is that the issue raised by our esteemed friend - who, God willing, will introduce himself later so we can become more familiar - regarding the clouds, has coincidentally been on my mind these past few days. How can we save this city and this region, which has no shortage of cloud presence, yet is deprived of rainfall and the blessings of rain? It is always thirsty; this land is thirsty. We wanted to recommend establishing a scientific center to pursue this matter, so it may reach a conclusion - some work has already been done in this area. It is a pity that this capable land, this human force that is ready and eager to work, remains deprived. Therefore, I thank you for the points you raised and kindly ask you to write down what you mentioned or what you intended to elaborate on, sign it, and send it to me so that I can use it as the basis for a movement.

The second point is regarding Mr. Mehdi Azar Yazdi, who has just informed us that he is present in this session and apparently has been ill but has made the effort to come. Some time ago, I saw a program on television where he was honored. Despite my limited time, when I turned on the television and saw him being honored, I sat down to watch that program and listened to his speech. He mentioned that during the years leading up to the revolution, no one had offered the slightest appreciation or recognition to this hardworking and devoted man. When I saw that program, I had a thought in my mind and wished to express it to him at some point, thinking it would be impossible to meet Mr. Azar Yazdi. Now, coincidentally, he is here tonight. The point is that I consider myself partly indebted to this man and his book regarding the upbringing of my children. When his book was published - I believe it was two or three volumes at first, until I became aware of it - titled "Good Stories for Good Children" - I browsed through it. My children were approaching adolescence during the time of the tyrannical regime, and all factors were working to mislead the minds and hearts of the youth. I wanted something that would guide our youth and also have an appeal. There were many good books, and I used to write a suggested list of books and distribute it among university students and high school students, but for younger children, we were at a loss until I found his book. I saw that it was, in several respects, exactly what I was looking for. I believe two or three volumes had been published at that time, and I bought them. I then searched for it until the fifth or sixth volume was published - I cannot recall exactly - and gradually I acquired it for my children. Not only for my children, but in my family and friendly circles, wherever I found a child suitable for this matter, I introduced his book. I wanted to express this gratitude on my part. He filled a gap in a period of time for the long cultural chain of this country. This work is valuable. May God accept this service from you, Mr. Mehdi Azar Yazdi! This verbal praise and recognition cannot equate to the reward for actions performed with sincerity; the reward for sincere work must come from God, and God will grant it.

As for tonight's session, it was a sweet and enjoyable one for me; it always is. During various travels in this season - which is the season for meeting with elites - I spiritually derive pleasure and it serves as a kind of relief from fatigue for me. If I have become tired from the travel programs, this is indeed a type of relief for me.

Tonight had a particular characteristic, and that is that Yazd is a region rich in elites, and the elites of this region, this province, and this city are truly and justly much more than the elites of many other regions of the country; that is one point. The second is that the warmth and sincerity we have known in the people of Yazd from our youth to today was also present in this session. The points raised by the friends included matters from which I can benefit and utilize, as well as matters that I feel obliged to pursue. I have noted the main points and summaries. Of course, everything has been recorded; your statements have been documented and will be conveyed to our office. God willing, the collection of reviews and what needs to be pursued will be followed up.

The session cannot continue much longer; it has now been three full hours that we have been with you, dear friends, so I will not take more of your time. This session has both a real aspect and a symbolic aspect. The real and practical aspect is that we must truly and justly thank the elite group. Now, not all the elites of Yazd are present here tonight, but you are a selection of these elites, and the appreciation we wish to express is that we recognize the value of elites and elitism in various fields; scientific activities, artistic activities, Quranic activities, religious activities, sports activities, activities related to seminary sciences, activities related to university sciences, labor activities, guild or service activities, and activities in the fields of the revolution; self-sacrifice, jihad, martyrdom, and captivity; whatever field you have exhibited excellence in, we are grateful for it and seek it out and appreciate the holder of it. This is the real work. We will prove this to you both verbally and practically, and this is our duty. This is the practical aspect of this work.

