Statements of the Supreme Leader in Meeting with Various Segments of the People

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

I welcome all dear brothers and sisters, especially the honorable families of the martyrs and those brothers and sisters who have come from afar. I hope that your efforts, endeavors, and sincerity will be met with divine grace and mercy.

We are on the verge of the blessed month of Rajab, which is a very great and blessed month. This month, along with the months of Sha'ban and Ramadan, is considered a feast for the righteous servants of God and the friends of God, as it is a time for supplication, humility, and attention to the Lord of Lords. Humanity, at every moment in time and in every aspect of social life, needs a connection with God, prayer, attention, and humility. This need is fundamental. Without a connection to God, a person is empty within; devoid of intellect, meaning, and substance. Attention to God and connection with Him is the spirit in the true and real human body. Every opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the 'servant' and the 'Lord' should be seized; and the opportunity of the month of Rajab is one of these opportunities.

The prayers that have been revealed in this month are lessons in education. Prayer must be understood. While prayer connects the heart of a person with God and fills the soul with purity and spirituality, it also guides their thoughts and mind. These prayers are lessons. If we reflect on the meanings of these prayers, we will find the greatest divine spiritual gifts within them. Humanity has a profound need for these lessons. The month of Rajab and the month of Sha'ban are also a prelude to the month of Ramadan. All of these are a prelude to Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree). How wonderful it is that our dear youth and the general public prepare their hearts in this month for the arrival of the blessed month of Sha'ban and the blessed month of Ramadan.

In the Islamic system, the transformation that occurs is not merely a political transformation. The fundamental difference between the divine system and other systems is this. In the divine system, individuals undergo a spiritual transformation. A materialistic person becomes a spiritual and divine person, and material aspirations are transformed into lofty human and divine aspirations. If you observe that Muslims, thanks to the brief period of God's governance in the early days of Islam - due to those few years - were able to transform the world for centuries; to bestow knowledge, civilization, thought, intellect, spirit, meaning, logic, and everything upon the world; to create that great Islamic civilization and lay the groundwork for human advancements in the years and centuries that followed, it is because of the transformation that occurred in the Muslim individuals of early Islam. Today, a true Muslim who has undergone a real transformation through their connection with God and has become a spiritual human being - not in the sense of forgetting material and bodily needs; no: "And do not forget your share of the world"; they must also cultivate the world, enhance material aspects, advance knowledge, and organize life; but they should not be confined to these and should undergo a transformation that makes them enamored with spiritual ideals and great divine aspirations - will be able not only to elevate their own society but also to impact the world, influence history, and transform humanity, and by divine grace, this will happen. The fundamental rule and basis for this work is that today, in our Islamic system, the people should strengthen their heartfelt and spiritual relationship with God and become more attached to Him, and this opportunity of the month of Rajab and other blessed opportunities are precious chances.

My dear ones! Know that until today, whatever success the Iranian nation has achieved has been due to reliance on spirituality. Those who are ahead of the Iranian nation in terms of material wealth exist in the world; however, they have not been able to leave such profound impacts on other nations and the youth of other countries as the Iranian nation has with its revolution, its movement, its Imam, its struggles, and its martyrs. You have had a very deep impact on other nations and on the ordinary currents of many countries in the world. This is due to spirituality. This spirituality must be increased day by day. The dignity of the Iranian nation, the pride of the Iranian nation, and the endless hope of the Iranian nation are due to reliance and hope in God, and this becomes clearer, more manifest, and more radiant through an increasing connection with Him. The reason we emphasize that our youth, who are, thanks be to God, a source of purity and radiance in this time, should go more to the door of God's house - despite the fact that the situation of youth today has fundamentally transformed compared to the past and they possess even greater radiance and spirituality - is that the more we strengthen our relationship with God, the more divine guidance and success we will receive, and our hearts will be brighter.

The enemies of the Iranian nation have tried from the very first day to instill despair in the hearts of the individuals of this nation and to create a dark and gloomy atmosphere in their minds. The opposite of this is reliance on God, trust in God, asking from God, connection with God, and humility before the Lord. This reliance, trust, and humility illuminate the heart and brighten the atmosphere and horizon. Young people should appreciate their youth. The opportunity of life and the opportunity for the governance of Islam over this country should be valued by all. Even those who do not believe in Islam should appreciate the opportunity of Islamic governance; because the atmosphere of the Islamic system is one of spirituality, purity, love, intimacy, and brotherhood. Such an atmosphere is precious for everyone. All benefit from it and receive blessings.

I would like to mention a point regarding the upcoming Assembly of Experts elections. Thanks be to God, it is felt that the Iranian nation, with its awareness, has understood this sensitive situation and, as always, knows what duty it has before it. Participation in the Assembly of Experts elections is, in fact, a show of solidarity against the enemies of the independence and dignity of this nation. Anyone who wants this country and this dear nation to be proud and successful must be present in the social and political arenas of this country, of which the highest manifestation is these elections. Various elections are held at different times, and the Assembly of Experts elections are among the most important of them. Thanks be to God, the nation has shown in all the experiences of these past few years that it possesses growth and awareness and, at critical moments, discourages the enemy and revitalizes the revolutionary movement. This time, too, by divine grace, it will be the same, and the Iranian nation will demonstrate its growth.

