1 00:00:05,800 --> 00:00:08,280 In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful 2 00:00:09,320 --> 00:00:12,400 الحمد لله ربّ العالمين 3 00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:22,040 و الصّلاة و السّلام علي سيّدنا و نبيّنا ابي‌القاسم المصطفي محمّد 4 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:34,480 و آله الاطيبين الاطهرين المنتجبين 5 00:00:39,360 --> 00:00:42,320 الهداة المهديّين المعصومين 6 00:00:44,120 --> 00:00:49,440 اللّهمّ صلّ علي فاطمة و ابيها و بعلها و بنيها 7 00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:56,320 صلواتک و صلوات ملائکتک و اوليائک عليهم 8 00:00:57,280 --> 00:01:02,640 I congratulate [you on the occasion of] this day of the auspicious festivity [which marks the birthday of Hadhrat Fatemeh Zahra (PBUH)], 9 00:01:04,560 --> 00:01:16,880 and thank those dear brethren, who performed [their] program here and I seriously took advantage of and enjoyed it. 10 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:27,960 This song, which was sung at the end of the program, is a good ending for this program every year, 11 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:40,880 and Mr. Sazegar writes this song every year; this year it was also performed very well; 12 00:01:43,160 --> 00:01:51,440 [it contained] good themes, [and] good concepts [which include a useful] lesson, [are] didactic and [contain] notices [to all of us]. 13 00:01:55,600 --> 00:02:05,400 During this meeting in which you dear brethren are present – of course, esteemed sisters are also present – 14 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:14,160 I am mostly addressing you brethren, who 15 00:02:15,320 --> 00:02:28,880 have been honored with the honor of eulogizing and serving as cantors for Seyyed osh-Shohada [Imam Hossein] (PBUH) and the Household [of Prophet Mohammad (Peach Be Upon Them)]. 16 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:49,600 Thank God, the quantity of eulogizers – especially the young ones – in this field is very optimal and numerous and good, 17 00:02:51,960 --> 00:02:56,160 [and] the quality [of their eulogies] is also very good indeed in some places. 18 00:02:57,960 --> 00:03:06,920 This issue of eulogy is a phenomenon in our country; 19 00:03:08,680 --> 00:03:14,960 [because] the like of this we do not have in any other place. 20 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:28,280 Of course, those characteristics of the Shia society and those particular things that do not exist in other Islamic and non-Islamic societies are aplenty. 21 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:40,800 For example, the mourning ceremony in essence, or reading elegy to describe the suffering of the Household [of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)], which 22 00:03:41,320 --> 00:03:50,920 is usually accompanied with sermon and words of advice and [explaining religious] knowledge and issues of the day, and various expressions 23 00:03:51,640 --> 00:03:58,200 and anything that is exigent for any time are all among characteristics of Shia [faith] 24 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:07,800 and have continued since the time of [Infallible Shia] Imams (Peace Be Upon Them) up to the present time. [Such things] cannot be found in other places and their void is felt. 25 00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:16,040 The void [of such characteristics] is felt in other places and [they] try to fill it one way or another, but they cannot. 26 00:04:18,480 --> 00:04:38,880 However, this phenomenon of eulogizing and writing poems on eulogy and suffering and elegy and dirge and the likes of these is also one of the characteristics [of the Shia society]; 27 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:45,520 this [phenomenon] is also not present in other places and does not exist in this form; [even where it exists] it is not so common and so widespread 28 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:53,400 – both in terms of quantity, and in terms of vastness of meaning and concepts and the likes of these. 29 00:04:56,000 --> 00:05:04,960 [Therefore,] this phenomenon deserves [to be studied through] a scientific work; I mean, there is really room 30 00:05:06,360 --> 00:05:15,520 for our students, our scholars, [and] our researchers to sit down and think about this phenomenon, [and] work on it; 31 00:05:16,320 --> 00:05:29,160 both interpret and analyze [it], and show us and teach us the scientific ways of spreading this [phenomenon]. 32 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:36,920 In fact, we have underestimated this phenomenon; [but] this is a very important phenomenon. 33 00:05:39,080 --> 00:05:43,960 Well, thank God, I have had this achievement 34 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:50,680 [and] this opportunity that during these past thirty-odd years, like today, 35 00:05:51,320 --> 00:05:59,080 hold this meeting with eulogizer brethren every year. 36 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:07,520 Perhaps, among you people, the number of those whose lifetime years are less than the duration of this meeting, is not few. 37 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:12,960 This meeting has been held for thirty-odd years. 38 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:22,200 Therefore, it is a good opportunity to talk a bit about this phenomenon. 