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

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و الحمد لله ربّ العالمين

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و الصّلوة و السّلام علي سيّدنا محمّد و آله الطّاهرين

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سيّما بقيّة الله في الارضين و لعنة الله علي اعدائهم اجمعين

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I am very happy that, thank God, I have succeeded to once more

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meet with a group of the dear and prominent people of Isfahan at this Hosseiniyeh (a place for religious ceremonies).

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There are many things to discuss about Isfahan and the people of Isfahan, but

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this meeting is [held] on the occasion of the 25th [day of the Iranian calendar month] of Aban (November 15).

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Therefore, I start my remarks from this point. [The period of time] from the 25th until the end of [the Iranian month] of Aban,

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are among those days, which not only Isfahan, but also our country and history and [religious] teachings must never forget them.

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On the 25th of Aban in the [Iranian calendar] year, [13]61 (November 15, 1983), the people of Isfahan held a funeral for about 360 martyrs in a single day;

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this is not something insignificant. About 360 martyrs

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entered [the city of] Isfahan in a single day and a funeral was held for them by the people.

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You, young people, were not [born yet at that time], [and] have not seen those days, that epic [event] and that enthusiasm.

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A few days later – when I say [these days] up to the end of Aban [must not be forgotten], it is because [when this funeral took place] it was not the 30th [and last day] of Aban yet

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– 250 more martyrs arrived in Isfahan.

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People once again held a funeral for them, raised [their coffins] on their hands and showed endurance through their steadfastness; it needs a lot of endurance,

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[and] a lot of [spiritual] capacity [to pull this off]. The spiritual capacity is superior to the physical capacity and social capacity.

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[The fact] that people of a city hold [such a glorious] funeral for their children, their youths, [and] that the best of youths,

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without breaking a sweat, is very important.

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If they had written this in [books of] history, [and] read it to us from [those] books,

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we would not have believed them easily, but we saw them with our own eyes. How they could endure [such a tough test]?

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On the same day and the day after that day, when the funeral was held for about 360 martyrs,

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the young people stood in line in order to go to the war fronts and they went.

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Two powerful divisions [of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps], which were [stationed] in the city of Isfahan and [other] cities of Isfahan province

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– [including] the Imam Hossein (PBUH) Division and the Najaf Division –

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were filled up with [new volunteer forces and] the young and sacrificing people again.

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Neither fathers and mothers prevented [their children from going to the war fronts], nor the youth hesitated.

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Those two special divisions, which had been dealt heavy blows [during a military operation], were filled up again.

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Most martyrs in Operation Moharram were from Isfahan; this is how Isfahan is. You must not allow this to be forgotten.

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My dear ones! Know that one of the main points [which is the target] of the onslaught launched by enemies of this country and enemies of this revolution

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is to downplay these salient points; they [enemies] focus their effort on making [these points] slip into oblivion, [and] be forgotten.

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You see that [if] there is [even] one martyr in a given Western and European country

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– which now [I don’t care] how he has been martyred, [and] slain on the path of a motivation –

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they do not allow his name to be erased from books,

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[and] do not allow him to be erased from [people’s] memories; [so,] why we should allow this huge move by the people of Isfahan to be forgotten? This is Isfahan.

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Well, this year, these days have fallen on the days [that lead to] Arba’een [which marks the 40th day after martyrdom of Imam Hossein (PBUH)]. Do you see this [Arba'een] march?

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Do you observe this huge million-strong movement between [the two Iraqi holy cities of] Najaf and Karbala, [and] between Najaf and [the mausoleum of] Imam Hossein (PBUH)?

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Do you see this zeal and enthusiasm? Do you see this movement?

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[Even] when this movement is necessarily accompanied with a [certain] risk, this zeal and enthusiasm

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still exists in our nation, in our people, [and] in our youths;

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this must be preserved; [and] this is the thing, which guarantees this country’s survival.

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Well, now Mr. [Ayatollah Seyyed Yousef] Tabatabaei [the Leader’s representative and Friday Prayers leader of Isfahan] said a few sentences and noted

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that I have things to say and views on the merits of [the city of] Isfahan and the people of Isfahan; this is true.

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Isfahan is the city of science, the city of religion, the city of Velayat [guardianship of a religious leader],

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the city of work and initiative, the city of art and culture, and the city of martyrdom; [Isfahan is also] the province of martyrdom.

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When I say the city [of Isfahan], I mean the entire Isfahan province whose center is this old, ancient and proud city.

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[The city of] Khomeini Shahr in Isfahan [province], which is one of the [other] cities of Isfahan [province],

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has offered more martyrs than some provinces of the country.

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A commemoration ceremony was recently held for two thousands and a little more of their martyrs.

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One city of Isfahan [province] has sometimes offered more martyrs than an entire province; these are meaningful [signs].

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Why they are martyred? Why they go [to the war fronts]? What motivation is this? What spirit is this?

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[Isfahan, therefore,] is the city of pioneering people and vanguards [of martyrdom].

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They referred to measures taken by the people of Isfahan in the field of the Economy of Resistance;

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yes, I also believe in that. When it comes to [charitable] donation – [and] donating one’s property on the path of God – the people of Isfahan

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are so generous that they are ahead of others,

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but they save in their ordinary life, and also in this part, they are ahead of others; [and] both of them are good.

