Hundreds of young university students from different Iranian universities called on the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Tuesday, October 9.
The gathering included the superior students and those who had ranked first in the entrance examinations for the Iranian universities and also the representatives and activists of different political and cultural student organizations.
Speaking at the meeting, the Leader described raising and addressing different academic and political and social issues as a laudable measure and a duty and responsibility of university students. He stated that the constant and prudent and logical pursuit of ideals will ensure a bright future for student organizations and academic circles.
Ayatollah Khamenei further praised the young students' motivation for raising different issues and expressing various views at the meeting.
"I have always said that we should fear the day when our students and youngsters have no motivation for raising issues and asking questions. But, by the favor of Allah, that is not the case today, and we should make every effort to further promote the spirit of asking and demanding in our young generation and, in particular, in our student organizations and academic circles," Ayatollah Khamenei observed.
The Leader stated that it is not possible to realize all the ideals and objectives and fulfill all the needs and requirements in the short term, considering the limited available facilities and resources.
"Great ideals will not be realized in the short term. However, the raising of demands in a moderate manner and without going to extremes and pursuing them wisely and prudently will definitely ensure bright prospects for our universities," Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out.
The Leader also told the young students, "You may rest assured that your demands and your pursuit of them will prove fruitful and beneficial. Indeed, if our young faithful students had not raised the banner of demanding social justice out of a sense of responsibility over the past years, the trend of events and the people's vote would not have brought a government to power which is advocating social justice and which has made the call for justice the prevalent discourse in our society."
Ayatollah Khamenei underlined the fact that the accomplishment of noble ideals and lofty objectives requires perseverance and earnest efforts. He added that the organizing of student activities in academic circles and the students' loyalty to their ideals and objectives even after they have graduated from their universities will be instrumental in the fulfillment of those ideals and objectives.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic called on student organizations to try to set the stage for the emergence of political elites and scholars.
"By setting the stage for the emergence of political elites and scholars, student organizations should try to promote logical and well-reasoned debates and discussions. Also by bolstering up the students' intellectual and political foundations and raising their morale and imbuing them with hopes and aspirations, they should try to create an environment in which student circles will be able to steadily tread the path to the accomplishment of lofty ideals and noble objectives also in the years to come," the Leader told the students.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei described criticizing the performance of government officials as something quite natural and acceptable. He, however, noted that criticizing the officials is different from holding a hostile attitude toward them, which he called not permissible.
"But this does not mean that one should not criticize different officials of the Islamic Republic, including the Leader, since it is possible to criticize and raise demands in a sincere and friendly manner," Ayatollah Khamenei remarked.
The Leader pointed out that supporting the government does not mean approving of all the measures that have been taken by the government.
"The present government is indeed diligent and painstaking and set on serving the general public, and it is also a hundred percent trustworthy. But this does not mean that the Leader of the Islamic Republic is informed about or approves of all the measures taken by the government and all its activities. Therefore, supporting the government does not signify opposition to criticizing the government," the Leader told the students.
Ayatollah Khamenei further stated, "The Leader's being informed of all the events and activities of all state organizations and ministries is neither necessary nor possible, and there is no reason for the Leader's getting involved in executive affairs, since the responsibilities have all been clearly delineated."
In conclusion, the Leader of the Islamic Republic stated that students and universities are expected to greatly contribute to the progress of science and political thought, the deepening of religious thought and faith and knowledge, the promotion of religious enlightenment and the opening up of new frontiers in science and politics and wisdom.
"Almighty Allah has ordained the ultimate victory of truth, and wherever there is faith and perseverance, there is also progress and triumph. This is the reason why we are quite optimistic about the future of our universities," the Leader told the students.
At the beginning of the meeting, 11 superior students and representatives of different student organizations expressed their views on various academic, scientific, cultural, social and political issues. They also made certain suggestions for increasing the country's pace of progress and development.
At the end of the meeting, the students said their evening and night prayers, which were led by Ayatollah Khamenei. Afterwards, they broke their fast in the presence of the Leader of the Islamic Republic.