In an address to a large group of East Azerbaijan residents, Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution described the vigilance, faith, insistence on the values of the Revolution and the values cherished by Imam Khomeini (RA), and displaying national talents and capabilities as some of the factors that have contributed to the survival of the Revolution and its ever increasing vitality. His Eminence also said that the Iranian nation is determined to become a knowledgeable and powerful nation, achieve a superior international status and serve as a practical model to all nations - which, he stated, will be realizable by relying on the framework provided by macro-planning that guides the general revolutionary practices and the specified horizons, by revitalizing the historical and cultural treasures and by relying on youthful talents.
In this gathering which was held on the eve of the anniversary of the historic uprising of Tabriz residents on February 9, 1978 the Leader described this intelligent and courageous move as a turning point in the Islamic movement of the Iranian nation and also as a perfect example of the vigilance, understanding, and courage of Tabriz residents and added: "These features are the secrets behind nations' freedom from oppression and their stepping on the road to progress and prosperity. Thanks to the effective leadership of Imam Khomeini, the Iranian nation which was under the oppression of colonialist powers and despotic and dependant rulers turned into a dynamic, vigilant and powerful nation and paraded its national might.
Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the nation's faith and its reliance on the mottos and ideals of the Islamic Revolution as the main difference between the Islamic Revolution and other revolutions. He pointed to the rally held on February 11 and said that although it is 29 years since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, public turnout and vitality in the rally was far more than the past years, which he described as having resulted from the dynamism of the Islamic Revolution and the Iranian nation.
"Those who exclaimed in the past that the Islamic Revolution and Imam Khomeini (RA) were consigned to oblivion were mistaken because the Islamic Revolution and its mottos are more popular among the public now than they used to be, and our people show greater affection for those who pay more attention to the revolutionary mottos," His Eminence added.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described the current status of the Iranian nation in the world and its spirit of self-confidence as having resulted from the Islamic Revolution. He went on to say that the main reason behind all political and economic pressure and even military threats is that the enemy is worried about the Iranian nation's determination to quickly move towards the revolutionary ideals and values and its reliance on national self-confidence. Their concern stems from the fact that the revelation of the Islamic Revolution's efficiency will endanger the very existence of arrogant powers in the Islamic countries.
The US president George W. Bush had said in a speech that in order to force Iran to give up its military activities the US has to continue exerting pressure on the country. Touching upon these remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei said that although they know that Iran is not trying to manufacture nuclear weapons, they are making these allegations in an attempt to prevent the Iranian nation from achieving advanced technology relying on its national talents and capabilities.
He described mighty resistance against America and other arrogant powers as the only way to set out on the route to thriving, progress and claiming one's rights and added that despite all the propaganda and pressure, the Iranian nation strongly declares that it will stand up for and claim its rights. "Allah will reproach our nation unless we do so."
Having described presence on the scene, preserving the unity and great achievements of the Islamic Revolution as the right approach, he went on to say that this year has been named "the year of national unity" which means that the revolutionary family must promote its unity day by day regardless of trivial problems and minor quibbles.
Pointing to the upcoming parliamentary elections, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the elections as one of the arenas in which the nation can display public presence on the scene and added: "I have always emphasized the importance of massive and dynamic public participation because going to the polls is against the will and desire of the enemy."
He referred to the strenuous efforts of the enemy in order to prevent the Iranian nation, especially the youth, from treading the path of the Islamic Revolution and stressed, "Massive public participation in the elections is considered mujahidah and will be rewarded by Allah the Exalted."
The IR Leader described voting qualified candidates as another important electoral issue and added that the most important standard for electing individuals is the attempts on their part to revitalize the Islamic Revolution's mottos, which is an issue that has "nothing to do with different names or parties."
Stressing the fact that the solution to the country's issues and achieving the ideals is based on practicing the IR motto, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that only those who believe in Islam, Islamic Revolution's mottos and national capabilities should be voted into decision-making centers.
Having emphasized the need for maintaining vigilance, the Leader said that we must beware of hypocritical people.
The leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to Imam Khomeini's path, revolutionary values and Iranian nation's resistance as an honor for many Muslims. Pointing to the personal characteristics of the martyr Imad Mughniyah, he said: "The martyr Hajj Imad Mughniyah, who was martyred by the Zionists, considered himself to be a son of Imam Khomeini (RA), and he was proud of that. That was because the Magnanimous Imam (RA) revitalized him and other Palestinian and Lebanese youth and infused them with a new spirit."
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the ignominious defeat suffered by the Zionist regime and the US during the 33-day Lebanese war against a number of lightly-armed faithful youth as an instance of the influence of the Islamic Revolution and the movement started by Imam Khomeini (RA). His Eminence said "by relying on Allah, welcoming death, resisting on the battlefield and falling back on their self-confidence, the Lebanese youth put an end to the myth that the US and the Zionist regime were invincible."
Elsewhere in his speech, His Eminence described the uprising of the people of Tabriz against the previous evil regime on February 9, 1978 as a historic event which brought about honor for the people of Azerbaijan. He went on to say that the most important feature of the this courageous movement was to prevent the uprising of the people of Qom on January 9, 1978 from sinking into oblivion, which turned the uprising into a dynamic current.
The leader of the Islamic Revolution described the movement as an event that served as a model to other people during the Revolution and as sign of the vigilance of the people of Tabriz and said: "I wholeheartedly accept the truth of the motto that says the people of Azerbaijan are vigilant."