Seyyed Ali Khomeini says oppression occurs when the officials of the Islamic Republic do not listen to the voices of the protesters.
Seyyed Ali Khomeini mentions that whenever we think that we have tarnished the reputation of this great nation and rich culture, and allow ourselves to worry, it stems from our own insignificance.
Whenever we feel within ourselves that we are more religious than the people of Iran, more concerned about Islam than the people of Iran, or more dedicated to Islamic laws than the people of Iran, we should know that it is the moment when our decline and downfall begin.
The Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist (Wilayat al-Faqih) is a legal and jurisprudential position and does not contradict the jurist being a servant. Sometimes, in Islamic law and rights, to allow this servant of yours to have freedom, you do not limit him in certain areas and grant him authority. This does not contradict being a servant. The Guardianship of the Jurist, as we mention and as the Imam stated, is a legal term. Do not question why the Imam proves the Guardianship of the Jurist and then considers himself a servant.
Opponents and those outside the country who issue statements from morning till night do not have a more sensible argument than the core principles of the Iranian revolution. The setbacks we face are due to distancing ourselves from these principles.
The Imam told the people, ‘These are your demands,’ and the nation rose from all corners of the country. It is an injustice to think that they have become irreligious and that we need to make them religious, or that they have become uncultured and we must culture them.
Who managed the war that came about? How patient is this nation? In this revolution, how many mistakes and inexperience have occurred, and how many times have people heard about economic corruption? Has there ever been a time when the majority of the nation did not do what they were supposed to do?
In critical moments, when everyone was hopeless, when everyone was praying, did this nation ever take a step back? During the war, when the East and the West attacked you, when there was no hope, did this nation ever retreat? In these economic sanctions, which the West describes as crippling, they are still wondering how this nation and government did not become paralyzed.
The majority of the Iranian nation have embraced faith more deeply than the early believers of Islam. These are the pure believers whom God describes as the companions of paradise, saying to God, ‘Give us what you promised.’
If the Iranian nation asks us such things, would it become Westernized or Easternized? If they tell us, ‘Were these economic corruptions part of your promises or not? Was it part of the promises for an Islamic Republic official to come in a Paykan and leave in a Benz or not?’ Ignore the superficial distractions; those sitting in the West who say something are either deceived or disrupt and muddy the waters with hints and money. We should not let our minds be occupied with these.
In fact, oppression occurs when an official of the Islamic Republic says, ‘Do you see what slogans they are chanting and what insults they are hurling?’ This nation is patient but protesting. We are all protesting. God willing, the Mahdavi government will be complete. When there is a deficiency, there should be protest. If there were no protest and deadly silence, we should be afraid.
If our officials did whatever they wanted and the people just watched, we would have to say either this nation is dead or this government is like Saddam’s, where no one dares to speak out. The fact that our society cries out is due to being Muslim and not allowing any missteps. They have learned this from the Prophet and their authentic Iranian identity. The Iranian identity has advantages, and we should not underestimate it. Sociologists have enumerated the characteristics of this Iranian identity. It is a very great nation. So far, wherever this nation has come, they have solved problems, and all doors have been opened.
If we refer to the nation, we have won, and if we see ourselves as separate, we have lost, just as those before us lost. Even legitimate business is forbidden for an Islamic Republic official. We are not opposed to wealth, and indeed many wealthy people have carried the cultural burden. But if you want to take on responsibility in the Islamic Republic, for God’s sake, do not think about your pocket; come for service and work.
This should be our issue, and we should seek solutions for it. We cannot rely solely on justice. In any case, we are hopeful and reliant on our nation.