39 00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:30,480 As for Hadhrat Fatemeh Zahra (PBUH) – [I say this] not just as 40 00:06:30,760 --> 00:06:38,720 one of those regular and usual remarks that one may say – [but] we are really and fairly speaking incapable 41 00:06:39,880 --> 00:06:45,560 and less than worthy to want to talk about that grandiose status [that she holds]; 42 00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:53,440 [when it comes to talking about] the light-filled truth of that honorable being and the likes of her among the Infallible Imams, 43 00:06:54,640 --> 00:07:04,040 our language, our expression, [and] our understanding fall short of being able to talk in this regard. 44 00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:12,200 “God has created you as beams of light and positioned you around His [divine] throne.” 45 00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:22,840 This is the issue of the lights of Infallibles (Peace Be Upon Them); now, what are we going to say [about this]? 46 00:07:24,200 --> 00:07:30,200 However, yes, there is a lot to say about the lifestyle of these honorable figures and their behaviors 47 00:07:30,520 --> 00:07:38,320 and their being role models as a human being. ( there is a lot to say) 48 00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:47,680 Many things have been said [in this regard]; [and] some of you, brethren, pointed out this in your poems today. 49 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:53,040 [However,] there is [still] a lot of room to talk [about this]. Let me say a few words in this regard. 50 00:07:54,840 --> 00:08:00,320 With regard to Hadhrat Fatemeh Zahra (PBUH), we must look at her from this second viewpoint, 51 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:07,280 that is, being a role model and an example [for the entire humanity]. 52 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:15,720 In the Quran, the Almighty God has talked about two women as role models for the faithful and [has mentioned] two women [as] examples for heathens 53 00:08:16,360 --> 00:08:20,920 – “and God brought the wife of Pharaoh as an example for those who believe,” 54 00:08:23,200 --> 00:08:28,680 and after one verse [it adds]: “and Maryam, the daughter of Imran 55 00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:42,160 – [and in this way, God] has brought examples and mentioned two role models for the faithful – not just for the faithful women, [but] for [both] men and women. 56 00:08:43,520 --> 00:08:51,040 Through this viewpoint, we can look at these honorable figures as role models and learn lessons from them. 57 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:55,760 Well, Fatemeh Zahra (PBUH) is [also known as] Seddiqeh Kobra [the Great Teller of Truth] 58 00:08:57,120 --> 00:09:08,280 among truthful men and truthful women; [the use of the word] kobra [which means “the greatest” in Arabic] shows that this honorable lady is the greatest teller of truth. 59 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:16,720 Now, we want to learn lessons from her; both women [must] learn a lesson, and men [must] learn a lesson; everybody – both the scholar and commoner – [must] learn a lesson. 60 00:09:17,120 --> 00:09:21,880 Let us see what words, the Infallible Imams have used about this honorable lady. 61 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:25,960 , including words of praise, 62 00:09:26,320 --> 00:09:35,000 In the prayer [that is special to time] of [paying] pilgrimage to Imam Reza (PBUH), when it is the turn of Hadhrat Zahra (PBUH) for salutation – in that prayer, which is full of salutations from beginning to the end – 63 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:40,160 [it says:] “O God! Salute Fatemeh, the daughter of your Prophet;” 64 00:09:41,080 --> 00:09:51,240 this is one characteristic. Well, this characteristic is very important; of course [this characteristic] cannot be reproduced because nobody else can be Prophet’s daughter; 65 00:09:51,960 --> 00:10:03,120 however, being related to the Prophet as his daughter is an indicator of the lofty status [of Hadhrat Fatemeh (PBUH)]. 66 00:10:04,920 --> 00:10:13,040 [Further in the prayer it says:] “and the wife of your Selected One;” this is the second [characteristic of Hadhrat Fatemeh (PBUH)]. Of course, this [characteristic] cannot be copied either 67 00:10:13,720 --> 00:10:17,560 because nobody else can be the wife of God’s Selected One; 68 00:10:18,880 --> 00:10:27,440 but it shows the lofty position, the lofty status and grandeur of this honorable lady. 69 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:34,160 [Then it says:] “and the mother of two grandsons [of the Prophet] al-Hassan and al-Hossein, who are Masters of the Youth of the Heaven;” 70 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:42,000 the applied aspect of this [characteristic] is more than the previous two characteristics; 71 00:10:43,280 --> 00:10:54,120 [its] applied aspect [is related to] upbringing of two grandsons. [These are] the two grandsons [of the Prophet] who are “Masters of the Youth of the Heaven,” [and] whose mother is this honorable lady; 72 00:10:55,160 --> 00:11:01,600 it has been the purified lap of this mother (this purified mother), which has been able to raise them. 73 00:11:02,880 --> 00:11:10,960 This is the thing, which can be of importance to us as a model and an example. 