Statements in Meeting with Scientific Elites and Top Talents

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

Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our master and prophet, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure, virtuous, and infallible family, especially the remainder of God on earth.

Welcome. I am very, very pleased to have the opportunity to hold this meeting once again with a group of the country's elites. I thank the friends for their remarks; they expressed important points and noteworthy observations, but I would like to mention two points regarding the statements made by the gentlemen.

One is that almost all of these issues — perhaps one or two exceptions — are executive matters, and executive matters must be pursued by the executive bodies. Of course, we are also following up; I recommend that the points raised be compiled, possibly summarized, or reviewed, and we will convey them to the relevant officials in the executive branch; however, you should raise these issues in your meetings with the country's executive officials — fortunately, they are active; fortunately, we have a hardworking president today who is diligent and proactive — so that, God willing, they can be realized. This is one point.

The second point is that in certain periods, there was a significant gap between the elites and the government officials, whereas today this is not the case. Today, many young people like you are present in significant management positions within the government, whether at the ministerial level, deputy level, or in middle management; so why are these discussions not being conveyed to them? The same brothers who stood here and expressed opinions like you are now part of the country's management bodies, they are still young, not aged or middle-aged, just like you; why is there no connection, no chain formed, and why are these discussions not being conveyed? Think about this in the various bodies of the country. For example, the issue of automobiles was raised; there are many active young elites in the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade; raise the issue of automobiles there, it is an important discussion. Or regarding other discussions that were raised here, the issue of underprivileged areas was mentioned. The government has allocated a special section for underprivileged areas; there are some young people there; I even think there are some students who are still students and are active there; so discuss these matters with them, follow up; it should not just be that a speech is given here. Of course, the opinions were very good, and we will, God willing, take them into account — I will say to follow these up, and we will follow up; I may also share some of these points with the esteemed president — but I think you should engage more practically in these areas.

Regarding the issue of elitism and elites and scientific progress, I have noted two or three points that I would like to present. The first point is that the scientific movement began about two decades ago or a little more in the country, and it had a good start; that is, it created a movement, and two or three slogans were raised in student and university environments, such as "crossing the scientific borders of the country" and "software movement"; these slogans that were raised back then had a significant impact; that is, a movement and a surge emerged in university environments, and fortunately, it continued; it was not something that would quickly surge and then extinguish. In fact, a significant scientific movement began in the country; this is a reality. After the issue of scientific progress and movement in the borders of knowledge and several slogans were raised among the academic bodies, a truly significant movement began, to the extent that global evaluation centers in scientific matters stated that the speed of scientific growth in the country was thirteen or twelve times the average global growth rate! This is a very important issue; this event occurred. I mentioned at that time — that is, several years ago — in several scientific and academic sessions that I said it is said that our growth speed is high, but let us not become arrogant; let us not be deceived by the fact that our growth speed is so high; because despite this growth speed, we are still behind in knowledge; we are scientifically behind the world. I have explained this "being behind" in some cases; I do not want to repeat it or say it again. We are behind, and the reason for this backwardness is that for a long period, during the rule of tyrants and oppressive kings — whether the Pahlavis or the Qajars — this country, which has that scientific and cultural background, was at the bottom of the scientific ranking table in the world, having nothing, being nothing.

Today, I want to say this: I want to say that we must prepare ourselves for entering a new chapter of scientific movement; that is, it is true that a scientific leap has occurred, the scientific movement has been good, we have achieved high scientific rankings in some areas, our scientific ranking in the world is relatively good — these exist — but today we need an innovative movement from the scientific bodies of the country so that we do not fall behind. We have moved forward, but others have also moved forward; even some countries in the region, upon observing Iran's progress, have been encouraged to move forward, while they were behind; today, when we look at the statistics, we see that they have advanced significantly. There is a fear that we may fall behind in the global scientific race; this fear truly exists. You know, and I have said many times that "knowledge is power"; if we want the country to remain immune and protected from the conventional harms of the world, first and foremost, a significant task of scientific progress is necessary; if we fall behind, we will become vulnerable; we must strive to not fall behind. The efforts I am talking about to avoid falling behind must first include material investment; that is, the government must invest in scientific matters and scientific progress — which we have said many times is not an expense; this investment is, in fact, a groundwork for multiple returns, multiplied income — and we must also compel and create the groundwork for the private sector to invest in scientific matters. Therefore, both material investment is necessary, and investment in the form of scientific innovations; that is, scientific environments must strive for innovation, creativity, and seeking shortcuts. We must focus our efforts on this; a dual investment, both material and spiritual, is necessary. Therefore, my first point is that the scientific community of the country, the elites of the country, today need a new movement, a new leap; this new leap must be carried out with the cooperation of this government and the collaboration of the young officials who are present within the government and the efforts of you, the elite group — of which a sample is present here. This is my first point.

