Statements at the Enghelab Stadium in Shahr-e Kord

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

Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our Master and Prophet, Abul Qasim Muhammad, and upon his pure, immaculate, chosen family, the guided and infallible, especially the remainder of God on earth. God, the Wise, has said in His Book: 'And We desired to show favor to those who were oppressed in the land, and to make them leaders and make them inheritors.' (Quran 28:5)

I am deeply grateful to the Great God for granting me once again the opportunity to visit you, the dear, warm-hearted, revolutionary, faithful, and sincere people of this city, who are devoted followers of Islam and Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified). I have many fond memories of your city and you, dear people.

We have seen the people of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari in the frontlines and behind the lines, with pride and dignity. Your soldiers, Basijis, commanders, and distinguished figures in the war fronts, in the form of the 'Qamar Bani Hashem Brigade,' were truly a source of pride, which cannot be forgotten.

You people, behind the lines, in terms of public assistance, mobilization, and presence in various revolutionary scenes, are among the exemplary people of our country. We thank God for illuminating your hearts with the light of love, purity, faith, and passion for the revolution; for making your steps firm, your hearts hopeful, your strides strong, and granting you victory in the battlefields. This is the grace of the Lord.

Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari is a province full of potential. It has both natural and cultural potential. In terms of natural potential, the underground mines of this province are diverse and noteworthy. The water, livestock facilities, and pastures of this province are valuable. In terms of cultural and human potential, the youth of this province are talented. In the fields of science, knowledge, literature, culture, and art, there are people who, despite the deprivations imposed on them over time—whether during the era of the Khans or the oppressive monarchy—this province has shown itself in terms of cultural and human resources.

I cannot forget years ago, before I knew where 'Saman' was, I knew the names 'Oman Samani' and 'Dehghan Samani' as two poets, and I knew their poetry. These are just examples. Today, too, thanks be to God, talents are flourishing. Beyond that, there is a spirit of vitality among you people. One of its manifestations is your enthusiastic and affectionate presence in this field or in the streets of the city; wherever one looks, one sees these young, vibrant, powerful, and talented faces. All these are God's blessings upon us, the people of Iran, and upon you, the people of this province in particular, and upon the country's officials; we must appreciate these blessings. We must thank God for these blessings and plan based on them.

But what pains the heart is that this province, despite all these potentials, has suffered deprivation over many years. During the oppressive monarchy, they did not look at what the people wanted and needed. They looked at what their friends, their servants, and the regional Khans wanted and needed. They sacrificed the people for the Khans. As a result, the pockets of some were filled from this province and these deprived, noble, patient, and talented people, and the Khans and their offspring indulged in luxury; but the youth of this province remained deprived. The doors and windows of this province remained deprived. The mountains and deserts of this province remained untouched.

Since the victory of the revolution until today, by the grace of the Lord, much work has been done, much effort has been made, and much budget and money have been spent here; but all these, in comparison to the deprivations and needs, are not much. This year, which is 1371 in the Iranian calendar, the development budget of this province is almost five times that of last year. This shows that the country's officials, the province's officials, and the active elements of this province are working and striving. Thanks be to God, many projects have been implemented; but what should be done is not less than what has been done so far.

I would like to say a sentence to you dear people, enthusiastic and faithful youth, and sincere and affectionate men and women, and then move on to the main topic. That sentence is: Now that, thanks be to God, the government is Islamic, now that the officials are interested and those at the helm are themselves part of the general public and want to work—and the example is the work that has been done—now that the officials are in service, you people, you youth, and those of you who have intellectual or practical power, must also help. Revive the government's plans; cooperate with the government. Young people should study, build themselves, and prepare. Villagers, nomads, livestock farmers, national officials, and local officials, all of whom have been entrusted with a task, should perform that task well.

The oppressive monarchy tried to lead people to laziness. Not in words; but in practice, it was like this. Today, after the ominous shadow of the tyrant has been lifted from this country and nation, we must strive, work, and employ our power and potential.

But the main point I want to address is that, according to the Quranic verse which states: 'And We desired to show favor to those who were oppressed in the land, and to make them leaders and make them inheritors,' one understands that the overall direction of divine religions is towards the removal of oppression and deprivation. This is what distinguishes Islam and the banner of religion from the banners of cultures, civilizations, ideologies, and various schools of thought: striving for the deprived class. Today, in the capitalist world and in countries under the domination of global arrogance, the movement is towards the growth of the wealthy and capitalists; and what they do not think about are the deprived classes. If at any time they help the deprived, it is so they can use them for the benefit of the wealthy and capitalists. The basis of today's capitalist world economy and arrogance is this. Throughout history, kings, powerful people, and the arrogant have always moved in this direction. But Islam does not say this. Islam wants deprivation to be removed from the earth, especially in Islamic societies. Where the religion of God rules, there should be no deprivation. People should enjoy God's blessings so that they can reach perfection in a suitable and conducive environment. Justice must be established in society. This is the slogan of Islam, a slogan followed by action, and a slogan that has attraction for the oppressed and deprived masses of the world. Not like those socialists and those who claimed to support the deprived; but for seventy years, they kept countries, nations, and societies waiting and pushed them further back day by day. Not like those who wanted to take religious faith away from people. A person without religious faith has no bright hope. A person without religious faith does not have the power to fundamentally confront problems. They remain halfway and turn back from halfway. Therefore, you saw those countries whose ruling bodies imposed atheism, godlessness, and Marxist thoughts on their people, remained halfway and were defeated, and the plundering and colonial West prevailed over them. But Islam is not like this. The Islamic movement is a permanent movement. The Islamic struggle for a good, beautiful, and just life for humans is a perpetual movement. That is why they are hostile to Islam, and that is why every day, a conspiracy against Islam and Muslims emerges from the arsenal of arrogance.

