A number of intellectuals, academics and university and seminary experts met with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution on Wednesday. During the meeting which lasted for more than four hours, the participants discussed the principles, characteristics and different aspects of the Islamic and Iranian paradigm of progress. In his remarks during the meeting, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution stressed that all capacities of the country's elites should be utilized when developing this strategic paradigm.
He further referred to thought, knowledge and spirituality as important arenas in the Islamic and Iranian paradigm of progress and reiterated: "This paradigm will be a source document for all the strategic documents of the country."
Ayatollah Khamenei further insisted that such meetings should continue and stated that the involvement of intellectuals in basic and major issues of the country is one of the main goals behind holding such meetings.
His Eminence added: "There are great goals and tasks which need to be fulfilled in the country. The enormous capacities of the country's elites should be utilized in order to achieve these goals. And the involvement of intellectuals in these major issues is one of the prerequisites of fulfilling this goal."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the promotion of a culture and discourse about the country's major issues in society and among the country's elites is another goal behind holding such strategic meetings.
He further added that specifying the path and direction of the country's movement in the future is yet another purpose of holding such meetings.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that outlining the desirable situation and specifying the ways of reaching that situation is one of the necessities of developing an Islamic and Iranian paradigm of progress.
He added: "Using the two terms 'Iranian' and 'Islamic' does not at all mean we should not make use of the experiences and achievements of other countries."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution further touched on the different aspects of the Iranian and Islamic paradigm of progress.
He referred to the three arenas of thought, knowledge and spirituality and said: "The Iranian and Islamic paradigm of progress should be formulated in a way that it leads society towards thinking and turns thinking and production of thoughts into a prominent reality in society."
Ayatollah Khamenei further stated that delineating the strategies and prerequisites of making progress in the arena of thought and paying attention to its tools - including education and the media - are important factors which should be considered when developing the Islamic and Iranian paradigm of progress.
He added that the innovation and proper movement which is taking place in the arena of scientific independence should be accelerated and said that the ways of achieving fundamental and comprehensive scientific progress should be specified in the Islamic and Iranian paradigm of progress.
Ayatollah Khamenei further stated that it is necessary to pay attention to such issues as justice, welfare, freedom, government, independence and national grandeur in the Islamic and Iranian paradigm of progress.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to spirituality as an important arena in developing the Islamic and Iranian paradigm of progress and said that spirituality constitutes the spirit of true progress in all fields and issues.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated that paying attention to the issue of monotheism is of great importance in this paradigm and stated that all problems of human communities will be solved and the path of true progress will be opened up if monotheism and faith in God are promoted in human life.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the issue of government from an Islamic perspective as another issue to which due attention should be attached in the Islamic and Iranian paradigm of progress.
He said: "From an Islamic perspective, all the people who intend to undertake responsibilities and management should develop the required qualifications in themselves. Otherwise, it will be unlawful for them to undertake responsibilities."
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the rejection of domineering motives in the Islamic perspective on government and added that from an Islamic point of view people who are after domination and have domineering motives do not have the right to assume power. "And the people do not have the right to elect such people either. This perspective which is a source of prosperity should be adopted when developing the Islamic and Iranian paradigm of progress."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that it is necessary to pay attention to the issue of economy in the Islamic and Iranian paradigm of progress and added that justice should be considered as one of the main bases of this paradigm. "This is because in Islam justice is the criterion for differentiating between right and wrong and the criterion for judging the legitimacy of a government."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to a non-materialistic view of economy as another important factor in developing the Islamic and Iranian paradigm of progress and said: "Islam attaches due importance to wealth and considers the creation of wealth as an appropriate action provided that it is not used to promote corruption, domination and extravagance."
At the end of his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution reiterated that strategic meetings should continue and added that all the capacities of the country's elites should be utilized in developing the Islamic and Iranian paradigm of progress.
He further stated that it is necessary to establish a special center to pursue this strategic goal because it is not possible - due to the nature of the plan - to devise this plan in the administration and the parliament. He further added that this great task and movement cannot be limited to a particular group and requires the cooperation of all the country's intellectuals.