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

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و الحمدلله ربّ العالمين

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و الصّلاة و السّلام علي سيّدنا و نبيّنا ابي‌القاسم المصطفي محمّد

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و علي آله الاطيبين الاطهرين المنتجبين المعصومين

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سيّما بقيّةالله في الارضين و لعنةالله علي اعدائهم اجمعين

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You are very welcome dear brethren [and] dear sisters!

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And in these important and blessed days,

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embellished and illuminated our Hosseiniyeh (religious center) with your presence, with your devotion and with your favor.

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These days are very opportune days, because they are the last days of the auspicious [lunar] month of Sha’ban.

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[We must] always remember to make the most of opportunities

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that are made available to us by the Almighty God.

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One of these opportunities is the auspicious month of Sha’ban, which is a month for prayer, a month of supplication, a month for recourse [to the Almighty God], [and] a month for awaiting [reappearance of the last Shia Imam].

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Another great bounty is the auspicious month of Ramadan, which is close, and it is very suitable [for us]

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to get ourselves prepared for month of Ramadan during month of Sha'ban. Ramadan is the month of the divine banquet,

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[and] taking part in the divine banquet needs some preparations; we must create these preparations in ourselves.

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The job is easier for you, dear youths, than us. With their clean hearts, with their pure hearts,

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[and] due to lack of [spiritual] contamination that occurs to any human being through the time,

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young people are more prepared, [and they] must appreciate this preparedness, [and also appreciate] these prayers [that are special to] the auspicious month of Sha'ban,

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especially this [Sha’baniyeh] prayer; [because this is] a famous prayer quoted by [Shia] Imams (Peace Be upon Them).

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Once I asked the honorable Imam [Khomeini] that ‘among these prayers recommended [to us] by the Prophet’s Household (Peace Be upon Them),

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which prayer you are more attracted to and like more’;

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he said the Sha’baniyeh prayer and the Komeil prayer.

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This man [who was a] mystic [and was] seasoned [in spiritual terms], and acted on the path of God, paid attention to these two prayers.

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God willing, in these [few] remaining days [of month of Sha'ban], all of us would be able to take advantage of these days

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and get ourselves into [the realm of] spirituality in this area of the divine mercy, and make the most [of it]; this is the main point.

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Another point, which is noteworthy about these days and I prefer to say a few words about it, is the issue of elections.

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People – the Iranian nation – are getting prepared for a big epic, [and] for [taking part in] elections with vibrancy and enthusiasm.

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As I have heard and been informed, praise be to God,

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election vibrancy and enthusiasm is seen in people across the country, [and] people are getting prepared [to take part in the polls].

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Well, this is very important, [because] this is when the Iranian nation will shine in another big epic.

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Every one of these elections, in which you take part, is an epic,

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[and] is a huge popular movement, which is demonstrated to people in the world;

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it boosts the nation’s dignity, [and] increases [the country’s] national power. Elections are like this;

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they display the Islamic democracy before the eyes of those who have a claim to politics in the world.

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Religious democracy or Islamic democracy was a new idea,

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[and] a new experience for humanity, which was presented by the the Islamic Republic establishment and the honorable Imam [Khomeini].

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You will display and show this on Friday before the eyes of people in the world – from politician to analyst

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and [state] official and manager and other than manager and all members of the nation – [and] this is why elections are important.

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All people in the world have their eyes riveted on these elections of yours; let me tell you this.

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When I say all people, I mean officials of [other] countries, from governmental bodies in America

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to European powers and European countries, to those governments in this region, which are followers of America,

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to that despicable Zionist prime minister [Benjamin Netanyahu]

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– all of them – are waiting to see how you enter the arena [of elections] on Friday and with what number [of participants] you will take part,

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[and] with what morale, you will enter elections arena; everybody is looking at you. This is [just] one side of this issue;

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the other side of the issue is [made up of] nations in the region, which oftentimes look up to the Iranian nation with awe

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and many of them wish for this freedom and this democracy that exist here

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and look [up to you] and admire the Iranian nation.

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All of these [people] are your fans; these people have also their sight fixed on [your] elections [which will be held] on Friday.

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If our elections are weak elections, [and] people’s turnout is low, they will judge one way, [and] decide one way.

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However, if people’s participation [in elections] is a smart, powerful,

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[and] present-in-the-scene participation with high turnout, they will pass a different judgment [and] give a different opinion [on your elections].

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In reality, by holding these elections in certain years and certain periods of time, the Islamic Republic is refreshed,

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[and] projects and displays itself in the hearts and eyes of the world people in a novel way, in a prominent way [and] in an interesting way.

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This is why the day of elections is really a day for celebration, [and] a day for joviality and enthusiasm for the establishment of the Islamic Republic.

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You just look at the region, our region,

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[which includes] the West Asia region and North Africa, [and see how] it is currently immersed in insecurity

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either through presence of terrorists and armed elements, who are often

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supported by evil and ill-wishing governments, or due to civil wars in some countries,

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and in all these countries the hands of colonialist powers can be seen at work. It is insecurity after all,

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[and] the environment [of our region] is insecure. Look at the regional countries; is there anywhere [in this region] that insecurity is not rife?

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Praise be to God and through the Almighty’s assistance, out of this insecure complex, the Islamic Republic

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is busy preparing for elections with security, [and] with tranquility. Today, not more than two days remain before elections [are held], [and] praise be to God,

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the milieu of the country [is] a peaceful milieu combined with tranquility, [and] combined with serenity. These [conditions] are very valuable. Dear brethren and dear sisters! We must greatly appreciate these [conditions];

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[because] they are very precious. Elections are held in an eighty-million-strong country –

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which they have said that fifty-odd million people are eligible to vote – and people are getting prepared with vibrancy and enthusiasm [to take part in elections],

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but tranquility is rampant everywhere;

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this is very valuable, [and] this is very important. This must be appreciated.

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The Islamic Republic has given us a free space. Of course, some people are ungrateful and take advantage of this free space and negate freedom [in the country].

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This is ungraciousness and ungratefulness shown by some people; well, let them be.

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Praise be to God, there is free space in the country, there is room for people’s participation [in political affairs], [and] there [is] space for people’s vote to have an effect.

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For electing the country’s top executive official, who is the president,

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and also [for the election of] municipal managers, which is [done through city and village] councils elections,

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people have a vote, have [the right to express their] opinion, [and can] make decision; this is very valuable.

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Those nations in our region whose governments are [in reality] protectorates of the regime of the United States of America,

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wish [to have] this [free space], [and] envy the Iranian nation.

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For them, it is a dream to be able to enter the arena; [it is a dream for them that] two people, three people, [or] five people

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could compete over top executive post of the country and then, people would have the right to choose one of these [candidates];

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for countries in our region, this looks like a dream.

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This [presidential election] is repeated in our country every four years. Our people enter [the arena of elections], elect [their president], [and] recognize [who is the most eligible person, and]

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this is very valuable. This [state of affairs] must be appreciated.

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People’s presence in this arena is very meaningful. This [presence] is indicative of two basic issues.

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Of course, secondary to these two issues are more issues, but there are two basic issues [embedded] in this popular presence.

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One [issue] is people’s trust and their interest in the Islamic Republic establishment,

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[and] people’s attachment to the Islamic Republic establishment; another issue

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is the power of determination and decision-making, which exists in people. These two issues are very important.

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When you are present in the arena, you both show that you are [emotionally] attached to the Islamic Republic establishment,

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which has been able to give the country independence and give [it] freedom,

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and show that the Iranian nation is a lively nation, is ready to act, is determined, [and] is resolute; you show this.

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Both of these are of high value to the country; of course, every one of them has secondary issues [attached to it]; [and] has more benefit as well.

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The higher this presence [by people in elections], [and] the stronger this discipline, which praise be to God, exists among [the Iranian] people,

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the higher will be the Iranian nation’s credit and the Iranian nation’s respect in the eyes of international observers.

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This point about discipline, which I mentioned here, is an important point. This popular discipline is very important [and] is very valuable;

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both before elections, and during elections and on elections day,

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[and also] after elections. This popular discipline and commitment to order and law is very important.

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This is the very thing that many countries do not have and our nation, praise be to God, shows [through holding elections] that it has this.

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And we, the Iranian nation, have learned this from the past experiences; we have also experienced [this];

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[and] we have been experiencing [this] for many long years. The Iranian nation has experienced how this discipline is in its favor

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and how lack of discipline and lawlessness is detrimental to it; the Iranian nation has experienced this.

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Well, of course, there are numerous candidates in the arena [of elections]; they talk, express [their] viewpoints [and] every one of them has his own supporters. There is no problem with that.

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As they commonly and conventionally say, one person out of this group will finally win [elections]; I [personally] do not believe in winner and loser;

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at last, one person gets [enough] votes, [and] several people do not get [enough] votes, but the main winner in this case is the Iranian nation, regardless of who gets the more votes

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The main winner is the establishment of the Islamic Republic, [and] the main winner is the Iranian nation.

