Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with the People of Shiraz

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Thanks be to God, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our master and prophet, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure and chosen progeny, the guided, the Mahdi, the infallible, especially the Remaining One of God among the people of the earth. I am very grateful to the Almighty Lord for granting me the opportunity to visit you, the dear people of Shiraz - albeit belatedly. This meeting takes place after a long time during which friends from Shiraz and brothers from Fars Province have repeatedly expressed their grievances about the delay in visiting this province. I must say that my eagerness to meet you, the dear people of this beautiful city and this blessed and proud province, has been no less than yours, dear brothers and sisters. This is the city of the wise, the city of knowledge, taste, and wisdom, and the city of historical and international figures. Shiraz and Fars Province hold a high rank among the cities and provinces of the country. I usually have the custom of mentioning some of the prominent features and characteristics of the cities I visit and meet with their dear people - whether from a historical perspective or from various other aspects; the purpose of stating these matters with the people of those cities has been that especially the youth - wherever they live in this great, ancient, and proud country - should have a clear identity of their city, their past, and their history. However, this notion seems unnecessary regarding the city of Shiraz and Fars Province, as the glories of Shiraz and your province are so numerous and your city is so renowned worldwide that there is no need for anyone to introduce Shiraz and its past. However, there is a conclusion I wish to draw, and for that reason, I will refer to some matters. Throughout the centuries, Shiraz has demonstrated its human potential in almost all scientific fields; likewise, in social and religious matters, and in what pertains to the fate of nations - that is, national determination and resolve - Fars Province and the city of Shiraz have a distinguished and prominent history. The more one examines your history, the more one discovers the pinnacle of wisdom of this land and the people of this region. From a religious perspective - which I will emphasize again - the shrine of Ahmad ibn Musa and his noble brothers, along with other shrines of the Prophet's family, is a very significant symbol. The fact that the honorable and esteemed descendants of the Prophet address the people of Fars and consider their region and home as their refuge is a matter of great meaning and significance; especially the distinguished personality of Ahmad ibn Musa, who is regarded among the well-known descendants of the Prophet. It has been written about him that: "Ahmad ibn Musa was generous, noble, and pious, and Abu al-Hasan... (peace be upon him) loved him and preferred him"; he was a generous and noble man, possessing a great status and dignity, and his father - Imam Musa ibn Ja'far - held him in special affection above his other children and relatives. Shiraz became the focus of attention of this beloved Imam and other Imams; they came and were supported by these people! Even today, the blessings of this great figure flow throughout the province and a significant part of this country. In literature and art, Saadi and Hafez are two brilliant gems on the forehead of the Persian language and Persian literature; this is something that no one needs to introduce. In various sciences, great personalities have emerged from this province, each of whom was unique in their own time and era: whether in philosophy, jurisprudence, literature and grammar, art, interpretation and lexicography, or in fields such as astronomy, physics, and medicine; naming the personalities who reached the pinnacle in these diverse sciences and introducing each of these great figures requires a different gathering and type of meeting. Here, this much reference is sufficient. Regarding social issues and your dear people's inclination towards religious zeal and courage to act, history has recorded many significant and valuable pages within itself. The fighting scholars who emerged from this province in the history of religious knowledge in the country are unparalleled in many places across Iran. Mirza Shirazi is well-known to all. The late Seyyed Ali Akbar Fal Asiri - a great scholar - who rose up in this very city of Shiraz and opposed the influence of the British and foreign powers, was later captured and exiled; however, the impact of his work remained. It has been written that Seyyed Ali Akbar Fal Asiri was engaged in the visitation of Ashura near Hafeziyeh - perhaps in the very places where you are currently present - when they stormed in and captured him and exiled him. Mirza Second - Mirza Muhammad Taqi Shirazi - who, in the years following World War I, led the struggle of the Iraqi people against the British invasion and occupation. The late Seyyed Abdul Hossein Lari was a prominent and distinguished figure who, about a hundred years ago, began his struggles in this very province with the help of the brave and valiant tribes of Fars Province, fighting against British domination; he fought for the establishment of a legal and constitutional system; he fought for the formation of an Islamic government. The clergy of the province have many such examples, all of whom were supported by the faithful and valiant people of Fars Province - whether the tribes or the people of the cities, especially the city of Shiraz. The late Seyyed Noor al-Din Hosseini, in this