President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and members of his Cabinet called on the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Sunday, October 9.
Speaking at the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience to try to make the most of the blessings and virtues of the holy month of Ramazan. He stated that these blessings and virtues would contribute to and prepare the way for the spiritual progress and elevation of human beings.
The Leader stressed that reciting the holy Qur'an and pondering over the profound meanings of the divine verses will deepen religious knowledge in Muslims. He advised government officials to seek assistance from Almighty Allah in performing their momentous responsibilities and boost their spirit of serving the public and solving their problems in an untiring manner.
Ayatollah Khamenei further expounded on the advice and guidelines of Imam Ali-ibn-Abitaleb (peace and greetings be upon him) to his army commander Malek-e-Ashtar. He pointed out that it is necessary for the officials of the Islamic Republic to pursue the people's satisfaction and disregard the demands and expectations of certain groups and those enjoying undeserved privileges as their top priority.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic emphasized that government officials should always consider themselves obliged and indebted to the Iranian nation.
"From the viewpoint of Imam Ali-ibn-Abitaleb (peace and greetings be upon him), what is of the utmost importance is the people's satisfaction. Therefore, government officials, while dealing with intricate economic and social problems, should also try to bring about the people's satisfaction with their measures," the Leader told the audience.
Further in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei described certain groups and those enjoying undeserved economic and political privileges as full of demands and expectations and the source of trouble for the people and officials.
"These individuals and groups offer the least assistance and cooperation at the time of hardships. They are displeased with the administration of justice and equity, and they are the most impatient in the face of problems," the Leader pointed out.
Ayatollah Khamenei also hinted at the guidelines of Imam Ali (peace and greetings be upon him) with regard to considering the merit and worth of individuals before appointing them as government officials and executives, so that the likelihood of their deviation and treason may be minimized.
"Imam Ali-ibn-Abitaleb (peace and greetings be upon him) also emphasized the need to incessantly watch the performance of officials and take firm action against them if they commit violations and wrongdoings," Ayatollah Khamenei further noted.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic called on government officials to avoid aggrandizing their service to the public, breaking their promises to the people, paying inadequate attention to their responsibilities, insisting on wrong methods and inappropriate plans and rashness in the performance of their duties. He also told them to avoid narcissism and fondness for praise and admiration.
In conclusion, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the officials of the Islamic Republic should never consider themselves immune to deviation, and he emphasized the need for constant watchfulness of one's words and deeds. The Leader also noted that welcoming the advice and admonition of benevolent individuals and well-wishers will help one to protect oneself against deviation.
At the beginning of the meeting, President Ahmadinejad expressed his felicitations on the advent of the holy month of Ramazan.
After the Leader's statements, the participants in the meeting said their evening and night prayers, which were led by Ayatollah Khamenei. Then, President Ahmadinejad and members of his Cabinet broke their fast along with the Leader of the Islamic Republic.