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Regardless of who gets to the top [of the executive branch,] that party, which is in fact the winner, is people,

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who have been able to elect one person through their votes. This is very valuable.

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Well, fortunately, various organs are also at work.

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Let me say this as well; everybody must know [this]! Executive organs, supervisory organs,

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[and] those organs, which are in charge of maintaining security, [all] these [organs] are seriously working. They are trusted;

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they are working, [and] are moving and working in coordination as well.

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Of course, despite this issue, I stress and recommend to the same organs, which are trusted,

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that [they must] be careful that people’s votes, will remain secure, [and] their trust be preserved.

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Well, it is possible that in the meantime and amid this task, there may be people who may want to do some violations,

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but [the aforesaid] organs, praise be to God, are accepted [by us], [and] are trusted; both supervisory organs, and executive organs,

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and those organs, which protect security and maintain security; [all] these [organs] are valuable; [and] all [of them] are busy [rendering services to the nation].

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Of course, everybody must be careful and know that the Iranian nation has enemies;

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[therefore,] in the face of the enemy, the countenance of the nation must be a countenance, which will be indicative of both decisiveness,

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and self-confidence, serenity and tranquility.

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These two things must exist. [Both] resolve and [the power to make a] firm decision [must exist] wherever a decision must be made;

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and at any rate, having trust in the Almighty God and self-confidence

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and the feeling of power and ability [must be extant], and fortunately, the Iranian nation enjoys this, [and] one can [clearly] feel this.

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Well, now, with regard to election debates and remarks, sometimes certain remarks were made,

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which were not suitable for the great nation of Iran, but people’s participation [in elections] will solve all these problems.

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Such things, God willing and through the divine assistance, will not affect people’s participation [in elections]. God willing,

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all people – [including both] women and men – will participate [in elections] across the country

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and will boost the credit of the Islamic Republic establishment through their participation, [and] through their firm resolve.

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Let me say a word to supporters of election candidates.

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Well, every one of these esteemed gentlemen, who are candidates in elections, has a group of supporters and interested parties and

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fans and proponents and the likes of these; these [supporters] must [also] maintain their sobriety. Both supporters and [candidates’] campaigns

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must maintain their sobriety, [and] maintain their discipline. Their [main] purpose must be to fulfill their duty, [and] this is what that is important to me.

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These [short] period of life, [and] this period of work and effort – [by] Tom, Dick and Harry – will pass, [and] what remains

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is our action, which is taken into account in the divine reckoning and we must answer for it.

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[As we say in the prayer:] “[O Almighty God] make me do things about which you will ask me questions in the Hereafter.”

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The Almighty God will ask us questions about certain things in the Hereafter; we must think about it, [and] strive toward it.

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All people, both the candidates, who have entered the election contests,q

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and their supporters and friends must be careful that every one of their actions should be a good deed

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in the eyes of the divine angels [that take account of our actions]; [they must] take care that their actions, their behaviors,

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[and] whatever they say would be considered by the Almighty God as good deeds and the Almighty God consider [spiritual] rewards for them. When this will take place?

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When we do everything for the sake of God. It would be good if [all people] make effort, struggle, [and] work,

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but they must make their intentions, divine intentions. If this happens, then the Almighty God will bless that work [that we do],

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will bless the Iranian nation, and what is beneficial to the Iranian nation will come about through the divine assistance.

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At any rate, we are all obligated to remain committed to law and the discipline required by law and act upon it.

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Let me tell you this: dear brethren and sisters! Every period

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out of [all] periods [of time] through which the Islamic Republic has gone,

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[in that period] the Islamic Republic has been faced with different and diverse conditions in the world and in the region and inside the country itself, [but] it has continued to go ahead.

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It is possible that performances of officials like me

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have not been suitable or [totally] positive or complete or overarching at some places, but the huge movement of the Islamic Republic and people’s presence

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and cooperation of people with the Islamic establishment has made its effect and we have moved ahead; and God willing, through the divine assistance, this progress

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will continue day by day and period by period,

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and the Islamic Republic will see the day when its enemies will lose hope [in defeating it] and stop threatening and bullying and talking nonsense

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about the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation.

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I hope that the Almighty God will bless the Iranian nation;

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[I hope that] the Almighty God, God willing, will do [us] favor and bless this great test that lies ahead of us

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and, God willing, whatever is in the benefit of [the Iranian] people and beneficial to the country and expedient for the nation, will make it happen to [our] people.

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