In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
All praise is due to God, Lord of the Worlds, and peace and greetings be upon our Master, Muhammad, and his untainted, pure, chosen Progeny, particularly the Remnant of God on earth (may God hasten his reappearance).
You are very welcome here, my dear brothers and sisters, the dear people of Khuzestan and Kerman. Our meeting here today is a very friendly meeting, and one that is subject to His grace, God willing. I am truly fortunate to have the opportunity to meet a number of the people from these two important provinces. I would like to welcome each and every one of you, especially the families of our dear martyrs and our dear disabled veterans.
I would like to use this very pleasant, friendly meeting to first say a few words about these two provinces. Our young generation, our new generation, needs to become more familiar with the honors of their generation, history, and heritage. This is necessary both now and in the future. [Explaining about] the historical sequence of the valuable heritages in different parts of the country should be one of the goals of all those who care about the country and the Revolution.
I will say a few words about Khuzestan and a few words about Kerman, then I will touch upon an important national issue, which is the upcoming elections [for the Majlis and the Assembly of Experts on March 1, 2024]. I would then like to say a few words about an important, international Islamic issue, which is the issue of Gaza. This is an outline of the talk that I will be sharing with my dear brothers and sisters here today.
As for Khuzestan, perhaps it can be said that Khuzestan has been one of the key, important centers of the Iranian nation’s resistance during the last 120-130 years. The people of Khuzestan have been a demonstration of the Iranian nation's resistance during this period.
If our youth are familiar with history, they will know that about 100 or so years ago in the aftermath of World War I, when the British came and attacked this region of Iran and Iraq, it was the Khuzestan people’s defense that pushed back the British. The zealous people of Khuzestan took the fatwa of the ulama [religious scholars] of Najaf, raised the flag, and stood against the British. Back then the British had come with an army and their military capabilities. It was not a matter of propaganda and such things. They had already dominated Iraq, and they wanted to dominate Iran as well.
The people of Khuzestan stood against the British based on the fatwa of the ulama of Najaf, such as the late Amirza Muhammad Taqi Shirazi and others. During my trip to Khuzestan several years ago, they brought the flag of that great battle to me and I gifted it to Astan Quds Razavi. That flag, which belongs to the people of Khuzestan, is still there. These are important matters in history. They are very valuable. Khuzestan stood up firmly against the British, and not just to defend Khuzestan, but to defend Iran.
In the case of the nationalization of the Iranian oil industry in the early 1950s, Khuzestan was the place of the confrontation between Iran and England in which the Abadan refinery — which was in the hands of the British — was seized along with other areas and centers that the British had created for themselves. The people of Khuzestan were at the forefront in this case as well.
What’s most important is the resistance of the people of Khuzestan in the face of Saddam’s invasion in 1980. The people of Khuzestan were the first group of defenders. A miscalculation that Saddam had made was that he assumed if he were to attack the cities of Khuzestan — such as Abadan, Khorramshahr, Ahvaz, etc. — the Arabs who lived in those regions would join forces with him against their own country! Saddam made this wrong mistake. He thought that he would gain control of Khuzestan and that the Iranian Arabs in Khuzestan would help him.
The first people who stood up firmly against him were these same people whom he had pinned his hopes on. A dear martyr of ours, General Ali Hashemi (may God be pleased with him), is one such example. Saddam’s soldiers had heard about him during the early days of the war, and they spent several years looking for him. They would ask whomever they took captive, “Where is Ali Hashemi?” They were after Ali Hashemi. This martyr’s mother was alive up until recently. The tribes in Khuzestan, including the Arab, non-Arab, Lor, Bakhtiari, and other tribes, were the first people who stood against Saddam Hossein. That is a great honor. It is a great merit. It is not a small thing.
Khuzestan is an outstanding province from another aspect as well, and that aspect is that the blood of the martyrs from all the country’s provinces have been spilled on Khuzestan’s soil. What does this mean? This means that Khuzestan is a symbol of the entire Iranian nation’s empathy and solidarity. Young people, vanguards, and self-sacrifing people came from all parts of the country, fought with faith and motivation, and sacrificed their lives for the cause of Islam, Iran, and the Islamic Republic.