very city of Shiraz, dealt with a foreign embassy member who had insulted the sanctities of the people, and he struck him with his own hand and enforced the divine punishment, courageously rising against the tyrannical regime in political and social struggles. Later, during the beginning of the clergy's struggles, the late Ayatollah Shahid Dastgheib and the late Ayatollah Malekzadeh and other scholars made the Jamia Mosque of Shiraz the center of their struggles, and the fame of the struggles of the scholars of Shiraz and the speeches of the late Ayatollah Dastgheib - as the spokesperson for that clergy - spread throughout Iran during those days. I myself was in Qom at that time, and the tape of the speech of the late Shahid Dastgheib circulated among the students! We also heard it at that time. This was the position of the fighting clergy of Shiraz, which was accompanied by the support of the people. After the revolution and in the current era - whether during the imposed war and the sacred defense or after that until today - you, the people, you, the youth, you, the wise, and you, the faithful men and women, have been able to occupy a distinguished position and demonstrate the identity of the people of Fars Province and the people of Shiraz through your actions - not just through claims. Today, in this province, knowledge and technology and the depth of research and scientific innovation are renowned in various fields, and scholars from your city and province are considered among the international figures of knowledge. This province is at the forefront in medicine, electronics, petrochemicals, various sciences, and engineering fields. Shiraz University is a pioneer in establishing various fields and specialties. Your people's and your youth's presence in various arenas has been remarkable. Your military units - whether the units of the IRGC or the army stationed in this city - played prominent roles during the sacred defense. Thus, in the history of the past, in terms of religious faith and depth of religious belief, in terms of scientific endeavor, in terms of struggles, in terms of defending the great achievements of the Iranian people's revolution, and in various other aspects, this province and this city have demonstrated a talent that is worthy of admiration and praise. This must be taken into account by the country's officials so that they know that this place is a vast and bubbling source of human talents, and it must also be recognized by the people themselves - especially the youth and the educators of the youth - so that they know that each of them, like a bubbling spring, can irrigate this land and the entire country with their existence and their blessings. This explanation is for this reason. I want to tell you that the depth of faith of the people of Fars Province - especially the city of Shiraz - is not a claim; this statement is made with study and attention to all aspects. In this city, with its religious background, with the emergence of those scholars and clerics I mentioned and the movements they undertook over the years, there were two fronts investing to overcome religious faith: one current was from the tyrannical court, which began in the early 30s and continued until close to the victory of the revolution for over twenty years; they exerted all their efforts in this regard and tried to introduce Shiraz to the world with a completely Westernized identity. I myself witnessed examples and manifestations of the corruption that was deliberately promoted in this city during the last years of the 30s - perhaps around the years 39 or 40 - in this very city and on these very streets and various other centers. There was a deliberate effort to lead the youth towards moral vices and towards negligence regarding religion. This continued until the 50s and the Shiraz Arts Festival and events that perhaps everyone knows; perhaps some young people have not heard of or do not know. This was one current. Another current that was promoted against religion and religious belief, more than in many other cities, was the ideological atheism propagated by the Tudeh Party, which had a deep foothold and was actively working here. When they saw that the ground for the influence of the clergy and religion in this city was strong, especially in those years when the late Seyyed Noor al-Din - a brave, organized, active, and timely cleric - was in the field, perhaps they even encouraged the Tudeh Party to confront this cleric. Both that guided current from the court and that promoted by the Marxists of that day - the Tudeh Party - attacked the faith of these people and these youth like the two blades of a scissors. However, these people and these youth were the same ones who, in the years 41 and 42 - during the events that initiated the Islamic movement and the clergy's movement - performed one of the most prominent actions in this city; that is, at the national level, the cities of Qom, Tehran, Shiraz, Tabriz, and Mashhad were among the first, and Shiraz was among the first cities. Therefore, some of the distinguished scholars of Shiraz were arrested during those events and taken to Tehran. They made all those efforts to distance the people from religion, but the people's response was: they nullified their investment with their actions and their steadfastness. Later, in the last years of the tyrannical regime - that is, in the years 56 and 57 - the people of Shiraz and the people of Fars Province were recognized as a model for many cities in this country. Well, do not consider these statements merely as a preface; none of this is flattery, nor is it for the sake of pleasing anyone; it is for drawing conclusions. Now I want to share with you a matter