Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in a meeting with thousands of people from various social classes

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

I extend my greetings to all dear brothers and sisters, especially to those who have traveled from afar and have endured the hardships of the journey to be here. I also congratulate you on the auspicious days of the blessed decade of the Islamic Revolution and the joyous occasion of Eid al-Ghadir, which is just a few days away. I hope that, by the grace of faith and the enthusiasm and sincerity that you dear people possess towards the sacred religious values and the great saints of our faith, all of you and the entire Iranian nation will be blessed, and may these celebrations be a source of joy for all of you and for the entire Iranian nation.

Today, it is appropriate to remember the afflicted and grieving people of Bam on the fortieth anniversary of the tragic earthquake. Although our dear nation has expressed its sympathy and solidarity with the afflicted people of Bam since the onset of this disaster, demonstrating its faith, compassion, and Islamic brotherhood, the dimensions of this bitter incident cannot be forgotten. The officials of various governmental bodies and revolutionary institutions, who have worked hard to compensate for the losses and sufferings of the people of Bam, must continue their efforts; they must ensure that the solidarity and assistance of the people and the cooperation of all governmental bodies are evident in this matter so that the Iranian nation can be assured that this great loss has been repaired as much as possible and that the wound inflicted on the body of the Iranian nation has been compensated.

It is commendable and fitting for people in every corner of the country to think of their brothers and sisters in Bam; those who can assist them. One can cut some unnecessary expenses from their lives. Pilgrims, who are gradually returning to the country in good health, should consider eliminating the expenses typically incurred during their return from Hajj for visits and ceremonies, and instead dedicate those funds to assist the afflicted people of Bam.

Of course, these are divine tests for a nation and for the people of a city. Calamity is a form of trial and is meant for testing. This severe trial has befallen the people of Bam and, subsequently, the entire Iranian nation. We must emerge from this divine trial with honor and recognize that what pleases God Almighty is that we reflect on our actions and behaviors and eliminate our shortcomings, weaknesses, and mistakes. A nation that learns from its experiences and aligns its path with the divine straight path will be a manifestation of "God is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him."

These days mark the anniversary of the great Islamic Revolution, which is a celebration for the Iranian nation and indeed for Muslims around the world. Islam was able to achieve the honor of challenging the dominance and control of the plundering and world-devouring powers and to save a nation. For decades, colonial powers had dominion over Iran. The calamities inflicted upon the Iranian nation by the colonial British government over many years are unforgettable. They confiscated the Constitutional Revolution, imposed the black dictatorship of Reza Khan on this people, plundered oil, kept the country backward, insulted the nation, humiliated it, and trampled upon the public rights of a nation for decades. Then, as British power began to wane internationally, the Americans rushed to this table and began their own encroachments. The twenty-five years of the black dictatorship of Mohammad Reza and the same crimes committed by the British were carried out by the Americans in Iran, and day by day, they deepened their grip on this country. They took away wealth, destroyed Islamic and national culture, and replaced it with a culture of foreign worship. Everything in this country was under their control, and they drained the vitality of this nation. Islam was able to inject new blood into the veins of this nation. The slogan of Islamic awakening stirred this nation into action. The leadership of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) showed the way to this nation. This nation - as the Quran states - changed its destiny through its own will, steadfastness, and struggle; it dismantled the dictatorship, expelled America from this country, severed the dominance of powers over this country, and regained the right to choose and govern its own destiny. As a result, the Iranian nation was revived.

The decade of Fajr is a commemoration of the rebirth of the Iranian nation and our beloved country. The people celebrate these days and have the right to celebrate. My dear ones! Know that wherever there are aware and awakened Muslims in the world, the youth, elites, and cultural and political figures among them also consider this celebration as their own and see this awakening as beneficial to themselves. The Islamic world, which had been asleep under the dominance of arrogant powers, has awakened. In some places, they have managed to save themselves; in others, the very awakening itself is a precursor to salvation.

The value of this revolution lies in the fact that it saved Iran from the dominance of global arrogant powers. Just look at what the greedy and monopolistic international powers do to nations! These very powers had dominion over this country, this nation, our oil, our culture, our government, and all our human and financial resources. The revolution cut off their hands; it expelled them from this country and diminished their control over this nation. This is the value of our revolution. Let us appreciate this revolution; let us preserve it on its path and help it advance towards its lofty goals. It is these principles and foundations that will improve our future, destiny, economy, culture, religion, and the world, and will heal the wounds of our dear and oppressed Iran.

What is of utmost importance these days, and what I must say a few words about, is the elections. Elections are a manifestation of the presence of the people and the freedom of the Iranian nation in choosing its own destiny. When you elect a president, you are placing all the executive reins of the country in the hands of someone who is your choice and arises from your vote and will. When you elect members of parliament, you are entrusting legislation and oversight of executive work to those whom you have recognized and chosen; therefore, it is you who makes the choice. This act signifies the power of the people in governing the country and holding the destiny of the country in the hands of the nation; this is not a small matter; it is everything for us. Let me tell you; what has preserved our country and nation against the savage onslaught of international greed over the past twenty-five years is precisely this: they see that the nation owns the government and parliament and has authority over its officials. Until today, it has been the backing of national presence that has always terrified the aggressive and powerful governments of the world. This presence has served as a bastion for our country; this is very significant. If there were no elections, no popular sovereignty, and no vibrant will of you people in the midst of the scene and arena, know that this revolution would not last even a year; in the face of any political onslaught or economic siege, governments would not have been able to stand firm; that main bastion was you.

