Statements After Planting a Sapling on Arbor Day

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

Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad and his pure family, and God's curse be upon all their enemies.

I extend my greetings to the dear nation of Iran and to the listeners and viewers of this program.

Thanks be to God, another opportunity has arisen to speak about trees and plants, and about green spaces and the environment; the Almighty God has made plants and trees a significant factor in the course of human life. Plants and trees, greenery, and what arises from them are a fundamental and essential basis in the construction of human civilization; plants and trees purify the air, produce food for humanity, are a source of the refinement of the human spirit and psyche, symbolize the prosperity and flourishing of human living environments, and many of the medicines needed by humans are derived from plants, in addition to the benefits found in wood, leaves, roots, and similar materials; therefore, you see that plants and trees and greenery are a fundamental and important factor in human life.

In addition to what has been said, our perspective on trees, plants, greenery, and the environment is one of knowledge and spirituality, a religious understanding; this is also well-established in our literature, and all people, thinkers, and everyone who speaks on human issues have expressed opinions and spoken on these matters: "The leaves of green trees in the eyes of the aware are each a page of the knowledge of the Creator."

This means that the perspective is one of knowledge. For this reason, planting trees and sowing saplings is considered one of the good deeds in the sacred Islamic law; we have numerous narrations that encourage and urge us to plant trees and saplings, as this is a good deed. In our Constitution, there is also a principle regarding the environment that expresses its importance and the necessity of addressing it in the best manner. Therefore, the activities carried out regarding green spaces, trees, plants, the environment, forests, and the rest of these matters are religious activities, revolutionary activities; and our dear youth should not think that the issue of the environment is a decorative and excessive matter; no, it is a fundamental and important issue that has been addressed in religious law and legislation.

Fortunately, our country, due to its climatic diversity, environmental diversity, and climatic variety, has a vast scope for environmental activities, and great works can be accomplished; and all people and the youth who are present in various national services—ranging from scientific to executive to political to social—can also become active and work and strive in the field of the environment.

Unfortunately, there are individuals in society who sacrifice the environment for their personal interests; they sacrifice it for their profit-seeking and self-interest. There are those who do this, destroying nature, annihilating forests and mountains, trampling pastures, and plundering underground water and resources; all of these are truly a great calamity that is the destruction of the environment, and everyone must stand against it; both officials and all people. Well, these actions actually jeopardize the future life of humanity; those who turn mountains into tools for raising iron and steel and constructing buildings and apartments, or destroy pastures, or cut down trees in forests and convert them into harmful uses, are indeed depriving future generations of these blessings and endangering them.

Of course, there are also natural dangers and natural calamities; forests sometimes catch fire due to natural events, which can be prevented; both for forests and for wetlands and lakes, these natural calamities exist, but they can be prevented; prevention must be undertaken, which is the responsibility of the officials, and if they do not act, they have truly failed in this matter. Therefore, today, which has been designated as Arbor Day, is an important day; it is good for everyone in the country to pay attention to the issue of the environment and green spaces today and always.

I would also like to say a word about the issue of COVID-19. Last year, officials warned about COVID-19—just as we are at the beginning of the pandemic today—and I also mentioned a word on this day of the environment to our dear people, and fortunately, the words of the compassionate had an effect, and people took precautions during the New Year holidays and averted a great calamity that could have befallen the country at that time. This year, I feel that the danger is greater than last year; this year we recognize the danger better, we understand it more, and we know that, unfortunately, the danger has become widespread in the country; it was not at this level last year; therefore, this year everyone must comply. Whatever the National COVID-19 Headquarters says must be adhered to; if travel is prohibited, people should not travel; they should do whatever is deemed necessary. I, like last year, will certainly not travel; and I will comply with whatever the National Headquarters says in this regard.

The issue of COVID-19 also affects the livelihood of the people; this must be understood. You see what problems COVID-19 has created for the livelihood of the people; if this continues, it will only worsen and continue, and problems will increase; we must be able to quickly put an end to this great natural calamity. Unfortunately, today the livelihood situation of the people is not good; this is a great sorrow for us. Prices are high; you can see that during the New Year, the price of fruits and similar items is very high; there is an abundance of fruit, but prices are very high. Unfortunately, the profits from these prices do not reach the farmers, so we cannot say that a hardworking class benefits; no, unfortunately, this profit goes to brokers and intermediaries and those who seek profit, and the farmer receives nothing, and the people suffer; therefore, the respected officials must also solve this livelihood problem and the problem of inflation. And this is possible; there are solutions; I have repeatedly reminded this in various meetings, and we have presented and articulated the opinions and solutions that experts have suggested in this regard; there are solutions; God willing, they will be able to implement them.

We hope that the Almighty God has destined a good future for the country and the people, and that the sacred heart of the Guardian of the Age is pleased with us, and that the prayers of that great figure encompass our nation and our country.

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