Statements in Meeting with Members of the Board of the Iranian School Construction Charity

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

The presence of the group of school construction benefactors, which is one of the blessed phenomena of our revolution and country, proves several things: one is the point that was previously mentioned, that our people, wherever they feel it is appropriate and good, do not hesitate to spend; this is a very important point. Some complain about why, for example, in certain matters, people did not come to help. Well, it must be made clear to the people that this is an obligation, this is correct; then the people will come themselves. You can observe that the same religious seminaries are a clear example of this matter. People, without anyone knowing them, without being sent after them, without any accounting from them, come and give their money, which they have earned with their own effort, as khums (a religious tax), to us, to the clergy, to the scholars, and to the authorities; while we neither take a promissory note from them, nor do we require guarantees, nor do we demand anything from them; sometimes they wait for days at the door or in line to come and give this money. Why? Because they believe that this is the right thing to do, it is a good deed.

Your example is another example; he is a merchant, he is wealthy, he has the ability, he has gathered money that belongs to him, and no one will tell him why he has this money and how to spend it; he comes willingly. I have been informed of examples: dozens of schools are being built by a benefactor. Well, this is a very valuable phenomenon; without any political or personal motives behind it. Of course, we have charities in the world that appear charitable, but their essence and content are either political, or security-related, or espionage-related; there are motivations behind them; but here, the school construction benefactor, without any motivation other than service and doing a good deed, comes and puts this money in the middle. Therefore, the first point that emerges is that if we can reach an understanding with the people and show the goodness of a deed and the correctness of a path, they are willing to bear the heavy costs of it, without anyone asking them. We have seen previous examples of this during the Sacred Defense and in various matters. This is one point.

The second point is the attention of the people to the matter of schools; well, charitable works were also done in the past; they built husseiniyahs (places for mourning ceremonies), they built mosques, they did various works; but the attention to schools indicates a phenomenon in the country; it is clear that our people and those who have the ability to help have well understood the importance of educating children. This is another point that one feels in this work.

And the third point - there are many such points; now I will only mention these few points - that can be inferred from this work is that in any matter where the officials of the country and the main managers of the country have entrusted the affairs to the people, that work has succeeded, that work has progressed; this is an experience, we must learn this; we have repeatedly said this. Sometimes a narrow-minded view is taken, and a government official exclusively takes the work into his own hands, this work stagnates, it stops; but when the work is given to this immense and endless force of the people, with their motivations, with their material and spiritual abilities, then the work grows, it flourishes.

It is the same here; we have had many problems with schools and similar matters. At the beginning of the revolution, there were schools operating in three shifts, even four shifts in the country, which, thanks be to God, have been resolved. And the help of the people has played a very significant role; and this work must, God willing, continue. You gentlemen who are responsible for this matter and have engaged yourselves in this great and beautiful work, continue this work with enthusiasm and motivation, God willing; know that the Almighty God will reward you; this work has merit, this work is a good deed, this work is a continuous charity. And your intentions, thanks be to God, are sincere; keep them sincere and advance this work.

Of course, the media and similar entities should also be advised - which I will now say, God willing, they should be advised - so that they can explain to the public the existence of such work. And fortunately, similar works are growing around the country; they are increasing day by day. Benefactors in healthcare have emerged in recent years who are doing good works. In any case, charitable people in the country are numerous and willing to do good work; the work must be introduced to them and trust must be placed in them.

I have heard that the expectation of the school construction benefactors is that the Ministry of Education increases its cooperation; and fortunately, I saw that Mr. Dr. Hafezi thanked the esteemed Minister and his deputy; this is a source of happiness for me to feel that there is cooperation. They should not change the names of the schools; suppose that the benefactor has named a school after his martyr or a beloved person; they should take care of these. And they should facilitate the work for those who want to do the good work of school construction, honor them, so that, God willing, it can be accomplished.

And this point of Mr. Fani is also completely correct; the issue of reinforcing schools; this is a very important task; and preserving these schools that are built so that they do not suffer from premature wear and tear; this is also a point.

God willing, may the Almighty God accept your efforts and increase your successes.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings