Statements at the Beginning of the Advanced Jurisprudence Class and Thanks for the Presence of the Iranian Nation in the Elections

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Before we begin the lesson, I would like to express a few words regarding the great and commendable test that the Iranian nation undertook on Friday:

First of all, we must truly thank the great nation of Iran. You know the extent of the efforts made against the people's participation in the elections; in cyberspace, in various institutions, they utilized every means at their disposal. This was not just in the recent days; it started a month or two ago: "There is no election, this is not a real choice, the Guardian Council has done such and such," and similar statements. As we got closer to the election, this volume increased; and then, the recent disease became a good excuse. On Thursday night, the night before the election, news of the outbreak of this virus and disease in Qom was reported, and the enemy began its propaganda from the dawn of Thursday, saying, "People, do not go stand in line for the election, do not stand in line to vote, it is like this there, it is like that, there is a disease, there is a virus"; see! They used the slightest opportunity and did not allow even a few hours to go to waste; they immediately started speaking and constantly emphasized it.

Well, the people came to the polling stations; you saw it on television, and wherever you went to vote, you must have seen the gathering of the people. Although the people of Qom - may God Almighty increase His blessings upon them - were at the center of this [disease], their name was mentioned first, and one of the busiest electoral districts in the elections was Qom, where they came out. See, this nation is one that God Almighty has willed to grant victory; God willing. This truly deserves gratitude; it deserves thanks to the Lord, because He is the Turner of hearts, the hearts are in His hands; and we must sincerely thank the people for this. This is the first point.

Secondly, see where the enemy is targeting; it is not just the issue of the economy, it is not just the issue of culture, it is not just the issue of revolutionary and religious beliefs, they even target the elections; they do not want this appearance and phenomenon of people's participation in the name of religion, at the ballot box and in the service of choice, to be established; they have always propagated against this, they have always said that religion is opposed to elections and freedom and democracy and such things; now [how] do they see that religion is the complete manifestation of a comprehensive democracy, which some foreigners have also acknowledged. Over the past 41 years, we have had 37 or 38 elections; where in the world do they pay such attention to democracy? They are targeting this as well; the enemy is targeting everything. Let us recognize the enemy, let us be vigilant, "Whoever sleeps, the enemy does not sleep"; if you fall asleep in the trench, it does not mean the enemy is asleep; he may be awake; as it is indeed the case. Thousands are placed to follow various issues in Iran; we must be millions ready to both defend and strike; we must also counterattack them; whether through propaganda or various actions that an revolutionary nation can undertake.

(1) Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 62; "Whoever falls asleep, the enemy does not sleep."