Statements 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

Every year, the 19th of Dey is commemorated by the entire Iranian nation, especially the dear and insightful people of Qom, as a vivid and eloquent historical moment to confront the global arrogance. It is indeed fitting; truly, an event like the 19th of Dey is worthy of being showcased to the enemy.

This event is noteworthy and contemplative from various dimensions: it is filled with insight, timely awareness, enemy recognition, struggle, action, and sacrifice; these are the dimensions of this great event that occurred on the 19th of Dey in 1978 - that is, thirty-two years ago. On the other hand, this very event became the starting point of a transformation, a movement, a significant and directed current within the Iranian nation. Thus, the event is truly important. It had an impact that day; today, as you commemorate that event and honor the martyrs, both clerical and non-clerical, it continues to have an impact; it teaches lessons, provides insight, and shows us the direction of our movement.

Days of the year, by their nature, are all alike; it is the people, their wills, and their struggles that elevate one day above the others, distinguishing it, making it different, and preserving it like a flag to guide others. The day of Ashura - the 10th of Muharram - in itself does not differ from other days; it is Hussein ibn Ali (peace be upon him) who gives life and meaning to this day, elevating it to the heavens; it is the struggles of the companions of Hussein ibn Ali (peace be upon him) that bestow this day with its significance and importance. The 19th of Dey is the same; this year's 9th of Dey is of the same nature. The 9th of Dey does not differ from the 10th of Dey; it is the people who suddenly distinguish the 9th of Dey with a movement - a movement that arises from the same factors that constituted the 19th of Dey in Qom; that is, it arises from insight, from enemy recognition, from timely awareness, from a presence in the arena of struggle.

Rest assured that this year's 9th of Dey will also remain in history; it has become a distinguished day. Perhaps in a sense, it can be said that under the current conditions - which are characterized by a foggy atmosphere - this movement of the people had added significance; it was a great act. The more one reflects on these matters, the more one sees the hand of the Almighty God, the hand of power, the spirit of the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist, the spirit of Hussein ibn Ali (peace be upon him). These actions are not ones that can be accomplished by the will of individuals like us; these are the works of God, the hand of divine power; just as the Imam (may his soul be sanctified) once told me in a sensitive situation - which I have recounted many times - "Throughout this time, I have seen the hand of divine power behind these matters." That insightful man, that man of God, saw it correctly.

In times of turmoil, the work is more difficult; discernment becomes harder. Of course, the Almighty God always completes the evidence; He never allows the people to claim that they were misled because He did not complete the evidence for them or did not send a guide. This meaning is repeatedly mentioned in the Quran. The divine pointer is visible everywhere; however, it requires an open eye. If we do not open our eyes, we will not even see the crescent of the first night of the month; yet the crescent exists. We must open our eyes, we must look, we must pay attention, and utilize all our resources to see this truth that God has placed before us.

What is important is that one engages in this struggle. This struggle is for the benefit of the individual; the Almighty God also assists him in this struggle. The 19th of Dey of the people of Qom in 1978 was of this nature, and this year's 9th of Dey of the masses of the country - which was truly an extraordinary movement of millions of people - is of the same nature, as are the various events we have witnessed throughout the revolution. This struggle shows us the way.

