Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution at the Third Strategic Thought Meeting on Women and Family

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

O Allah, guide our tongues to speak the truth and wisdom.

I extend my warm welcome to all brothers and sisters, and I thank the esteemed attendees for participating in this very important collective endeavor. I also express my special gratitude to the speakers and presenters; both those who presented ideas and those who expressed objections. I sincerely thank the chairman and program director, Dr. Vaez-Zadeh, for both the good management of this session and for the fundamental planning and organization he, along with a group, undertook over the past months for the shape and content of this meeting.

The goal of this session and these meetings is to engage in scholarly exchange with groups of elites regarding the fundamental issues of the country. When we speak of strategic thoughts, indeed, the aim is to reach a single thought; however, it can be divided and diversified; thoughts on justice, thoughts on women and family; then we have a long list of about twenty topics, each of which has its own title of thought; these thoughts are in this regard; otherwise, the intention is that this elite group, through intellectual and spiritual growth and the assistance they will provide to Islam and the Islamic Republic, God willing, will reach a unified opinion and a single thought in every field.

Of course, in these sessions, the aim is not to examine a topic from start to finish - which is also impractical - but rather to open the way to confront the issues that are raised for a country and for the future. We want, especially from theoretical perspectives, to create openings, to pave the way, so that the elites of the country, the active minds of the country, and the experienced individuals in every field can take on a share in forming a correct thought, which will serve as the basis for execution, action, and planning; this is the intention. In both theoretical and practical arenas, we have weaknesses and strengths; these will be identified in these sessions. Through discussions that experts and experienced individuals in each field engage in, relying on their knowledge and scientific achievements, we can identify our strengths and weaknesses and seek remedies. We want to repair or rectify those vulnerable or weak points and eliminate the weaknesses.

We must know where we stand in the realm of theorizing, where we are ahead, and where we are behind. In certain areas, we are indeed ahead, while in some cases, we are truly behind. In this area of women, we have so many resources and Islamic teachings at our disposal: the noble verses of the Quran; both those verses that directly relate to this issue and those verses that, in their generality and comprehensiveness, include this matter, are available to us; we must theorize these; we must bring them into the form of theories and usable, extractable collections and make them available to everyone; both for our own planning, and for opponents, and for those who inquire; as has been pointed out and is correct. Today, in the world, the number of inquirers and questioners about the views of the Islamic Republic - which has a thirty-year experience - has increased. Of course, you are all aware, and we are aware of the general situation; they inquire a lot, they ask a lot, they want to know a lot about what exists in the Islamic Republic. Well, we must prepare these for them.

Previously, we had two sessions: one session was related to the Islamic-Iranian model of progress, and one session was related to justice; although these are two separate topics, they are interconnected. Good work has been done. I want the brothers and sisters to know this; because it will affect the work we want to undertake regarding tonight's topic. Know that the work is progressing seriously. Dr. Vaez-Zadeh pointed out. The details of the work done are more than what he reported as a summary; because he aimed for brevity. Serious and good work has been done. Especially this center that was established for the Islamic-Iranian model of progress is engaged in very good work with the help of researchers. In fact, each of these sessions sows a seed in a fertile land. The irrigation of this land is the responsibility of factors that have been prepared so far, and some we are thinking about, God willing, will be prepared. Of course, the general atmosphere of society also helps it to flourish. We are not in a hurry. Of course, we want the work to progress quickly - that is, we do not agree with laziness and backwardness - but there is no haste in the work. We do not want to work hastily; we want the work to be solid, deep, lasting, presentable, and defensible. God willing, these sessions - both this session and the previous two sessions - will play this role; I have confidence in this regard.