The second point, the second note, is about the current opportunity of our country. Yes, a talented nation can grow, but it is not always the case that there is an opportunity for growth. I do not want any misunderstanding about the future to arise; no, in my opinion, the future is bright and hopeful, the horizon is a bright one; however, our experiences and past tell us that we must make the most of the present, from the current situation and the existing opportunity. Sometimes, in the path of a nation — in any sector; political, social, scientific — steep slopes arise where the will to ascend from these slopes exists, but the ability does not; sometimes it is like this, because there must be infrastructures that do not exist, there must be facilities that are lacking; the will exists, but the ability does not. Sometimes, even the will is absent; due to despair, due to pessimism about oneself, disbelief in one's own abilities, or not recognizing the situation. Therefore, sometimes there are cases where the will to move does not exist. Even sometimes, like during the tyranny, they consider progress or ascending from this steep slope to be impossible! Truly, in our past periods, there have been cases where they said it was impossible. The story of the "lulehng" (a clay vessel) of the Prime Minister during the Shah's time is famous; you have heard it. At the time when the discussion of the oil industry and oil independence and nationalization of the oil industry arose — before Mossadegh came to power; this is from my childhood, but I remember it — at that time in the National Assembly of that day, there was a minority led by Dr. Mossadegh, and they insisted that we must nationalize the oil industry; our oil was in the hands of the British, [they said] we must nationalize it. The Prime Minister of that day gave a speech and said, "What are these people saying that we should nationalize the oil industry? Can the Iranian nation manage oil? We cannot even make a lulehng!" You know what a lulehng is? A lulehng is a clay vessel; I have seen it; in the old days, in some villages, they made vessels not from copper or tin, which were common, but from clay. He said, "We are at the level of a clay vessel; how can Iranians manage oil?" This became famous at that time. Now, what was the oil that was supposed to be managed? It was the Abadan refinery; that which was supposed to be managed was the Abadan refinery. They said that Iranians cannot manage a refinery! That was the belief. Well, then such cases arise; now not to that extent, but at various stages, the will weakens for movement.

Today, when I look at the country, when I look at the general situation of the country, thanks be to God, I see that these problems do not exist; that is, both the will to move exists, and the ability to move exists. This "ability" that I am talking about is not a slogan; it is a reality. We have several million — pay attention to this clear and obvious statistic — educated young people or students; several million! Is this wealth insignificant? And now, even if we do not say all, many of them are motivated, there is a revolutionary spirit in the country, it is deeply rooted. The statements made by these dear young people here that "we are ready, we have proposals" are very valuable. So, both the will exists, the motivation exists, the decision exists for progress, and the ability exists; so let us make use of this. If we do not take advantage of this opportunity of "wanting and being able" — which exists today — we have committed injustice. Who should take advantage of this opportunity? Both the officials must take advantage, and the elites themselves, and the scientific centers must take advantage; if we do not, we have committed injustice; we have committed injustice to our country, to our history. We are all responsible; I am responsible, the government and executive officials are responsible, you young people are responsible, the esteemed ministers of scientific bodies and those related to scientific centers who have responsibilities are also responsible. We all must strive for this scientific movement, this new thing that I expect — that is, an innovative movement, shortcuts, a new leap, a new surge — to occur. This responsibility rests on all of us.

On the occasion of mentioning responsibility, I have noted a third point that I would like to present, and that point is that knowledge brings responsibility, like all other assets, like all other wealth. Wealth brings responsibility; intellectual wealth, financial wealth, power wealth, all of these are responsible. Every asset that God Almighty has given you has a responsibility assigned to it; knowledge is among these valuable assets. [You who] have knowledge, this knowledge makes you responsible. What does "makes you responsible" mean? It means that you must use your knowledge for the benefit of the people, and you must use the credibility that this knowledge has given you for the benefit of the people. Sometimes a scholar can use the credibility they have in society in a field other than their own area of expertise for the benefit of the people. This is responsibility. If you have achieved a scientific rank in nuclear science, medical science, physics, management, or any other science, this naturally creates responsibility for you in both directions; that is, both the knowledge itself must serve the people, and the credibility you gain because of this knowledge. This famous saying of Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) in this regard concludes the matter: "And God has not taken a commitment from the scholars except that they do not tolerate the excesses of the oppressor and the hunger of the oppressed"; God Almighty has taken this commitment from scholars, from scientists, that they should not tolerate the excesses of the oppressor and the hunger of the oppressed; they must not tolerate it. We must react, we must respond. Today, regarding Gaza, this [duty of] reaction exists on all of us; we must react; some are hungry, some are under bombardment, some are being martyred by the hundreds. In these various alignments that exist at the global level, at the national level, a scholar — whether a university scholar or a seminary scholar — must first strive to recognize the truth, the truth must be clarified, and stand alongside the truth; indifference, looking on indifferently, is not permissible for a scholar and scientist.

