Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Wednesday elaborated on the differences between Western democracy and religious democracy, saying the legitimacy of the Islamic system is based on piety and justice but the system loses its popularity and effectiveness without people's vote and that is why elections and the people's vote is very important in a religious democracy.
The Leader made the remarks at a gathering of thousands of fervent students, professors, and youths in the city of Qazvin, west of Tehran.
On the differences between Western liberal democracy and religious democracy, the Leader said, "Relying on liberalism, Western democracy sets the legitimacy of governments in the majority vote. Of course, it is just in theory, because in reality many Western states lack such a privilege and whenever they notice a popular government is against their interests they will try to topple it through a coup or any other means as they did in Chile and in Iran in 1953 and in many other states."
Pointing to Qur'anic verses and Hadiths describing legitimacy in Islam, the Leader said piety and justice are the main pillars of legitimacy in Islam but this legitimacy has no popularity or effectiveness without the people's vote because Islam has given a special status to the people's vote.
"In the logic of religious democracy, no rule or sovereignty is acceptable without the authorization of Allah, and in different ranks of Islamic sovereignty, Allah bestows this rule only on those who are just and observe piety."
On the importance of the Majlis and legislation, the Leader said, "The law determines the fate of the country. By approving laws, the Majlis representatives determine the country's fate for four years and this demonstrates the great importance of the Majlis."
The Leader described elections as the most important manifestation of religious democracy, saying that the parliamentary system is a good form of democracy because parliament originates from people's votes and whatever it approves should be observed and if anybody notices some shortcomings in these approvals or feels that they do not consider the country's expediency in a certain juncture, he should reconsider his views because the MPs have been elected by the people.
Emphasis on the necessity of a high turnout in parliamentary elections is not due to the extensive propaganda orchestrated by foreign media because they will repeat their views no matter if people participate or not as they interpreted the people's votes in the May 2 (presidential) elections in 1997 as the people's vote against the system and described a low turnout in municipal elections in big cities also as a vote against the system with a 180-degree difference.
The Leader added, "The emphasis on a high turnout in the Majlis elections is due to the fact that the Majlis seeks to determine the fate of the country and the nation for a period of four years. Therefore, participation in the elections to select the representatives becomes a religious, logical, and human duty and no one should refrain from voting."
He also urged officials to provide people with more services, which could become a significant motivation for people's participation.
Reviewing various qualifications of representatives in Western democracies and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Leader said, "There are also special qualifications in Western systems which are mostly factional leanings, while in the Islamic Republic, in addition to knowledge and political qualifications, there should be moral and doctrinal qualifications. Everyone should bear this in mind."
He pointed out, "The issue of morals and beliefs of officials, unlike those of people, is not something private or personal; rather it is a public matter. If someone enters the Majlis in order to fill his pockets or if he is a xenophile, a coward, or corrupt he will be a source of various problems for the nation."
He added, "What is meant by moral and political qualifications is not that we inquire into people's affairs, unless they are openly against the values and principles of the system. Such a person should not be allowed in the Majlis and all should be sensitive to this issue.
"The Interior Ministry and the Guardian Council are responsible for confirming the qualified candidates."
Referring to the legislature as a means for preserving and strengthening the system, he added, "The common feature between Western and religious democracy is that the parliament is not meant for opposing the system but is for completing and strengthening the structure of the system since the parliament is a part of the system. Thus parliament is never the opponent of a system in any country. It is quite illogical to enter the Majlis in order to fight the Constitution and the Islamic Republic."
Emphasizing the political and social liveliness of the Majlis, Ayatollah Khamenei postulated, "A silent and stagnant Majlis is of no use. It needs active intellectual and practical elements, but it all should be done within the system's framework since the Majlis is meant for the development of the system not for fighting against the system."
Enumerating the system's general policies and analyzing the process of the logical, precise, and expert organization of the system's policies in the government and the Expediency Council, he continued, "After ratifying and publicizing these policies, the Majlis will also legislate within that framework."
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed the necessity for all officials and people to obey the law, adding that the leadership holds the same position in this regard.
He stressed that the principle of velayat-e faqih (rule by the supreme jurisprudent) mentioned in the Constitution does not mean that the Leader has absolute freedom of action, but merely indicates his role in resolving the problems of the three branches of government or referring certain problems to the Expediency Council.
The Leader said that the three branches of government are responsible for their performance and duties, adding that the leadership does not interfere in the powers' authorities unless an issue is bound to create a dangerous matter of concern for the nation in which case he will give a notification.
"This issue occurred once when the sixth Majlis attempted to change the press law. The leadership notified the Majlis according to his legitimate duty and the parliament cooperated efficiently in this regard," he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized the bright future awaiting the Iranian nation and the Islamic system, adding that the 20-year prospects for Iran are a sign of the nation's hopefulness, pleasure, will, and determination to reach the high summits of progress and advancement.
He referred to the cunning criticisms made by foreign radio networks and certain internal sources about the previous movements of the nation and the Islamic system, adding that Iran's great nation and the officials will continue to implement their plans despite disruptions.
The Leader expressed hope that God willing, the efforts made by the youth, intellectuals, the general public, and officials would lead the country to the high summits of progress, honor, security and safety.
Ayatollah Khamenei expressed pleasure that students and university professors would attend to issues such as the development of science and the software movement.
"The issues mentioned in such gatherings include our goals and ideals. Allah is sure to guide faithful and enthusiastic youth whenever they gather together," he said.
The Leader pointed out that Islam, the Prophet (S) and the holy Imams have repeatedly emphasized the importance of wisdom and knowledge, adding that relying on a transplanted science, belief, economy, and policy is a disgrace for any nation.
Ayatollah Khamenei went on to say that according to Islam, nations should rely on their own beliefs, analyses, and wisdom in order to manage their socio-political and economic lives.
The Leader stressed that nations should cooperate with other cultures and benefit from their positive points, but avoid surrendering to cultural invasion and the enemies' ideas and beliefs.