that pertains to the general issues of the revolution and connects with the matters I have mentioned so far. In the history of our country, whenever we look back, we find no other example for the Islamic Revolution. Let me clarify this a bit: throughout history, the transfer of power in our country has always been accompanied by power-seeking military forces and confrontations between powers or with what is today called a coup; multiple dynasties have come and gone in this country; however, in none of these transfers did the people have any involvement. For instance, in your Shiraz and in Fars Province, the Zand dynasty was in power; then the Qajars came and took power from the Zand family! The war was between two power-seekers, two armies, and two military forces; the people had no role. Throughout the entire history of our country - whether before Islam or after Islam until today - whenever we look, the transfer of powers has always been of this nature; there is only one exception in ancient times - which I will mention - and apart from that, the transfer of power has always been through military campaigns and without the involvement of the people; the people had no motivation; whether in cases where one dynasty handed power to another dynasty or in cases where there was an internal struggle for power within a dynasty; if I want to give an example from your Shiraz, during the Qajar era, after the death of Fath Ali Shah Qajar, one of the sons of Fath Ali Shah named Hossein Ali Mirza was the governor and wanted the rule for himself; however, in Tehran, Mohammad Shah - who was the grandson of Fath Ali Shah - had ascended to the throne; a war broke out. Outside the gates of Shiraz, a battle occurred between the two forces! Of course, the people were trampled in these wars; they suffered losses, and their farms, properties, and lives were threatened, but they did not intervene in these conflicts. This has been the case throughout history. Of course, I mentioned that there is only one exception - which is historically questionable and mixed with legends - and that is the story of Kaveh the Blacksmith; they say this blacksmith, with the help of the people, rose up and overthrew the tyranny of Zahhak. If it is true and real, this is the only case in history, and there is no other example. Of course, in the history that Europeans have written about our country from the Pahlavi era to the present, there is no mention of Fereydun, Zahhak, or Kaveh the Blacksmith; they have written history in a different way, which is another topic, and we do not want to delve into that now. The Islamic Revolution, which was the greatest transformation and change of power in our history, turned the foundation of monarchy and individual rule into popular governance, and it was achieved through the power of the people; here, there was no confrontation between two powers and the talk of power struggles. The people came and entered the arena, and the clergy became their pioneers and vanguards; it was the people who, with their immense and divine power, were able to take power from the tyrants and kings and the individual despots and hand it over to the people; governance became popular. As far as we have recognized and understood, this is the only event that has occurred in the history of our country. Well, this event deserves to be considered and appreciated from various dimensions. Today, I say that nearly thirty years after the Islamic Revolution, it is appropriate to take a comprehensive and broad look at this event. Partial views, looking at the events along the way, and looking at the ups and downs are not very revealing; we must have a broad and comprehensive perspective on the Islamic Revolution - which, of course, many of our own people, our own elites, and foreigners have looked at in this broad manner - to revive it in public opinion and pay attention to it. In all world events, several elements must be viewed together: one is looking at the primary factors, that is, the overarching factors of the event: motivations, goals, historical contexts, geographical contexts, and political geography; these are things that influence the understanding of the event. In our revolution, the first element is the faith of the people, the freedom-seeking struggles, and the sparks of these struggles - which emerged during the Constitutional Revolution and the tobacco boycott led by Mirza Shirazi and in the nationalization of the oil industry and in various other events, these historical contexts emerged - and the awakening of the fighting clergy and the great Imam who made the best use of these contexts and initiated this movement. This is the precondition. The second element is looking at the leader and owner of the event. The leading and driving force in this event was the people; the people! The unprecedented historical event of the Islamic Revolution was shaped by the people. Denying the role of the people and disregarding the popular presence - which, unfortunately, is observed today in some semi-intellectual perspectives - is a mistake. When people gravitate towards a direction, those who do not see themselves benefiting from this inclination label it as populist movement and demagoguery! This is a mistake. The revolution was brought about and achieved by these popular wills and this popular presence - which was based on their faith. The Iranian nation, with its faith, its emotions, its national pride, and its pride in its historical past and its great cultural heritage, was able to create this great movement. The goal of the Iranian nation - which, when asked, everyone expressed in various languages - was to achieve independence and freedom under the shade of Islam. This slogan