Imam Khamenei explained that religious democracy, as introduced by the Islamic Revolution, disrupted the Domineering Powers’ agenda. In other words, the Islamic Republic of Iran was able to change the way the world had been often divided into the two groups of “the dominators” and “the dominated.”
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution analyzed the enmity of global powers toward the Islamic Republic and the democracy established by it in this way, “Religious democracy has aroused the enmity and hostility of the world’s superpowers against this literature, this term, this truth and this phenomenon.”
In speaking about the anniversary of the liberation of Khorramshahr, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution described this phenomenon as being something much more than the recapturing of a city. He said, “The liberation of Khorramshahr was in fact the transformation of a bitter situation into a sweet one, which was to the advantage of the Islamic soldiers. The factors that helped the nation to be saved, which was achieved with the liberation of Khorramshahr, were the people’s jihad, self-sacrifice, firm determination, having initiative, the adoption of a long-term outlook toward goals and ideals, and most importantly, sincerity and reliance on God.”
His Eminence stated that these factors are a source for salvation in all affairs and in all times. He emphasized this by saying, “These liberating factors are based on God’s irrevocable promise in the Qur’an according to which all individuals who are committed to these factors will be victorious because God will not let the actions of these individuals be wasted.”
He said, “Self-sacrifice means refusing to become entangled in the claws of base desires. Many of individuals’ and societies’ problems begin when people give in to these base desires.”
Imam Khamenei stated that the Islamic Consultative Assembly is one of the main pillars for the management of the country that enjoys an important position. He explained, “The MPs from different cities – even cities with a small population – should have such a viewpoint toward the Parliament, and they must be aware of the difficulty and complexity of managing the country. Managing a country with the geographical situation of dear Iran is an important task. Considering the special circumstances in today’s world, it is naturally a difficult, demanding task.”
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution went on to say, “Of course in today’s circumstances, management has become difficult for all countries. Hostile rivalries between powers, the exchange of threats between nuclear powers, increasing military activities and the existence of war in Europe, which is one of the most war-stricken regions in the world, the spread of a new disease and the shortage of food supplies at a global level are all factors that have brought about special circumstances in the world. Under such conditions, management has become increasingly difficult and complex for countries. In the case of Iran, in addition to these circumstances that exist for all countries and because of it presenting a new model – a religious democracy which has upset the Domineering Powers’ agenda – our country is involved in a continuous challenge and conflict with the Domineering Powers in different areas.”
Stressing that the Islamic Republic has withstood all hostilities and enmities and is making continuous progress, His Eminence stated, “The MPs, the Administration, the Judiciary Branch, and all other governmental organizations should know in what a great, important form of management they are involved. They should increase their vigilance in watching over their actions in line with the greatness of this position. We must gain a correct understanding of our capabilities and shortcomings, and we must take care not to let any mistake be made because the enemy has pinned his hope on our mistakes much more than relying on his own capabilities.”
Referring to his previous description of the eleventh Parliament as being a revolutionary Parliament, he stated, “Some individuals did not like this description, but it was true because the people elected the MPs whose slogans and orientations were revolutionary for this Parliament.”
Rejecting the viewpoint of the individuals who believe that revolutionary slogans are a source of trouble for the country, he stated, “Moving toward the ideals of the Revolution is to the advantage of the country and this will be a cure for the pains that it suffers from.”
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution emphasized that remaining revolutionary is more important than becoming revolutionary, “In the first years after the Revolution, some people were very enthusiastic and extremely revolutionary, but they did not have the patience and endurance to stay on this path. Therefore, the Parliament must remain revolutionary at an individual and collective level, and this is more difficult than becoming revolutionary.”
Praising the eleventh Parliament for the good measures it has adopted over the past two years, Imam Khamenei highlighted the characteristics of revolutionary MPs by saying, “The first characteristic is having a simple lifestyle and refusing to become captivated by the riches of the world and adopting an aristocratic lifestyle. The MPs’ lives should not be different from before they were in the Parliament.”
Being responsible was the second characteristic that His Eminence referred to. He said, “You must stand by the good law that you ratify. On the other hand, it should not be the case that while you know that a certain law that you ratify will probably be rejected by the Guardian Council and that the Administration will probably not have the power to enforce it, you still pass the law in order to no longer have any responsibility in this regard.”
He referred to being among the people as another characteristic of a revolutionary MP and added, “Being among the people means that as well as meeting with the people, you must listen to their demands. And when it is not possible to satisfy their demands, you must explain the reasons clearly to them. This is an example of the jihad of clarification that I mentioned previously.”
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution stated that another characteristic of a revolutionary MP is giving priority to the main issues of the country. He continued on to say, “Another characteristic is carefully avoiding and preventing discrimination and corruption, both the corruption of others and being vigilant of oneself in the face of this peril.”
Imam Khamenei stressed that genuine cooperation with other branches and their affiliated organizations and avoiding a quid pro quo spirit and internal conflict as being the requirements of a revolutionary Parliament. He explained, “A revolutionary MP is with the people, but he/she does not get carried away. So when passing a law, if there is a reasonable objection to it, you should accept that objection. On the other hand, efforts to create a tumult and opposition against the Parliament and the law should not prevent you from carrying out your duties.”
He stressed that complete commitment to the Constitution and its mandates is another characteristic of a revolutionary MP. He said, “Of course, one of the things that is not a sign of being revolutionary is delivering a passionate, angry, bitter speech.”
He highlighted the necessity of explaining the actions of the Parliament and its measures for the people by way of the media and stated, “Providing the wrong explanations creates an opportunity for a tumult to be created against the law that will discourage you from ratifying it.”
At the end of his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution commemorated the pure souls of Imam Khomeini and the martyrs of the Islamic Revolution, in particular Martyr Sayad Khodayi who was martyred just a few days ago by terrorists.
At the beginning of this meeting, Dr. Qalibaf, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, explained the measures taken by the eleventh Parliament over the past two years and said that causing the sanctions to be ineffective is the main goal of this Parliament. He also said, “In the framework of this strategy, the Parliament seeks to reform the laws regarding the economy.”
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