The issue of women and family is among the top-tier issues for the country. Friends, ladies, and gentlemen who came and spoke have proven this point. There is no need for us to say more than what you said and expressed very broadly and well. These statements themselves showed that the issue is very important. Firstly, the role and share of women in the system is an extraordinary and distinguished role; just as in the original revolution, the role of women was distinguished. Now, perhaps the dear youth present in the session who were not in the struggle or during the revolution do not know what happened there; except through reports, which unfortunately are all incomplete. All the reports that have come out from the struggle and the revolution are incomplete, one-sided, and brief. We have a significant task in this regard, which, although it is not among strategic thoughts, is among strategic tasks and must be pursued, God willing. Those who have experience know that women played a role in the struggle, and especially in that year and a half when the general revolutionary movement began - they had an effective and irreplaceable role; without women in these gatherings, undoubtedly these massive gatherings and demonstrations would not have had the same impact; in addition to the fact that in some places, like Mashhad, the beginning of these demonstrations was from women. That is, the first public movement was a women's movement. Of course, they were also subjected to police violence. After that, the men's movements began. It was the same in the struggles, in the role of establishing the system, and in the rapidly emerging period after the establishment of the system; that is, the war period, the period of hardship, the period of severe testing; "even when the earth was constricted upon them despite its vastness." The situation during the war became difficult. Now, some people heard about the war from television and radio, while some were physically present in the battlefield. All the reports filled with heroism and enthusiasm that are given about the war are all correct - I read many of these memoir books of the warriors, and I know all of this is true - that enthusiasm and passion and that love for martyrdom and fearlessness of death are all as they are reported and are correct; however, the overarching view of the war was a completely painful one. Well, the battalion that is fighting with enthusiasm and zeal does not know what the situation is like in the main headquarters regarding the entire front, what weaknesses exist, what serious worries and concerns there are; and behind the main headquarters, at the macro level, in the country, what shortages and anxieties exist. It was a difficult time. In this hard period, the role of women was extraordinary; the role of mothers of martyrs, the role of wives of martyrs, the role of women directly involved in the battlefield, in support tasks, and occasionally, rarely, in operational and military tasks - which I personally witnessed in Ahvaz - was an extraordinary role. Women were even active in military sectors; this writing by Ms. Hosseini - Da - shows this. This is a body of work that truly cannot be measured by any standard or scale. A mother, a mother of a martyr, a mother of two martyrs, a mother of three martyrs, a mother of four martyrs; this is no joke; it comes easily to the tongue. When a child of a person catches a cold, coughs twice, how worried do we become? A child goes and gets killed, another goes and gets killed, a third goes and gets killed; is this a joke? And this mother, with the same healthy and fervent maternal feelings, plays such a role that a hundred other mothers are encouraged to send their children to the battlefield. If these mothers, when the bodies of their children came back or even did not come back, cried out, complained, tore their clothes, protested against the Imam and protested against the war, undoubtedly the war would have been paralyzed in those early years and stages. This is the role of the mothers of martyrs.

The patient wives of martyrs, young women, lose their young husbands at the beginning of their sweet family life. Firstly, they must accept that this young husband will go to a place from which he may not return; then they must endure his martyrdom; then they must be proud and hold their heads high. These are the irreplaceable roles. Then what continues to this day is the companionship with the disabled veterans. Women have gone to become the wives of disabled veterans. To take on the care of a disabled, possibly ill-tempered man due to his physical condition or the disorders resulting from being affected by the blast, voluntarily and without any coercion, is a great act of sacrifice. Sometimes you say, I will come and take care of you for two hours a day. Well, every day you go, he thanks you. There is a time when, no, you place yourself as his wife in his home; you become indebted! That is, the nature of the work is that you must do this. They have made this sacrifice. The role of women cannot be calculated at all.