Khuzestan became a symbol of solidarity for the Iranian nation. Everything we had heard about the heroism of the Iranian nation throughout history — their dedication, their sacrifices, their resilience — we saw with our own eyes in Khuzestan during the Sacred Defense period. Therefore, Khuzestan became a manifestation of the Iranian nation’s outstanding features. So, that was about Khuzestan. Our dear young people should combine these few words with the dozens or hundreds of other virtues of that important region in our country.
As for Kerman, during the many years in which I have become acquainted with Kerman and the people of Kerman, I have clearly seen many shining stars in this province and among the people of this province. This is not something to just hear about. You have to see it. You have to feel it. If I were to outline some of the most important features of this province, I would first mention its deep cultural identity and then I would mention how Kerman is training elites. This training of elites is one of the features of this province. The moral decency and sincere faith of the people of Kerman along with the pioneering spirit of the people of Kerman in joining the Islamic and Revolutionary movement are also some of the features of this province.
I will never forget how in 1963 in the Masumiyeh School in Kerman, if I am remembering the name correctly, these young men and teenagers from Kerman would continuously meet with the fighters, the seminary students, and the scholars who were there as though they were one chain. They would receive and distribute handouts, they would receive messages, they would learn lessons, and they would spread them across the province. These formed the basis for the rise of a great personage such as Haj Qasem Soleimani. The training of elites, their connection with outstanding Islamic concepts, and their fight for this cause are great characteristics that I have witnessed with my own eyes in the people of Kerman.
Yes, just one Qasem Soleimani is enough for not just Kerman Province, but for the entire nation of Iran to be proud of him. This is true. But the important question besides that is, “What is the cultural basis that trains someone like Qasem Soleimani?” We should make use of this cultural basis. That true faith, those sacrifices, that pure intellect, and that divine guidance that the Almighty God blesses people with are all part of the cultural basis.
Of course, this basis always exists, but without an Islamic Revolution and an Islamic Republic these capabilities will not be manifested. When an Islamic Republic takes form, these people emerge and appear one after another — people like Martyr Hossein Alamolhoda, Martyr Ali Hashemi, Martyr Hemmat, and Martyr Haj Qasem Soleimani.
I want to tell you, the dear youth of Khuzestan and Kerman, to be proud of these traits. Be proud of and appreciate this generational and historical heritage, and use these characteristics to build the future of your country. This country needs to be built up. We have many flaws and we are behind. Tens of years, or actually hundreds of years, of tyrannical rule have kept our country behind in many different areas.
Based on our past, we should be leading the world’s caravan of science today. But that is not the case. Today, we should have been clearly showing the rules and teachings of Islam in every part of people’s lives in our own country. We should have been showing Islam’s capacity to run a country. We have failed to do this, and we are behind. This backwardness must be compensated for. You, the youth, can do this. The Iranian nation can do this. May God protect all of you and bless you with even more preparedness so that you can reach the stage of taking action in various sectors. Well, those were some of the things that I wanted to say regarding Khuzestan and Kerman.
And now, [a few sentences] regarding the important, determinative matter of the elections. In about two months from now, we will have two important elections in our country. I mentioned these elections at the beginning of the year. There was a long time left to the elections back then, but there isn’t much time left now. The Iranian nation should be prepared for these two elections in the best possible way. One of these elections is for the Assembly of Experts of the Leadership. The significance of the Assembly of Experts of the Leadership is that it can choose the right leader for the country whenever necessary, and over time it can and must take care to maintain the vital conditions of the leadership in the present leader.
This is the importance of the Assembly of Experts of the Leadership. Therefore, the Iranian nation and the people in all provinces should pay attention to this and be careful. They should hold these elections in the best possible way. Now, the Iranian Islamic Consultative Majlis [parliamentary] elections are also very important, and they are held at the same time as the previously mentioned elections. According to the constitution, the Islamic Consultative Majlis sets the course for the country’s future. If the country faces problems, legislation and the resourceful presence of the Islamic Consultative Majlis is required to solve these problems. That is how important these elections are. These two elections should be held in a very good manner.
When I spoke to the Iranian nation at the beginning of the year, I mentioned four specifications for these elections:
1. Strong participation
2. True competition
3. Fairness, in the true sense of the word
4. Elections security
These four specifications must be met. I will say a few words about them today, and if I am still alive and am given the opportunity, I will talk to our dear people about these again over the next two months. But we must first clarify the principle and logic behind elections in the Islamic Republic.