of "Independence, Freedom, Islamic Republic" that was prevalent during the revolution was the heart's desire of the people, and this is what the people wanted. The people saw that this great country had rulers and leaders who had no independence of opinion; they were subservient to foreigners and the arrogant powers and had placed the yoke of obedience around their necks; they were weak and non-independent in front of them, but harsh, arrogant, and oppressive towards their own people; they would whip the backs of these people and would not allow them to choose. Throughout the years of the Constitutional Revolution and until before the Islamic Revolution, it never happened that these people, with eagerness, desire, and knowledge, would go to the ballot box to elect someone. Election had no meaning: the government was hereditary; the officials and rulers were appointed by foreign powers; the parliament that was established in the name of the Consultative Assembly since the Constitutional Revolution was a puppet parliament, not elected by the people! The people were captives and subject to decisions made by this irresponsible and unaccountable assembly. The people wanted to achieve independence, have freedom, secure their national dignity, attain worldly happiness and spiritual and eternal glory; this was the people's aspiration, and they entered this arena. This is the second element. The third element in any event is the opposing and obstructive factors to that event or movement that impose costs. In the case of the Islamic Revolution, it is the same; from the beginning, there was an opposing element. This means that the Iranian nation would achieve independence and freedom through their own efforts; however, they must also pay the costs, and they do. Any person who wants to achieve something without paying a cost and without taking on a burden will never reach that goal. By sitting back and seeking comfort and avoiding effort and danger, no one ever achieves their aspirations. Nations are the same. The nation that achieves dignity and glory is the one that courageously enters the field, pursues the work, and pays the costs with complete bravery, and the Iranian nation did this. The cost that the Iranian nation paid was eight years of imposed war; this was the cost of the Iranian nation's quest for independence, freedom, and dignity; the Iranian nation paid it without flinching. They endured eight years of war because this was the cost of achieving the independence of the nation and national power and national pride. The victims of the blind terrorism of the 1980s in this country were another cost that the Iranian nation paid. From the beginning of the revolution until today, the economic sanctions and economic blockade imposed on our nation were costs that the Iranian nation paid. Right now, as I speak to you, for two years, the arrogant powers have been threatening that they will impose sanctions and blockade on the Iranian nation! As if they have not done this before. The capitalist and colonial camp, with all its political power, with all its financial and economic might, and with all its propaganda networks, is exerting pressure to see if it can force the Iranian nation to retreat and surrender; not only from its nuclear rights - the nuclear rights are one of the rights of the Iranian nation - but they want to force the Iranian nation to retreat from its dignity, from its independence, from its decision-making power, and from its scientific progress. The Iranian nation today is on the path of scientific progress and technological advancement and wants to compensate for two centuries of backwardness during the tyrannies. They have become frantic and do not want the Iranian nation - which is located at this sensitive point in the world and is recognized as the banner-bearer of Islam - to achieve these successes; hence, they exert pressure. However, the Iranian nation stands firm. They threaten that they will impose sanctions on you and impose an economic blockade! Well, in these thirty years that you have sometimes imposed a stronger and sometimes a weaker economic blockade on the Iranian nation, who has suffered? Did the Iranian nation suffer? Absolutely not! We have used the sanctions to our advantage for our own progress. There was a time when we needed military equipment; they would not sell us even the simplest military tools and would say: sanctions! We were able to use these sanctions; today, the Iranian nation has acquired capabilities that those who imposed sanctions yesterday are now struggling because the Iranian nation is becoming the first military power in the region! Well, this was due to your sanctions. These sanctions did not harm us; we were able to create an opportunity from this threat. Today, it is the same. We are not afraid of Western sanctions. The Iranian nation, with God's grace, will show such effort in the face of every sanction and every economic blockade that its progress will be multiplied and increased. This broad perspective on the revolution - that is, looking at the motivations and contexts and overarching factors of the revolution and the formation of the system, and looking at the central factor of the revolution, namely the people and their religious faith, and looking at the costs - will lead us, wherever we are and in whatever capacity we are, to not pay too much attention to minor and trivial issues; to look at the greatness of the revolution and the public movement of the revolution, which, thanks be to God, has continued with power and strength over these thirty years, and the Iranian nation has moved forward every day better than before - despite the fact that the plots and efforts of the enemy have