In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I shall express my gratitude to God Almighty now that the 8th term of the Islamic Consultative Assembly has started. It is, by Allah's favor, going to be another manifestation of religion-based democracy. I express my praise to the Iranian nation from a heart that is brimful of gratitude and hope. This is a source of pride that all Muslims and those who are fond of this country should consider as a blessing from God, and we should gratefully guard this blessing.
The Iranian nation foiled the enemies' complex plots with its strong determination in a world where domineering expansionist powers have targeted the identity and independence of other nations through their invasion, and have undermined other nations' national determination to a great extent. And the Iranian nation, led by Islam and the Holy Quran, will overcome the difficulties one after the other. A faithful, independent, and prudent Majlis is the manifestation of the steadfastness of the democratic model which the Islamic Revolution has provided for the nations of the world. And the Iranian nation turned this model into a permanent model through its firm determination and reliance on God.
I extend my utmost thanks to the dear Iranian nation who once again took part in this national test with their strong determination and enthusiasm and proved their vigilance and consciousness to the enemies. I also deem it necessary to thank the officials in charge of the elections in the Interior Ministry and the honorable Guardian Council who undertook the heavy burden of the elections with patience. I also extend my gratitude to the organizations who contributed to the staging of the elections, especially the IRIB and security officials. I also thank the different political groups and religious and political figures who increased the public enthusiasm by their presence and efforts. I should also thank all those who contributed to this great event through their words and activities.
It is also upon me to thank the dear MPs of the 7th Majlis, especially the wise, diligent, and patient head of the 7th Majlis - Gholam Ali Haddad Adel - and the honorable governing body of the 7th Majlis. The 7th Majlis maintained an outstanding record by adhering to the principles, adopting brave policies in national and international issues, defending the nation's rights before the enemies, and making efforts to overcome the nation's difficulties. The 7th Majlis maintained this outstanding record by trying to maintain peace across the country and by taking measures to avoid turmoil in the country.
The 8th Majlis has now been formed through the decisive votes of the majority in a peaceful and legal poll. The MPs who have been honored through the nation's trust, to hold this high position in the Majlis should remember that forming a Majlis - through public votes - that will base management on the law and will guarantee the supervision of management and the implementation of the holy goals and principles of Islam under clear rules has been high on the agenda for the Iranian nation and their national and religious leaders in their campaigns. And the MPs should remember that lots of martyrs and sacred blood have been offered to form a Majlis that will utilize social wisdom and public opinions to provide the means for progress in the country, to defend the interests of the nation, and to promote Islam in the country.
Today we owe a debt of gratitude to those great figures - from Sheikh Fazlollah Noori, Ayatollah Behbahani, and Ayatollah Modarres to the martyrs of the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Consultative Assembly in the last 30 years. There is a heavy legal and moral duty on the shoulders of all the honorable MPs, and this religious heritage which has been entrusted to you by the nation for a four-year term can be a historical and unique opportunity in the political history of Iran.
I should mention a number of points in this regard: First, appreciating the blessing to be an MP warrants that the MPs appreciate this opportunity and devote all their efforts and capacities in this regard. Involving oneself in activities that will undermine this duty is illegal and non-political. Presence in all the public and private meetings of the Majlis is a necessary duty upon the MPs.
Second, you are the representatives of a faithful, brave, and determined nation. Enjoying such characteristics, this nation has been able to overcome the difficulties and remove lots of natural barriers as well as barriers created by the enemies. Your thoughts and actions should be directed towards the same direction.
The expansionist and spiteful enemies have been defeated by the Iranian nation on several fronts, and the Iranian nation has increased its steadfastness, power, and independence before the enemies. The enemies bear testimony to this fact today. You should be at the vanguard of this brave and wise movement along with the revolutionary and faithful administration. You should speak the same word in the world and national determination should be observed in your words and actions.
Third, the inauguration of this 8th term of the Majlis occurs simultaneously with the 4th decade of the Revolution's life. In this decade, the main focus of the Revolution is on justice and making progress. Progress should be made on scientific, economic, moral, and cultural fronts. And justice should be administered in providing opportunities and financial and moral aid to all. We should focus on the unending capacities of the nation to make progress, and we should have a prominent view on the creativity, production capacities, and abilities of the nation on all fronts. Through justice, we should provide those who have failed to utilize the capacities of the country with this public and divine blessing. The Majlis which is in charge of the policies for the nation's movement should not neglect this duty for a moment.
Fourth, the representatives of the nation are people from among the nation. You have entered the Majlis. You do not come from palaces and royal families, but rather from among the nation, and from among its schools, Islamic seminaries, universities, and work places. You should appreciate this attitude and preserve it. Having royal attitudes and being inclined to wastefulness and misusing this opportunity is a disease that even the noblest people may not be able to avoid. We should all be very careful in this regard and try to turn this responsibility into an opportunity for a perpetual virtuous deed and not a harmful sin. Pleading earnestly to the Merciful and Almighty God, and exerting care not to fall in that trap can be the best aid in this regard.
Fifth, the art of legislation and passing suitable law is among the prominent features of MPs. The law should be efficient, clear, and up-to-date. We should have a long-term perspective when setting out the law, so that it will have a wider range of practicality, will be long-lasting, and will be geared to the nation's needs and the interests of the public. Having narrow perspectives or, God forbid, personal and hostile attitudes in setting out the law are fruitless and harmful. The priorities should be high on the agenda and replication and contradictions in the law should be uprooted. Public wisdom and the opinions of the experts should also be utilized when legislating.
Sixth, the two elements of supervision and sincere cooperation with other branches of the government should be two inseparable elements. The duty of the Majlis to supervise others should never be neglected. But this supervision does not mean a sense of rivalry towards the government and ignoring the needs and limitations of the government. The executive branch is the main axis of all activities inside the country and also the national and international manifestation of the Islamic Republic system. Everyone should contribute to this branch and this contribution should be increased whenever the government is more determined and enthusiastic, and more committed to the principles. Mutually, the government should also consider the legislating Majlis as a guide, and should constantly observe the regulations introduced by the Majlis and should not violate them. Whenever there is a difference of opinion, experts from both branches should try to settle the issue and open proper gates ahead of both branches. Thankfully, now that the government and the Majlis have been elected by faithful and revolutionary people who are loyal to Islamic principles, this brotherly sense of cooperation should develop more than ever while the legal rights of both branches are also protected.
Dear MPs, your term as the representatives of this nation is short, yet there lies a heavy responsibility on your shoulders. All your deeds and words will be observed and recorded by God. Always keep in mind the oaths which you swear in the Majlis while remembering God. Try to act in accordance with these oaths, thereby recording a virtuous deed for yourselves in the hereafter.
I bring my comments to an end by extending my greetings on Prophet Muhammad (s.w.a.) and other prophets and the infallible Imams (a.s.), especially Imam Mahdi (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake). I also extend my greetings on the immaculate souls of the martyrs and the Imam of the martyrs (r.a.). I pray to Allah to bestow His aid on you.
Sayyid Ali Khamenei;
May 27, 2008