And I must confess, I must admit; the first person who understood this role was our great Imam - just like many other things that he understood first, while none of us understood - just as the Imam understood the role of the people. The Imam understood the impact of the people's presence at a time when no one understood. Great figures with ugly expressions told us that you think you can do great things with these people?! They spoke with such contempt, as if the person they were referring to was not even human! The Imam, however, recognized the value of the people, understood them, discovered their capabilities, and called them forth. Because the Imam was sincere, because his words came from that pure, great, luminous heart, it had an effect; thus, everyone came into the field. On the day the committee was formed, people from all walks of life came into the committee; students came, professors came, clerics came, high-ranking scholars came, people from the streets and markets came; they came and became members of the committee. On the day it was time for war, everyone went into the battlefield at the Imam's command. On the day the Imam, at the end of his life, said you must go, build, and correct - self-sufficiency - they entered the field of construction. Those breakthroughs continue to this day. In my opinion, even now, whatever progress we make is due to the Imam's influence. He threw this ball so firmly that now, for a long time, people like me must run after it. The people moved. It is being passed down from generation to generation.

The Imam was the same regarding women. The Imam understood the role of women; otherwise, there were great scholars with whom we had discussions, who said that women should not participate in demonstrations! They said women should not participate in demonstrations. The strong fortress that one could rely on to stand against such opinions, which were also presented from important centers, was the opinion of the Imam and the thought of the Imam and the determination of the Imam. May God's mercy be upon this great man forever.

In any case, the role of women is an irreplaceable role. Thus, this very role necessitates it; because it has a future. It has only been thirty-two years since the revolution began. Thirty-two years is a young age for a human, let alone for a history. This divine system must last for hundreds of years. We are still at the beginning of its youth. The future requires this feminine presence in the collective national presence. Therefore, we must strive regarding the issue of women and preserving this capacity that exists in our society. This is the first reason why we must address the issue of women. The second reason is the issue of family. The esteemed speakers tonight discussed family very well. Truly, the discussions were good. If I were to judge, I would say that the average of the discussions was above good; correct statements, good statistics, good inferences, good deductions, examined from various angles. A multi-dimensional issue was examined from every angle by an expert, a thinker. You shone the spotlight on the structure of this sensitive and important topic. One can see these angles. We truly benefited.

Therefore, the issue of family is a very important issue; it is the main foundation in society, the primary cell in society. Not that if this cell becomes healthy, health will spread to others; or if it becomes unhealthy, unhealthiness will spread to others; but rather, it means that if it becomes healthy, it means the body is healthy. The body is nothing but cells. If we can make the cells healthy, then we have the health of that organ. The issue is that important.

An Islamic society cannot progress without the country benefiting from a healthy, vibrant, and lively family institution. Especially in cultural fields and, of course, in non-cultural fields, without good families, progress is impossible. So, families are necessary. Now, it should not be misunderstood that you say there is no family in the West, yet there is progress. What is today manifesting more and more in the destruction of the family foundation in the West will have its effects; there should be no haste. Global events and historical events are not such that they yield quick results and effects; these will gradually have an impact; just as they have had an impact until now. The day the West achieved these advancements, the family was still in its place; even the issue of gender was present with the same moral considerations - of course, not in an Islamic manner, but in its own specific way. If someone is familiar with Western knowledge, they will see this in both Europe and later in America. This issue of moral considerations between the two genders, the issue of modesty, avoidance of slander, these were things that existed at that time. These lawlessness and licentiousness gradually emerged there. At that time, certain conditions were created, and they reached this point. Today's situation also marks a very bitter and difficult tomorrow for them. This is the second aspect.

The third aspect is that in these thirty-two years, the issue of women has been one of the top complaints from our enemies. From the very beginning of the revolution, they focused on the issue of women, they complained to us, placing us in the same category as terrorism and human rights violations. There was no news at all. It was not even clear what the Islamic society would do with women. They began to say: Islam is against women, Islam is like this. Of course, this issue continues to this day. Well, we must confront this, we must counter it. Public opinion in the world cannot be underestimated. Not everyone is malicious, not everyone has malice; malice belongs to a specific group, to politicians and policymakers and planners; we must not allow the general public to fall into this great deception; hence, we must engage.