The symbolic aspect of this work is for the society that will witness this session - all the people of Iran and the youth will later see this session on television - especially the officials of the country should know that if they want the country to move with great strides and the necessary momentum towards the envisioned ideals, they must recognize the elite as elite and appreciate them. We consider this a message that this symbolic act carries. Symbolic actions must have a theme, and the theme of our work is this. Well, that pertains to outside the elite space.

As for you, becoming an elite is undoubtedly an advantage, becoming a scholar is an advantage, becoming a poet is an advantage; however, this advantage will gain a thousandfold value when it is accepted and acknowledged by the Lord of the Universe, and "acceptance only occurs," as Saadi says, when it is accepted by God Almighty, and the way to achieve acceptance is not difficult. Choose a task that you believe is beneficial for your country and its future, and apply your elite talents to that task and pursue it, with the intention of benefiting the people from this work; this is what constitutes work for God. Work for God is not merely that one verbally states: O Lord! I perform this work solely for Your pleasure and for Your sake. Sometimes one may express this verbally while their heart is not in it. The work must be for the pleasure of God. God Almighty has said: "The best of you are those who are most beneficial to people"; the best among you, who are beneficial to people, are closest to God in His presence; you are exalted. See, this is the value system of Islam. You ascend in the degrees of proximity to God when you perform work for the benefit of the people.

Well, a believer and a God-conscious heart, when they know that God desires this, when they perform it, for whom do they perform it? They perform it for God; thus, the objective will be achieved. This is one point that is the main and fundamental point.

The second point is that - as we mentioned - art must preserve its identity, independence, and dignity. No one may demand anything from you. You should strive to accomplish that valuable work. It is not that I do not recognize the role of encouragement and support from government officials; why, I have years of experience in managerial work in this country, I know; certainly, its effect is significant. This statement is not to make officials indifferent; it is to make you independent of the support of officials. Seek it; not that you should not seek it, but do not let the growth of this plant be halted by that.

In the soul of an elite individual, the emergence of a new idea and the creation of a new product is a natural growth; let this growth take place. We should not be obstinate and say: now that officials have not welcomed our work, then why should we continue; no, your work is more valuable than to be contingent on whether officials provide support or not. Of course, it is evident that sometimes the support of officials becomes vital, and that is acknowledged; my recommendation to you is this.

Today, our country is progressing; whether they want it or not; those whose hearts are not aligned with us, whose hearts are not aligned with the Iranian nation. This country is progressing; whether they accept it, acknowledge it; or deny and reject it; those who are seeking excuses and playing tricks. This event is happening. The denial of some individuals; those who are nitpickers, those who are critical, those who are detail-oriented, does not negate this progress; this progress exists, even if they do not accept it. We are witnessing it before our eyes. We see that this movement exists; just like when one gets into a car and sometimes in a vast desert, they do not perceive the speed; however, these indicators and signs along the road; these milestone stones, at one point say seventy kilometers, after a few minutes, they see it says sixty kilometers to the destination. Well, we have moved ten kilometers forward; even if one does not feel it; their head is busy talking. One person constantly complains: why are we not moving forward; why are we not progressing; here, this road sign is telling us that at that time it was seventy kilometers to the destination, now it is sixty kilometers, then fifty kilometers, then ten kilometers. This indicates that we are moving. Our milestone stones - meaning these road signs - are showing us. We are moving forward. Some people will be happy; may they enjoy their happiness; some will be upset; may their eyes be blinded; let them be upset. The Iranian nation is moving forward.

You elites must play your appropriate role in this progress. All fields are included in this statement. I am not one of those rigid individuals who say now we want to focus on science, what do we want with poetry, what do we want with art, let’s get science going first. I believe that science is of primary importance in the progress of the country, which I have repeatedly told the youth, students, and others - professors and so on; at the same time, I believe everything must progress together; science, religion, art, taste, various industries, agriculture, services, foreign relations; all of these are a collection and must progress together; each will progress in its own way.

Well, let us not tire you further. We thank the friends who spoke. We apologize to those who did not speak and perhaps had remarks; we appreciate all of you, especially those who came from other cities and made the effort to attend, for warming this session. And we hope, God willing, that all of you will be successful and supported.

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