Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this evening with thousands of students from across the country. In his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that safeguarding the Islamic Republic is the most important necessity in the country.
During the meeting, the participants discussed their views regarding different scientific, academic, cultural, social, political and economic issues with the Leader.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei further described the meeting as pleasant and said that the issues discussed by the students during the meeting should be pursued by the officials in charge.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated that students are one of the most prominent groups in the country and added that the country's officials should hold meetings with the students and respond to their questions.
Ayatollah Khamenei further added that asking questions and criticizing is different from confrontation and stated: "Student movements should not think that confronting the country's organizations is their duty. Rather, what is important is asking questions and demanding answers from the officials who are in charge."
Elsewhere in his speech, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution stressed the importance of unity and purification of society and added that purifying society cannot be achieved though pressure and extremist moves. "And Islam does not order that society should be purged of individuals whose faith is not strong. Islam does not allow us to do this under the pretext of purifying society."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that unity that is based on principles is the true meaning of unity from his point of view and reiterated: "Based on this criterion, the degree of our unity with individuals is based on the degree to which they adhere to the principles. And anyone who does not believe in the principles is out of this circle of unity."
Regarding the Leader's official and unofficial positions on different matters, Ayatollah Khamenei said: "No one should imagine that the Leader has positions other than those he announces as his official positions and that he informs a certain group of people about those positions. This assumption is by no means true."
He further added: "I clearly state my positions because it is not acceptable or proper for the Leader to adopt positions other than those he explicitly announces."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that safeguarding the Islamic Republic is the most important necessity in the country and added: "Safeguarding the Islamic Republic means protecting its boundaries including cultural and moral boundaries."
Ayatollah Khamenei further stated that the presence of students among the people and students of other countries will help export the pure messages and ideology of the Revolution.
Ayatollah Khamenei also discussed the issue of the brain drain in the country.
He added: "Certain actions may contribute to brain drain. But in most cases, this is due to the promises which foreigners give to the elites. And sometimes there is an underlying motive to confront the Islamic Republic."
Ayatollah Khamenei further referred to the remarks made by one of the students regarding the necessity of following up the issue of the raid on Tehran University dormitory and added: "The process of following up the issue has been slow and has not progressed as it should have. But the issue has not been forgotten and will hopefully be pursued."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution further criticized the country's officials for publicizing their disagreements and said that the officials have been seriously warned in this regard.
At the end of his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei said that student groups should not be influenced by political disagreements and added that differences of opinion should not lead to conflicts among students.
At the end of the meeting, the participants said their evening prayers led by the Leader and shared the Iftar meal together.