Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in a Meeting with Various Segments of the People

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

We welcome all of you dear brothers and sisters who have come from various cities and from distant and nearby points of the country, having traveled long distances to form this vibrant and heartfelt gathering, indicative of motivation and heartfelt faith. I especially greet the esteemed families of martyrs and veterans who are among you; as well as the dear disabled veterans and their families, and all seekers of the path of God, truth, and servitude with sincerity of intention.

These days, on the occasion of the anniversary of the birth of Lady Zainab (peace be upon her), we commemorate the character of this distinguished lady of Islam, who presents a timeless model for both Muslim women and men. On this occasion, I congratulate the dear nurses across the country - who have named this day as Nurse's Day in honor of this great birth.

Nurses are the ones who understand the pain of all patients and the disabled; they are the companions of the moments of pain and suffering for those who need a companion and caregiver. We hope that all our nurses, wherever they are in the country, will receive divine reward.

Of course, the character of Zainab (peace be upon her) is not limited to her aspect of compassion and caregiving. Zainab (peace be upon her) is a complete example of a Muslim woman; that is, a model that Islam has placed before the eyes of the world for the education of women. Zainab (peace be upon her) possesses a multi-dimensional character; she is knowledgeable, insightful, and has high understanding, and she is an outstanding human being who makes anyone who encounters her feel humility in the face of her greatness of knowledge and spirit.

Perhaps the most important aspect that the character of a Muslim woman can present before all is the impact she has accepted from Islam. The character of a Muslim woman, by virtue of faith and surrendering to divine mercy and greatness, acquires such breadth and greatness that great events become insignificant before her. In the life of Zainab (peace be upon her), this aspect is the most prominent and highlighted. An event like Ashura cannot diminish Zainab (peace be upon her). The grandeur and majesty of a tyrannical oppressor like Yazid and Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad cannot humiliate Zainab (peace be upon her). Zainab (peace be upon her) maintains the same spiritual greatness and majesty in Medina - where her magnificent character is established - and in Karbala - the center of her tribulations - and in the palaces of tyrants like Yazid and Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad. The other personalities are humiliated before her. Yazid and Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad - these arrogant oppressors of their time - are humiliated before this captive and bound woman. Zainab (peace be upon her) combines the emotional fervor of womanhood with the greatness, stability, and composure of a faithful human being, and the clear and articulate tongue of a warrior in the path of God, and the pure knowledge that flows from her tongue and heart, astonishing the listeners and attendees. Her feminine greatness diminishes the false grandeur of the powerful before her. Feminine greatness means this; it is a mixture of human fervor and emotion, which cannot be found in any man; combined with the composure of character and the steadfastness of spirit that absorbs all great and serious events and bravely steps onto molten fires and passes through them; at the same time, she teaches and enlightens the people; at the same time, she comforts and reassures her Imam of the time - that is, Imam Sajjad - like a kind mother; at the same time, she provides security, peace, and comfort for the children of her brother and the children of her father who have lost their lives in that great event amidst that severe storm, like a strong dam. Therefore, Zainab (peace be upon her) was a comprehensive personality. Islam directs women towards this.

A woman, with her feminine strengths - which God Almighty has entrusted to her existence and are specific to women - along with deep faith, stability arising from reliance on God, and chastity and purity - which illuminates her surrounding environment - can play an exceptional role in society; no man is capable of playing such a role. Like a mountain of steadfastness from faith, at the same time like a gushing spring of emotion, love, and feminine feelings, she quenches the thirst of those in need of affection from her spring of patience, tolerance, and emotion. In such a blessed embrace, people can be nurtured. If a woman with these characteristics did not exist in the world, humanity would not find meaning. This is the meaning of the value of women and the individuality of women; something that the hardened minds of the materialistic West cannot comprehend. Those who have not benefited from religion and spirituality cannot grasp such greatness. Those who consider the characteristics of women to be in adornment, frivolity, and being a plaything in the hands of men cannot understand the foundation of feminine identity in the logic of Islam and in the view of Islam.