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[The fact] that when we want to spend [our] property in personal life,

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[and] in ordinary life, we would save, this is a characteristic of [the people of] Isfahan;

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[but] when we want to spend it on the path of God and for public purposes,

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we would be generous, this is also a characteristic of [the people of] Isfahan.

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Benevolent people [who are active] in various sectors in Isfahan [are like this].

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[Isfahan] is the city of delicateness, the city of art, [and] the city of great and renowned martyrs;

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a martyr like Ayatollah [Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini] Beheshti, on one side,

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and [on the other side, there are] martyrs like [former Islamic Revolution Guards Corps commanders like] Martyr [Hossein] Kharrazi and Martyr [Mohammad Ebrahim] Hemmat and Martyr [Ahmad] Kazemi and

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Martyr [Mostafa] Raddanipour, and [other] dignitaries and renowned people each of whom can serve as a torch

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to shed light on a nation’s path and open [the way]. These are merits, [and] these are your identity; this is the identity of the people of Isfahan.

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Steadfastness on the right path [is a characteristic of Isfahan, which means that it is] the city of the [Islamic] Revolution.

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Before the victory of the Islamic Revolution in the time of the former dictator,

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martial law was declared in ten [or] fifteen cities; in Isfahan, the martial law entered into force a few months before all [other] cities and before anywhere else;

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this is [the true face of] Isfahan. This is the identity of Isfahan:

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the city of the revolution, the city of religion, the city of Velayat, the city of [providing] service [to the entire nation], the city of work, the city of science, [and] the city of training [committed] manpower.

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Now, I was telling some friends in the other room that in various sectors,

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the presence of the manpower trained in Isfahan is prominent and clear and evident;

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you must maintain these [merits], [and] must preserve these.

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All our dear youths, [must] know that enemies will not remain idle, [but] they [continue] to make plan;

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it would be an advantage to know the enemy’s plan,

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the enemy’s plot, [and] the point that is the [main] target of the enemy’s attack

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[and] in order to confront it, to counter it, [and] to thwart the enemy’s work.

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have plan, have motivation, have [correct] thinking

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Submission in the face of the enemy is the gateway to all harm that is done to a country.

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We want to take our country to the peak [of development and perfection] due to blessing of Islam;

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we want to take the Iranian nation to such a point – as this nation deserves –

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to become a model; not only for the Islamic world and Muslim nations, but for the [entire] humanity;

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well, this is a great thing to do, [and] this is a difficult and long way.

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The enemies of Islam do not want the name of Islam to find such grandeur and glory;

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the enemies of Shia [Islam] also don’t want this [to happen]. Therefore, they start hatching plots,

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start [various kinds of] activity, [and] start making plans. Their plans must not be neglected.

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What I consider to be necessary today, first of all, is steadfastness on the principles of the revolution.

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The principles of the revolution are the same things, which exist in the last will and testament of [the late] Imam [Khomeini]

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and in the Imam’s remarks. These are the pillars of the revolution and the columns of the revolution.

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I recommend the youth to read the last will and testament of the Imam; ض

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you have not seen the Imam, but the Imam is materialized in this very last will and testament,

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[and] is embodied in these very statements and remarks.

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The content of that Imam, who managed to shock the world,

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is these very things that exist in this last will and testament and the likes of these; the Imam cannot be interpreted [in any other way, and]

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the Imam cannot be construed to the contrary of what he was, [because] his remarks are available.

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[Therefore,] insisting on the principles of the revolution [is necessary].

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The other day, I told a group of scientific and elite youths, who were here,

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that this is not out of obstinacy, [and is not] out of bias and zeal and ignorance,

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[but] this means that if this country is going to rise from the dust of backwardness

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caused by centuries of imposition, it has to go this way; if we want the problems of this country to be solved,

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if we want this country to be dignified, have welfare,

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[and] turn into a country, which would be a role model in terms of material and spiritual and ethical and cultural advances,

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we must continue treading the path of the revolution, [because] the revolution was and [still] is and will in the future be the sole way to remedy [problems of] this country.

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Today, one of those things, which are important in scientific terms, is the issue of economy.

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The enemy has zeroed in on our country’s economy.

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From the viewpoint of the enemy, the country’s economy is a weak point,

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and [it] can achieve its negative goals with regard to our dear country

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and with regard to the Islamic Republic by counting on that weak point.  [Therefore, we] must [work] on the economy.

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[When] I said the Economy of Resistance, I meant

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that economy, which relies on internal resources and will cut our need to others

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and increase the strength of the country in the face of foreign impulses; this is the [real] meaning of the Economy of Resistance.

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[Since this year’s motto is] the “Economy of Resistance, action and practical steps,” this action and practical steps should be shown to people

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and people must see this. This is my expectation and demand from [state] officials, which I have discussed  with them.

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I regularly discuss these issues with officials and tell them [what to do].

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The indexes of action and practical steps must be shown [to all people].