Consider the battle of Siffin; Amir al-Mu'minin was not facing the infidels; the opposing front of Amir al-Mu'minin consisted of those who prayed, recited the Quran, and maintained outward appearances; it was very difficult. Who should clarify the truths and show them to the people? Some truly became unsettled. When one reads the history of the battle of Siffin, their heart trembles. In this vast army that Amir al-Mu'minin had mobilized and positioned against Muawiya in that sensitive region - in Sham - disturbances occurred; this happened repeatedly; the events lasted for several months. At one point, news would come that in a certain front, someone had developed a doubt; they began to question why they were fighting. What benefit was there? What, what? Here, the companions of Amir al-Mu'minin - that is, the specific and pure companions who had been with Amir al-Mu'minin since the beginning of Islam and had not separated from him - would step forward; among them was the honorable Ammar Yasir (peace be upon him), who played the most crucial role. On one occasion, Ammar Yasir - apparently it was Ammar - reasoned. Observe the reasoning that one can always hold as living arguments. He saw that some individuals had fallen into doubt; he reached that place and delivered a speech. One of his statements in this speech was that he said: "This flag that you see in the opposing front, I saw this flag on the day of Uhud and Badr in front of the Messenger of God - the flag of Banu Umayyah - under this flag stood the same individuals who stood that day against the Prophet; Muawiya and Amr ibn al-As. In the battle of Uhud, both Muawiya and Amr ibn al-As and other leaders of Banu Umayyah stood against the Prophet; the flag was the flag of Banu Umayyah. He said: Those you see standing under this flag on the other side stood under this flag against the Prophet, and I saw this with my own eyes. The side that Amir al-Mu'minin is on, this flag that Amir al-Mu'minin has today - that is, the flag of Banu Hashim - was also present on the day of Badr and Uhud, and those who stand under it today, that is, Ali ibn Abi Talib and his companions, also stood under this flag that day. What better sign is there? Observe what a good sign it is. The flag is the same flag of the battle of Uhud; the people are the same people, on one front. The flag is the same flag of the battle of Uhud; the people are the same people on the other front, on the opposing front. The difference is that on that day they claimed and acknowledged and took pride in being infidels; today, the same individuals under that flag claim to be Muslims and supporters of the Quran and the Prophet; yet the people are the same, and the flag is the same. Well, this is insight. The extent to which we emphasize insight means this.

From the beginning of the revolution and throughout the years, who stood under the banner of struggle against the Imam and the revolution? America was under that banner, Britain was under that banner, the arrogant powers were under that banner, the retrogressive elements dependent on the system of domination and oppression were all gathered under that banner; it is the same today. Even now, look at where America stood before the elections of 2009, in these seven or eight months until today. Where did Britain stand? Where did the Zionist news agencies stand? Internally, the anti-religious factions, from the Tudeh Party to the monarchists, to the various types and forms of non-believers, where did they stand? That is, those who have opposed the revolution and the Imam since the beginning, who threw stones, fired bullets, and engaged in terrorism. Three days after the victory of the revolution, on the 22nd of Bahman, these same individuals with these same names came in front of the Imam's residence on Iran Street, began chanting slogans; the same individuals now come into the streets, chanting against the system and the revolution! Nothing has changed. Their names were leftist, they were backed by America; their names were socialist, liberal, freedom-seeking, and behind them were all the retrogressive and arrogant powers and the small and large oppressors of the world lined up! It is the same today. These are signs; these are indicators; and what is important is that the nation understands these indicators; this is something that if one thanks God hundreds of times, they have not fulfilled its right; let us prostrate in gratitude.

This great nation from various strata across the country looks at the scene, recognizes the scene; it is a very significant and important matter. What I am saying is that the 9th of Dey remains in history because of this. The people are awake; this is what has preserved your country, my dear ones! This is what has safeguarded your revolution; this is what has taken away the courage of the arrogant powers to attack the Iranian nation; they are afraid. Now, in propaganda, they bring forth Zayd, Amr, and Bakr, conducting a bombardment of propaganda; however, the truth of the matter is different. Their true enemy is the Iranian nation, their true enemy is the faith and insight of the Iranian nation, their true enemy is the religious zeal of the youth that is boiling. At one time, they also hold their teeth on edge, they exercise patience, and they must; but at another time, when it is time to be present in the arena, they come into the scene.

Analyzing the current events in our country is not an analysis that is separate from global events. Global events, regional events, these are interconnected. Some parts relate to our country, which is, of course, the main and fundamental part. The reason is that the global arrogance sees its work faltering from here; and this shows what role a nation and a collective of humanity can play. This is what our great Imam (may his soul be sanctified) repeatedly addressed to the Islamic Ummah, considering this truth. When a nation awakens, it can disrupt all the calculations of the global arrogance. The factory they established, the production line they created to realize their arrogant goals, this production line can be slowed or halted by the awakening of a nation. If all the Muslim nations come into the field, what will happen! If all the Muslim nations gain this insight, this readiness, this presence, what will happen in the world! They fear this. They want the voice of you and me to be silenced and not reach the ears of other nations. They want to ensure that other nations do not understand how impactful the awakening and insight of a nation is in global events.

