Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with Representatives of the Fourth Islamic Consultative Assembly

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

We thank God that another fruitful year has passed in the blessed life of the Fourth Assembly, and we have once again been granted the opportunity to be in the presence of you, dear sisters and brothers, esteemed representatives of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. My view on the Fourth Assembly is that, thanks be to God, up to this date, the Fourth Assembly has made significant efforts to align itself with the lofty goals of representing this dear, great, and noble nation, and the true position of the Islamic Consultative Assembly—both as explicitly stated in the law and as necessitated by it—and has achieved considerable success. Indeed, in our system, the Assembly rightfully holds a distinguished position. This is a truth that in an Islamic environment, the vote and will of the people have a fundamental and decisive impact on the direction, orientation, and general conduct of the system, and they must have such an impact. Therefore, this is a very high position. In truth, it is one of the greatest, most important, and most sensitive passages through which the Islamic order advances towards its goals. The Islamic Consultative Assembly holds such a status and position.

I have pursued several characteristics in this Assembly. Of course, some of these characteristics were present in previous assemblies as well. (May God reward the representatives of previous terms and accept their efforts and endeavors by His grace.) Some of these characteristics are unique to this Assembly. We mention these so that the people may be pleased and feel that, thanks be to God, their representatives have acted in a commendable manner, and so that it serves as an example for the outstanding work that should be carried out in an Islamic Consultative Assembly.

There are several points that I emphasize greatly in my mind and soul and am proud and pleased about. One is that the Fourth Assembly has combined politics with ethics and, thanks be to God, has not led politics in an unethical direction. Therefore, you observe that there is a lesson in ethics in the Assembly. You observe that in the stances of the Assembly—whether political stances related to different intellectual factions, or work-related stances concerning bills, proposals, and discussions within the Assembly, or stances towards officials—there is no propagation of falsehood, sin, or mention of evil from the mouth of a representative of the Assembly.

Thanks be to God, you resolved the issue of credentials, which was one of the important issues, very well. This is a very valuable thing. Therefore, the current tribune of the Assembly does not create any tension among the people; rather, it even brings about calm and silence. This is a great honor that you possess.

The second point observed in the work of this Assembly is that while the Assembly cooperates with the serving government, especially the head of the government and the valuable work being done in the government, it also fulfills its supervisory role, one example of which is the issue of the Court of Audit. Whether during my time in the presidency or otherwise, I have always emphasized and been sensitive about the Court of Audit. Well, thanks be to God, the Court of Audit is now active and is pursuing matters such as budget clearance, oversight of some budget-related activities, spending, and savings. These are truly valuable and good works. Without a doubt, our healthy, good, and serving government is pleased with the role of the Assembly because the Assembly assists the government in reforming the country's affairs and managing financial matters, which require a lot of regulation and discipline.

Another headline for which I have praised the Assembly in my heart is its timely reaction to sensitive domestic and foreign issues. The Assembly is not absent in various matters, such as the cultural issue of satellite. Well, of course, the issue of satellite is not among the main issues of the country; rather, it is a seasonal, yet influential and sensitive issue. Sometimes some issues are very fundamental, even though they do not have an immediate impact on people's lives. However, some issues are not so fundamental; rather, they are superficial issues. The issue of satellite is a superficial issue, but it has many destructive effects. You immediately addressed it, and I was monitoring it from outside the Assembly. I listened to and followed the Assembly's discussions and saw that the Assembly, with an awakened conscience and a correct understanding of the satellite issue, confronted it. In the matter of confronting the aggressive policies of global arrogance, confronting the arrogant American government, and in all the pains and concerns of this nation, the presence of the Assembly is very important. The things that the nation cares about are important to the nation. This is also one of those important headlines, of which one or two examples were mentioned. Of course, there are many examples, but we are not currently in the process of enumerating them.

Another subject that truly deserves appreciation is the 'Second Program' that the government presented to the Assembly with commendable effort, and the Assembly, rightfully, had a serious and active engagement with this program. A program is the framework for the country's general movement. A program is not a small matter! It is not an annual budget! A program is a direction in all matters and requires attention. The Assembly also paid attention. I know that when the Assembly sees that it cannot complete a task on time, it postpones it and then reviews it. All these are signs of attention. When people know that their representatives act in this way, they are pleased. Well, this is our Assembly. Now compare this Assembly, with its awakened conscience, good effort, timely activity, and attention to spiritual matters, with the past ceremonial assemblies of this country during the era of tyrants—which truly cannot be called assemblies. It is truly a pity to tarnish the name of the Assembly by calling them 'assemblies'; except for the early periods. Otherwise, the name of the Consultative Assembly is very inappropriate for what happened during the Pahlavi regime after the fourth term of the former National Consultative Assembly.