Of course, let us also say this; the West cunningly evades addressing the issue of family. In all the discussions they have, the issue of women is present, but the issue of family is not mentioned at all. Family is the weak point of the West. They raise the issue of women, but they do not mention the name of family at all; even though women are not separate from family. Therefore, addressing this issue is necessary.

Well, this session was very good. What we understood in this session, in addition to the benefit we gained from the content of the friends' remarks, the important thing was that we understood that in the realm of women and family, we have a plethora of scientific - expert - works that remain unaddressed. We have so much work left undone that some of the proposals made by friends - that such a center should be established, that such a center should be established - are all correct; they must indeed be done. Of course, we previously discussed with friends in the office, Dr. Vaez-Zadeh and others, about continuing the work of this session regarding the issue of women and family; they have ideas in mind. Both in the realm of theoretical work, important tasks will be carried out, God willing, and in the realm of discourse-building, and in bringing this discourse closer to execution; which, of course, if it becomes a discourse, its execution will not be difficult. That is, all the objections they have against the parliament, the Guardian Council, the government, and others will be resolved. The discourse of a society is like air; everyone breathes it; whether they know it or not; whether they want it or not. This discourse-building must be done; of course, the role of the media, especially the role of clerics and the role of prominent figures and university professors is certainly a prominent and important role.

Well, we must fill the theoretical gaps in this area. The result will be that research investment is necessary to the extent of our capacity; we acknowledge this. By referring to the articles of friends - who provided me with the abstracts and the articles themselves, and I have reviewed them - we conclude that the entire system must make significant investments in research in this issue, within the limits of its capacity and resources.

Secondly: examining and critiquing the prevailing theories of the world, without passivity. This issue of being non-passive is a very important matter. Of course, I saw this spirit from the first speaker who presented their remarks until the end; I saw that the perspective is a critical one towards the situation that exists in the West regarding women and especially regarding family. Of course, the criticisms you made of the West were more in the realm of family; but my belief is that the greatest penalty the West incurs regarding the issue of women and family is in its view of women; and this cannot be described in one or two sentences. The greatest blow and insult to the dignity of women is being inflicted by this Western policy. Even the radical feminists - who have multiple layers - are, in a sense, unwittingly harming women. Now, when we say unwittingly, it is a hopeful perspective - meaning those who are involved apparently do not understand what they are doing - it is possible that there are policymakers and planners behind the scenes who understand what they are doing; just as this possibility is clearly predicted in the protocols of Zionism. That is, degrading the female gender and making her an object for the sexual use of men is present in the materials of those protocols. Now, someone may question the credibility and validity of that protocol, but when one observes the Zionist apparatus and the Zionist propaganda network, they see that they are practically doing this; now, even if it is not obligatory for them, they are doing it as a recommended act; they are committed to doing this, and they are doing it. They are degrading women. That is, the customs and norms have become so established that people do not dare to act contrary to them. In an official gathering, a man must come in formal attire; he must wear a bow tie, his collar must be closed, and his sleeves must be up to his wrists; he is not allowed to wear shorts, nor is he allowed to wear a t-shirt; but a woman in the same official gathering must have significant parts of her body exposed; if she comes fully covered, it is a matter of concern; if she comes without attractiveness, it is a matter of concern; if she comes without makeup, it is a matter of concern! This has become the norm. They take pride in it. In the West, especially in America and Northern Europe - Scandinavian countries - there are important centers that are entirely based on presenting women sexually to men; it is advertised in newspapers and magazines, and no one protests! This has become the norm, this has become the habit. What greater blow to women can there be than this? Creating models for women in this way - I mean their own women, and the countries that follow them, not our women - is one of the greatest blows they are inflicting. Therefore, we must not be passive in the face of this erroneous culture. The West is in a deep state of misguidance and error regarding women and family. It is not just about family; rather, regarding the personality of women, the identity of women, the West is in a strange misguidance.