Zainab (peace be upon her) is a model for our women throughout history; wisdom and composure, power and courage, fervor and emotional sensitivity, clarity of speech, composure of heart, steadfastness of spirit; at the same time, motherly, sisterly, treating all human beings with kindness, keeping the candle of love lit in the home, gathering the spouse and children around the table of love and affection; these are the characteristics of a Muslim woman.

Today, fortunately, in our society, there remains a significant share of this great blessing; although the enemies strive to plunder and destroy it. However, in countries and societies where women do not have such an identity, you see that the foundations of nurturing people falter and the moral and spiritual atmosphere of society also encounters problems. All spiritual values can be extracted from the warm center of the family - whose axis is the woman of the family; the head of this collection, that statue of affection - and spread spirituality at the societal level. We hope that young girls and women in our society pay attention to the model of Zainab (peace be upon her) and see their identity and character in it; everything else is secondary. If the essence of a human being attains elevation, clarity, and transparency, everything becomes small before them, and their power over all other matters is secured.

He who possesses the essence of knowledge is capable in all his endeavors.

A woman does not need an artificial, superficial, and ceremonial position; a position that is beneath the dignity of her composure and tranquility and spiritual peace. In the divine nature of a woman, there exists such delicacy, beauty, and warmth of affection that she can lead both herself and her surrounding environment - whether at home or in any environment - towards spirituality, progress, and the elevation of scientific and practical ranks.

These days, there is another important occasion, which is the elections. We are approaching the end of the electoral competitions and the day of presence and expression of identity of a great nation; a very important and decisive moment in the life of our society. Our society has experienced such moments in the true sense of the word many times since the beginning of the revolution until today and has approached it, and in this field, it has passed the test.

Those who today, with tones far from the dignity of an independent and free human being, following the desires of Western media, pretend that our nation is learning democracy, are truly doing injustice to this nation. A great nation that has repeatedly, throughout the years after the revolution, with motivation, faith, and enthusiasm, gone to the ballot boxes, and without feeling ashamed of anyone, fearing anyone, or coveting anyone, has written their vote and opinion on paper and cast it into the box, now we tell them you are gradually approaching popular sovereignty! This is the same statement that American and Zionist media and the enemies of the Iranian nation are repeating to belittle this noble nation.

Why should those who have risen from the heart of this nation and have witnessed the presence of these people and also the broad field of free choice during the Islamic Republic repeat this unjust and unfair statement? No, the Iranian nation is not learning popular sovereignty; the Iranian nation learned this from the revolution. We, the people, from the beginning of our history until the time of the revolution, at no point could we freely choose the high-ranking officials of the country ourselves; when was such a thing possible for this nation? Today, it is still not possible in many parts of the world. Even in countries that claim to be democratic and hold the banner of democracy, keen observers see and know that the transparent popular democracy that exists in Iran is not found there. In places where party elections are held, the people who vote for the party candidate do not know that candidate; sometimes their name has only reached their ears through the advertisements of the election period; the party says vote for this, they vote. In Iran, it is not like that. In Iran, people choose their desired candidate with knowledge and understanding, as much as they can, and without anyone being above them telling them to vote for this or not to vote for that; there is not even a party above them that says you must vote for this person; so that a person who is part of the party is forced to vote for the one that a few people at the head of the party have chosen.

They want to belittle public and popular sentiments and interpret it as populism. They wish that parties in our country play the same role that they do in America and in some European countries; that is, a few people sit at the head of the party and, through political and economic exchanges and with money or deals regarding a profitable oil project or non-oil project, select one or several people, then tell their followers and supporters to vote for this person; and the people blindly and deafly vote for him. In Iran, some also wish for it to be like this; but it is not like that here. In our country, thanks be to God, they have not been able to do so; we hope they will not be able to again.