74 00:11:11,160 --> 00:11:20,400 Then [the prayer mentions characteristics of Hadhrat Fatemeh (PBUH) 75 00:11:22,360 --> 00:11:31,720 all of which are applicable [to our own life]; it uses three different versions of the word “purification,” 76 00:11:32,760 --> 00:11:39,280 which have [delicate] differences of meaning. Of course, all three refer to purification and cleanliness: 77 00:11:39,960 --> 00:11:48,880 purification of [human] soul, purification of heart, purification of mind, purification of one’s lap (purification in of the soul), [and] purification of the entire [human] life. 78 00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:58,240 Well, this is applicable, [and] this is a lesson for us; 79 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:08,800 we must try to make ourselves clean, [and] we must purify ourselves; 80 00:12:10,280 --> 00:12:15,160 without purity within [human soul], you cannot achieve lofty positions; 81 00:12:15,920 --> 00:12:23,840 [and] you cannot enter the sanctuary of the guardianship of these honorable ones. The purity of the [human] soul is needed [to do this]. 82 00:12:25,040 --> 00:12:32,200 Purity of soul [can only be achieved] through piety, through continence, [and] through observation; 83 00:12:33,160 --> 00:12:40,080 constant observation and constant monitoring of oneself creates purity. 84 00:12:40,640 --> 00:12:50,560 Well, of course, humans are prone to errors and it is possible that darkness may overcome us, 85 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:58,640 but God has also shown us and taught us the way to erasing those dark spots: penitence [and] asking for forgiveness. 86 00:12:59,440 --> 00:13:06,920 Let’s ask for forgiveness; asking for forgiveness means to apologize [to God for our sins]; when we say “I seek God’s forgiveness,” it means “God, I apologize, forgive me.” 87 00:13:07,280 --> 00:13:12,200 Let’s apologize to the Almighty God truly and from the bottom of the heart; 88 00:13:12,520 --> 00:13:18,200 this would be asking for forgiveness, [and] this erases that darkness and that [dark] spot. 89 00:13:19,840 --> 00:13:26,120 Well, [other characteristics enumerated in the prayer for Hadhrat Fatemeh (PBUH)] include piety, 90 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:39,960 [as well as] purity of soul and heart; 91 00:13:40,280 --> 00:13:43,480 these are [prominent] characteristics of [Hadhrat] Fatemeh Zahra (PBUH). 92 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:52,880 We must take these [characteristics] into account as model, as example, and try to get close to them. 93 00:13:53,200 --> 00:14:00,320 Well, now you, as eulogizers, when you want to talk about Fatemeh Zahra (PBUH), 94 00:14:00,680 --> 00:14:07,760 you must include these [points] in your remarks, in your poem, [and] in your eulogy. 95 00:14:08,880 --> 00:14:17,120 Yes, when spiritual positions of [Shia] Imams (Peace Be Upon Them) and [those of] Fatemeh Zahra (PBUH) are talked about, 96 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:26,800 the heart of the audience is illuminated, [because] when you sing [songs] about spiritual positions, the human heart is illuminated, 97 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:32,560 [and] they experience a state of attention [to spiritual values] and experience a state of humbleness, 98 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:37,960 [and] this is very good [and] these [experiences] are reserved and necessary in their own place, but are [by no means] adequate. 99 00:14:38,880 --> 00:14:44,720 Now that attention is gained, [and] now that your heart is illuminated, we must learn lessons; 100 00:14:44,880 --> 00:14:52,160 these applied phrases contain lesson(s); I mean, effort must be made 101 00:14:52,400 --> 00:14:59,200 at every podium – both in (the period of) Fatemiyeh [when martyrdom of Hadhrat Fatemeh (PBUH) is mourned] and in Ashura [martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hossein (PBUH)], and at other times – 102 00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:12,040 that lesson from Imams (Peace Be Upon Them), [including] lesson about becoming a [real] human, lesson about perfection, [and] lesson about getting close to God be included. 103 00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:19,280 We must learn lesson, [we] must learn. The mere talk is not enough. 104 00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:26,440 Of course, compassion is effective, but it is not enough, [because accepting] the guardianship [of the Infallible Imams] is [also] necessary. 105 00:15:26,640 --> 00:15:34,360 [Accepting] the guardianship means to get close to, to follow suit with, and to resort to these [honorable ones]; 106 00:15:35,760 --> 00:15:42,280 [it means] that one should tread the same path that they have trodden; this is [totally] necessary. 107 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:52,520 This is one point, which in my opinion must be taken into account in the profession of eulogy – 108 00:15:52,840 --> 00:15:58,560 especially by speakers, that is, poets who write poems [for eulogy] – 109 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:07,600 [because] sometimes one sees virtues are mentioned [for Imams], which has not been mentioned in any tradition and in any 110 00:16:08,280 --> 00:16:16,960 sentences attributed to the Infallible [Imams, and in fact] are no virtue [at all]. 111 00:16:18,120 --> 00:16:28,040 [For example, one eulogizer] said: “He who compared your face with the Moon out of mistake,” in fact reduced your value; 112 00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:40,560 [we must note that] likening [people] to the Moon and to the Sun are not things that would create any value for the one who has been likened to them, 113 00:16:42,880 --> 00:16:49,520 let alone the likes of these honorable ones whose spiritual positions, [and] whose divine positions 114 00:16:49,960 --> 00:16:57,960 are so lofty that stagger [even] those endowed with a spiritual vision, let alone us, who do not have that vision to understand [their positions]. 