Statements in Meeting with Members of the Martyrs' Congress Headquarters of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province

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

I have good memories of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari. During a trip in the 1980s - while I was president - I went to Shahr-e Kord to encourage and motivate the people to participate in the fronts; this was a provincial trip where we visited multiple provinces, including Shahr-e Kord. Well, everywhere people gathered and responded, but Shahr-e Kord remains vividly in my mind. The weather was cold - it is cold there - and they had placed our speaking venue at a location where two streets branched off. As I looked around, I saw that as far as the eye could see, people in local attire, with various flags, were participating with a genuine and heartfelt presence - not just physically. The prominence of this presence and the motivation of the people were so clear that one could understand a lot about these people and this region with just a glance. I will never forget this, and it remains in my memory. Of course, I have visited Shahr-e Kord before and after that and encountered the people and gatherings, but that trip was extraordinary and left a remarkable impact on my mind. Once before that, I went to Shahr-e Kord to meet with the Qamar Bani Hashem Brigade; that too I will never forget. Well, I have visited the centers of the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) in many places; we would go, sit, talk, and discuss. Some of these centers had characteristics that remain in one's mind; one of them is the Qamar Bani Hashem Brigade in Shahr-e Kord, which I will not forget; we went there, the sincere and faithful youth, in a poor situation, where they had very limited resources, yet they had strong motivations; we spent hours - I don't remember how many hours - with them, and we had lunch together; I left there with a great sense of satisfaction.

Well, the things that the gentlemen mentioned regarding their scientific, military, and political backgrounds are all valuable in their own right. The point that Mr. Nokunam mentioned about the people of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari coming to Tehran to express their disdain for Bakhtiar is very important. It is possible that the people of Shiraz, Mashhad, and Tabriz also come to express their disdain for Bakhtiar, but it makes a significant difference when the Bakhtiari people come to express their disdain for a prominent political figure from Bakhtiar who stood against the revolution and against Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified); this is an important point. Also, the fact that he said the people expect that day to be a significant day is correct; it truly deserves to be so; because among the tribes, these connections and tribal ties are not trivial; they are very important. These are the same people who, during the Constitutional Revolution, rose from Shahr-e Kord - then called Deh Kord - came to Isfahan, took Isfahan, and came to Tehran, accomplishing great tasks, mostly through local ties; that is, the tribal and clan influences on the people existed, and they moved and came. However, these ties, where religion is involved, where the revolution is involved, where Imam is involved, become completely diluted, lose their significance, and disappear; this is very important. Therefore, the commemoration you are holding is very timely and appropriate.

Pay attention to one point: we are facing a comprehensive, undeclared cultural, ideological, and political attack; that is, now that I am saying this, you would generally accept it from me, but you may not be aware of what is happening; I am aware of what is happening; I see what is happening; the cultural army of the enemy and the political army of the enemy, with all the tools available to them, have launched an attack against us to weaken our religious beliefs, weaken our political beliefs, strengthen discontent within the country, and attract the youth, especially active and influential youth at various levels for their own purposes; they are working. Well, in response to these, efforts are being made; the Hezbollah youth, the faithful people, and committed officials are doing good work, but more needs to be done in the country. One of the important aspects is that these valuable concepts, such as the concept of jihad, the concept of martyrdom, the concept of martyr, the concept of the martyr's family, the concept of patience for God, and the concept of accountability for God must remain alive.

Well, of course, with external demonstrations, part of this goal is achieved; that is, I do not oppose banners, statues, and naming streets like these - these are good things; they are necessary, more than good - but these are not at all sufficient; these are a very small part of the work that needs to be done. Do the work deeply; strive to have an impact on minds; convince your audience with your correct words. This work requires thinking. Thinkers, those who have the power of thought and understand issues, along with artists, those who have the art of presentation, the art of propaganda - from painters and poets to filmmakers and writers and the like - must all come together to produce something that will have an effect on the minds of the audience. That is, to neutralize the conspiracy that is currently being executed - not that it is being planned; its planning was done long ago; it is currently being executed in the country. This work is the responsibility of both the government and the faithful people, both official and unofficial officials; everyone who has a commitment in this area must be active. One aspect of this work is your work; that is, the work of reviving the concept of martyrdom and the value of martyrdom and the value of the martyr. In this direction, God willing, move forward, and God Almighty will also assist.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.