The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei received the Iranian government officials and executives, including the heads of the three government branches and the chairman of the Expediency Council, on Saturday, September 22.
In an address to the audience, the Leader elaborated on various aspects of the Islamic system's competence and efficiency. He stated that the powerful nation of Iran, relying on its knowledge and prudence and determination and constantly remembering Almighty Allah, will persevere in its efforts to attain its rights.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the remembrance of Almighty Allah as the protector of human hearts and souls in the face of evil temptations and materialistic enticements. He cited some verses from the Holy Qur'an which call on human beings to constantly engage in the remembrance of the Almighty.
"The constant remembrance of Allah will increase the firmness of purpose and determination of human beings in the difficult arenas of their individual and social life, and government officials, considering the heaviness of their responsibilities, are in need of the remembrance of Allah and self-discipline and spirituality more than others," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic described the Sacred Defense era as the brilliant era of the promotion of spiritual values in the Iranian society. He stated that the remarkable spirituality that was displayed by the Iranian combatants in the Sacred Defense era and the great enthusiasm that was expressed by the Iranian people in backing up the fronts were all the outcome of the constant remembrance of Almighty Allah.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the Islamic Republic as a great stage in the Iranian history. He pointed out that all the high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic take office through the Iranian people's votes.
"For thousands of years there was a dictatorship in this country, and a few individuals sealed the fate of the whole nation. But today there is the most transparent form of democracy in Iran, and the officials elected by the Iranian people have done great deeds in the post-revolution era and, enjoying public support, have withstood the global oppressive system," Ayatollah Khamenei observed.
The Leader stated that the flourishing of the Islamic Republic system and its holding out against the different plots of the enemies and its mounting a challenge to the arrogant powers have been among the main features of the country in the post-revolution era. He called on government officials to acquire a proper understanding of the significance of their momentous responsibilities and highly value their positions of responsibility through ceaseless and tireless efforts and by identifying and doing away with the factors causing weakness and failure.
Ayatollah Khamenei also elaborated on various aspects of the Islamic system's competence and efficiency.
"The enemies are leaving no stone unturned to insinuate that the Islamic system is inefficient and incompetent. However, the boost in our national self-confidence in the scientific and technological and political areas - the revival of the destroyed agriculture of our country, the expansion of government services to the general public, raising the country's primitive industry in the pre-revolution era to the present advanced and complicated nuclear industry, progress in the field of modern industries such as nanotechnology, the creation and consolidation of democracy in its best possible form, the promotion of the invigorating discourse of returning to the Islamic identity in the Muslim ummah - and also the undeniable position and influence of the Islamic Republic with respect to regional and international issues are among the different aspects of our system's efficiency, and the arrogant powers, despite all their plots and machinations, are not able to ignore this reality," Ayatollah Khamenei noted.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic called on government officials to try to increase the Islamic system's efficiency. He also pointed out that knowledge and wisdom and determination constitute the motive power of the present great movement in the country.
"The Iranian nation is powerful despite the fact that it has been wronged and mistreated. Benefiting from its constant remembrance of Allah and its knowledge and wisdom and strong determination, the Iranian nation will continue with its present course of action, and it will do away with this maltreatment," the Leader observed.
Ayatollah Khamenei further touched on the continuity of the enemy's threats in all the years following the victory of the Islamic Revolution.
"These threats have, more than anything else, resulted in the increased preparedness of the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic. Nevertheless, those making these threats should bear in mind and realize that attacking Iran in the form of dealing a blow and running away is not possible, and whoever makes an assault will seriously suffer from its consequences," Ayatollah Khamenei stated.
The Leader noted that by repeating these threats, the enemy intends to unnerve the Iranian nation and its government officials. He stressed that the Iranian nation and officials of the Islamic Republic are never daunted by these threats, and that contrary to the enemy's expectation, they will increase their preparedness in different respects.
Ayatollah Khamenei further referred to the continuity of the enemy's threats as an indication of the indigence and deficiency of liberal democracy in the field of thought and logic.
"The presence of the Islamic Republic in the region and in the world is the presence of thought and logic and spirituality. Because the government based on liberal democracy has nothing to offer in these areas, it speaks in a threatening language, like an illiterate person who only displays his arms and fists in the presence of an erudite individual," the Leader pointed out.
At the beginning of the meeting, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad presented a report about his government's performance during the past year. He said that the adherence to and the promotion of the values and principles of the Islamic Revolution are the main concerns of his government in the cultural sector.
"The government also promotes research and scientific innovation and supports young researchers and innovators, since reaching the summits of progress and development requires simultaneous attention to both science and culture," President Ahmadinejad noted.
As regards the nuclear issue, the Iranian president pointed out that the report recently published by the International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that there has been no deviation in Iran's nuclear program.
Referring to the fact that the agency's report has angered certain bullying powers, President Ahmadinejad further noted, "Despite all the commotion and ballyhoo, the Iranian nation has made much more progress with regard to the nuclear issue compared with some two years ago, but the enemies of our nation have become weaker and are at a greater loss."
At the end of the meeting, the participants 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.