The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei met with over a thousand academically outstanding students on Wednesday morning, October 19, 2016. In this meeting, the Leader of the Revolution dubbed the young elites, “precious divine gifts” that of which must sensibly be cared for by government officials. He stressed that he would not withdraw one inch from defending the academic society and elites of the country, stating that, “by way of reliance on the elites and intellectuals, in light of establishing a hardworking, youthful generation, Iran will develop into a powerful, noble, and grand country which will raise the flag of a new Islamic civilization.”
Ayatollah Khamenei described the foremost reasoning for stressing such a notion--that the young elites should be appreciated and supported--as reinforcing a belief of “We Can” in this society. He reflected on past leadership and held: “Sadly during the Qajar and Pahlavi dynasties they inculcated within society a sense of incapability, they told us “we can’t” and enforced notions of “dependency” among the young, as well as elders; consequently, the great country with all its human and material resources, with an ancient history and civilization, was turned into a subordinate feature of the West—in a grippingly humiliating manner; It was under such conditions that the Islamic Revolution brought about a paradigm shift, which was indeed a revolution of self-belief and self-confidence battling dependency.
He defined the 8-year Holy Defense--against Saddam’s invasion of Iran--as a prideful and evident episode of self-esteem and self-confidence and furthered: “Even though the path was an incredibly bitter, difficult and toll-taking one, it proved to young Iranians that by placing faith in God and relying on one’s domestic talents and potentials, one can overcome an enemy supported by all chief powers.” His Eminence continued: “Although the Islamic Revolution revived a spirit of ‘We can’ against the spirit of dependency, and promoted self-confidence in the society, the enemy has turned into a replica culture of dependency in new forms and attractive packages, as intense soft wars require.”
Ayatollah Khamenei described the issue of “globalization” and U.S. and E.U.’s officials suggesting Iran should join the “global family” as a clear example of a reproduction culture of dependency, pointing out: “to disagree with joining what the West calls, “the global community” does not mean we disagree with foreign relations; it essentially means resistance against [assimilation], of an imposed culture on the country’s economy, politics and security.”
Citing international data base, the Leader of the Revolution stated: “At one point the pace of Iran’s scientific growth reached a figure of 13 times greater than the average scientific development among the globe; this pace should not be reduced at all. In fact it should be accelerated, as we are suffering from multiple scientific underdevelopments. An official comment in light Iran’s reduced scientific growth held that Iran has not been on the decline from where it used to linger, in terms of science. However, we must bear in mind that we need to upgrade Iran’s scientific status--not merely maintaining the platform where it stands.”
The Supreme Leader of Iran further expressed concern over reports on slow progression, or hindrance of major research plans: in key areas such as aerospace, satellites, nuclear technology, etcetera; he stated, “Authority figures should be entirely attentive, such vital plans should never fall into the trap of reduced progression, becoming stalled, or left half-done, because this would bring about an academic and scientific loss, disappointing the young scientists--this is a major threat.”
His Eminence briefly touched on the difficulties and problems perplexing mankind today, and the dead-ends that materialistic thought patterns sustain, describing a world in need of new dialogue regarding concerns of mankind and international issues, adding: “The campaigns held during Presidential elections in the U.S. and the worries conveyed by the two candidates are a clear example that spirituality and faith are lacking among those in power. Within the next few weeks, one of these two dueling candidates in the US election—whose status and words you can observe—will become the president of a country which holds the world’s most power, wealth, nuclear weapons, and media."
Pointing out the animosity revealed by satanic powers against any oppositional movement, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “A few days ago a U.S. official stated, “as long as Iran supports the Resistance, it is unlikely that the sanctions would fundamentally be altered”; this is the reality we have frequently relayed to Iranian officials.” He disproved further a remark by a U.S. official--holding that the “Leader is being pessimistic about the U.S.”--stating, “Can one be optimistic about them when they hear such comments?”
Finally, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution reminded the audience of his remarks made during private, as well as public meetings with officials and stated: “I have repeatedly mentioned that if you withdraw on the nuclear issue, they will raise the issue of missiles; and if you continue to withdraw, they will raise the issue of supporting Resistance; and once you withdraw from that, they will raise the issue of human rights; but, once you accept their criteria, they will go on to removing religious values from the government."
Click here to read the full text to the speech.
