Nowruz Message on the Arrival of the Year 1380

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

O Turner of hearts and sights, O Manager of night and day, O Transformer of years and conditions, transform our state to the best state.

I congratulate the arrival of Nowruz, the beginning of spring, and the start of the new year of the solar Hijri calendar to all our dear compatriots, to the families of the dear martyrs, veterans, freed prisoners, and the missing. I also congratulate this holiday to all nations that honor Nowruz and the beginning of the new solar Hijri year - such as the people of Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia - and to others who value Nowruz in any part of the world. I hope that the new year will be filled with goodness, blessings, happiness, and prosperity for everyone, especially for the dear nation of Iran.

Looking back at the year 79, we see it filled with various events, both bitter and sweet, that have occurred in our country, or events in other parts of the world that have been significant for our people - as is the case every year, where life is a combination of sweetness and bitterness, successes and failures. Let us ask the Almighty God that the new year and all the years of our lives be a year of closeness to Him and a year of various successes and achievements in both material and spiritual realms.

We observed the year 79 adorned with the blessed name of Amir al-Mu'minin (the Commander of the Faithful). The dear people of Iran showed attachment to this name and this sacred adornment, and throughout the year 79, the memory and blessed name of Amir al-Mu'minin dominated many scientific and cultural efforts and activities; however, what is important is to become like Ali, or if we consider this exaggerated for ourselves, to move towards becoming like Ali. Everyone, especially the officials of the country and the statesmen and those who bear a burden of social responsibilities, must strive and endeavor to align their actions in a direction that leads to resembling Amir al-Mu'minin. The name of Amir al-Mu'minin is a cherished name for all. Our nation loves this great figure; and if we want to practically reach the desired point of Islam, this is the best sign and indicator for us.

The year 80 must also be recognized as the year of Amir al-Mu'minin. In this year, let us strive not to limit ourselves to cultural and scientific work; let us endeavor to bring our behavior and performance - especially in social issues and particularly in governmental matters - closer to the performance of that great figure. The piety of Amir al-Mu'minin and his compassion for the weak and deprived classes, his brilliant performance for God, his perseverance and tirelessness in the pursuit of lofty goals, each represents a chapter that various officials can justify themselves and their teams in the direction of these - or at least in the direction of one of these chapters - and motivate them to action and effort. If we can take the behavior of that great figure as a model for the officials of the Islamic Republic system - whether the officials of the executive branch, the judiciary, the representatives of the people in the legislative branch, the military officials, and all those who are somehow engaged in serving this system - and strive to bring ourselves closer to it, surely alleviating the problems from the lives of the people and the state of the country will become easier, and the paths to perfection for our dear nation will be more open and accessible.

Regarding what we should consider as our fundamental slogans in the year 80, I present two important points: The first point is national power. National power for a country preserves its identity, is a source of its dignity, and is a means to achieve its ideals. The efforts made to destroy nations and chain them - from ancient times to today - have always been aimed at destroying or weakening their national power; conversely, nations that step towards elevation and perfection must strive for their national power. National power is not merely about military capabilities; it is a comprehensive issue and rests on all institutions, and as a primary duty, it is placed on the shoulders of all three fundamental branches of the country. National power means that a nation sees manifestations of its strength, capability, and dignity in its officials, and that work progresses with correct policies, proper planning, diligence, and complete coordination and cohesion. Under the shadow of national power, people can exert their efforts according to their talents and with the flourishing of these talents. All three branches must strive to manifest national power and become a symbol of national power with diligence, perseverance, trust in God, confidence in the people, and cooperation with one another.

The second point, which is another essential issue - more related to the executive bodies - is the matter of employment. We must consider the year from beginning to end as a year of effort to create useful and productive employment. In deep studies and comprehensive economic reviews, we conclude that the starting point is the effort for employment. It is not appropriate for our society that a large number of people in this country - who are mostly young and often talented - are deprived of useful and productive employment, while the country has a great need for this employment. The quality of employment is also important; however, primarily, creating employment and job opportunities is of paramount importance. In the year 79, studies and planning were conducted in this area. These plans must be implemented; everyone must strive for it and feel that these plans are being executed and observe their effects in their lives and in the overall public image of the country. Therefore, planning for employment - which is primarily the responsibility of the executive branch; of course, the legislative and judicial branches must assist, facilitate, and support - must be one of our fundamental programs and that of all officials throughout the year.

At the beginning of the year 80, we have the very important issue of the presidential elections, which is a platform for the people's presence in the political arena of the country and a manifestation of national power. The people's presence in the presidential elections and, God willing, the high and concentrated votes they will cast will be a manifestation of national power and national greatness and, God willing, a manifestation of national unity. We hope that our nation, under the shadow of this power and this movement and effort, can see both unity - which is the public desire of the people - and security - which is the essential need of our nation - and many of their programs realized and fulfilled. If we observe a long list of accomplished works and implemented programs in the record of the year 79, and an even longer list of unaccomplished works and unmet needs, God willing, in the year 80 we will witness that the list of accomplished works is longer, more extensive, and more brilliant, and the list of pending and delayed works is much shorter.

I commend all you dear compatriots, brothers, and sisters to the great God. I ask the Almighty God for a blessed and joyful holiday for all of you, and I hope that, God willing, this year will be a year of happiness and that all of you will be included in the answered prayers of His Holiness, the Awaited Savior, may our souls be sacrificed for him.

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