I also want to convey a point to the dear revolutionary youth, to my dear revolutionary children, to the Basij youth - both men and women - that the youth are angry about what they hear or see regarding the humiliation of the foreign powers against their religious faith; when they see how some individuals violate the sanctity of Ashura, violate the sanctity of Imam Hussein, violate the sanctity of the mourners of Hussein, their hearts ache, their chests fill with rage; of course, this is natural, they have the right; but I want to say to the dear youth to be cautious, to be careful that any excessive action aids the enemy. Here, the youth call - I understand, I read, they often summarize the calls and letters, bringing them to me every day; I look at them - I see the youth are complaining, upset, and angry; sometimes they also complain to me about why someone is being patient? Why is someone being considerate? I say; in a situation where the enemy is fully intent, with all their resources, to design a plot and wants to initiate a dangerous game, one must be careful not to assist them in that game. One must proceed with great caution and prudence and decisively enter at the right time. There are responsible institutions, there is law; according to the law, without any deviation from the law, the law must be implemented decisively; however, the entry of individuals who do not have legal status, legal position, legal duty, and legal responsibility complicates matters. The Almighty God has commanded us: "And let not the hatred of a people cause you to deviate from justice; be just; that is nearer to piety." (1) Yes, some individuals act with enmity, some engage in malice, some support the malicious - these exist - but one must be cautious. If one enters some matters without care, the innocent who are also averse to them will be trampled; this must not happen. I warn my dear youth, my revolutionary children, against taking any unilateral action; no, everything must proceed according to the law.

The officials of the country, thanks be to God, have their eyes open; they see; they see in which direction the people are moving. The evidence has been completed for everyone. The massive movement on Wednesday, the 9th of Dey, has completed the evidence for everyone. The officials of the executive branch, the officials of the legislative branch, the officials of the judiciary, various institutions all know that the people are present and what they want. The institutions must fulfill their duties; both their duties against the corrupt, the rioters, the anti-revolutionaries, and the anti-security elements, as well as their duties in managing the country. The issues of the country are not only related to the rioters; the country has economic issues, scientific issues, political issues, international issues, security issues; hundreds of important issues are before the officials of the country; they must address these; they must manage the country; they must advance the country. The enemy wants to halt the wheels of the country with these events; one must not assist the enemy. The enemy wants to stop the wheels of economic progress, which, thanks be to God, has taken off and a good scientific movement has begun and is growing; the enemy wants to disrupt the powerful political presence of the Islamic Republic in international arenas, which today is much more prominent and striking than in the past, with these kinds of issues; one must not assist the enemy. Therefore, the officials must carry out their tasks in economic, scientific, political, social, and all areas where they have responsibilities, with power, strength, and precision. Cooperation with the government and the officials of the country must also continue. The people have shown their presence in the arena.

The greatest wealth for a system is that the people stand behind it. They came and, in a sense, wanted to undermine this popular movement; they said it was a governmental rally! The foolish ones did not realize that with this statement they are defining the government; they are praising the government. What kind of government is it that can mobilize such a massive national mobilization across the country in two days - on the day of Ashura (Sunday) they initiated those wicked acts, on Wednesday this massive movement took place? Today, which other country, which other government has such power? The strongest and wealthiest governments in the world - which also spend a lot on espionage, sabotage, and terrorism - if they exert all their efforts, cannot bring a hundred thousand people into the streets of their cities or countries in two days. Tens of millions of people across the country come out! If they have come at the government's command, this is a very powerful government; thus, it is a very strong government that has such mobilization capability. However, the truth is different; the truth is that in our country, there is no government and people - they are one; the officials of the government, from this humble servant to others, are each droplets in the vast ocean of this nation.

May God's mercy be upon the pure soul of our great Imam, who was the initiator of this great movement; and may God's mercy be upon the pure souls of our dear martyrs, who were the pioneers and forerunners of this great movement, who "And the forerunners, the forerunners. They are the ones who are near [to God]"; (2) these are the ones who opened the way, made it smooth; and may God's mercy be upon you, dear people, upon you, dear youth, who show such insight and readiness, discouraging the enemy from encroaching upon your country, your system, and your revolution. May God, God willing, be your helper and protector.

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