The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei, issued a message on Thursday on the occasion of the Iranian New Year, declaring this year 'the year of innovation and flourishment'. He declared: "This year, innovation must engulf the whole country. Moreover, all the government officials must consider themselves responsible and must be of benefit to the people through utilizing material and spiritual means, using innovative methods and cutting red-tape through effective management and appropriate planning."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution pointed out that this year's first week has coincided with two other Islamic eids (festive occasions) - the birth anniversaries of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a) and Imam Sadiq (a.s.). He congratulated to the Iranian nation as well as all the nations that celebrate the Iranian New Year. Touching upon the bright prospects that the current year holds for the Iranians, His Eminence added that "this year the Islamic Republic will celebrate its 30th anniversary. All these thirty years have been spent defending national independence and grandeur and helping the country move towards scientific progress and practical objectives. All these efforts will be preserved as a noble endeavor in the history of the Iranian nation."
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the inauguration of the newly-elected parliament and to the activities of the devoted and diligent administration and described the cooperation between these two government branches as a factor that will help prepare the ground for the accomplishment of great deeds. He went on to say, "We cannot afford to move at a slow pace. We must double our efforts and move ahead in a serious, fast but at the same time well-organized and calculated manner. We must utilize all our capacities in order to make great progress, both on the home front and on the complex international front."
The Leader stressed that if efficient, courageous and dignified planning in the sphere of foreign policy is accompanied by success, it will have a great impact on domestic achievements. He reiterated that the solution for the Iranian nation lies in gaining power, and that government officials are fortunately well aware of the importance of national grandeur. "Government officials resist the bullying enemy" he said.
His Eminence described relying on the Almighty and ensuring full cooperation between the government and the people as factors that help prepare the ground for the Iranian nation to gain increasing power, especially spiritual power. He said: "One of the two things that I expect to be fulfilled in the year 1387 is innovation in various sectors - including social and economic organizations as well as organizations that provide service for the public - especially in diplomacy, promoting knowledge and research while fostering the proper culture that would bring about the provision of services to all people from different social backgrounds."
"My second expectation this year is that the activities that have been done in the previous years and what the government has done in the recent years, must bear fruit this year and people should feel the sweet taste of the results of these activities and efforts. Therefore, I hereby name this year 'the year of innovation and flourishment'."
Elsewhere in his speech, the Leader described the year 1386 as an important and eventful year that brought about grandeur for the Iranian nation. "In the beginning of last year, arresting and then releasing the British soldiers - who had encroached on our territory - presented a powerful and at the same time patient and magnanimous picture of the Iranian nation to the people throughout the world. At the end of that year, the people's impressive and glorious participation in the parliamentary elections once again portrayed Iran as a nation that has enormous power and displays firmness of purpose for the management of the country." He said.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to the valuable work done by government officials, the parliament and various governmental departments as well as the great accomplishments of the nation, especially scientific activities carried out by university students and researchers, as another positive aspect of the year 1386 that will help prepare the ground for the country's progress. He added: "These advances were, of course, accompanied by losses, shortcomings and failures, the last of which was the sorrowful loss of a number of students in a heartrending accident. Life is full of happiness and sorrow. However, the important point for a nation is that it should remember its goals in the midst of these happy and sad incidents and take big steps towards them."
At the end of his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed hopes that the honored Iranian nation, by taking advantage of 'innovation and flourishment', will end the current year gloriously, successfully, happily and in the best possible way.