We must utilize our scientific assets in these examinations - which are not few. Dozens of progressive theories and models can be extracted in this area of women and family. These must be theorized, developed with their aspects and components, and presented. These are medium- and long-term tasks that must certainly be carried out. The pure and progressive teachings of Islam in the Quran and Hadith must be utilized.

Of course, I have written down a few notes here, but both time is short, and many of the points have already been made; therefore, there is no need for me to repeat them now. From all the things I have written, what I want to convey here is that, in general, Islam's view of women - in terms of gender - is an extraordinarily elevated view. In my opinion, many of the problems related to women stem from the problems of collective family life, in which women are at the center. We have strange and numerous legal, customary, and traditional gaps. Sometimes women contact us - either from the parliament, or from the clergy, or from various public inquiries, or from other centers - and express their problems; these problems are mainly related to issues within the family. If a woman has psychological security, moral security, comfort, and tranquility in her home, truly her husband will be like a garment for her - just as she is a garment for her husband - and as the Quran has desired, there will be affection and mercy between them, and if "and for them is the like of that which is upon them" is observed in the family - these are the fundamental and essential principles - then the external problems for women will become bearable; they will overcome them. If a woman can reduce her problems in her sanctuary, in her main stronghold, she will undoubtedly be able to do so in the social arena as well.

Both in the issue of women themselves and in the issue of family, Islam has interesting, prominent, and important perspectives. Firstly, Islam's view of gender is a secondary view; the primary and first view is humanity; in which gender has no role. The address is to humanity. Of course, "O you who have believed" is used, not "O you who have believed (feminine plural)"; meaning the masculine form is used, not the feminine; but this does not mean that in this address, men are preferred over women; this arises from other factors; those factors are clear to us. Now, we do not want to delve into why, for example, in the Persian language we say "people" for the population; we derive it from "man", we do not say "woman"; in English, "HUMAN", why "MAN"? This does not indicate that the dominance of male culture has created this and made such an alteration in language; no, this has other factors. Ultimately, within the family, the man is the external representative, the woman is the internal representative. If you want to say it a bit more poetically, the man is the skin of the almond, the woman is the kernel of the almond. Such expressions can be made. The man is more outwardly visible, his structure is like this; God Almighty created him for this task, and the woman for another task; therefore, the manifestation and display in men is greater; because of these characteristics, not because of preference. However, in the realm of fundamental human issues - which pertain to humanity - there is no difference between women and men. Well, you see in the proximity to God, a woman like Fatimah, like Zainab, like Mary have ranks that are beyond the imagination of people like us. In the noble verse of Surah Al-Ahzab, there is no difference between men and women; perhaps this is precisely because they wanted to crush the ignorant perceptions regarding women: "Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the devout men and devout women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, and the chaste men and chaste women, and the men who remember Allah much and the women who remember." From Islam to remembrance, there is a distance. There is a series of progressive documents. One must pay attention to these expressions to find this. "Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward." Everywhere, man, woman: humble man, humble woman; charitable man, charitable woman; there is no difference between them.