115 00:16:59,840 --> 00:17:10,160 Sometimes general remarks are made of which nothing [clear] is understood and do not benefit the audience. 116 00:17:10,840 --> 00:17:17,920 Therefore, my first sentence [of advice] to you, dear brethren, is that when eulogizing these honorable ones 117 00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:26,000 – whether Hadhrat Fatemeh (PBUH), or [other] Guiding Imams (Peace Be Upon Them) – 118 00:17:26,880 --> 00:17:35,200 make sure to take advantage of applied issues that exist in their life. 119 00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:42,440 Another point, which is fortunately common in the community of eulogizers 120 00:17:42,920 --> 00:17:47,920 to a large extent today, is attention to current issues, 121 00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:59,600 well you heard today [explanations] about [issues] in different fields in relation to [forces] defending the holy shrines [in Syria] and [other] current issues of the day; 122 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:03,840 these are very important issues, [and] these are basic issues; 123 00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:10,880 we must not imagine that these [issues] lie outside the realm of our religious faith. 124 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:21,160 Well, you see the Honorable Prophet [of Islam] who is the Master of the People of the World and 125 00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:25,400 the Almighty God has created no creature superior to this honorable one, 126 00:18:25,800 --> 00:18:32,800 and he is the proclaimer of this very religion and this very Islam, to which we have a claim today, 127 00:18:33,440 --> 00:18:41,640 when it came to current political issues of his country – the country that existed at that time and was a small country – 128 00:18:42,080 --> 00:18:46,360 how much effort this honorable one made, [and] what troubles he took. 129 00:18:48,760 --> 00:18:57,920 The Honorable Prophet did not just teach people the rules of [daily] prayers and fasting and attention [to spiritual values] and worship and nocturnal prayers; 130 00:18:58,440 --> 00:19:06,040 no, he gathered people at this very mosque, invited them to [engage in] Jihad, invited them to unity, 131 00:19:06,040 --> 00:19:12,960 [and] invited them to be vigilant in the face of the enemy; these very issues that are [still] important to me and you today. 132 00:19:14,120 --> 00:19:18,760 Current issues are not issues that could be [easily] ignored. 133 00:19:19,840 --> 00:19:29,560 See, there is a system in this world, (the arrogant system, the bullying system, [and] the oppression system; of course), these systems have been there since old times, but they have been modernized today, 134 00:19:30,400 --> 00:19:38,960 the arrogant system, the bullying system, [and] the oppression system; of course, [and] have been equipped with new equipment. 135 00:19:39,600 --> 00:19:50,960 Dominant powers bully nations; [and this] bullying knows no limit and degree. If [other nations] have assets, they take it from them; 136 00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:55,360 if they have competent manpower, they rob them (from those nations); 137 00:19:55,600 --> 00:20:01,240 if there is a talent among those [nations], which threatens them 138 00:20:01,560 --> 00:20:07,320 and is a rival for them, they nip that talent [in the bud]; there are all kinds and sorts of bullying. 139 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:18,440 Today, this bullying exists in the world; the international global system, which they call it the global community, 140 00:20:19,360 --> 00:20:26,240 is the same as the bullying system; otherwise, the meaning of the global community is not governments and nations of the world, 141 00:20:26,440 --> 00:20:36,760 [because] governments and nations of the world abhor these few dominant world powers, which call themselves the global community. 142 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:48,440 The global community means this: [a group of] people the basis of whose work is bullying all nations and all countries and all 143 00:20:49,040 --> 00:20:58,880 these [people]. And we, who live in the Islamic Republic, have seen examples of it one way before the establishment of the Islamic Republic and under the tyrannical regime [of the former Shah], 144 00:20:58,880 --> 00:21:06,000 and have [also] seen examples of it another way after establishment of the Islamic Republic. 145 00:21:06,400 --> 00:21:12,520 Today, there is a system like this in the world. This system is facing a lot of disagreement; 146 00:21:13,320 --> 00:21:20,880 many nations are discontent [with this system], but nations cannot do anything; nobody hears the voice of nations; 147 00:21:21,440 --> 00:21:26,960 [because] they neither possess media in an effective form, nor [their voice] counts for anything; 148 00:21:27,120 --> 00:21:35,080 now, suppose, for example, ten thousand people come together through an electronic unit, 149 00:21:35,520 --> 00:21:41,280 for example, [through] electronic media and the likes of these, and say something, 150 00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:44,760 or come together and pour into the streets; so what? I 151 00:21:45,080 --> 00:21:54,360 the case of America’s invasion of Iraq in [less than] fifteen [or] sixteen years ago, 152 00:21:54,880 --> 00:22:01,160 demonstrations were held in opposition to America in all of these streets of Paris and some other European countries; what was the effect? 