Why do we hold elections? I say that both the “Republic” and the “Islamic” aspects [of the system] are dependent on elections. “Republic” means having a democratic government. That is, the counrtry’s governance should be in the hands of the people. Now, how are people supposed to be involved in the country’s governance? This can only be achieved by holding elections. Some people try to find fault with the need to hold elections. They discourage the people. They do not pay attention to the fact that if there are no elections in the country, there will be a dictatorship, chaos, and insecurity. That which will prevent chaos, riots, and insecurity is elections. Elections are the right path by which and through which people can ensure national sovereignty, democracy, and having a republic in the country. So, that is about the republic aspect.
Elections can choose and establish Wali-e Faqih [the Guardian of the Islamic Jurist] of the country, that is, can ensure an Islamic system. Elections can choose the representatives to the Majlis to formulate laws for the administration of the country in accordance with Islamic guidelines and Islamic teachings. Therefore, both having a republic and being Islamic rely on elections. So, in the system of the Islamic Republic, elections are a necessity.
In these elections, those four points that I mentioned are definitely important. The first is participation. Participation means the enthusiastic participation of people in the elections. An enthusiastic participation of the people in the elections shows national unity and the Iranian nation’s desire to be present on the scene. The Iranian nation’s motivation accompanied by national unity will result in national power. National power ensures national security. When a country has security, then science will advance in that country, the economy will flourish, and the country’s various cultural, economic, and political problems can be solved. The people’s participation [in the elections] is that strong a miracle.
Elections transform the country. Some people speak about transformations and claim to favor them, but, in practice, they neglect that which is the definite initiator of transformations — that is elections. Elections can bring about transformations in the country. People with various political, economic, and cultural views want to create transformations in the country in favor of their own political, economic, or cultural views. Very well, how can that be achieved? It can be achieved through elections — whether it be the Majlis elections, the Assembly of Experts elections, the presidential elections, or the council elections — by electing those who share their political, economic, or cultural views. This is what creates change. Therefore, elections are the basis for transformations.
Anyone who has an audience has a duty to invite people to the elections. Ulama, university professors, seminary professors, broadcasters, journalists, the youth, and people in a family can all call others to the elections. They can call on their audiences to participate in the elections. In that way, the elections will become lively elections. If participation is weak, the Majlis will be weak. And a weak Majlis will not be completely able to solve the problems. If we want our problems to be solved, we must boost participation. This is a duty that we all have. Whoever wants the country’s problems to be solved, this is the way to do it. That was regarding participation, but if the opportunity arises, I will speak about this again in the future.
Now regarding the issue of competition, what does competition mean? Competition means different political factions competing with each other and taking part in the elections. It means various political and economic parties competing with each other in the elections. Different political factions, those who have differing political views and opinions, as well as different economic and cultural views, should be given the opportunity to compete with one another. This is the meaning of competition. Competition means that young people who want to take part in the elections should compete with those who are more experienced. They both need to make an effort. A good, strong Majlis is one that has both young people and people with more experience.
That is the meaning of competition. One of the most important issues in elections is competition. Competition means everyone should be able to campaign for themselves, but this needs to be done correctly. God willing, I will also speak about campaigning later on if I have the opportunity. Campaigning should be done in an ethical, honest fashion. Campaigning is not slandering others, it is not lying, and it is not making false promises. Campaigning means a person telling their opinions to the people. This is campaigning, and, God willing, this opportunity should be given to everyone. Well, there is much to say in this regard. Regarding the fairness and security of the elections, God willing, I will talk about that later on if I have the opportunity.
Therefore, keep the elections in mind. Some people cause others to lose hope in the elections. That is wrong. It is a mistake, and it is bad for the country. It is bad for the "country," not just for a certain person or for certain people. It is bad for the country. Some people continuously remind others of the country's problems in order to make them lose hope in the elections. Well, if problems exist, what is the solution? The solution to the problems is elections. In fact, in order to solve the problems, we need to take part in elections. This was about the elections.
As for the international and Islamic issue of Gaza, two and a half months have passed since the start of the tragedy in Gaza. This tragedy is an unprecedented phenomenon in the recent history of the Islamic world. In modern history — perhaps in this last century — there has never been anything similar to this tragedy. It is an unparalleled tragedy. It is an unprecedented tragedy.