In Surah Al-Imran, after those "Our Lord" supplications, it says: "So their Lord responded to them, 'Indeed, I do not allow the work of any worker among you to be lost, whether male or female; you are of one another.'" Men and women have no difference. Even at one point, to crush these ignorant ideas that I mentioned, God elevates women above men; such a state is not found in the Quran for anyone else, whether individuals or humanity: "Allah presents an example for those who disbelieve: the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot." The diagram of the disbelievers is these two women: "the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot." Not a diagram for women; no, for both women and men. "They were under two righteous servants of Ours, but they betrayed them." Until the end. "And Allah presents an example for those who believe: the wife of Pharaoh"; here, God Almighty also mentions two women for the believers. Now you see from the beginning of history to the end of the world, how many believers, including great figures, righteous ones, saints, and prophets have come and gone. When He wants to introduce a diagram, a statue, a symbol for these, He introduces two women: one is "the wife of Pharaoh" - when she said, 'My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his work' - and the second is "Mary, the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity, and We breathed into her from Our Spirit and she believed in the words of her Lord." This is truly remarkable. Therefore, gender is a secondary matter, an incidental matter; it finds meaning in the functions of life, but has no impact or meaning in the main journey of humanity. Even their actions differ. "The jihad of a woman is good motherhood"; that is, the reward of the struggle of that young man who has gone into the battlefield and put his life in his hands for this act is given to this woman; because this task is not less burdensome than that. Of course, being a wife is very difficult. With their expectations, with their demands, with their bad temper, with their taller stature; well, for a woman to create a warm, engaging, and intimate environment in her home, filled with tranquility and peace - Sakan - is a great art; this is truly a jihad; this is a branch of that greater jihad that has been mentioned; jihad against the self.

Now, regarding family, there is much to say. The issue of being a wife, the issue of motherhood, all of these must be differentiated. A woman in the family has a role as a wife; this role of being a wife is extraordinary; even if there is no motherhood. Suppose there is a woman; either she does not wish to give birth, or for any reason, she cannot give birth; but she is a wife. The role of being a wife should not be underestimated. If we want this man to be a useful being in society, this woman must be a good wife at home; otherwise, it will not work.

We tested this during the struggle and after the struggle, during the victory of the revolution; men who had supportive wives were able to endure in the struggle, and after the revolution, they were able to continue on the right path. Of course, the opposite was also true. Sometimes I would read the marriage contract for these girls and boys who came - at the times when I used to read it; now I do not have the opportunity - I would say that many women make their husbands worthy of Paradise; many women also make their husbands worthy of Hell; it is in their hands. Of course, men have the same role. In the realm of family, the roles of men must not be overlooked. Therefore, the role of being a wife is a very important role. Then there is the role of motherhood; which, well, here they made extensive statements and there is much discussion.

Among the issues that arise is the issue of women's employment. Women's employment is one of the things we agree with. I support various social participations; whether it be economic employment, political and social activities, charitable activities, and the like; these are all good. Women are half of society, and it is very good if we can utilize this half of society in these matters; however, two or three principles must not be overlooked. One principle is that this fundamental work - which is the work of home and family and being a wife and homemaking and motherhood - should not be overshadowed. It can be done. I think we have had cases where women acted this way. Of course, it is a bit hard for them; they studied, they taught, they managed the household, they gave birth, they raised, they educated. So, we fully support that employment and participation that does not harm this primary issue; because this has no substitute. If you did not raise your child at home, or if you did not give birth, or if you did not delicately unravel the extremely delicate threads of their emotions - which are thinner than silk threads - to prevent them from developing emotional complexes, no one else can do this; neither their father, nor by extension, anyone else; only the mother can do this. These tasks are the tasks of the mother; however, that job you have outside, if you do not do it, ten others are standing there to do that job. Therefore, the priority is with this task that has no alternative; the determination is with this.

At that time, there is also a duty on the government. It must assist those women who, for any reason, for any necessity, have accepted full-time or part-time work, so that they can also attend to motherhood, to homemaking. With leave policies, with retirement times, with daily work hours, the government must assist in such a way that this woman who has come to work for any reason can also attend to that matter.

The second issue is the matter of mahram and non-mahram. The issue of mahram and non-mahram in Islam is serious. Of course, a large part of this issue of mahram and non-mahram goes back to the family. That is, a pure eye and a heart free from suspicion and doubt for each of the spouses will strengthen and warm the family environment; like a warm center, it warms the environment. If the other side also has this pure eye and heart free from suspicion, it will naturally become mutual, and the environment will become a warm and loving family center. If not, if there is a treacherous eye, a treacherous hand, a duplicitous tongue, a heart devoid of love and faith in the spouse, even if there are superficial appearances, the family environment will become cold.