153 00:22:01,880 --> 00:22:05,200 Nations cannot do anything on their own, 154 00:22:05,360 --> 00:22:14,040 [because] it is governments, and if they have support of their nations, can have a say and the world would heed that say; 155 00:22:14,360 --> 00:22:20,640 [and] there is no such government in the world; there are governments, [but] they are afraid; they are discontent [but] are afraid. 156 00:22:21,520 --> 00:22:26,800 I think I said this in my new year speech 157 00:22:27,360 --> 00:22:34,600 that the high-ranking officials of the [former] tyrannical regime [of Iran] were in many cases dissatisfied with what America did. 158 00:22:34,800 --> 00:22:41,680 When one goes through the memoirs of their remnants, he sees that at some places, they were very dissatisfied 159 00:22:42,040 --> 00:22:47,400 and criticized them [Americans] in private, but did not dare to oppose [them openly]; 160 00:22:47,960 --> 00:22:54,720 as the government, [and] as the political unit and management of the society, they did not dare [to oppose America]. 161 00:22:54,880 --> 00:23:01,160 Today, it is like this in the world; many [governments] are dissatisfied [with the status quo], but do not dare to oppose [it]. 162 00:23:01,960 --> 00:23:13,360 In this world, amid this [state of] confusion, in this confused intermingled forest, 163 00:23:13,800 --> 00:23:18,920 and [under the present state of] oppression and bullying, a [new] system has come into being, 164 00:23:19,200 --> 00:23:25,040 which has a number of pillars, and these pillars are just the opposite of what the global system is currently based on; 165 00:23:25,400 --> 00:23:29,320 are the opposite of oppression, the opposite of exploitation [of nations], 166 00:23:29,640 --> 00:23:36,560 the opposite of warmongering, [and] the opposite of corruption; that system is the establishment of the Islamic Republic. 167 00:24:20,480 --> 00:24:29,720 This establishment has been created on the basis of Islam, on the basis of religion, [and] on the basis of pure Islamic ideas 168 00:24:29,920 --> 00:24:34,760 and a group [of people] have been atop this system since its onset, 169 00:24:34,960 --> 00:24:40,960 whose nature is that they are not afraid of big powers and they are clerics. 170 00:24:41,640 --> 00:24:49,360 The Western analysts and sociologists are saying this today; they said this from the outset of the revolution; 171 00:24:49,760 --> 00:24:53,600 [and] said that these clerics are not afraid of us. 172 00:24:54,320 --> 00:24:58,320 [Of course,] some of them may be, and are, dependent, 173 00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:05,640 but the nature of the clerical system in the Shia community is such a nature. 174 00:25:05,800 --> 00:25:13,080 Now it happens that these [clerics] are atop of this system. People are also in line with them. 175 00:25:13,960 --> 00:25:19,720 The people [of Iran] are firstly, talented people, [and] secondly, there are a lot of young people among them 176 00:25:20,040 --> 00:25:26,440 – our population has increased from 35 million at the onset of the revolution to about 80 million now; 177 00:25:26,680 --> 00:25:32,400 that is, the population has increased suddenly; although they [the enemies] are working against it [as well] 178 00:25:32,920 --> 00:25:38,960 – [but] there is a lot of talent [in this nation]; they are also courageous, [and] are brave. 179 00:25:39,480 --> 00:25:46,520 Well, when there is a country where people think like this, 180 00:25:46,800 --> 00:25:56,160 the leaders of the government are not afraid of the [apparent] grandeur of the world, this is a major risk for the Arrogance, 181 00:25:57,000 --> 00:26:03,840 [and this] is a completely great danger. Therefore, a front is formed against it, 182 00:26:03,840 --> 00:26:11,560 just in the same way that now [such] a front has been formed against the Islamic Republic; not just now, [but] since the first day of the revolution a front has been formed; 183 00:26:12,680 --> 00:26:19,880 [and] an enemy front has been formed. At that time, [that front] was [made up of] the [former] Soviet Union and America, which were the opposites of each other 184 00:26:20,200 --> 00:26:23,840 and [if] they had differences over one hundred issues – more or less – 185 00:26:24,160 --> 00:26:31,800 they were unanimous and hand in glove on the issue of the Islamic Republic and in opposition to the Islamic Republic. 186 00:26:33,000 --> 00:26:39,720 I mean, this is the nature of the Arrogance, which opposes such a system. 187 00:26:39,720 --> 00:26:46,800 [Therefore,] they formed a front which exists today and is taking advantage of all kinds and sorts of methods as well; 188 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:52,640 just assume that there was no Internet twenty years ago, [but] now it exists; 189 00:26:54,120 --> 00:26:57,880 [in the same way, different kinds of] tools are progressing on a daily basis. 190 00:26:58,600 --> 00:27:07,480 They are taking advantage of the highest number of tools and the most overarching and most rapid [set] of tools against the Islamic Republic; 191 00:27:07,640 --> 00:27:13,120 the Islamic Republic must [also] get ready and take advantage of all tools. 