Thousands of faithful residents of the holy city of Qom from various social strata called on the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Monday, January 9.
The day marked the 28th anniversary of the uprising of Qom residents against the former dictatorial Pahlavi regime in 1978.
Speaking at the meeting, the Leader referred to the holy city of Qom as the cradle of the Islamic movement in 1963 and the originator of the great Islamic Revolution in 1978. He stated that the Islamic movement, which was motivated by devotion and commitment to Islam and which was spearheaded by late Imam Khomeini and Qom residents, was a pure and rightful movement which has now expanded throughout the Islamic world.
"The path that was initiated by the residents of Qom has now become smoother and more charming than in the past. The Iranian people, with increased motivation and reliance on their capabilities, will continue taking firm strides toward a bright future for the Islamic Revolution and its values," the Leader told the audience.
He emphasized that in doing so, the preservation of unity, faith and confidence in accomplishing the above objective is among the most important and essential duties of the Iranian people.
Ayatollah Khamenei further paid tribute to the memory of honorable martyrs of the bloody uprising against tyrannical Pahlavi regime which took place in the holy city of Qom in 1978. He also referred to the calls for the enforcement of Islam and its rising status in the Islamic world, especially among youngsters, academics and intellectuals, as an outcome of the devotion and commitment of late Imam Khomeini and Qom residents to this divine religion.
"Imam Khomeini often stated that 'we are duty-bound to fulfill our religious responsibilities.' As a result, Almighty Allah rewarded him for his sincere performance of duties by disseminating his name and remembrance throughout the Islamic world," the Leader pointed out.
Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the path that was initiated and the course of action that was introduced by Imam Khomeini still remains alive and dynamic and even more resolute than in the past, despite all the hostilities of the enemies.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic further stated, "Thanks to the path that was initiated by the late Imam, today, some 27 years after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the fragrance of serving the public based on revolutionary principles has once again filled the air."
He stressed that the votes cast by the majority of the Iranian people in recent presidential election in favor of revolutionary slogans such as the administration of social justice and adherence to the late Imam's path indicated their firm belief in revolutionary principles.
Ayatollah Khamenei praised the positive measures taken by government officials to carry out their election slogans and fulfill their promises to the public and give fresh impetus to revolutionary values and principles. He pointed out that the Iranian nation and government have attained a higher standing on the international scene compared with the past.
Further in his statements, the Leader hinted at the Islamic Republic's proposal inviting other countries in the world to participate in Iran's nuclear fuel program.
"Iran welcomes the participation of European and non-European countries in its nuclear fuel program, since the Islamic Republic would not forego its indisputable right to the peaceful use of nuclear technology, which has been developed through the efforts made by young talented Iranian scientists, and nobody would be able to renounce the Iranian nation's right," the Leader stated.
Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to another proposal presented by the Islamic Republic, suggesting that a simultaneous study of the condition of human rights and the way civil rights are observed in Europe and Iran be made by Iranian and European scholars respectively.
"It is to the benefit of European countries to accept these two logical proposals, which have been presented by our honorable president, since their acceptance will not only remove existing concerns, but it will also help to strengthen links and promote cooperation between the two sides," Ayatollah Khamenei noted.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic touched on some threats to the effect that sanctions may be imposed on Iran.
"Those who are currently talking about imposing sanctions on the Islamic Republic have over the past years imposed sanctions on our country whenever they could. Even presently, certain European countries are refusing to hand over to us the commodities that we have purchased from them," the Leader remarked.
He further stated, "However, these sanctions have only caused the Iranian youngsters to utilize their inherent potentials and rely on their own capabilities. Thus, such threats would have no effect at all."
Ayatollah Khamenei also noted that the preservation of unity and national solidarity and confidence in the path of revolution and its bright future are major responsibilities of the Iranian people, government officials and various political groups and factions. He stated that political groups and factions should not engage in brawls and disputes over trivial differences, since discord and division would only encourage the enemies.
As regards the futile attempts made by certain mercenary writers to dispirit and disappoint the Iranian people, the Leader stated, "The history of this country imbues our people with hopes and confidence, since at a time when the world was dominated by two superpowers, our nation managed to cope with the difficult circumstances occasioned by war and economic sanctions and attain a high level of science and technology at the present stage. Therefore, the Iranian people are confident of their capabilities and thus feel hopeful."
Further in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei hinted at the heavy responsibility shouldered by scholars at the Islamic seminary of Qom for providing intellectual support for the Islamic Revolution and presenting answers to doubts and ambiguities.
"Today, Marxist and socialist ideology, radical nationalism and even Western liberal democracy have lost their appeal. However, the slogans calling for the administration of social justice, the preservation of human dignity and the establishment of religious democracy originating from Islam are alive, attractive and prevalent. This has caused world nations to focus on the Islamic Revolution and its slogans and precepts," Ayatollah Khamenei told the gathering.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic described the present condition of global arrogance, the archenemy of the Islamic Revolution, and its epitome the United States as 'miserable'.
"The United States has suffered political defeat in Iraq. It has also experienced defeat in Palestine, since the butcher of Palestinians who intended to suppress the Intifada in three months was himself destroyed by the Intifada," the Leader pointed out.
Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to U.S. failure in the implementation of its regional plans such as the 'Great Middle East' plan and the 'Road Map' plan as the main reason for recent U.S. pressures on Syria and Lebanon. He emphasized that if Syrian and Lebanese nations and leaders also act with vigilance and prudence, the United States will be thwarted in its plots for Syria and Lebanon too.
Further in his statements, the Leader referred to the day of Arafa, describing it as a great day of prayer and supplication and a day of remembrance and invocation of the Almighty. He called on the Iranian people, especially youngsters, to highly value the day of Arafa and try to make the most of it by seeking proximity to Allah.
The governor-general of Qom Province Abbas Mohtaj, who spoke at the beginning of the meeting, said that Qom residents and the Ulema were in the vanguard of the Islamic movement, and that some 5,300 people from the holy city of Qom attained martyrdom in the course of the Islamic Revolution.
He also underlined the adherence and commitment of Qom residents to the ideals of the Islamic Revolution and the path that was initiated by the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, late Imam Khomeini.