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Speaking in a meeting with a large group of people and clerics in Qom, Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran emphasized that Imam Hussein (AS) was the manifestation and standard-bearer of insight and resistance. He touched upon the Iranian nation's resistance during the past 28 years and the need for insight in the upcoming parliamentary election and added, "Elections always require insight and the Iranian nation should enter the arena of the 8th parliamentary elections with insight and make the right decision. By exalted Allah's grace, this time too the people and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran will win the final victory."

In this gathering - which was held on the occasion of the anniversary of the Qom residents' historic revolt of 1356 - the Leader of the Islamic Revolution described this astute movement of the people of Qom as one the of the most influential movements which gave rise to the popular uprising against the previous regime: "Dey 19 was an important point in the history of the Revolution the memory of which must be kept alive. On that day, the people of Qom displayed their vigilance and their loyalty to the magnanimous Leader of the Revolution Imam Khomeini."

His Eminence Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out, "During the years after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, some people broke their vows to the late Imam and the Revolution, which proved to be a disadvantage for them. But the majority of the Iranian nation remained loyal and resisted, and Almighty Allah gave them the reward for this resistance. Victory in the Sacred Defense era and increasing accomplishments in the arenas of growth and national development were some of these rewards."

Ayatollah Khamenei, referring to Reza Khan's tragic act of unveiling women on 17th of Dey, added that "according to a plan and with the help of some intellectuals who were connected with the Pahlavi Court, the enemies intended to pull the Iranian women out of the sanctuary of hijab and chastity and destroy the great power of faith that, thanks to hijab, has always prevailed in Muslim communities."

Emphasizing the fact that the removal of hijab is a prelude to removing chastity and modesty in society and to the destruction of the family, he said, "The Iranian nation, especially the Muslim women, resisted this pressure with their strong faith and did not let the plot be carried out."

Referring to Imam Hussein's (AS) uprising and the event of Ashura as some of the turning points in the history of mankind, Ayatollah Khamenei added that "In the face of great opposition, the memory of this event has been kept alive throughout the history and in fact, Ashura is a precious treasure which could benefit all human beings."

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution stressed that mourning for Imam Hussein (AS) means the revival and maintenance of spiritual values and went on to say that "all mourners, especially orators and eulogists must take the precaution of securing the position of this truth so that some superstitions and unreasonable actions should not degrade the mourning ceremony for Imam Hussein (AS)."

His Eminence described Imam Hussein's (AS) mourning sessions as an opportunity for expressing religious facts and said that "Imam Hussein's (AS) mourning sessions must be anti-oppression and anti-hegemony and must be leveled at Yazids, Shemrs and ibn Ziads of the present age."

He referred to the emphasis that was placed on holding these mourning ceremonies on the part of the authorities and senior officials of the government, especially Imam Khomeini, as well as the ordinary people and noted, "The direction of Imam Hussein's mourning ceremonies must be steered towards the reinforcement of faith and the spirit of religiousness, informing people, promoting the spirit of courageousness and piety and preventing people's indifference. This is the true meaning of commemorating Imam Hussein's (AS) uprising."

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described the emotional aspects of this mourning as influencing emotions and its deep spiritual aspects as informing the intellect and added, "Imam Hussein (AS) was the manifestation of insight and resistance, and so his followers must be."

Ayatollah Khamenei said that the great movement of the Iranian people during the Islamic Revolution and their raising the banner of humanitarian and religious values in an anti-morality world is a manifestation of the Iranian nation's insight and the late Imam Khomeini's effective leadership: "The Islamic Revolution is the miracle of the modern world because, despite all these different plots, the Iranian nation has been triumphant and this Revolution is firmer than previous times and has managed to fight off the enemies."

His Eminence described the elections as very important and as one of the arenas in which the greatness of the Iranian nation and Islamic government are manifested and added, "Elections, which are the manifestation of democracy, have on the whole been held in Iran every year during the past 28 years. This is one of the most important characteristics of the Iranian nation's victory because it is indicative of the people's political participation and decision and of the Islamic government's courage for relying on their votes and decisions."

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to the greatness of this issue as the reason behind the enemies' denying this evident fact and their obstinacy and hostility towards the Iranian people and added that "the Islamic government has always insisted on holding the elections and even 4 years ago when some individuals tried to put an end to the elections by staging a false game, by Allah's grace, they were thwarted in their attempts."

Ayatollah Khamenei, referring to the duty of the people, administrators and the elite towards the elections, said, "The position, value and grandeur of the elections must be preserved so that people go to poling stations with hope and trust."

He expressed sorrow about the remarks made regarding the need for vigilance against cheating in the election and stressed: "Elections have always been held in perfectly healthy conditions in the past 28 years. Why do some individuals cast aspersions on the elections by making these remarks - which we hope are not made on purpose?"

His Eminence described the remarks of some individuals about inviting international observers and Iran's enemies to watch the elections as a disgrace and great insolence to the Iranian nation and added, "When entrusted with people's votes, the executive bodies and officials in charge of watching the elections have always done their duty well and they will continue to do so in the 8th parliamentary election."

Ayatollah Khamenei re-stressed that the competing political groups and parties should observe the election moral and avoid immorality and slandering. He also referred to the need for vigilance against the enemy's movements, especially the remarks made recently by the US president about his support for a particular group in Iran and said that America's support for anyone living inside the country is a disgrace.

"Both the people and the group that has been supported by the American president must ponder why America wants to support that group. And what is the group's weak point that has encouraged America to think of supporting them."

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described elections as belonging to the nation, the government and Islam and stated, "We must take care not to let elections turn into a tool in the enemy's hands. Political groups and individuals should determine the boundaries between themselves and the enemy because if these boundaries lose their importance or disappear, there will be the possibility that the enemy may cross the boundary or some people may unknowingly fall into the enemy's clutches."

He went on to say that "besides determining the line between the enemy and themselves, political groups and individuals must determine their boundaries with the mercenaries and those who serve the enemy."

His Eminence described participation in the elections as necessitating insight and stressed, "People of Iran should be fully vigilant against the enemy and his positions in order that they can make the right decision. And this time too, by Allah's grace and guidance, the Iranian nation and the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran will certainly emerge victorious out of this challenge.