Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with the People of Qom on the Anniversary of the 19th of Dey Uprising

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

First of all, I welcome all of you brothers and sisters who, with your high aspirations and the motivation and enthusiasm arising from faith, have endured great hardships and have once again formed this sincere, sweet, and passionate gathering on the anniversary of the 19th of Dey. The 19th of Dey is one of the important turning points in the political history of our nation.

If one looks at this event with keen insight and analytical power, they will see that the 19th of Dey is a historical turning point in the political life of the Iranian nation. The heroes of this event are the people of Qom; including the enthusiastic youth and the faithful people in that city and the ancient seminary that played its true role that day and after it.

The issue, in summary, was that the Iranian nation was exhausted from the pressures of the dictatorship of the puppet regime on one side, the pressures of life on another side, the imposition of a culture of corruption on another side, and foreign domination, specifically the American elements on another side. This public anger and this general motivation from the religious faith of the Iranian nation were fully quenched and found meaning. This public anger was not blind; it was not an undefined motivation; the people understood what they wanted and what they wanted to do; and this was due to Islamic teachings. The movement of the young students and the distinguished scholars, following the unparalleled leadership of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) over many years, had created this awareness in the Iranian nation that this situation was a source of humiliation for a nation and a country; and that this situation could be changed; and it could only be changed by the people themselves. The people had rightly understood this. The public anger was widespread throughout Iran; however, like all other events, it was necessary for a starting point to emerge; a hero had to step into the arena and begin. This initiator was the people of Qom and the seminary of Qom; the importance of the matter lies here. The motivation was Islam; the goals were defined by the knowledge of faith and Islam; hope for divine support and reliance on the force of national struggle; this was the collection of what the Iranian nation had gathered within itself, both on the 19th of Dey and in the events that followed, thanks to the 19th of Dey. This event initiated a storm; a storm that would lead to the destruction of the forces against the truth, the forces of rebellion, and the forces of evil. "And We have written in the Psalms, after the Reminder, that the earth shall be inherited by My righteous servants"; this is the divine promise. The truth, as long as it does not have the support of the people, is a mental reality and a spiritual truth; one cannot expect it to be realized and established somewhere. But when the force of faith of human beings is mobilized and set forth in pursuit of the truth, the truth is according to the nature of the system of existence; therefore, it is realized, and it was realized. If throughout the long history of the Islamic Ummah, from the early centuries until today, we see that the truth has been oppressed and subdued since the time the weakness of Muslims began, it was due to this deficiency; because the faithful human force had not shouldered the burden of the truth to raise it in society; to raise the banner of truth; to establish the pillar of truth in the land of the life and existence of the people; thus, this is what we see: the life of the Islamic Ummah has fallen into this miserable state that we witness in many parts of the world. However, the Iranian nation acted according to the divine law; that is, they bore the truth; they shouldered the burden of realizing the divine truth; they entered the arena; and the Almighty God granted them victory - as He has repeatedly promised in the Quran. This work began in Qom; consider this day important; this day is a historical turning point. To preserve it and to expand the concepts that exist in this event, effort and struggle must be made.

The Iranian nation entered the arena; they drove the dependent dictatorship from their heads; they rejected the presence of the plundering enemy from their country; they expelled the enemy; they removed the erroneous cultural system and the imposed dominance of foreign culture as much as they could, and established the flow of truth. The tyrant was removed, and the force relying on the people and arising from religious faith came to power, and as God has promised, divine blessings descended; "And if the people of the towns had believed and been God-conscious, We would have opened up to them blessings from the heavens and the earth." The Almighty God has promised that if faith and piety come to the arena, He will also open the door of mercy and blessings; and this happened.

