Statements of His Excellency in Meeting with Elite Students, Top Exam Candidates, and Political-Cultural Activists of Universities

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

I sincerely and wholeheartedly thank the friends who expressed their thoughts here; both those who spoke on behalf of organizations and those who shared their personal opinions. They conveyed useful points to us, some of which were particularly interesting to me and may, God willing, inspire some action or movement. However, what is even more interesting is that our youth, our students, have opinions, demands, and claims regarding various issues—whether academic, political, or social. This is intriguing to me. I have repeatedly said that we should fear the day when our youth, our students, lack the motivation to raise issues, ask questions, or make requests. Our utmost effort should be to foster this spirit of demand, desire, and having claims in various fields among the youth of our country—especially among the scientific youth. If this happens, it may not be possible to respond to all those demands—just as it is not feasible in the short term; certainly, not all demands can be met in the short term due to limited capacities—but undoubtedly, a bright future and a clear horizon lie ahead with such demands.

The youth must demand; they must feel that this demand is beneficial and fruitful; they should be encouraged in this pursuit and realize that their responsibility is not merely to raise questions and throw out slogans, saying, 'Well, we did our part.' No, following up, studying, thinking about the issue, refining it, searching for practical solutions, striving to present it to the relevant authorities, and ultimately engaging in the work themselves—these are among the duties and responsibilities of our youth, which they must understand alongside their demands and claims.

The key point I need to mention first—raised by one of the dear friends here—concerns the statements made about the relationship between the leadership and the people. What was said in the meeting is not a criterion; nor are interpretations or justifications or personal explanations; none of these are correct. My words are exactly what I am saying. What should not be said according to the interests of the country and the system should not be said; not that we say the opposite and then want to correct that contradiction in a private meeting, for example. No, it is not like that. Yes, there are many issues that it is forbidden for the country's officials to speak about; they should not say them. If we were to say everything we know, not only you would hear it, but also those who are your enemies would hear it. Certainly, what was said in the meeting is not the case; and undoubtedly, some matters should not be disclosed. However, what should not be said must not be said; not that the opposite should be said and create confusion in minds. This should be clear beforehand; our words are exactly what you hear from us—whether in Friday prayers, public meetings, or student gatherings and various other special meetings.

I also have another request. The students who came here as elite scholars spoke well; of course, they spoke quickly, and I did not catch all the details. I noted this to tell the friends; I kindly ask that the issues you have in mind be written down with your specific suggestions; this will help you clarify your thoughts and allow us to pursue them, God willing, if they are to be followed up.

My recommendation to the student environment and the student atmosphere is the same point I mentioned; that is, wanting, demanding, and having claims; both in political and social issues, as well as in scientific matters and specific university issues; accompanied by rationality. From the beginning of the revolution until now, even during those days when there were some disproportionate movements, and I would come to Tehran University and speak with the youth, my belief and opinion have been that students should avoid extremism and excesses in any direction. Follow issues with moderation, with a logical and correct approach, and know that your demands and follow-ups have an impact. Do not let the false notion arise that it is of no use; no, it is entirely beneficial. If, for example, the slogan of justice-seeking, which a certain official has recently voiced, had been said and then forgotten, no one in society would have taken up the banner of justice-seeking. Rest assured that a justice-seeking government and a discourse of justice-seeking like today would not have emerged. You did this; it was your work, the work of the youth; as part of the justice-seeking movement, as a proposal for justice-seeking—without wanting to refer to a specific organization—this was raised by committed, responsible, and faithful youth in universities. When it was repeated, it became a public discourse, and its results are reflected in the people's choices, in their orientations, in their slogans, and in their elections. Therefore, you have taken a step forward. I see that some student friends—whether in this meeting or perhaps more so in other communications with me—have questions in their minds regarding some issues related to justice, eliminating discrimination, and fighting corruption, asking what has been said repeatedly. Yes, you have said it, and it has happened; however, the expectation that everything we wanted will be realized in the short term is impractical; in no circumstances do great ideals materialize in the short term. Great ideals require sustained action. The work must be pursued diligently and not abandoned until results are achieved.

Of course, the student environment is a fluid one; that is, you are students today, and five years from now, most of you will no longer be students; another group will replace you. Here, there are two environments for continuity: one is yourselves. As soon as you leave the university student environment, do not forget what you said, what you wanted, and what ideals you specified in student organizations, in the student environment, in the classroom, and in such meetings; do not forget these; keep them in mind. This is one point. One of our pitfalls is that people spend a short time in an environment, take on a color, and when they move away from that environment, they become like iron taken out of a furnace; while in the furnace, it is red, but when you take it out, it gradually turns black; do not let this happen. Let it bubble from within. Root these thoughts in your hearts.

