Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with thousands of people from Gilan province. At the meeting, the Leader said that determination, insight, awareness and constant vigilance are the main factors behind the progress of the Iranian nation towards the peaks of perfection. He reiterated: "Just as the Iranian nation overwhelmed the enemy during the eight-year imposed war through innovation, sacrifice, courage and presence on the scene, by Allah's favor, it manifested exemplary skill during the eight-month soft war as well. And on the 9th of Dey last year, by the blessedness of the memory of the Lord of the Martyrs (a.s.) the Iranian nation put an end to the activities of the agents of the fitna through its determination, insight, awareness and vigilance."Ayatollah Khamenei said that compensating for the historical backwardness of the Iranian nation and achieving a scientific position that the Iranian nation deserves, require determination and optimism. He added: "The only way to achieve the peaks of prosperity and progress is to preserve one's determination and optimism. And during the past 30 years, the Iranian nation has shown that it has the capability to move forward by quantum leaps."
His Eminence reiterated that the Iranian nation's slogans are global and its goal is to put an end to the interference of the arrogant powers in the country's affairs. "This is the main reason why the arrogant powers are angry with the Iranian nation and hatch plots against it. And last year's fitna was a manifestation of the enemies' plots."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the goal of the fitna of the year 1388 was to mislead the people through formulating false slogans which sounded true. He reiterated: "On the 9th of Dey last year, the Iranian nation disappointed the perpetrators of the fitna in a totally public movement and gave them a powerful punch in the mouth."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the epic of the year 1388 was a sign of the vigilance of the people and added: "The enemies of the Iranian nation and those who think they can create the gap between the people and the government should understand the message of the 9th of Dey, and they should know that the government belongs to the people and that the people are the main guardians of this Islamic system."
He added: "In order to counter the Islamic Republic, the leaders of the arrogant powers, headed by America, are using various methods such as plots, hypocritical statements, explicit enmity and shouting slogans in favor of the people. And these things show that they do not have an appropriate analysis and understanding of the Iranian nation."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution underlined the need to preserve national determination and added: "Fortunately this year - which has been named as ‘The Year of Intensified Effort and Labor' -some signs of this intensified effort are visible in the country. And our government officials are adopting good measures in different sectors. But this intensified labor should be preserved in the years to come so that the Iranian nation can disappoint the enemy through achieving the peaks of progress and material and spiritual perfection."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the only way to get rid of the enemies is to make them disappointed. He added: "The big sin that some leaders of last year's fitna committed was to make the enemy hopeful."
His Eminence referred to last year's impressive elections and the amazing public turnout and reiterated: "That impressive presence of the people could make the Iranian nation successful in many political arenas, but the perpetrators of the fitna harmed the Islamic Revolution and the Iranian nation by making the enemy hopeful."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described the fitna of the year 1388 as a big challenge. He added that the enemy was supporting the perpetrators of the fitna and [the enemy] even mentioned their names. "But the people stepped onto the scene in a perfectly firm manner."
Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated: "What happened was done by God's hand of power. God attracted the hearts of the people and guided them towards the right path."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution stressed the need for preserving and strengthening one's relationship with God and increasing one's determination, insight and vigilance. He reiterated: "The 9h of Dey was one instance of attracting divine grace and by the blessedness of the memory of the Lord of the Martyrs (a.s.), the people stepped in and put an end to the activities of the perpetrators of the fitna."
Ayatollah Khamenei described as heavy the responsibility of the people, especially government officials , aware and vigilant people and the youth. "It is necessary to make constant efforts relying on divine grace and guidance so that we can fulfill the good destiny that Allah the Exalted has determined for the Iranian nation."
Elsewhere in his speech, His Eminence referred to the historical and religious background of the people of Gilan and their revolutionary activities, and added that the determination of the people of Gilan is a clear example of determination of the Iranian nation. He added: "In spite of the fact that the taghuti regime made comprehensive efforts to corrupt the beliefs of the people of Gilan, they stood up against the efforts of that regime relying on their faith and beliefs. And the people of Gilan are prominent among all provinces of the country in terms of their piety, sincerity, jihad and presence on the scene."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution also referred to the brilliant record of the people of Gilan and praised Mirza Kuchak Khan Jangali.
Ayatollah Khamenei touched on the role of the people of Rasht in countering last year's fitna and described it as another sign of the determination and insight of the people of Gilan. He added that Rasht was among the few areas where the people stepped in to counter the perpetrators of the fitna the day before the 9th of Dey.