In the articles of friends, I read that these outings and these employments sometimes lead to baseless suspicions. However, it does not matter; after all, if suspicion arises, whether the suspicion has a valid basis or not, it will have its effect; it is like a bullet that comes out of this barrel; if it hits someone's chest, it kills; whether this person was intentional or accidentally pulled the trigger. The bullet does not differentiate. The bullet will not say that because the person who shot me was not intentional, I will not pierce the chest of this other person; no, the bullet pierces. This suspicion does its work; whether it has a valid origin or arises from obsessions and baseless imaginations.

One point is also about marriage. Marriage has a sanctity from the perspective of the religions that I know. I have not delved much into this. It would not be bad for some of the friends who are ready to work in this area to investigate. Generally, marriage ceremonies are religious ceremonies; Christians perform them in churches, Jews perform them in their synagogues; Muslims, although they do not perform them in mosques, if they can, they do so in holy places, otherwise during religiously significant times and mainly through religious figures. When a religious figure sits for marriage, they mention certain religious amounts. Therefore, the aspect is completely religious. Marriage has a sacred aspect; this sacred aspect should not be taken away from it. Taking away the sacred aspect leads to the ugly practices that unfortunately have become prevalent in our society. These heavy dowries are determined in the hope that they can serve as a guarantee for preserving the family and maintaining the marriage; whereas this is not the case. At most, the husband refuses to pay, and they take him to prison; he stays in prison for a year or two. In this action, the woman gains nothing; she does not benefit, except that her family unit is also disintegrated. The fact that it is narrated from Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) that he said we did not marry our daughters and sisters and wives except with the dowry of the Sunnah is because of this; otherwise, they could have. If Imam Hussein wanted, for example, to marry with a thousand dinars, he could have; it was not necessary for him to be bound to five hundred dirhams - twelve and a half uqiya. They could have, but they reduced it. This reduction is based on a calculation; this is very good.

Or the same excessive wedding ceremonies - the high expenses, the multiple gatherings - it truly saddens one to hear. These are among the matters that require discourse-building. Influential women, influential men, university professors, clerics, especially the media and broadcasting must work in these areas; they must bring this out of this state.

One word also about the role of men. In the family, it is always said the role of women. The reason is clear; because women are the central element in the family. However, it is not the case that men have no duties, responsibilities, or roles in the family. Indifferent men, unfeeling men, pleasure-seeking men, ungrateful men for the efforts of the housewives, these harm the family environment. Men must be appreciative. Society must be appreciative. There must certainly be special value placed on the work of housewives. Some could have gone to work, some could have pursued higher education, some had higher education - I have seen women of this kind - who said we want to raise this child well; we did not go to work. The woman did not go to work, that work did not remain undone; ten others went to do that work. This kind of woman must be appreciated. In the statements made by the gentlemen, it was mentioned that, for example, insurances should be considered for them. Yes, their economic security, their insurance, and other necessary matters must be taken into account.

Children also have roles. One of the most important parts of the family is the children; their role is also to respect their parents. This is now a lengthy story.

In any case, I thank you. I am satisfied with this session. Thanks be to God, it was a good session. God willing, may God be pleased with all of us, and may the efforts you have made be in the sight of His Holiness, the Awaited Savior (may our souls be sacrificed for him), and may the work, God willing, continue and will continue. A good plan was also proposed regarding an international effort concerning women, which now there was no opportunity to discuss. I saw that plan and I approve it. The opinions of the lady who spoke about international issues can also be utilized. It is good to carry out an international effort regarding women.

May God Almighty grant goodness to all of you. O Lord! Bestow Your mercy, grace, and guidance upon this gathering. O Lord! Make what we have said and heard and done and will do, for You and in Your way, and sincerely and devotedly. O Lord! Accept it from us. O Lord! Bestow Your blessings upon this gathering and upon all the people of Iran, especially upon those officials who have many responsibilities in this area.

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