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One of those things that are necessary today is political insight;

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[because] political insight [is very important]. Look, when there is insight,

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a person can know the environment around him

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as well as [other] environments that are close and far; this is the meaning of insight.

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When insight is absent, a person will be attracted to the things, which are not really attractive.

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[For example,] some people are attracted to America, but this attraction is false;

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[because, the United States] has no attraction. Now, I kept saying these [facts about America]; later on, you saw that in this [recent presidential] election

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the most prominent political personalities of the same country said

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more than what I said or double or several times more than that.

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This president, who has been elected in America,

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says that ‘if the money that we Americans spent on war during these past few years,

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had been spent inside America, we could have rebuilt America twice

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and we would not have so many dilapidated roads, so many rickety bridges, so many out of order dams, so many devastated cities,

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[and] so many poor people in America’. Those people who

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are attracted to that imaginary point, are they ready to understand these [realities]?

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This state of ruin exists in that country

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and the money of that country is spent on dishonorable things. Were these wars, which he says

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they have spent several trillion dollars on – he says several thousand billion dollars were spent [on these wars] –

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were these honorable wars?

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The war is also of two types; one war is honorable, in which one would respect human laws.

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Well, [there is a time when] an enemy has attacked one and that person has to fight against it; this war is honorable.

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However, that war, which America has been launching in this region during these years

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has not been an honorable war. They destroyed people’s houses,

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killed tens of thousands of civilians,

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killed women, killed children, dropped bombs [on innocent people], bombarded [both] mourning and wedding ceremonies,

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[and] destroyed the infrastructures in a number of countries.

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You just look what they have done to Libya, have done to Syria, have done to Iraq, have done to Yemen,

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and have done to Afghanistan! These several trillion [dollars] have been spent on such things.

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These are things that I always said. Insight is that you know whom you are faced with,

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know what he thinks about you,

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[and] know that if you close your eyes and do not think, you would be dealt a blow; this is [the real meaning of] insight.

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I expect political and non-political elites of the country to have this insight.

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[Ordinary] people, fortunately, have this insight, [and] it is [really] surprising!

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Ordinary people and general masses do have this political insight, [but] some of our elites

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do not have this insight because of their reliance on the illusions that they have [in their minds].

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Of course, now I pass no judgment on this [presidential] election, which was held in America. America is America;

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this party or that party [makes no different to us, because] every one of them ascended to power, they did us no good, [but] harmed us [as well].

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One of them imposed sanctions [on Iran], the other one shot down [our civilian] plane [over the Persian Gulf]; one of them attacked [our] oil platform, [and] the other one helped our enemies.

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We have no concerns as well; [because]

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through God’s assistance we are ready to face any contingency.

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Some people have been grieving in the world over why the election in that country has turned out like this;

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[while, on the other hand,] another group in the world has been happy and rejoiced.

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Not us; we neither grieve, nor rejoice, [because] it makes no difference to us [which American party wins the election].

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We think about how to get the country through possible problems; [our] nation must think about this.

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The way to get through all problems, which are possible for the country, both at this time, and in ten years from now, and in fifty years from now

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is that the country must be strong from within. See how strength is obtained.

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Internal strength of the [Islamic] establishment is the basis of the job; both political strength,

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and economic strength, and cultural strength,

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and most important of all, spiritual and psychological strength of people, especially the elite

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and senior officials of the country.

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If this strength does exist, no danger will threaten the country.

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The country is ready in the face of all dangers.

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Our dear youths must continue this blessed growth of the revolutionary spirit.

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Debates and disputes and controversies and paying attention to small and trivial things

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and the likes of these are not [the main] issues of the country, [because] the [main] issue of the country is [to preserve] the revolutionary spirit;

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the [main] issue of the country is [to preserve] the revolutionary orientation, and from a scientific and planning viewpoint, the [main] issue of the country is the economy

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about which I have frequently talked, is the scientific progress [of the country] about which I have frequently talked,

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and is the unity and solidarity among all members of the nation, about which  I have also frequently talked. These are the main issues of the country.

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The people of Isfahan, praise be to God, have been successful [both] in far and near past and have passed [various] tests with their heads held high.

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Difficult tests for [the people of] Isfahan in far and near past have been constructive tests.

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Test means exercise, [and along the same line,] a divine test [also] means exercise, [and] means a [spiritual] drill.

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A drill reveals the weak points of a person to him

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and [after that he] would try to do away with those weak points and turn them into fortes.

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This is the [important] issue, which exists for the Iranian nation. Praise be to God, Isfahan

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has been also a pioneer and vanguard in this regard. I hope it would remain like this forever.  My dear ones! know

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that the future [outlook] of this country will be much better than the present [state] of this country

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and through God’s Grace and through assistance and strength of God,

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this country through the blessing of the revolution, through the blessing of divine verses [of the Quran], [and] through reliance on [its] faith

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in the Quran and Islam and the teachings of the Guiding Imams (Peace Be Upon Them) will be able to overcome all the problems

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and will continue to move ahead and I hope, God willing, this will be the case.

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I am very happy that I met with you dear brethren and sisters.

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Convey my greetings to all brethren and sisters in Isfahan.

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Peace be unto you and so may the mercy of Allah and His blessings