Compare our Assembly with the assemblies of the world. Honestly (as far as we know. If there is an assembly somewhere that we are not aware of, that is another discussion), I do not know of an assembly like this one, in terms of attention, precision, care, awakened conscience, timely effort, and attention to spiritual matters. Thanks be to God, our Assembly, with these characteristics, is the first assembly in the world. In this situation, the role of the presidium and the esteemed Speaker of the Assembly is also truly distinguished. I sincerely thank God and regularly and constantly pray for him because I see, thanks be to God and His grace, that these efforts and endeavors have reached results that are effective for the country.

Let no one think, 'Now, should we address this matter in the Assembly or not, what impact does it have on the country's affairs?' No, sir! It is the sum of these behaviors that creates the general conduct of the Assembly, and the general conduct of the Assembly directs the country's movement towards its lofty goals. Well, these are the characteristics for which we must thank God. You dear ones and the officials of the Assembly must also be grateful for them and appreciate them.

Another point is that there is a difference between the Islamic Consultative Assembly and its individual representatives. That is, if we praise the Islamic Consultative Assembly—which is indeed praiseworthy—it does not mean that these praises belong to all the members and representatives of the Assembly. A representative has dos and don'ts. Some representatives are very committed to these dos and don'ts, some are moderately committed, and perhaps some, God forbid, are less committed. These dos and don'ts must be considered in the matter of representation. One of them is that a representative of the Assembly, because he represents this dear nation, must preserve the dignity of this nation. After all, being associated with a high and great place has its requirements. A person who is, for example, an ordinary teenager in the street and market behaves in one way. But the same teenager, when he is the son of a respected gentleman, is forced to behave in another way; and inevitably, he must observe certain manners and accept limitations. Therefore, if you observe a certain behavior from the son of a certain gentleman, you criticize him; but if you see the same behavior from an ordinary teenager in the street and market, you say, 'Well, he is a teenager who has done something.'

Well, we are representatives of a nation that is truly and justly the embodiment of the noble verse 'You are the best nation produced for mankind.' If the oppressed nations of the world want to look at the record of a nation and draw strength from it, feel dignity and honor, and learn a lesson, they must look at this nation. This is a nation whose mother of four martyrs feels proud that she has given four martyrs in the way of God. This is a nation whose disabled veteran and freed prisoner, who has remained in the enemy's prison for ten or twelve years, feels proud for being a soldier of Islam and the Quran. These are such high positions that if they had not really happened in our lives, we would have had the right not to believe that it is possible to be like this. Just as many of the struggles, sacrifices, and magnanimities of the early Islamic era, when we recounted them in past speeches and private talks, some—even sometimes the speakers themselves—did not really believe in their hearts that all these details happened just as they were told; because they are so great and magnificent. What we see today, I truly tell you, has rare examples in the early Islamic era, in the time of the Noble Prophet, peace be upon him and his family. Some of them have no example at all.

This nation is such a nation. If we become representatives of the Assembly, we are representatives of this nation. Well, this nation of such greatness, dignity, and honor, since it became a servant of God, has not bowed its head to anyone other than God. For sixteen years, this nation has followed the righteous servant of God and has cut all the bonds of servitude to powers, personalities, and authorities for the sake of servitude to the Lord. It has severed its refuge from all and taken refuge in the Almighty God. Such a nation is dignified. 'Your refuge is dignified.' O Almighty God! The one who takes refuge in You is dignified. God does not abandon the one who takes refuge in Him. It is the nature of the ignoble to abandon those who take refuge in them and form bonds of friendship with them in times of trouble. 'The Most Generous of the Generous' honors the one who takes refuge in Him, just as He Himself is honored. 'Your refuge is dignified, and Your praise is exalted.' Just as we say 'The praise of God is exalted,' we also say 'The refuge of God is dignified.' This dignity must be preserved. A representative of the Assembly must not, God forbid, bow his head before those who do not have a sympathetic heart with this system, or before a certain tyrant who has a few coins in his pocket—perhaps, suppose, he has spent some unnecessary money in election matters. Or in traveling to the electoral district, or another point (I am saying this hypothetically. These issues may sometimes arise), instead of being seen in the Hussainiya of the Party of God and the house of a certain martyr, they hear that you have gone to the house of a certain person who has no relation or a good relation with the revolution, the Islamic system, and the essence of Islam. This is not preserving the dignity of Islam.