Today, if you look at the country, it is incomparable to the era of tyranny; in terms of material advancements, it is more advanced; in terms of development, it is more developed; in terms of spirituality and ethics, it is far superior to that time. Back then, this country was entirely under the control of the Americans; both its economy, its politics, and its social relations. What was managed in this country was in the direction of the interests of the foreign dominators and influential figures in Iran. At that time, the Iranian nation had the least involvement in the selection of the senior managers of the country. At that time, there was absolutely no thought for the majority of the nation; no work was done, and there was no concern at all. At that time, science in the country was at its utmost backwardness and stagnation; all this brilliant talent that exists in this country was idle and waiting. If someone could find a way, they would go to other countries and work for them; as many did. At that time, the Iranian nation was dependent on foreigners for even the smallest production; either they imported it, or if it was made domestically, it was made by foreigners. We even imported barbed wire and shovel handles from abroad! The country gained momentum and was turned upside down thanks to the revolution. At that time, among a population of thirty-five million and forty million, there were very few students. Today, our population has nearly doubled; but the number of our students has increased about fifteen times! The number of professors and the number of universities is much greater than this. The industries that the Iranian nation has created by their own hands is a remarkable story. Back then, even the simplest things had to be made by others. They took our money, humiliated us, but provided us with the inferior version! Today, our youth have brought the most complex and advanced technologies into the public view, of which you have heard examples and know. What is presented to public thought and public view is much less than reality. Back then, if they wanted to build a dam on a river, they had to go and beg from four countries and pay them large sums to come and build a dam; and even then, in uncertain cases! Today, our own youth at least build these things dozens of times more than that day - and certainly more. The country has grown; the science of the country has grown; the economic growth of the country is far better than that day; the development of the country is greater than that day; the spirituality and ethics of the country cannot be compared to that day; national self-confidence today is a hundred times that day; and above all, today the country is independent. All this global uproar and immorality that you see is because of this independence. This independence was brought about by the struggles of the people for this country. This path is not reversible; let everyone in the world know this. The Iranian nation will not allow the Americans to gain influence in this country again. From the very first day, the enmities of this plundering and extravagant regime - that is, the regime of the United States of America - began in Iran, and it continues to this day and will continue in the future. Until today, these enmities have had no effect, and in the future, with God's grace, they will have no effect either. Of course, analysts and strategists of global arrogance think that the same events that occurred during the revolution, when the nation was able to bring about a great transformation in the country and political system, can be replicated again with the wicked goals of arrogance; they are running around in vain. In the last ten to fifteen years, the agents of American and Zionist espionage and the global arrogance have repeatedly tried to provoke and compel the people in Iran, or to provoke and compel a portion of the people in the name of the people; perhaps they could simulate the events of the revolution. The foolish do not understand that the event of the revolution was internal; it arose from faith; it relied on the hearts of each and every individual of the Iranian nation; it was not imposed; there was no money involved. Such a thing, if it ever becomes possible, will be against the regime of the United States and its affiliates. The established and solid faith-based system, whose foundation is in the hearts of the people, is not shaken by these winds in the slightest; but they make their efforts; the nation must remain vigilant.

My dear ones! I want to tell you; throughout these twenty-five years, the divine will and power have manifested themselves in the vigilance, unity, and timely presence of the people. The faith of our believing men and women, and the enthusiasm and fervor of our faithful youth, were what could preserve this revolution and create a great national growth; and it is still the same. We believe that the truth - that is, the Islamic system based on faith - will prevail over falsehood; there is no doubt about this; but the condition is that the people - especially the youth - must be present in the arena and look at events with vigilance.