Political groups, personalities of the country, and well-known and respected figures among the people have all shown their participation and interest in this matter in various ways. I sincerely thank all those who have expressed opinions or taken actions in this regard - clarifying an issue for the people. This contributes to national progress and the growth of the Iranian nation. Many prominent figures, scholars, and intellectuals have volunteered, come forward, and prepared themselves to engage in this work. God willing, their efforts will be rewarded in the presence of the Lord. Whether those who were able to enter the election scene or those who, for any reason, did not enter the election scene, their efforts are appreciated by God Almighty. They have done their part, shown their determination, fulfilled their share, and accomplished their tasks. Some political groups did not present lists of candidates; we see no issue with that. Those who can express opinions in this regard do so and have done so. Some individuals also did not see it as their duty to do this; this is also not a problem. The main thing is that everyone should participate in this work - which is the work of the nation, the work of the country, the work of the Islamic system, the work of the revolution - and share in it. Everyone must prepare the grounds so that the people can enter the election scene and cast their votes on the voting day. Everyone must undertake this divine test and trial. What is important is that the enemy has been planning for months to prevent the people from showing up at the polling stations. I believe that the enemies of the Iranian nation - the global arrogance, the media affiliated with America and Zionism, and others - if they could spend billions of dollars to ensure that the Iranian nation does not show up at the polling stations, they would do so; it is that important to them! All elections are important; however, this election is more important to them. Some of these foreigners and outsiders have insinuated that the people have not felt the impact of the Assembly of Experts! On the contrary, because the impact of the Assembly of Experts has been felt, the enemy opposes it so vehemently. The most important achievement of the Assembly of Experts is that it prevents a leadership vacuum from occurring in the country. All eyes were fixed on Iran, waiting for our great Imam to be taken from these people. They had plotted and placed their hopes for that day! They had been waiting for that day to arrive for ten years. The fourteenth of Khordad 1368 (June 4, 1989) was a very important and decisive day for the enemies of this nation and the enemies of the revolution. The Assembly of Experts did not allow this vacuum to occur. Of course, they chose a humble person like myself to carry this heavy burden. This was also divine decree; it was a source of shame for this humble servant; however, regardless of who the Assembly of Experts was directed towards, this matter was of great importance to both friend and foe and on a global scale, that our great Imam afflicted the Iranian nation with his separation on the night of the fourteenth of Khordad and went to the divine presence. By the evening of the fourteenth day, the Assembly of Experts had completed its work and closed all doors of hope to the enemies. The enemy has seen this. The reason for the opposition of the arrogant global enemies to the Assembly of Experts is this. This speed of action and not allowing the enemy's plots to succeed was very important for the world. This is why they oppose the Assembly of Experts. No; it is not that the effect of the Assembly of Experts has not become apparent. On the contrary, because the effect of the Assembly of Experts has become apparent and has undertaken such an important task against the enemy at a critical moment, they oppose it so vehemently.

Such a day always comes. If there is an Assembly of Experts that is backed by the people and has the votes of the people behind it, when someone is elected, that election becomes the election of the nation, and there is no vacuum in the country. They want this not to be the case. The enemy wants the Assembly of Experts to be a parliament without popular support. A small number of people vote, and a parliament is formed, and if that parliament needs to take action at a time of necessity, everyone will say that this parliament is not based on the votes of the people! You see; the enemy has been active for nearly a year for this purpose; to prevent the people from showing up at the polling stations, so that the Assembly of Experts will be without popular support; so that the person who will be elected as the leader by this Assembly in the future will not have popular backing. The enemy is after this. The Iranian nation must strike back at the enemy, and by divine grace, this will also happen. The Iranian nation will, as always, show its fist and will be present in this arena and in all arenas.

My dear ones! The power of a government and a country lies in the presence of the people. The reason that the Islamic Republic has, thanks be to God, enjoyed political and spiritual authority in the world over these years and has not been able to be diminished in any way is due to your presence. The enemy wants to take this away from the Islamic Republic. The Iranian nation must act in opposition to this; that is, it must make its presence in all arenas increasingly prominent and stronger. This is one arena; the arena of the Assembly of Experts elections. God willing, women and men, especially the youth, must strive to discourage and dishearten the enemy.

If the determination of the Iranian nation, which has, thanks be to God, manifested itself in the best way over these years, is expressed in future matters in the same way - which, by the grace of the Lord, it will be - know that the enemy will again feel humiliation and weakness in the face of the Iranian nation; they will again feel helpless; and you, the nation, will be in a position of power. At that time, your officials and statesmen can manage the affairs of the country with peace of mind. When a government and a group of servants are assured of popular support, they can manage the country with peace of mind, resolve problems, and take necessary actions. What needs to be done will be accomplished by divine grace. What the enemy wants is for these things not to happen. What the Iranian nation wants is for these tasks to be accomplished. We hope that, God willing, the Almighty God will honor the Iranian nation in all various tests and trials and will disgrace and expose the faction of disbelief and global arrogance in the world through you, the Iranian nation, and God willing, may the supplications of the Awaited Savior, may our souls be sacrificed for him, encompass all of you.

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