192 00:27:14,400 --> 00:27:17,040 [The enemy] takes advantage of diplomacy as a tool. 193 00:27:17,400 --> 00:27:25,640 Diplomacy, political dialogue, political negotiation, [and] political give and take are one of these tools; 194 00:27:26,080 --> 00:27:35,040 these [enemies] are taking advantage of that tool. I am not against political dialogue; of course, not with everybody 195 00:27:36,280 --> 00:27:45,720 – there are exceptions. At the level of global issues, I agree to political dialogue; 196 00:27:45,840 --> 00:27:52,480 I have had my [own] view in these fields since the time of [my] presidency and followed up on [them]; 197 00:27:52,480 --> 00:27:59,640 [some people must] not try to show that I am totally opposed to dialogue and the likes of that; no, 198 00:27:59,960 --> 00:28:07,240 I both agree [to dialogue] more than [the people who claim this], and in some places, I am more skilled with regard to such measures than them; 199 00:28:08,080 --> 00:28:17,080 I know how to act [in this regard]. [But] the enemy takes advantage of the political dialogue. [We] must be careful. 200 00:28:17,080 --> 00:28:22,800 Therefore, they take advantage of negotiation, take advantage of economic exchanges, 201 00:28:23,040 --> 00:28:32,840 take advantage of economic sanctions, take advantage of threat of war and [use of] weapons; 202 00:28:33,680 --> 00:28:38,400 [and] we must have defensive power in the face of all these [threats]. 203 00:28:40,240 --> 00:28:48,640 [The fact] that some people come out and say “the future of the world is a future for negotiations, [not] a future for missile,” 204 00:28:49,520 --> 00:29:00,040 if this remark is made out of ignorance, well, it is [result of] ignorance, 205 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:06,080 [but] if it has been made with information, it would amount to treason. How [such a thing] could be possible? 206 00:29:28,520 --> 00:29:37,520 If the establishment of the Islamic Republic goes after science, goes after technology, 207 00:29:37,720 --> 00:29:46,440 goes after political negotiation, [and] goes after various trade and economic activities – all of which are necessary – 208 00:29:46,600 --> 00:29:54,000 but does not have defensive power, [and] does not have the ability to defend [itself], 209 00:29:54,960 --> 00:30:03,200 any rogue [state] and [any] given insignificant government 210 00:30:04,560 --> 00:30:09,800 will threaten it that ‘if you don’t take that given step, we will hit [you by] missile’; 211 00:30:10,040 --> 00:30:15,760 well, if you don’t have the possibility to defend [yourself], you would have to withdraw. 212 00:30:17,320 --> 00:30:23,960 The global powers that you see raise their voice when talking, bully [other countries 213 00:30:24,760 --> 00:30:29,160 ], do wrong things, say bad things, and bully [others], 214 00:30:29,160 --> 00:30:33,600 [what they do] is mostly on the strength of the same weapons that they have 215 00:30:34,240 --> 00:30:37,880 ; then [some people expect that] we should empty our hands in the face of these [powers]? 216 00:30:39,440 --> 00:30:44,400 The IRGC [Islamic Republic Guards Corps], which demonstrates its missile advances, 217 00:30:44,840 --> 00:30:52,400 [it is] not only a cause of honor and pride for Iranians, 218 00:30:52,560 --> 00:31:03,600 [but] when the IRGC’s missiles are tested with this precision and in such a beautiful way, 219 00:31:04,040 --> 00:31:12,040 many freedom-seeking nations around us, whose blood boils [due to actions] of America and the Zionist regime, [also] become happy. 220 00:31:12,640 --> 00:31:16,360 [Now, why] when these steps are taken, we must slam these and say, 221 00:31:16,600 --> 00:31:21,320 ‘Mr. Today it is not a time for missile(s) anymore!’ [The answer is] no, the time for [using] missile(s) is not past. 222 00:31:22,320 --> 00:31:30,200 The enemy is constantly updating itself and preparing itself, 223 00:31:31,440 --> 00:31:36,560 [then some expect that] we simplistically retreat [in the face of the enemy] and say no. 224 00:31:36,560 --> 00:31:45,480 [This is] like [what happened] in early [years after victory of the Islamic] Revolution, when they wanted to sell these very F-14 [fighter jets] and wanted to give them back and I did not allow it. 225 00:31:46,480 --> 00:31:53,920 I was informed that one of the officials of the Interim Government at that time 226 00:31:54,160 --> 00:31:59,400 had said that these F-14s, which the tyrannical regime [of Shah] had bought, were of no good to us. 227 00:31:59,720 --> 00:32:03,920 [They said:] ‘What are we supposed to do with F-14s! Let’s give them back’. 228 00:32:04,440 --> 00:32:09,080 Well, there I stood fast, raised a ruckus, took part in interviews, 229 00:32:09,080 --> 00:32:13,040 and countered [that claim], [and as a result,] they did not dare to do that; they wanted to give [those warplanes] back. 230 00:32:13,440 --> 00:32:19,800 A while later, the war between Iran and Iraq broke out 231 00:32:20,080 --> 00:32:26,520 and [they] attacked [us] and it became clear how much we needed the same equipment that we had; 232 00:32:26,880 --> 00:32:33,680 the same F-14s and the same F-4s and the likes of these. Today, some [people] are playing the same tune 233 00:32:34,360 --> 00:32:41,760 that ‘what is missile, what we want missile for, [and] the time is not the time for [using] missile!’ [If you are right] then what is the time for? 234 00:32:42,320 --> 00:32:50,600 [Today] it is time for everything. It is time for negotiation as well; [we] must appear strong in negotiation 235 00:32:51,080 --> 00:32:55,040 and must negotiate in such a way that we would not be deceived later. 236 00:32:56,600 --> 00:33:02,040 When we negotiate, put something on paper, write it down, sign it, 237 00:33:02,560 --> 00:33:10,960 [and] then they outwardly do something, but sanctions are not removed and trade is not restarted, 238 00:33:11,600 --> 00:33:18,200 it is clear that there is some problem there; we must not allow these problems to emerge 239 00:33:18,760 --> 00:33:28,160 and must make ourselves strong there. The same is true about the economy inside the country; I said [we must take] “practical steps and action.” 