increased. The enemies of the Iranian nation are waiting to use any small or large issue to break the determination and will of the Iranian nation; even from natural disasters like earthquakes and droughts, or from things that are common in the world like inflation. If you look at the analyses of foreign radios, you will see that one of the axes that our enemies use in their propaganda is economic issues; they want to create a rift in the determination of the Iranian nation. The people of Iran have recognized their officials. The portrayal that if there is an issue of "inflation" in the economic situation of society, it is because the government officials and officials of various sectors are not paying attention is a mistake; they are fully aware and know what is happening. Today, the Western world is more entangled in economic problems than others. They themselves announce that the economic crisis that started in America is gradually affecting Europe and is spreading to some other countries; it has not been seen in the past sixty years - that is, from after World War I until today. The United Nations has declared a food crisis in the world. Thanks be to God and by divine grace, the problems of the Iranian nation are less than many of these claiming countries, and with the efforts of the officials and the people, they should be able to resolve the existing problems; this requires the efforts of all. The officials of the country, including the government and the executive branch or the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the legislative branch or the judiciary, each have their own responsibilities. The people also have responsibilities in their own right. What I have said regarding the human capacity of your province and your city means that this capacity of human talent in this province must be beneficial for the future of the country and the future of the revolution and must feel responsible. Each of us, wherever we are, must feel a sense of responsibility and commitment to the fate of the country and the future of the country and know that we can play a role. A student, a professor, a teacher, a student, a farmer, an industrial activist, and an investor in various agricultural or industrial sectors must all feel a sense of responsibility. With a collective and comprehensive sense of responsibility and with the guidance of the responsible institutions of the country - the governmental institutions and the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the judiciary - the Iranian nation will be able to overcome all these obstacles and problems that the global enemies want to impose on it and, with its power and wisdom, establish a model society that Islam desires for Muslims. I have said that this year should be a year of "innovation" for our nation; this innovation is not limited to a specific field; in laboratories and research centers, in classrooms, in seminaries, in universities, in industrial workshops, in administrative environments, in agricultural and gardening areas, the innovations of creative and innovative individuals can advance every task and, in total, guide the country through a significant passage. Regarding economic issues, I have warned both the officials and the people at the beginning of this year and at the beginning of last year, saying: today the enemy is focusing on the sensitive economic point to create disruptions in this country. They will create as much disruption as they can and will also portray that there is disruption in their propaganda! This is what is being done today in the propaganda of our enemies, with power and in various forms. The way to counter this is financial discipline and thrift and a prudent approach to consumerism. I want to emphasize this to our dear people: consumerism in the form of extravagance is one of the dangerous diseases of any nation. We are somewhat afflicted with this excessive consumerism. One example of it, due to the problem of water scarcity - which several provinces, including yours, have faced until now - I hope that the Almighty God will bestow His mercy and rain upon you - I want to mention one of the cases of extravagance, which is extravagance in water; not only the water consumed for drinking in homes but also the type of irrigation in our agriculture is a form of extravagance, and we waste water. It is the duty of the officials and those involved in this sector to pay special attention to this issue! Therefore, the issue of extravagance - both in water and in other matters - must be viewed with importance. Today, fortunately, the Iranian nation, by paying heavy costs - but the Iranian nation has paid these costs with eagerness and enthusiasm and with complete bravery - has been able to traverse many passages and overcome a difficult path and, thanks be to God, has reached this point where we are today. However, this is still the beginning of the road. Our nation, with its firm determination, with the efforts of its youth, and with this talent that is concentrated in our human resources, God willing, will be able to practically complete this path with great pride and will do so. In this regard, during the days I am in this province, I will present various points and aspects in appropriate sessions to the people. I thank you, dear people, who are cultured, kind, loyal, hospitable, good-natured, and eloquent. Thanks be to God, many of the eloquent characteristics of the Iranian nation exist in you, the dear people of Shiraz and the people of Fars Province. We thank God that the Almighty has granted you vitality; may this vitality increase day by day! I pray for your success from the Almighty God. Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.