Here, no one - neither the leader, nor the government, nor party influencers - commands and forbids our people; the people investigate, study, and consult as much as their information capacity allows, and choose their desired individual. What they ultimately decide may not be correct - it may be a mistake - but it is they who decide; and if they do this for God and the establishment of divine values, they will have great reward before God Almighty; this is very important. A person goes to choose the president, the representative of the parliament, the representative of the Assembly of Experts, and a member of the city council - that is, someone they like, taking a step for their coming to power - and also earns reward before God Almighty; this is a two-way income. Today, thanks be to God, this is the case in our country.

In this election, God Almighty has decreed that various tastes can find someone among the candidates of this election. This is something that has happened today for our country and nation. In society, there are differences of opinion and different views and perspectives on political, economic, managerial, social, and cultural issues; very well, everyone can choose the person they think is closer to their opinion today. The field of choice is open before our nation, and the nation, thank God, has electoral enthusiasm; it is evident they are ready to participate, and with divine grace, a good presence will also occur.

Of course, participation in elections is both the right of the people and a religious duty and obligation. The enemies of the Iranian nation are strongly opposed to this. The calculation is also a straightforward one. Those who are vehemently opposed to the Islamic Republic and the Islamic identity of the Iranian nation, considering it contrary to their interests, have been rendered helpless due to the people's support for the Islamic Republic; otherwise, the material powers of the world do not lack atomic bombs, cannons, tanks, wicked wills, godlessness, cruelty, and heartlessness. What has so far acted as a dam against their aggression towards the Islamic Republic is your presence, people. The presence of the people on election day is clearer than anywhere else. All the people of the country come to the ballot boxes and can come; this is a universal presence. Anyone who comes to the ballot box is, in fact, voting for the Islamic Republic, voting for the constitution, and voting for the unchangeable articles of the constitution - that is, Islam and Islamic values. The presence of the people means defending the Islamic Republic; it means defending the constitution of the Islamic Republic system. This is not desirable for the enemies of the Iranian nation; hence they try to diminish the presence of the people.

For two or three months prior to today, all global and arrogant propaganda has been directed towards diminishing the presence of the people with various propaganda methods; they wish that the people do not come to the ballot boxes. Of course, they are upset and flustered; because their speculations indicate that the majority of the people will come to the ballot boxes; they have understood this. The Iranian nation must present itself at the ballot boxes for the preservation of its country, for the protection of its interests, and for injecting fresh blood into its steadfast system, and act against this wicked will of global arrogance.

I, as always, humbly ask God Almighty to guide this nation towards a movement that is in its best interest; to assist it and bring forth what is a source of dignity, preservation, and resolution of problems for this country and this nation. I, as always, am very hopeful for the grace and mercy of God. Thanks be to God that we have not lost confidence in God's grace and mercy for a moment.

I would like to briefly mention two or three points; both to the people, and to those who work for the esteemed candidates of the elections, and also to the officials involved in the elections.

The first point is that elections, by their nature, are a sweet event for the youth, for men and women, and for various segments; because it is a field of presence, and they feel that they can exercise their vote and will in some way. They should not allow this sweet event to become bitter. The enemies of the Iranian nation strive to make this sweet event bitter. You saw that in the past few days, in several places, they made desperate moves and carried out explosions; this is to make the electoral atmosphere bitter. We have always been proud that elections in Iran during the revolution have been held in utmost security and health. In many places in the world, on election day, people fall upon each other; they fight; blood is shed; murders occur. Our pride has been that in complete security and tranquility, two friends go to the ballot box; one votes for this gentleman, and one votes for that gentleman. The enemy wants this safe and secure environment to be destroyed. The individuals themselves, the people themselves, the staff of the electoral headquarters of the candidates, should firmly say "no" to the enemy; they should not allow the elections to become bitter through them. The fact that the candidates harm each other is another story that is not the time to discuss now; but the staff, supporters, and enthusiasts - one supports Zaid, one supports Amr, one supports Bakr - should be careful not to attack each other. If you like this gentleman, act according to your liking and judgment; the other one has a different liking and judgment; what business do you have with him? He should also act according to his liking. Therefore, they should not attack each other and make the atmosphere bitter. I strongly advise those who are involved in the advertising of different candidates - one advertises for Zaid, one for Amr; one for this, one for that - to each do their own work; they should not interfere with each other.

The second point is that the differences of opinion that arise during elections may create some bitterness between some brothers and sisters; do not let this bitterness remain. Suppose one of you two friends is a supporter of one person; the other is a supporter of another person. In the course of discussion and debate, you want to prove your point; he also wants to prove his point; thus, you may become bitter towards each other. This bitterness should be buried and ended on the day of the election. Whoever is chosen by the people on that day will be the president of all; whether those who voted for him, those who voted for someone else, or even those who did not have the opportunity to vote; because some are traveling, some are ill, some are caretakers, some are caught up in personal matters. The bitterness that arises during the elections should be forgotten on the day the elections are held. Brothers and friends who work in various headquarters, if they have developed bitterness towards each other - those who are connected - should set aside their bitterness and let the matter end.

The third point is that elections are not a personal matter; they are a public matter, and we do not want two presidents. We have eight candidates for the presidency, one of whom will become president. Everyone is obliged to show cooperation and solidarity towards whoever becomes president. Whoever has been approved by the Guardian Council has, in fact, been stamped with the seal of qualification. The dispute and argument is over finding the more qualified. After all, they must have at least the minimum qualifications for the Guardian Council to have stamped them with approval. If any of them becomes president, the people should not feel that the one we wanted did not win; therefore, he is not suitable; no, for a four-year term, he is the president. Of course, the people should demand from him and ask; we also demand; just as we have done until now. Until now, we have demanded the rights of the people and the values of the system from those who have been president. I am not one to come before the people and create disputes and controversies with anyone; but God Almighty has helped, and in the course of work, I have not been free for a moment from demanding the rights of the people and the values of the system from those who have been in power until now. I have demanded from them; but whether some have been able to act, some have not been able to; some have been able to to some extent, some have not acted for various reasons; that is another discussion.

The next point is that the people are tired of political disputes and political differences and the notion of I am good and you are bad; the people do not like these things. There are many tasks in the country that need to be done; many tasks have also been accomplished. There are numerous problems that need to be resolved; there are knots that need to be untied. Corruption must be eradicated in the country; there should be no discrimination; special attention should be paid to the underprivileged and deprived - especially the helpless underprivileged - this is our Islamic duty; duties that the constitution has placed on all officials of the country; no one can exempt themselves from these tasks. Verbal disputes, rhetorical slogans, and bringing up vague and meaningless concepts do not solve the people's problems; the people need to fight against the filth that prevents this clear lake from having the necessary freshness. Whoever comes to power - whoever it may be, whatever slogans they have given, whatever claims they have made to the people - their first duty is to roll up their sleeves for solving the people's problems; they should choose their colleagues from those who are faithful to the rights of the people and faithful to the efficiency of the Islamic Republic system; they should enter the field of action and work for the people.

The last point also pertains to the officials. The votes of the people must be safeguarded. Both the officials in the Ministry of Interior and the observers affiliated with the Guardian Council must be vigilant and safeguard and protect each and every vote of the people. Of course, we trust our officials; but they must be completely vigilant and careful; because the votes of the people are a divine trust in their hands.

Our hope is in God Almighty. Our reliance is on the deep faith of the people. Our gaze is towards the grace of our absent Imam (may our souls be sacrificed for him). We know that God Almighty has a kind gaze towards this nation. We know that the Master of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for him) prays for this nation. We hope that all of us will be included in the pure prayers of that great one; we too can provide the means to attract divine mercy and create the ground for the pure prayers of that great one.

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