240 00:33:29,120 --> 00:33:37,280 Enough is [already] said; “actions speak louder than words.” 241 00:33:37,800 --> 00:33:44,560 When [we] repeat [something] excessively and keep saying the Economy of Resistance, it would lose its luster; 242 00:33:45,080 --> 00:33:53,000 I mean, when something becomes repetitive, it becomes boring as well; [so,] let’s take action. In short, the country needs [practical steps]. 243 00:33:53,000 --> 00:33:57,080 These [issues] are all just one side of the issue, 244 00:33:57,960 --> 00:34:04,080 [and] the work and effort that the enemy puts in changing people’s beliefs is the other side of the issue. 245 00:34:04,680 --> 00:34:12,360 Now, here [is where] you play a role; play a part; [and it is] an important part. 246 00:34:13,360 --> 00:34:18,480 When you support those who defend [sacred] shrines [in Syria] it is also very valuable. 247 00:34:18,840 --> 00:34:25,680 These very poems, which were read out [here], [and] these remarks, which were made, these are very valuable, 248 00:34:26,120 --> 00:34:35,720 [and] there is no doubt about this – just in the same way that during the Sacred Defense [Iraqi imposed war against Iran] these poems, which were read and these songs which were composed, 249 00:34:36,360 --> 00:34:44,640 were very effective; this [issue] has without a doubt the same effect today. However, there is a task besides this, which if the importance of that task is not more, is [certainly] no less [than these poems]; 250 00:34:45,000 --> 00:34:48,200 and that task is bolstering the beliefs of young people. 251 00:34:49,240 --> 00:34:55,520 The enemy wants to change beliefs; the belief in Islam, 252 00:34:56,160 --> 00:35:00,440 belief in efficiency of the Islamic establishment, 253 00:35:02,560 --> 00:35:10,200 belief in efficiency, [and] belief in the possibility of the continuation of the Islamic establishment. 254 00:35:10,520 --> 00:35:15,840 The enemy even works and launches propaganda against what is obvious; 255 00:35:16,160 --> 00:35:24,880 it sometimes takes action against something that is evident, and as if, they want to prove [their point] through trickery 256 00:35:25,360 --> 00:35:28,520 and through deceit and through magic. 257 00:35:28,720 --> 00:35:37,080 Since the day it was born up to the present time, the Islamic establishment has been constantly exposed to heavy attacks; 258 00:35:37,480 --> 00:35:44,760 heavy military and propaganda attacks and sanctions and the likes of these 259 00:35:44,960 --> 00:35:53,360 and, at the same time, the Islamic establishment has grown during these [past] 37 years; I mean, there has been not a single day in which it has stopped [growing]; 260 00:35:54,360 --> 00:36:01,280 [on the contrary,] it has grown on all sides, [and] has gained power and become great on all sides. 261 00:36:01,680 --> 00:36:09,240 The enemy looks today and sees that slender and slim sapling, which came into being at the outset of the revolution, 262 00:36:09,240 --> 00:36:13,600 has turned into a towering tree today, 263 00:36:13,600 --> 00:36:18,440 which [as put by the Quran:] “it produces its fruit all the time, by permission of its Lord.” 264 00:36:19,480 --> 00:36:27,720 They are seeing this in front of their eyes. Well, this [system] in which there is so much talent for survival, 265 00:36:27,960 --> 00:36:36,560 so much talent for expansion, and so much talent for getting strong, 266 00:36:36,960 --> 00:36:41,160 will continue to gain more strength after this, [and] will become stronger on a daily basis. 267 00:36:41,520 --> 00:36:47,920 Those things that we have taken into account for our future outlook are not imaginary, [but] are realities. 268 00:36:48,320 --> 00:36:55,280 Three [or] four years before this, I told young students and scholars 269 00:36:55,520 --> 00:36:58,920 that you must do something that fifty years later, 270 00:36:59,200 --> 00:37:07,880 if somebody wanted to have access to scientific updates of that time, they would have to learn Persian [language]; 271 00:37:10,120 --> 00:37:14,120 this can be done, [and] this is possible; just in the same way that during these [past] ten [or] fifteen years, 272 00:37:14,800 --> 00:37:19,240 the scientific movement and scientific progress [of the country] turned out to be the same that I had said. 273 00:37:19,720 --> 00:37:24,720 When young people work diligently, when those who have resolve and determination act upon their resolve, 274 00:37:25,600 --> 00:37:30,400 all difficult tasks will become easy; [and in that case] we will be able to move ahead. 275 00:37:30,400 --> 00:37:38,040 At the same time, the enemy is making an impression on beliefs of our youths: [they say] “Mr. what benefit does it have, it is not possible, it has no benefit.” 276 00:37:39,120 --> 00:37:48,480 These are among those arenas, in which the enemy’s psychological war is being waged and you, as eulogizers, can have an effect, 277 00:37:49,320 --> 00:37:53,000 [and] can strengthen this young [people] from the viewpoint of intellectual stamina. 