Look at the state of the world! I would like to tell you, dear young people—although you live in a deprived and remote area, your hearts are bright and your minds are awake—today, America and the devilish power of arrogance, with utmost intensity and anger, are fighting against Islam. Whatever they can do against Islam, they do; but despite this, thanks be to God, the power of Islam and the spirit and Islamic faith are expanding day by day in the world.

This is something that arrogance fears. Our hearts are filled with sorrow and pain for Muslims who, under the ruthless boots of enemies, in corners of the world, are struggling and crying out for Islam; but they do not abandon their Islamic faith. This issue that is happening today in Europe and among the so-called civilized nations is a rare historical event. A nation with a long history of Islam, in their own land and home—in the country of Bosnia and Herzegovina—proclaims Islam and is being massacred. Why is this? Why are Western powers standing on all sides, watching the scene, and taking no action?

As someone who has responsibility and duty regarding the oppressed and deprived Muslims of Bosnia who are being massacred there, I declare: Western governments must intervene and not allow Muslims to be massacred by their enemies, namely the Serbs. If they themselves are not willing, they should open the way for Muslim nations. Muslim nations, the Muslim nation of Iran, and our fighting youth can put the Serbs in their place and open the way. This is an example of the indifference of powers to the shedding of the blood of the oppressed. That is, the same ones who talk about human rights; the same ones who claim to hold the banner of human rights, and they lie. Human rights are respected; but when it does not involve Muslims!

Why are they so hostile to Muslims? Because of Islam. Why are they hostile to Islam? Because Islam is a major obstacle to the greed of arrogance. Wherever Islam is present, it does not allow arrogant powers to plunder and do whatever they want. In this dear country of ours, Iran; in this vast and blessed land, before the victory of the revolution, when the oppressive and American and Western-dependent powers were ruling, over many years, whether during the cursed Pahlavi dynasty or during the accursed Qajar kings—it made no difference—during all these periods, foreigners—one day the Russians, one day the British, and one day the Americans—ruled this country, plundered it, took its wealth, exploited its people, scattered the tribes, destroyed the cities, did whatever they could with the natural wealth of this nation over many years. The way was open for foreigners. The way was open for monopolies and foreign exploitation. One day it was British companies, one day it was the Americans. Before them, it was the Russians. They could exploit this country and its resources as they wished. But from the day Islam came to power in this country, the feet of foreigners were cut off. The hands of aggressors were cut off from this country. Today, foreign powers can no longer exploit this nation and its resources. Today, foreign political powers do not have the power to determine the fate of this nation as they wish. Today, it is this nation itself and its chosen representatives. The Islamic Consultative Assembly, this serving government, this unparalleled president, and the rest of the servants who are serving are the representatives of this nation. They decide for themselves and act with full power, despite the enemy's will. This is thanks to Islam. Wherever Islam enters, the feet of enemies and exploiters will be cut off. That is why they are hostile to Islam. That is why they are hostile to the faith of this nation and Muslim nations. And this is a lesson for us; a great lesson. This is a recommendation to the entire Iranian nation, which I am presenting today to you, the dear people of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari: Preserve your religious faith; preserve your unity; preserve your efforts and struggles, so that the enemy never covets you. In such a context, the enemy does not dare to approach. Today, America is hostile to the Iranian nation and government. The hearts of the arrogant powers are filled with hatred towards this nation, this country, and this government. They want to harm us, and they do whatever they can. But by God's grace, day by day, this country, this nation, and this government become more proud, stronger, and more powerful.

What is the secret of this national power and great strength? In Islamic faith, in Islamic devotion, in unity of word, in the cooperation and solidarity of the nation and government, and in the cooperation of officials with the people. This is the main secret. You must preserve this.

I say to you, dear people, especially to the youth: Be committed to your religious duties; value the obligatory acts; accompany your Islamic faith with Islamic action; stand against moral corruption and ideological deviation; strengthen yourselves physically, mentally, spiritually, and faithfully day by day.

God willing, this nation will see the day when it will triumph over all its enemies around the world, and the enemies will completely lose the power to encroach upon this country and this nation. May God Almighty, through the blessed prayers of the pure Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for him and may God hasten his reappearance), increase His attention and grace upon you people day by day, and may the attention of the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for him) and the prayers of the pure soul of our great Imam be upon you, and may that holy soul always be pleased and satisfied with you.

Once again, I thank God Almighty for allowing me to visit you, dear brothers and sisters, on this day and in this place.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings