Statements in Meeting with Young Elites

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

I am very grateful to dear brothers and sisters; to both the organizers of this very good conference and to the brothers and sisters who discussed and provided their opinions. This session was indeed a very good one. Today, I truly felt happy to meet you and to hear your words and statements, and I benefited greatly from them.

Of course, the two or three points that friends raised during the gathering are not small or insignificant issues; no, every point, every issue, every problem in the work of any individual has its own importance - there is no doubt about that - and I have no complaint about why friends stand up and express these points; no, it is absolutely not like that; if all of you stood up one by one and expressed your thoughts, I would listen, I would be pleased to hear them; however, priorities must be observed. This session is about major issues; it is about collective matters. If we can, thanks to this session and similar gatherings, create an atmosphere, a thought, a general motivation in the public environment of the country, these problems will gradually be solved; and we hope that this will indeed happen.

In planning for the development of the country, what is very important is to see where the main focus of our material and spiritual investments should be; because it is obvious that material capital and spiritual capital - meaning human effort and motivation - are not unlimited. If we want to bring the country to development - development in the sense we desire, not necessarily development in the Western sense - we need to see where we should concentrate more for investment.

My firm belief is that if we invest in the issue of science and technology and nurturing elites, we will certainly be investing in one of the highest priority tasks. Scientific advancement and, consequently, technological advancement will provide the country and the nation with the opportunity and capability to gain material and spiritual power. Therefore, from a strategic perspective, science holds such importance. Our reliance is based on this. Now, with what goal is this science pursued? If God willing, time permits and I remember, I will perhaps mention a sentence at the end about what the direction of our scientific movement should be.

Thus, one of the highest priority tasks is the issue of science and technology; this is necessary in the country. We have a significant historical chronic backwardness in these areas, which is the fault of those who, with their policies, behaviors, greed, and negligence, imposed this chronic illness on such a great nation. And now we want to free ourselves from this burden, from this heavy nightmare. Therefore, I, you, the relevant officials, the officials of various sectors of the country, and every honorable person in this country who has the ability must strive in this area; each according to their capacity. Everyone is responsible; from a student who has just entered university this year, to higher and top students, to professors, to the officials of the educational and scientific system of the country, to various sectors, in the administrative and scientific hierarchy of the country. We all must strive, we all must work, we all must run so that we can compensate for this imposed historical backwardness; this is a serious issue.

Well, I tell you; in this path, the speed and success have been noticeable over the past several years. You should know this - perhaps you already do; of course, I have more statistics, broader and more detailed information - that in the last seven, eight, or ten years, the country has made a tremendous movement in this area and significant work has been done. Of course, some in corners, inside and outside the university, spread despair and negativity; but they are wrong, they are lying. Some of them are oblivious, and some are worse than oblivious. The movement has genuinely been a successful one. In these years, significant work has been accomplished. The nation, the youth, the scientific community, the universities, and the scientific managers have shown that there is good potential for this movement that we envision. Therefore, we have made progress.

This progress necessitates that we move forward with more hope. A considerable number of Iranian and non-Iranian experts believe that our country will reach what is promised in the 20-year outlook before the specified deadline, that is, by 1404 - which is the end of the 20-year outlook program - meaning the first scientific rank among Islamic countries. Estimates indicate this; this is due to the existing momentum. So let us be hopeful, let us not waste moments, let us rely on our own strength, and let us continue the movement with seriousness, sincerity, and the necessary conditions. This is one point.

The second point is that both I and every informed individual in the country take pride in the scientific achievements that are being made. We all take pride in the scientific progress in the nuclear issue; we take pride in the very significant advancements in the field of stem cells - as mentioned - and the tremendous work done in this area; we take pride in good advancements in nanotechnology, in biotechnology, and so forth; these are not small matters, they are significant; however, these are not things that can tell us that the country has made a desirable and complete scientific advancement. Although we have just entered some of these fields, we are still among the top ten countries in the world that possess these technologies or knowledge; however, this is not enough.

What is necessary? What is needed in the country that can appropriately and honorably show us the scientific position and status of the country that has risen is the existence of a complete scientific cycle. In all sectors, there must be an interconnected cycle of various types of knowledge that the country needs, so that they can synergize and assist each other. A complete scientific system must be established in the country; this has not yet happened. These islands must be completely connected, forming a unified system; they must help each other, advance each other, synergize, and open the way for exploring and discovering new scientific areas in this vast divine creation; questions must be raised, and answers must be provided to those questions; all of this is necessary.

We have had many sporadic investments, and we have had many sporadic advancements that have been dependent on individuals or specific groups; this must develop in all sectors, in all fields; a comprehensive and unending movement in the field of science and in all branches of science must emerge; from the humanities to experimental sciences, we must see and observe this phenomenon. This work requires effort; this is what I mentioned in a session with a group of intellectuals and academics - which I believe was in Ramadan - that scientific jihad is necessary, it requires struggle.

Well, if we want this struggle to be fully realized, special attention must be given to universities; because the university is the environment for nurturing talents and elites. Here, both the National Elite Foundation has responsibilities, and the managers and heads of universities and university ministries have responsibilities. The National Elite Foundation's focus on elites should not make it oblivious to universities; that is, it must have a scholarly perspective towards universities, and the connection between the National Elite Foundation and universities must be strengthened. On the other hand, in universities, there must certainly be a talent-recognizing and talent-nurturing perspective in the activities of students; which, of course, will be more pronounced in the higher education sectors. This is another point.

Well, how is support for elites provided? I observe this in the statements that friends have made. In my opinion, the most important support for elites is to provide the groundwork and prerequisites for their work. The mind of an elite and the brain of an elite seek work, depth, production, creation, opening new doors, and pursuing new paths. Hardware facilities must be provided for them. In some cases, both hardware and software facilities must be provided so that the elite can work and strive. Of course, this effort must be directed towards the needs of the country. As I have been informed, the comprehensive scientific map has fully considered a significant part of these needs and has been included in this comprehensive map. Of course, I do not yet have the final report of the comprehensive map; friends are diligently pursuing the work. There are various opinions as well. I would like to thank some of the dear youth who told us during the Ramadan meeting that we independently prepared the comprehensive scientific map. I said bring it; they brought it. I said a summary should be prepared so that I can see that summary. They prepared that summary and brought it. Of course, we sent the complete document to the secretariat of the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council for them to review, but I also need to see that summary; I have not yet had the opportunity and success to look at it. I appreciate this diligence and ambition in the youth. A few young people sit together and say, 'We want to prepare the comprehensive scientific map of the country with our own perspective.' Of course, we do not promise that this comprehensive map will necessarily meet our needs for a comprehensive map - their information may be limited - but this audacity, this ambition, this self-confidence is very desirable and attractive for us.

Therefore, this complete scientific cycle is necessary. In addition to this, another cycle is needed; from the emergence of an idea in the mind of an elite or a genius, to its delivery to a scientific center and scientific activity on it, and transforming this idea into a science or a branch of a science, to passing through this stage and entering the field of technology and bringing technologists and industrial elites into the arena based on this scientific finding, and then reaching the issue of commercialization - which I will address - this is another cycle. So, in addition to the need for a scientific cycle to be established where sciences complement each other, assist each other, and form a system, there must also be a chain of production of scientific thought and scientific ideas, leading to the formation of a scientific mental system, to entering the field of technology and industry, to entering the market and transforming into products. Of course, all of this requires your effort and the management of the responsible institutions. Everyone must collaborate to make this happen in the country.

The issue of commercialization is very important. Scientific and industrial findings must be able to generate wealth in the country. The responsible brothers in our office have made a calculation; their view is that by the year 1404, we must be able to provide at least twenty percent of the country's income from knowledge-based industries and knowledge-based commercial activities; that is, from the sale of scientific products. This is something that should not be far from reach. Knowledge is the source of wealth production; of course, in a correct and noble manner, not in the way that the Western world has used knowledge to acquire wealth; which I will briefly refer to later, God willing. Of course, if commercialization is in the mindset of the responsible institutions, it must be considered from the very beginning - that is, from the time we define a scientific and industrial project - to think about its commercialization; we should not wait until after the work is completed to think about marketing. This issue must be included in the calculations from the start; of course, this pertains to the responsible institutions of the country to follow up on.

It has been suggested - I noted this here - that the possibility of establishing a new type of company, which is scientific and technological companies, be provided in the country. Many are willing to work scientifically together, to conduct scientific research. The assistance that the government and officials provide to scientific and technological advancements should not be limited to helping individuals; these companies should be supported. Of course, these should not be confused with commercial companies that are subject to taxes and conventional banking facilities; rather, these companies should receive special assistance. I think this is a necessary and important task. The government must employ intelligent management in this area.

Another very important issue is the establishment of research institutes. In every university, in addition to the independent research institutes that exist, at least one serious research institute should be established. Universities themselves should prioritize research as a collective within the university. Our elites should move towards research institutes. Of course, this does not mean that their relationship with knowledge and education should be severed, but as the elites themselves desire to pursue research, they should be attracted to these research institutes and conduct research work there. Facilities - as I mentioned earlier - should be provided for them to enable them to conduct research; this is what satisfies and convinces an elite; it activates their talent and brings it to fruition, and they feel they can work, while also neutralizing and rendering ineffective the temptations regarding the impossibility of working in the country - which are increasing day by day.

In these research institutes, there is the possibility of utilizing the scientific experience and maturity of university professors who have retired after their service period, and they can participate. In this case, a connection will be formed between the new generation of researchers - who are these young people - and the experienced individuals who have spent time in universities.

A lot of help has been provided to the elite community. Of course, there are complaints here and there, and I hear them. Besides the things that are now being told to me in this session, they write letters, report, and complain. Therefore, there are complaints, and these complaints are legitimate; they must be addressed, there is no doubt; but you should look and see where we were five or six years ago, and where we have reached. Regarding assistance to elites and attention to elites, we were at ground zero five or six years ago; there was no such thing, no work in this direction, no movement in this manner. Today, a lot of good work has been done. This attention to elites, this gathering of elites, this listening to the words of elites, this utilizing their minds and thoughts, and the sparks that ignite in the minds of elites, these are new things. We must appreciate this and be thankful. We should not only see the negative points.

One of the human traits is greed. This characteristic is not necessarily bad. Greed, like other human traits and instincts, if placed in its proper context and directed appropriately, will be a factor for human elevation. In the realm of spirituality, one must be greedy as much as possible. Scientific work, intellectual work, and research work are also part of spirituality. Therefore, this greed exists in humans. No matter how much one has, there will always be a deficiency or shortcoming in front of one's eyes; this will never be complete. We must see what has been done. A lot of work has been done.

I want to say; with all these abundant aids, with the existence of this good work that is being done and is truly valuable, and for which we must thank the officials, we should not allow the sweetness of this work to be bitter for the elites due to administrative bureaucracies and various complexities; I earnestly advise the relevant officials in this area. They should try to find shortcuts beyond these conventional bureaucracies and various complexities, to facilitate the work and move forward more easily.

Of course, on the other hand, we should not be unfair, we should not be ungrateful; truly, work has been done, truly, service has been rendered; there is a genuine intention to serve beyond this. It is said: "The intention of the believer is better than his action"; meaning the intention of a believer is always greater than what his action can encompass. The intention and purpose are very high; well, a person cannot perform all of them in action. Whatever good work you have done, your intention should be several times greater. A believer is like this, whose intention is always good, better than his action. The responsible institutions in this regard are the same; their intention is truly much greater; however, naturally, problems arise in action.

One more thing that should not be forgotten is that we need a monitoring system. We must constantly monitor to see what the output of the efforts being made in the field of elites is; how much this output corresponds to the investments made. It should not be that we make investments and then have no output. If the output is low or not proportional, it indicates that there are flaws in the methods, the methods are wrong. Therefore, this requires constant monitoring.

In this area, mere monitoring is not enough; we must also monitor the countries that we aspire to surpass. We should not think that other countries, neighboring countries, Islamic countries are standing still and telling us to go ahead, so we can surpass them; no, they are also striving. This monitoring is necessary. If we are to advance, we must also be aware of our surroundings; the other players in this scene must be under observation; we must know what is being done; then we can assess whether our movement and our efforts are proportional or not.

I have noted a few more points that I will skip. You see, we emphasize science. This emphasis is serious; it is not a formality; it does not arise from a false seasonal feeling; rather, it stems from a deep and calculated understanding. There is a lot of bullying in the world. The bullies rely on their power. That power, that wealth, and those facilities arise from their knowledge. Without knowledge, one cannot confront or face challenges. I once read this hadith: "Knowledge is power"; knowledge is a form of authority. Whoever possesses this authority can move forward; anyone, any nation, any society that does not have it must follow the authority of others. Therefore, this is a precise calculation.

Well, this knowledge can have two types of goals: one type of goal that the current holders of knowledge in the world have pursued, and that goal is impure and unholy. Do not look at the claims; the reality of the situation in the scientific advancement of the West is a very bitter and regrettable reality; it is a reality that no human would ever want to move towards at any cost. The advancement of science in the Western world, whether from the time when the scientific movement in the West began - it should be said the intellectual movement, which was the precursor to the scientific movement - which started in the sixteenth century in Italy and England and other places, or when the industrial revolution began in the eighteenth century initially in England; the establishment of large factories and massive machines that gradually occurred over several decades, then the production of wealth through this means - now, what rights were violated there, what poverty was eradicated, what class emerged due to these large machines, what injustices were inflicted on the people, those remain aside - then gradually the spread of this science and technology in other European countries came at the cost of the destruction of the freedom of many nations, threatening the identity of many nations, and imposing a great injustice, along with savagery on many countries and nations. They felt they needed raw materials, they felt they needed markets for sales; this was also in other countries; thus, they used this knowledge and produced cannons and artillery against swords and spears; then the English, Dutch, Portuguese, French, and some other European countries set out to various parts of the world, causing so many disasters with the tools of science and technology that if these were compiled, it would form a vast encyclopedia with dozens of volumes and be heart-wrenching. ...(3) It is not just America; America joined later.

You observe what they did in India, what they did in China. In the nineteenth century, the English committed atrocities in India that I am certain - you young people pay less attention to history and such matters - you have not heard even one-thousandth of what happened in propaganda and speeches. "Nehru" writes in his book that they came to India. According to him, during a time when the industrial revolution had not yet occurred and large machines had not yet been created, the Indian subcontinent was one of the most advanced countries in the world in terms of industry. They destroyed India's industry to advance their own agenda; they annihilated the middle class of India; they halted the movement towards knowledge and industry with various forms of restrictions; they injected a chronic illness into the body of a nation, which still has not been cured even after nearly one hundred and fifty years since the beginning of these actions in India. They did similar things in China; the atrocities they committed in China, the pressure they exerted on the Chinese nation. These are from the nineteenth century. What did they do in Africa? With the help of science, what disasters did they create in the American continent? In Africa and Latin America, how many free people were enslaved; how many families were destroyed and annihilated? This is how they found knowledge.

Therefore, the direction of knowledge was towards the pursuit of wealth, without any regard for ethics, faith, or spirituality. The Europeans claimed civilization even then, but their behavior was wilder than the wildest tribes in various savage tribal attacks. What I am saying is not a slogan; each of these has documents, evidence, and precise expressions of what they did; which now is not the time to explain. If I were to mention a fraction of them, you would understand what happened in East Asia, in Africa, and in other places due to these Europeans and Westerners and with their tools of science. Because the goal was wealth, there was no morality, no religion, no God.

We do not want this knowledge. This knowledge, when it grows and reaches its peak, becomes like what the Western countries have today; it becomes an atomic bomb, it becomes all this oppression and tyranny, it leads to the destruction of democracy in the most self-proclaimed democratic country in the world - namely America - it leads to increasing class disparities and class divides; millions of homeless people, millions below the poverty line in a wealthy and advanced country. This knowledge is of no use. We are not seeking this knowledge. Neither the teachings of the prophets, nor the teachings of Islam, nor human conscience guide us in this direction; they do not inspire any enthusiasm in humans.

The knowledge we seek is accompanied by purification. The very verses that were recited at the beginning of this session refer to this point: "He it is who sent among the unlettered a messenger from among themselves, reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom."(4) First, there is purification. The education of religion, the education of the Quran, the education of Islam is this. Why is purification first? Because if there is no purification, knowledge becomes distorted. Knowledge is a tool, a weapon; if this weapon is in the hands of a malicious, ill-hearted, wicked, and murderous person, it will produce nothing but disaster; but this same weapon can be a means of defending humans, defending people's rights, defending families in the hands of a righteous person. This knowledge must be taken when it is accompanied by purification. This is my advice to you.

You are, thanks be to God, young people whom the Almighty has granted the opportunity to grow up in a religious and Islamic environment; this is a very good opportunity; it is similar to what Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) says in his supplication on the Day of Arafah, thanking God for bringing him into the Islamic state - the state of the Prophet. Of course, our distance from him is very great, the distance from earth to sky; but we are heading in that direction. This is a blessing for us, a blessing for you young people.

We must acquire knowledge for service, for spirituality, for the advancement of human virtues, for the true defense of human rights. National wealth and national power must be for this so that this nation can, contrary to the prevailing tradition of the world, hold the banner of justice. Let us not speak forcefully to anyone; let us help the oppressed; let us confront and face the oppressor; let us stand against the oppressor.

Imagine this; if in this world where the prevailing currency is oppression and bullying and global arrogance and the exploitation of nations, and everyone who takes a step on the path of knowledge and science and advancement follows this path - some bully, and some accept the bullying; the oppressor and the oppressed, which together create the system of domination - a nation rises, becomes knowledgeable, has power, has something to say, and can make its voice heard in the world, possesses advanced technology and various communication tools, has advertising power, has people with high self-confidence, and confronts and opposes this system of domination; where everyone joins hands to oppress a nation, to trample it underfoot, it stands up to defend that nation, see what an extraordinary event will occur in the world; the state of the world will change.

Work for this goal, acquire knowledge for this, pursue this - this is necessary - otherwise, if we stand at the end of the line of those who have pursued the methods that knowledge-seekers and holders of knowledge in the world have followed for the past two hundred or three hundred years, and we follow the same path they took, that is not an art; that is not a goal for which a person would sacrifice their life. We must open a new path. The new path is that a nation, possessing the tools of knowledge and scientific authority - which brings everything else along with it - raises the divine motivations and values and divine ethics in the world and raises its flag. This is the expectation we have from you.

O Lord! Guide and assist our dear youth on this proud path, day by day and more than before.

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