278 00:37:53,480 --> 00:37:57,640 [The fact] that I sometimes protest at some eulogies that, 279 00:37:57,880 --> 00:38:04,080 for example, assume that during mourning in the [first] ten days of [the lunar month of] Muharram, when you look 280 00:38:04,080 --> 00:38:08,280 – sometimes they bring its photos [to me]; [especially,] now [that] these [electronic] devices have become numerous; 281 00:38:08,720 --> 00:38:12,000 of course, I don’t have them, but they sometimes bring 282 00:38:12,760 --> 00:38:21,000 these photos and the likes of these and show them to me – you see that, for example, in a [mourning] session, everybody is just hopping up and down; 283 00:38:21,400 --> 00:38:26,160 well, what is the use of this? What effect does this have? How this can be called mourning? [The fact] that I sometimes protest [at some eulogies], 284 00:38:26,560 --> 00:38:32,000 I am not upset with the excitement of the youth; well, a young person is prone to excitement, 285 00:38:33,120 --> 00:38:38,480 a young person is the source of energy and constantly wants to discharge his energy; 286 00:38:38,880 --> 00:38:44,160 I [protest] in order to [make sure that] this major tasks are not forgotten. 287 00:38:44,720 --> 00:38:52,040 When in a gathering, ten thousand youths or five thousand youths come together 288 00:38:52,920 --> 00:39:03,440 and give their full attention to you, through a superb, artistic, and meaningful performance you can 289 00:39:03,640 --> 00:39:10,760 turn them into efficient persons, who will then go to do the job with determined resolve, 290 00:39:10,960 --> 00:39:22,240 [or] you can also turn them into carefree, thoughtless, desperate, and spiritually empty-handed people; 291 00:39:22,800 --> 00:39:30,960 this can be also done. You [must] take advantage of this opportunity and choose that first alternative. This is my opinion. 292 00:39:31,920 --> 00:39:40,280 Eulogizing, while being eulogy of the best people of the world 293 00:39:41,000 --> 00:39:46,480 – [because] its subject is eulogy of the best people of the world, 294 00:39:46,880 --> 00:39:52,960 who are the [Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)’s] Household (Peace Be Upon Them), [and] therefore, enjoys a lofty status; 295 00:39:53,920 --> 00:40:04,120 eulogizing is naturally like this – but you look and see, for example, what a poet like De’bal Khaza’i 296 00:40:04,840 --> 00:40:08,640 is saying in an ode titled, “Madaris Ayat;” 297 00:40:08,920 --> 00:40:17,040 the ode [titled] “Madaris Ayat” [is] that ode, which was lauded by Hadhrat [Imam Reza (PBUH)] 298 00:40:17,400 --> 00:40:24,240 and give him [the poet] [a valuable] attire [as reward] and [also] gave him a cash reward. This is an ode, which basically questions the whole Abbasid establishment, 299 00:40:24,440 --> 00:40:31,080 [and] raison d'être of the Abbasid [rule] and condemns them; I mean, it is purely political; 300 00:40:31,440 --> 00:40:38,480 it is not just simple preaching and elegy; no, elegy is necessary, 301 00:40:39,040 --> 00:40:47,160 but the work which has been done in parallel to elegy has received attention from [Shia] Imams (Peace Be Upon Them). 302 00:40:48,440 --> 00:40:57,200 The ode of De’bal, the ode of Komeit, [and] various odes, 303 00:40:58,000 --> 00:41:06,120 which were written by poets at that time, were read and sang by others; that is, just like you, who read out [poems] with a tune, 304 00:41:06,480 --> 00:41:12,280 either the poet himself or others came and read them out to people with a tune; 305 00:41:12,760 --> 00:41:19,840 these [poem reading sessions] constituted mass publicity media [at that time]. Today, you can [still] take advantage of these [media]; 306 00:41:20,320 --> 00:41:26,040 [therefore, you must] avail yourself of mass publicity media 307 00:41:26,560 --> 00:41:32,440 and guide the people; in my opinion this is a very basic thing [to do]. 308 00:41:33,240 --> 00:41:41,480 It is famously said that honorability of any [field of] science depends on honorability of its subject; 309 00:41:42,720 --> 00:41:48,720 [therefore,] any science whose subject is more honorable, that science will be more honorable as well. 310 00:41:49,320 --> 00:41:56,320 Now, if we generalize this from science to occupations, 311 00:41:56,800 --> 00:42:07,600 the subject of your occupation and your work and your endeavor is eulogizing the Household [of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)] and increasing [people’s] insight 312 00:42:07,800 --> 00:42:15,920 and awakening the audience; [these things that you do] are the most valuable [of jobs], [and what you do] is very valuable; [therefore,] try to make the most of this value. 313 00:42:16,920 --> 00:42:21,440 Thank God, there is a high number of eulogizers, 314 00:42:22,000 --> 00:42:28,440 now this group, which has come here today, which is a big group [is a sample], but the number of 315 00:42:28,840 --> 00:42:32,560 eulogizers singing [eulogies] across the country is higher than this; 316 00:42:33,280 --> 00:42:40,000 their number is, thank God, very high in all places; there are people who are interested 317 00:42:41,760 --> 00:42:48,960 and do this job; at any rate, this is a very important mission, 318 00:42:49,200 --> 00:42:57,120 [and] you must attach importance to this mission. Of course, poets also play an important role; 319 00:42:57,520 --> 00:43:04,680 those poets, who write poems, play an important role; 320 00:43:05,280 --> 00:43:09,880 but without good performance [by eulogizers] the impact of a poem would be low 321 00:43:09,880 --> 00:43:16,400 and when you carry out that superb performance, [and] that good performance, then [the poem] makes its effect. 322 00:43:16,800 --> 00:43:23,520 I hope the Almighty God would make you successful, and makes [all of] us successful and we could recognize what is our duty 323 00:43:23,920 --> 00:43:30,920 in the first place and understand [it] and then, God willing, act upon it. 324 00:43:31,080 --> 00:43:32,840 Peace be unto you and so may the mercy of Allah and His blessings