One of the obstacles is that our officials do not believe in these capacities. They either do not believe or they do not attach any significance to them. The existence of so many youths in the country is an important capacity: our officials did not attach any significance to this matter. Some of them did not believe in this capacity, and they did not attach any significance. Some people did not believe in the fact that youth can do the work. The day when the nuclear industry of the country began to work and the day it reached the peak, which all of you are aware of, there were some individuals – even some of our scientists and some individuals among our older generations – who used to say to us, "Do not do this because it is of no use, because it is impossible and because you can't."
Some people used to write letters to me saying that we cannot carry out some duties. Why was that? The reason was that almost all those in charge were young. Most of them were around the age of 30 or below. However, they managed to accomplish their duties. Those who used to deny them of their capabilities acknowledged later on that our youth have really managed to carry out an important task. Today, most people working in different industries, with nanotechnology, and in advanced industries – as westerners say, “high tech” – are young. They are busy working and endeavoring; and they are capable. Our youth are capable of accomplishing many tasks. Some of our officials did not believe in this possibility during a course of time, or they did not attach significance to it.
In my opinion, the most important challenge for the country is a mental challenge: this means that the public does not realize how much wealth is at the disposal of the country. Even some of our officials do not, unfortunately, know how much wealth – human and natural wealth – is at the disposal of Iran. And the enemy is taking advantage of this knowledge. The enemy wants to say that we cannot do certain things and that we do not have many resources. I insist on saying to the people that we can, and that we are rich, and that our resources are numerous. Our officials should believe in the power and capability of the youth, and they should attach significance to this.
Our youth, too, should not be tired of working and innovating. They should not become disappointed at the ingratitude of some people. Some youth complain to us that, despite past their achievements in and despite their potential in future tasks, they do not receive any attention. Very well, they should not become disappointed; they should pursue innovative tasks; both officials and youth are responsible.--This is just one of the many obstacles.
Another obstacle is inactiveness. Unfortunately, some of the individuals who have responsibilities in different areas suffer from lethargy and inactiveness. The condition of the country requires hard and diligent work. Wherever officials and managers work, they should increase their efforts.
One of the obstacles that has prevented us from utilizing these capacities is trusting the foreigners' version. As I said, our people are not inactive in dealing with foreigners. Some of our officials, in some corners of the country, trust the foreigners' version more than the domestic version: this is a grave mistake. Notice that the policy of "the fewer children there are, a better life there is" is European or Western dogma. They [Westerners], themselves, acted on this policy, and they have serious problems because of it today. They are giving out rewards and privileges so that families have more children: they want to make up for this shortcoming, but it is of no use. Some people believed in this policy, and this western version of things. A few years ago, I insisted during different speeches and in private meetings with officials that they should remove obstacles to increase the population. The officials agreed and confirmed our statements, but there are, unfortunately, some obstacles in middle management.
They are not acting on this Islamic version the way they should: "Get married, have children, and this way you will increase in number. Then, I will be proud of you in the face of other nations on Judgment Day" [Prophetic tradition, Jaame al-Akhbar, page 101]. However, they are acting on Western dogma: this is one of the obstacles in the way of progress.