Well, this is one of these dos and don'ts. These are the things that are considered. Or suppose one of the issues related to the dos and don'ts of this Assembly is that every moment of its time is valuable. Time should not be wasted. In such a way that, for example, we are not present at this mission at the appointed time, or during discussions, we are not involved in the discussions. Suppose, while someone is defending an issue and another is rejecting it, we are busy studying or negotiating for ourselves, or we consider the opportunity of representation for non-representative work. I say: the job of representation is more honorable than other jobs, and the value of the Assembly's time is even higher than the pursuit of knowledge; let alone the pursuit of wealth or securing the future! Within the Assembly, all attention must be on the work that is taking place in the Assembly hall or within the committee. This is the essence of the matter. Presence must be ensured, and everyone must be present in the Assembly; unless there is an emergency. God Almighty has also accepted emergencies in prayer and fasting in a certain way. That is another discussion. In non-emergency cases, all representatives are present at their mission; having rested and prepared for the bill under discussion, they are ready to give an opinion and make a decision about the government's bill or a proposal being discussed in the Assembly, fairly, with full insight and precision, and using expert opinions.

The Assembly must be like this. Not a minute of this Assembly's time should be wasted. These kinds of issues are among the aspects of parliamentary representation and the things that the dignity, greatness, and placement of the Assembly in the position of wisdom depend on, which if not observed, the Assembly will fall from that position.

Well, thanks be to God, now there are no unnecessary and empty disputes in the Assembly. Today, thanks be to God, the Assembly pays attention to these issues. The Assembly's time must be fully utilized; because it is for this reason that the representative is a representative. Well, this is also, of course, in the continuation of this matter that until the last day of representation, you are a representative. The last year of representation is no different from the first year. Now we are entering the last year. The sessions of the last year must be, in every respect, like the sessions of the first year. One must deal with God, and God Almighty will also provide what is in the best interest. Now, if we really want to become representatives, after all, we are still dealing with God, and He can do this better than others and bring it to fruition.

The point is; there are dos and don'ts that I have now mentioned two or three of them. You gentlemen, thanks be to God, without needing me to mention them, are aware of these characteristics. Thanks be to God, the country's situation is moving and progressing. This is very good news for everyone. We are not in a state of stagnation or regression. This is a very important matter. Of course, stagnation and halt also mean regression. The country, thanks be to God, is in a state of construction. Signs of construction are visible everywhere in the country. The country's activists—especially the serving government—are all striving to carry out tasks. The Assembly, too, in its position and stronghold, plans, advances, and legislates this construction, renovation, progress, development, and economic growth. Thanks be to God, everyone is busy. Politically, our situation is good, and economically, we are in a state of transformation, movement, and progress. Culturally and ethically, awareness prevails over the country. The cultural and ethical sector is the most important and dangerous of all sectors. The enemy is focused on this sector. Well, we are vigilant in our stronghold. The very fact that a nation is awake is good news. The enemy will not be able to do anything effective against this country, revolution, and nation with this situation. They threaten; they bluff; sometimes, for example—suppose—with demonstrative actions, like military presence and assigning a fleet to a certain place—which in reality does not differ much from the past—they take on a superpower appearance. Well, they had their usurping, unjust, and bullying presence. They want to pretend that we are serious in dealing with, for example—suppose—our opponents (mainly referring to Islam, Islamic awakening, the Islamic movement, and the leader of this movement, namely the Islamic Republic system and the government and people of Iran).

They do these things; but in reality, they have no value or importance. For a nation that relies on itself and believes in God, it is not burdensome. Has America ever been able to do anything against this nation in these sixteen years and not do it? Can they make any decision they want whenever they want? After all, there are necessities in the world; there are problems in the world. By the grace of the Lord, the existing realities impose things on our enemy. They have exerted pressure as much as they could. Well, they did not succeed, and they will not succeed after this either. This nation is awake. This nation is committed to its faith. This nation, thanks be to God, its method, movement, and progress are still far beyond the analyses of the enemies. We see in their analyses and statements how much they are mistaken and wrong in understanding the realities of this country. Well, those erroneous analyses and decision-making are dictated to them, and erroneous decision-making also imposes defeat on them. Therefore, they suffer defeat one after another; because they do not know our nation, revolution, and country. God Almighty has willed that His banner remains raised and His religion gains honor. Why? Because the believers in this religion have committed themselves to it.

This is God's tradition. It is not limited to our time. In any era where a group of believers commits to establishing religion, God will grant them success. This is the explicit promise of the Quran and the unchanging tradition of God. Today, a group has committed to establishing this religion, raising the banner of religion, and strengthening its laws and regulations; God Almighty has also willed that this desire be fulfilled and the enemy's hand be cut off, and it will be cut off. There is no need for anyone to be worried about these issues in the corners. Thanks be to God, the country is in complete dignity, moving towards greater honor and towards divine goals. Everyone is busy fulfilling their duties. In this collection, the effort is sacred and in the spirit of struggle. The Assembly, too, thanks be to God, is busy.

May God grant all you dear brothers and sisters success, accept your efforts, and make your endeavors deserving of His abundant reward and recompense. May God bless the sincere intentions that, thanks be to God, exist among you and make them a source of abundant effects and grant us all success so that we can, with these works, satisfy the sacred heart of the Imam of the Age, may our souls be sacrificed for him.

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