Elections are a manifestation of the people's presence; just as participation in the rallies of the twenty-second of Bahman is one of the manifestations of popular presence. The enemy and the arrogant powers are afraid of your elections and your participation in the twenty-second of Bahman; therefore, they use all their power to try to deprive this nation and this country of elections, of the people's presence, of free votes, and of the people's involvement in their own destiny. They have been making this effort for twenty-five years; they are still trying.

These days, you see and hear that there are disputes regarding the elections between the executive and supervisory bodies; this has always been the case. It is natural that there may always be disagreements between the supervisory and executive bodies over certain issues; this is nothing new; however, the enemies have sharpened their teeth, are pleased, and have exaggerated the matter; some individuals inside have also fallen for their tricks.

If someone listens to the global propaganda - for us, every day, they write a scroll of global propaganda on paper and bring it to us; we see what they say and what they do! - they will notice that all their efforts are aimed at undermining our upcoming elections - which is only fifteen days away. This is their overall strategy. Their entire effort is to prevent elections from being held in the country; that is, a popular government without a parliament; an Islamic government without representatives of the people. What does this effort mean? It means cutting off the popular backing from the system. All the political circles abroad - that is, those who are our enemies - and their intelligence and propaganda apparatuses are currently focused on this issue. Their overall strategy is to undermine the elections and prevent them from being held. They are very unhappy and dissatisfied with the elections and know that elections thwart their plots and prevent their malice against this country; hence, they want the elections not to take place. This is their overall strategy.

These days, when you look at global propaganda, you see that their current trick is presented in the form of delaying the elections! That is their strategy; this is their tactic. They constantly encourage the officials of the country and the executive authorities to say that you cannot hold the elections and should not hold them. This foreign propaganda, both directly and indirectly, through radio and political means and various other forms, is all focused on this issue.

What is the duty of the Iranian government and nation is to stand firm against the enemy's plots. Elections must be held on time - on the first of Esfand - without even a single day's delay. I regret that some individuals, out of negligence, repeat the same words that the enemies of this nation say. They, with their propaganda and political methods and tricks, encourage some executive officials to withdraw and not fulfill their legal responsibilities. Is holding and conducting elections a right of any official to say, "I want this right or I do not want it?" It is a duty; it is the legal duty of specific governmental bodies; they must fulfill this duty; it is the right of the people. Can anyone inside the country say that because I do not like this phenomenon, or I do not like a certain method, I will not carry out what the law has assigned to me as a duty? Can such a thing be done?! Evading responsibility, in the form of withdrawal, resignation, or otherwise, is both illegal and religiously forbidden for these officials. Can we play with this great right of the people?!

Most of our officials, most of our members of parliament, and most of our executive officials are religious people, interested in the revolution, and ready to serve the people. It should not be thought that the parliament is like this or that; no, the parliament is a pillar of the system. Of course, within the parliament - as in all other places - there may be elements that have infiltrated and distorted the facts; they may create a difficult and heavy atmosphere for some and compel them to act inappropriately. Most representatives are ready to serve the people; it is their duty; they must do this work; they must serve. The philosophy of my existence and that of others like me and other officials is service. We are the servants and servants of the people. Our dignity and reputation depend on this. Islam has defined this for us. We do not have a right over the people; the people have rights over us. With this spirit and intention, this revolution and this system have stood firm for twenty-five years; for twenty-five years, this nation has resisted like a mountain against its treacherous and cunning enemies. Those who lose this spirit or encourage others to abandon it have betrayed the nation.

All officials - whether in the legislative, executive, or judicial branches - must always be prepared and ready to serve. The parliament must also fulfill its great responsibilities. This is both a religious duty, a legal duty, and a moral and national duty. The government must also fulfill its duties; the judiciary must also fulfill its duties; everyone must fulfill their duties.

Thanks be to God, the country has started to move forward after that long war. Many large and significant works have been accomplished. Gradually, the signs of beautiful horizons are becoming apparent. Suddenly, the enemies want to halt this progress with politics, plots, and cunning. Shall we allow this?

Of course, these days various statements have been made from different voices and loudspeakers within the country, some of which have been very distressing. The correct path must be sought. Truly, those who are responsible and caring have worked very hard and made great efforts. I thank all of them. The esteemed Guardian Council has worked very hard and made great efforts; it truly deserves appreciation and gratitude. The esteemed President and the esteemed Speaker of the Parliament have worked very hard and made great efforts; I thank them as well. The responsible bodies, each in their own way, have made good and commendable efforts. Of course, there are also those who are greedy and - as we mentioned - want to push their agenda with arrogance. They want to exert pressure on the officials of the country. There was a lot of pressure on these gentlemen, but they stood firm. I ask God Almighty for success for them and thank them for standing firm against the pressures of pressure groups and the greedy and not yielding; both the esteemed leaders of those two branches and the esteemed Guardian Council.

Of course, there are always disputes; there are always solutions to all disputes. There is no knot that cannot be untied. These small and large knots can be untied. Over the years, this revolution has always been able to break through deadlocks and move forward. By the grace of God and with divine assistance, there is no deadlock before us.

We ask God Almighty to bestow His grace upon this nation. You, the Iranian nation, with your faith, sincerity, determination, and presence, are a manifestation of divine grace and favor. May God always include you in His mercy and grace. May God assist the caring and serving officials; may He guide us all; may He make the sacred heart of the Awaited Imam pleased and satisfied with us, and may He unite our dear martyrs and Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) with their saints.

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