How is it unprecedented? This event is unprecedented in two ways. From the side of the Zionist regime, this event is unprecedented. Why? Because never before has the historical period that I just mentioned witnessed this kind of brutality, criminality, and bloodthirstiness. It is unprecedented due to the way the Zionist regime is killing children and dropping bunker-busting bombs on patients in hospitals. This kind of cruelty and evil is unprecedented. That is from the Zionist regime’s side.
On the other hand, from the side of the Palestinian people and fighters, such steadfastness, such patience, such resistance, and the manner in which they have enraged the enemy have never been seen before. The Gazan people and fighters are standing like a rock, like a mountain. This is something important. Even though water, food, medicine, and fuel are not reaching these people — they have no water! — they are still standing strong and refusing to surrender. This is very important. This unwillingness to surrender will make them victorious, and signs of victory can be seen today. “Indeed, God is with those who are patient” (Quran 2:153).
Despite all its equipment and facilities, the Zionist regime remains incapable against the Palestinian fighters whose equipment it can be said cannot really be compared with that of the occupying regime. You must have heard that they have withdrawn the important, active parts of their army from the field (referring to the withdrawal of the Zionist’s Golani Brigade from the Gaza Strip), because they saw that they could not achieve anything and were only suffering losses. These are important. These are unprecedented phenomena.
One of the key points in this matter is that the Zionist regime’s defeat in this event is not just the defeat of the Zionist regime. It is also the defeat of the US. In the world today, no one says the Zionist regime is something different from the US or England. Everyone knows that they are the same. The US shamelessly vetoes the UN Security Council resolution that calls for an end to the bombings and for a ceasefire. There is no difference between them. They are the same.
What does “it vetoes” mean? It means it [the US] is complicit in the dropping of bombs on children, women, the ill, the elderly, and defenseless people. The US has been disgraced. The mask covering the true face of Western civilization has fallen off. The Palestinian nation’s great victory in this is the discrediting of the West, the US, and their false claims of human rights. Today, everyone is aware of these masquerades. They know what the truth is behind their use of words like “human rights” and such things. The hideous, monstrous, evil faces of the US and England have been revealed to everyone in the world.
Israel would not have been able to commit these crimes had it not been for the US’s support. If the US hadn’t supported it, Israel would not have dared to do these things. It was the US’s support that enabled the Zionist regime to commit all these crimes over the last two and a half months. Everyone in the world knows this. The US has been disgraced. That in itself is the greatest success. It is the greatest victory for the Front of Truth and the Front of Resistance.
The signs of the defeat of these criminals are emerging on the field one after another. In the field of humanity too, they have failed completely. That is the truth of the matter. The nature of the White House and the truth of the US and British governments have been exposed.
So what is our duty today? Our duty is to help the Resistance. It is everyone’s duty to help the Resistance in any way they can. Helping the Resistance is a duty. Helping the Zionist regime is a crime and treason. It is unfortunate to say that some Muslim governments commit this crime, but they must know that the Muslim nations will not forget this.
Today, it is the duty of Muslim governments to prevent commodities, oil, fuel, etc. from reaching the Zionist regime, in the same way that it [the Zionist regime] is preventing water from reaching Gaza. That is the duty of Muslim governments. It is also the duty of Muslim nations to demand that their governments stop giving any help to the Zionist regime and to even cut relations with that regime. If they are unable to cut relations permanently, they must cut relations at least temporarily and put pressure on this evil, ruthless, cruel, bloodthirsty regime.
As you can see, the world’s conscience is hurting today. People are coming out onto the streets in the US and in European countries. This is no joke. Political figures in some of these states and countries are resigning because their governments are helping the Zionist regime. The heads of universities are resigning. Scientists and famous people are criticizing their governments and protesting against them. The world’s conscience is hurting, and yet some [governments] are still continuing to provide the same support to that ruthless, bloodthirsty regime.
What I would like to say is this that you must never doubt that the Front of Truth will be victorious. Never doubt that the usurping Zionist regime will be wiped off the face of the earth one day. God willing, this is one of the things that will definitely take place in the future. With God’s help, strength, permission, and glory, this will happen. I hope that, God willing, you young people will see that day with your own eyes.
May God’s greetings, mercy, and blessings be upon you.