The next point is about this common operational method that I have spoken about several times, and that is the issue of scientific articles. I have discussed this matter two or three times so far. I thought the reminders that were previously given were sufficient, that is, they had corrected the work, but I have heard that this is not the case. Making scientific articles a condition for the promotion of faculty members, in my opinion, has no logic; that is, one truly cannot digest this. I have no doubt that we must participate in the global scientific competition; this must be done; however, that we obligate all our professors and faculty members of our universities to go to a certain well-known journal or scientific center to take an exam — writing articles means this; it means that your scientific rank is determined by that center — I do not see this as logical. Yes, writing articles is good; that some distinguished professors in their specific fields conduct research, publish significant cited articles in reputable journals and scientific centers around the world, I completely agree with this; this must be done; however, that we make the condition for promotion an article, that we generalize this to all [professors], I do not see this as a logical action. Of course, good articles can elevate the scientific reputation and credibility of the country; this exists. Appropriate ways must be found, and the scientific management bodies of the country must find ways to ensure that the scientific reputation and credibility of the country do not decline in global rankings.

I have repeatedly stated regarding articles and theses that the goal of scientific articles, research articles, and theses should be to help the issues of the country; this is the main goal. Let us not forget this point that I mentioned a moment ago: participation in global scientific competitions is necessary, but the real goal is that we solve a problem of the country with these articles, with this scientific research. The issues that were mentioned here — the issue of the environment, the issue of traditional medicine, the issue of automobiles — these are the issues of the country, and there are hundreds of such issues; if we want to solve these issues through science, with scientific and scholarly methods, we need these articles and research; therefore, our articles, our students' theses must be directed towards these problems to solve them. Truly, all areas, from health and safety, housing, security, to nutrition, family, environment, to reforming governmental structures — reforming governmental structures! This is one of the topics — to international relations, is a field for scientific work; scientific work, scientific research, must be like this. We should not be bound to journalistic works — in the foreign expression "journalistic" — where someone writes an article in a newspaper about international relations, about political issues, etc.; let us not rely on these; let proper scientific work be done.

The last point in this regard is the duty of the officials. Fortunately, the esteemed ministers and the deputy president and various officials are present here. What I can briefly say in this regard is this: officials must ensure that the elite feel useful, they must feel a sense of usefulness. One of the reasons for the migrations and departures that are now being discussed in the media — and some speak a bit exaggeratedly about this — is that this elite feels that there is no work for them here. I have mentioned in previous reminders that an elite has two expectations from the management of the country: one is that they have a job, they are engaged, they work, and the second is that they have the opportunity to continue their studies and education. One of the attractions for elites to go abroad is that there are opportunities for research and advancements there; let us provide this opportunity and employment for them here. Today, I want to say [if] we summarize the elite's expectation, it becomes that the elite wants to feel that they are useful in the country.

There are ways to achieve this. Now, fortunately, several times the discussion of knowledge-based companies has come up, and I have noted this as well; one of the best ways for the elite to feel useful is to form knowledge-based companies. Knowledge-based companies not only provide economic progress to the country, but also create vitality in the country, provide scientific progress to the country, and retain the elites and utilize their presence for the country. Therefore, I emphasize that you should strengthen knowledge-based companies. And one of the ways to strengthen this is that the products of these companies should not be imported from abroad. Recently, I have received several complaint reports that a knowledge-based company says, "We produce this product, but a certain administrative body that is a consumer of this product imports it from abroad"; why? We must learn, we must get used to — especially the governmental bodies that are often among the important consumers of these products — to use domestic products. This issue that is repeated so much, its first audience is ourselves, the officials themselves, the governmental bodies, the governmental institutions; they must use domestic products and primarily the products of knowledge-based companies.

Well, our remarks have concluded. One brief point, one word, regarding the current events in Palestine and Gaza. In the issue of Palestine, what is evident to the whole world is the genocidal crime of the usurping regime; this is being observed by the whole world. The officials of some countries who have spoken with our officials, in defense of the usurping Zionist regime, their objection has been why the Palestinians killed non-combatants. First of all, this statement is contrary to reality; that is, those who are in the settlements and so on are not non-combatants, they are all armed. Now, even if they are non-combatants; how many non-combatants have been killed? A hundred times more of them are being killed by this usurping regime, including women, children, and the elderly. Inside these buildings in Gaza, there are no military personnel — the military personnel are in their own places, they know this — these are just the people. They choose densely populated centers and strike them. The Palestinians in Gaza have lost several thousand [people] in just a few days! This crime is evident to all the people of the world. They must be prosecuted; the usurping government of the Zionist regime must certainly be prosecuted; they must be prosecuted, and the United States must also recognize its responsibility in this matter.

As the various reports indicate to us, the current policy of the Zionist regime these days, that is, this past week, is being set by the Americans; that is, they are the policymakers, and the actions being taken are American policies. The Americans must recognize their responsibility; they are responsible. The bombings must be stopped immediately. The Muslim nations are angry, they are truly angry; you can see the signs: gatherings of groups of people, not only in Islamic countries, [but] in Los Angeles, in the Netherlands, in France, in European countries; in Western countries, people are gathering — Muslims and non-Muslims — in Islamic countries, it is clear. People are angry. If this crime continues, Muslims will become restless, the resistance forces will become restless, and no one will be able to stop them; they should know this. [Then,] do not expect from those who say, "Do not let such and such group do such and such thing"; no one will be able to stop them when they become restless; this is a reality that exists. Of course, whatever the Zionist regime does, it will not be able to compensate for the disgraceful defeat it has suffered in this matter. Well, you expressed the last sentence; thank you.

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