The following is the full text of the message issued on May 27, 2012 by Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution on the occasion of the inauguration of the 9th Majlis. The message was read out to members of the 9th Majlis during the inauguration ceremony by Hojjatoleslam wal-Muslemin Mohammadi Golpayegani, the head of the Leader's office.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
By the will of the Wise and the Almighty God, the inauguration of the 9th round of legislation in the Islamic Republic is a powerful message that the Iranian nation sends to the contemporary world and registers permanent realities in the memory of nations. The victory of our national willpower over the enormous amount of enmities, the firm and solid structure of the system that originated from the Islamic Revolution, the unique and unparalleled role of religious faith and insight in shaping the path and destiny of a nation, and an accurate picture of a nation that has countered the argument for separation of religion from social life by introducing Islamic democracy not just through words but through strenuous struggle as well - these are among the significant and permanent realities.
The success of the Iranian nation in sending this enlightening and significant message to global public opinion is another blessing from the Almighty and All-Loving God who has always bestowed His assistance and guidance on our faithful and mujahid nation and has never abandoned our nation on this challenging path. We thank Almighty God with all our heart and soul and bow to His greatness in humility and gratitude.
I also deem it necessary to salute the great Iranian nation in gratitude, a nation that has determined the course of history. I deem it necessary to thank the people of Iran for their timely presence in the arena of this test [parliamentary elections], which was as always, the manifestation of their insight, self-confidence and accurate awareness of the conditions.
I also consider it my responsibility to express my gratitude to the officials of the Ministry of Interior and the Guardian Council who were in charge of holding this election, to the organizations that helped them, especially our national TV, to our security officials, and to the religious and political currents and personalities that played a role in this popular epic. I also deem it necessary to express my sincere gratitude to all the MPs of the 8th Majlis and its honorable Speaker and presiding board for the services they rendered during their term.
At the beginning of the 9th Majlis, the main recommendation to the honorable MPs is that they should only think about fulfilling their divine responsibility and their heavy duties as representatives of the people, a position which they have achieved thanks to the votes of the people, and that they should not allow their personal, group, tribal and local motives and their likes and dislikes to interfere with passing legislation which is the most important duty of the Majlis, with supervising implementation of the laws and with adopting positions that affect the general atmosphere of the country. Among these responsibilities, passing legislation is the most important duty. The laws must be effective, up-to-date and transparent. They must focus on providing the needs of the people and securing national interests. In "The Decade of Progress and Justice" all the laws should contribute to achieving these two general goals and by adopting a long-term view, the laws should be as vast in scope as possible. Our national priorities should be specified and they should be given an appropriate position in legislation.
The Majlis is an essential pillar of the country and the Islamic Republic. All the things that are outstanding in the Islamic Republic should be reflected in the Majlis. Religious faith, courage, trying to be a pioneer, insistence on the principles of the Islamic Republic, resistance against the enemies, being up-to-date, innovation, national unity and cohesion, selfless efforts and bringing all the individual and communal capacities into the arena are the characteristics that define a successful parliament.
Genuine and sincere cooperation with the other branches of government and avoiding inexcusable conflicts are another important criterion that plays a determining role in national unity. This criterion has always been stressed by those who love the country: they have always announced that our national interests and the prestige of the Iranian nation in the eyes of the people of the world depend on this criterion. I have the same recommendation for the other branches of government and for all the individuals and organizations in charge. Everybody must consider the law as having the final say.
I have offered certain recommendations to the honorable MPs of the previous parliaments and I have reminded them to fulfill their divine obligation, which is their responsibility in this fleeting life and God in His impeccable justice will hold them responsible in the afterlife. I refer you honorable MPs to those sincere statements.
Finally, I offer my greetings and praise to the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.w.a.) and other divine prophets as well as to our Infallible Imams (a.s.) and to God's representative on earth (may my soul be scarified for him). I also offer my greetings to the immaculate souls of our martyrs and the pure soul of Imam Khomeini (r.a.). I pray to God to bestow success, guidance and assistance on all of you.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
Sayyid Ali Khamenei
Khordad 7, 1391