Of course—let me add in parentheses—the way to do this is to connect it to religious faith and beliefs. That is where divine duty never leaves a person indifferent. Those who were able to fight, those who could endure, those who could stand against difficulties, they benefited from this instruction, from this prescription; otherwise, today you are students, and the university environment is warm and engaging, filled with justice and idealism, and then the day after tomorrow, when you leave the student environment, everything is either suddenly forgotten or gradually forgotten; this is not right. This is a center for continuity.

The second center is the university itself. You are students today and have motivations; that is very good. Tomorrow, five or six years from now, when you are no longer students, what will those who come after you inherit? In other words, how will they shape this environment? Part of this work is your responsibility today, which is one of the things I have noted to share with you friends. We discussed nurturing scientific elites; now I recommend nurturing political elites. I affirm that in the fields of propaganda and media, political and social elites should be highlighted; one of the friends mentioned this, which is entirely correct; it is approved by me, and this work, God willing, should be done; however, part of nurturing elites also pertains to you; that is, political elites should be nurtured in student organizations; prepare the environment. This is no longer in the hands of the government or the environment outside the university; it is in your hands. Use your thoughts and minds to see how you can plan to create an environment for discussion, reasoning, and strengthening the spirit and hope, and solidifying the foundations of political thought in this new generation that will come after you, ensuring that the student body in the next and subsequent periods continues to advance toward these lofty goals and good ideals. Of course, one must be vigilant about angles; deviations must be seen and recognized.

Another point I want to make regarding student demands is that demanding is different from being adversarial. When we say that there should not be opposition to the country's officials—this is what we emphasize now as well; there should be no opposition—this does not mean not criticizing; it does not mean not demanding; the same applies to the leadership. This dear brother of ours says to identify the 'anti-Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist.' Well, 'anti' clearly indicates what it means; opposition means to engage in conflict, to be adversarial; it does not mean not believing. If I do not believe in you, I am not against you; someone may not believe in someone else. Of course, this anti-Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist mentioned in the words is not a heavenly verse that we must precisely define the limits of this term; it is, after all, a common understanding. Criticism of the policies of Article 44 is not opposition to the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist; criticism of specific opinions of the leadership is not opposition to the leadership. One should not be adversarial. Two clerics sit next to each other; they are very good friends, very cordial, they are classmates, they discuss, and they refute each other's words; this one refutes the other's statement, and that one refutes this one. Refuting a statement does not mean opposing it; these concepts must be separated. I have supported governments; I support this government as well; this does not mean that all the details of the actions taken are approved by me, or that I am even aware of all of them; no, it is not necessary. The leadership's awareness of the events and occurrences is necessary for decisions, orientations, and fulfilling their duties, not that they must be informed of everything happening in the government and the ministries; no, it is neither necessary nor possible; agreeing with them is not required. Some individuals and some actions may exist within the government that are completely trustworthy and approved by us, but we may not endorse that action; because there is no reason for the leadership to enter the executive environment; due to the fact that responsibilities are defined, and the responsible party, the minister, the head of a certain cultural or economic center, must fulfill their duties. Therefore, we do not consider criticism to be opposition or adversarial. Some think that because we support the country's officials, the esteemed government—which is truly a service-oriented and valuable government; honestly and fairly. The actions being taken are visible; one must be unjust to deny the importance of these actions—we support them, this support and backing does not mean that criticism should not be made, or that I myself do not have criticisms; I may have some criticisms as well.

In any case, what I hope for in the student environment is this. Truly, it will happen; rest assured; because one sees the overall movement that is the tradition of creation; wherever there is faith and struggle, the result is certain; I see that it will happen.

What we expect from our student environment is the advancement of science, the advancement of political thought, the depth of religious thought and faith, the depth of religious knowledge and insight, and reaching new realms; both in science, in politics, and in religious knowledge within the student environment; of course, with the help of guides in each field. You need a teacher for scientific work, you need a teacher for religious knowledge, and you need a teacher for politics as well. You do the work; they guide you. Our university and student environment must achieve real and significant advancements in all these areas, and God willing, it will.

O Lord! I entrust these youth, who are truly my children, to You. O Lord! Keep them all under Your support, guidance, and grace. O Lord! Make our country's youth the future builders of this country. O Lord! Make all their movements, orientations, and actions subject to Your satisfaction. O Lord! Grant our youth success in knowledge accompanied by action—knowledge that is purposeful and fruitful. O Lord! Make the sacred heart of the Awaited One (may our souls be sacrificed for him) pleased and satisfied with us; make the pure souls of our dear martyrs and the pure spirit of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) pleased and satisfied with us; make Iran and the Islamic Republic increasingly honored and cherished day by day.

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