Look today at the state of the world in the grip of the bloodthirsty global arrogance. Today, the same story of colonialism exists, but with a new method. Once upon a time, there was old colonialism - the colonialism that later was called old and ancient colonialism - which would go and dominate countries; like India, like Algeria, like many other countries. With the awakening of nations, this colonialism disappeared and could no longer continue. Of course, during the years of colonialism, they oppressed nations and truly drained their energy; but nonetheless, old colonialism disappeared and was replaced by new colonialism. New colonialism was that foreigners did not come to govern countries; it was not like the old colonialism where an English ruler would go to India to govern; no, they appointed people from within the countries; like the tyrannical regime, like Reza Khan and his son, and like many other governments of the so-called third world countries - including Islamic countries. For many years, they oppressed nations; they brought tyrants to power; they brought coup military leaders to power and did everything they could to prevent the presence of nations. Today, they see that this too has no gain; thus, they have taken another path for domination over countries, which is to infiltrate nations; this is what I referred to some time ago as neo-colonialism. Above new colonialism, there is another type of colonialism. They send their agents to countries and, with money and propaganda and various temptations, and by showing a colorful and appealing face of the oppressive arrogant powers of the world, they seduce and provoke parts of nations. Of course, this too will not lead anywhere; because the face of colonialism and arrogance is uglier than this; they cannot hide their oppression and cruelty; an example is Iraq. You see what they are doing in Iraq. Today, the banner of human rights in the hands of America and England and countries of this kind has become a ridiculous and laughable thing! Today, the story of Abu Ghraib prison, the American Guantanamo prison, the treatment of nations by armed and booted Americans and Englishmen is the eternal story of nations. Nations may not demonstrate now, but these events have deep effects in their hearts and will show themselves one day. Today, the hearts of Islamic nations are filled with hatred for America and the arrogant powers. In those countries where they apparently have control over the rulers of those countries, the hearts of the nations are filled with this; they are waiting for the time when they can show this. The era of the arrogant system - which is based on oppression of nations and domination over their lives, properties, honor, and resources - has come to an end. Of course, nations may experience difficult periods, but the era of bullying and tyranny in the hearts of human beings and in the hearts of the world has come to an end; they cannot do more than this. A nation that can play a role is a nation that reaches self-awareness and uses its will, faith, and vigilance; it will win the field. The Iranian nation has the greatest fortune in this regard. The Iranian nation is talented, intelligent, faithful, and has experienced. Other nations do not have the experience of our nation. Our nation can be the axis of a great global movement against oppression and the system of arrogance and the new feudal system that the arrogant powers of the world want to impose on the world today. Young people should pay attention to this issue. As much as possible, increase your preparedness, your depth of thought, and your presence in political and economic arenas. Young students, young scholars, young workers, young people from various strata of society - both girls and boys - should know that they must play a role in the future of the world. The political geography of the world will be determined by the will and faith of human beings in the future; this is up to you. Of course, the officials of the country - whether cultural officials, political officials, officials related to youth issues, or officials related to sciences - certainly have great and heavy responsibilities. The reason I emphasize so much on the advancement of science is that becoming knowledgeable and achieving science and technology plays a very significant role in this future. This future belongs to you young people, and know that you will see the days of true dignity and glory of nations, God willing, and you will taste the fruits of these steadfastnesses. Today, in our country, thanks be to God, there is unity, there is faith, there is awareness and enthusiasm; of course, they try to prevent it. In the same electoral issues, where people truly participate with enthusiasm and awareness, the public presence is completely evident. Near the elections - which some have already begun to whisper about - you will see that the whispers of boycotting the elections will start; so that the people do not come to the field, do not participate, do not choose, and are removed from the political equations of Iran and the Islamic Republic system. These whispers will initially start from the policymaking circles and the strategic designers of America and Israel; then it will reach the hands of some inattentive people and sometimes even mercenaries and despicable individuals inside. Some will say to boycott the elections; some will say the elections are not free - to discourage the people - some will begin to defame the faces of the electoral candidates. Each of these will try in some way to make this election less vibrant. I insist that all officials of the country and all segments of the nation prepare themselves, God willing, for the elections. Although there is still a considerable amount of time until the elections, and we still have five or six months until the elections, the atmosphere of the country should be one of interest and enthusiasm for these elections so that the people know they want to do something great. They want to bring a government to power that will take a significant step towards achieving the ideals; this is the essence of the matter. The various faces that enter the electoral arena should pay attention to this issue. This nation is thirsty for work; there is much work to be done; the field for work in our country is limitless. What the people are interested in and passionate about is that a president comes to power whose most important motivation is to work for this nation and to work in the fields of economy, infrastructure, culture, science, ethics, foreign policy, and other areas, and to have enthusiasm and motivation for work; this is possible only with faith. Electoral candidates should pay attention to this point. The people want to hear from the candidates what they intend to do. Candidates should specify what they want to do; they should clarify their programs, goals, and strategies for the people. This is the enthusiasm of the elections. The maximum presence that I mentioned to the dear nation of Iran on Eid al-Fitr will be realized in this way. The nation should also be prepared and look to see who believes in their goals and is capable of working towards these goals. Of course, God willing, I will present more details and specifics to the Iranian nation until the time of the elections. What everyone should pay attention to from now on is that this country and this nation are thirsty for work; work towards the lofty goals for which this nation revolted, for which it defended its borders, for which it stood in the arenas, for which it struggled, and for which it achieved this scientific and intellectual growth. Of course, the hand of divine power is behind the Iranian nation; I have witnessed this with my own eyes. Once, Imam was ill, and I went to visit him. I told him a sentence; he replied that what I have seen in these years is that a power is behind the Iranian nation and is advancing the affairs. I have seen this power in these years. How many restless nights were spent plotting against this nation; how much money did the enemies of this nation spend to keep this nation behind and to break the borders of this nation and to dominate this nation; but because of the determination of these people - who had the hand of divine power behind them - they could not, and know that, God willing, it will be the same after this.

We seek help, guidance, and assistance from the Almighty God; we send our greetings to the sacred presence of the Supreme Guardian, the Awaited Savior (may our souls be sacrificed for him), and we ask for help, prayer, attention, kindness, and grace from that great one for all the Iranian nation and for you dear ones who are present here.

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