All Iranians cast votes in upcoming elections: Leader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed Imam Khamanei

Leader of the Islamic Revolution ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei received thousands of people from all walks of life coming from the holy city of Qom based on a regular tradition highlighting the uprising of the city on 9 January 1978 and underlined the elements of endurance of the Islamic Revolution, inviting all Iranians to participate in elections to protect the country.

Hailing the January 9 uprising in 1978 against Shah’s regime and people’s support for religious figures, Ayatollah Khamenei described people of Qom as ‘pioneers of Revolution;’ “years of struggle and delivering of speeches by Imam Khomeini and the status of clerics and religious figures had provided the grounds for popular struggle against the Shah’s regime and Jan. 9 riot triggered this vital struggle.”

“Jan. 9 events in Qom will never fade in history, grounds for the Islamic Revolution were prepared and a trigger was needed; people of Qom pushed the trigger and out of their timely feeling of responsibility and insight, came on the scene in support for Imam,” said the Leader.

Meanwhile, he emphasized that the Islamic Republic has been facing a widespread front of enemies including the Zionist regime, the United States and their agents such as ISIL or Takfiri terrorist groups and dubbed “resistance, insight and timeliness” as means of victory against the enemies.

Speaking about ‘endurance of the Islamic Revolution’, the Leader touched upon two incidents of ‘nationalization of oil industry’ and ‘Constitutional Revolution;’ “in nationalization movement, people pursued minimum demand of cutting British ties off the national asset of oil; and in Constitutionalism also their demand was small, requiring limitation of Shah’s absolute power,” said Ayat. Khamenei and continued that “despite their minimal demands and popular supports, both initiatives failed; but the Islamic Revolution which was pursuing a maximum demand of complete independence and removal of the Shah’s dictatorship, triumphed and survived.”

Pointing to French and Russian revolutions and their decline, he dubbed the Islamic Revolution as the only revolution which has endured based on its basic principles and ideals.

All efforts of enemies in recent decades from the imposed war to economic sanctions have been aimed at destroying this perpetuity and endurance of the Revolution. “In 2009, Americans used the pretext of election to apply their previous experiences in some other countries into Iran and provoke the minority who has lost the election to pour to the streets and support them to bring a color revolution about. They wanted to do the same here and failed. It was a color revolution; an unsuccessful color revolution coup d’etat.”

“US president wrote a second letter to me before 2009 events which was full of affirmative statements toward me and the Islamic Republic,” described Ayatollah Khamenei and asserted that “I had intention to reply the letter but after 2009 events he clearly supported the events and the opponents of the System as much as he could. However, presence of people foiled their plots.”

“Americans say post-JCPOA would be time for tough measures for Iran in a way as if there has been no tough measures so far; but our youths, people and authorities will vigilantly, optimistically and with reliance on God resist against enemies and it is very important”

Turning to the topic of upcoming elections, Leader of the Islamic Revolution deemed elections as fresh breath for the nation and added that “popular responsibility which manifests in casting votes in elections defeats enemies and is one of elements of ‘endurance of the Revolution.’”

He also emphasized on ‘participation in elections’ and ‘voting for best candidates’ as two significant issues in elections.

Ayatollah Khamenei reaffirmed the significance of participation of all people with any views in the elections; “everyone participate in elections; even those who do not believe in the System participate for the sake of country’s credit. There might be people not accepting me, but they also participate in elections, election does not belong to the Leader, it is for the Islamic Iran; it is for providing perpetuity of the country so that security of the country is protected,” he said and further reiterated that difference in views of candidates were normal and called on people to vote for eminent candidates.

The Leader underlined the role of Parliament in domestic and international issues and greeted the performance of incumbent MPs; “a Parliament who in nuclear issue or other issues stands against the enemy and independently and freely expressed the views of people, is not comparable with a Parliament in which MPS are the mouthpieces of enemies.”

Meanwhile, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the Assembly of Experts and asserted that “unlike what some people imagine, the Assembly of Experts’ job is not only holding a couple of meetings each year; once the current Leader is not alive anymore, they should choose the next Leader who will guide the Revolution on its path.”

Emphasizing on the necessity of full awareness in voting for candidates, the Leader stated that “based on the formation of members of the Assembly of Experts, when needed, they might choose someone as Leader who bravely stands against enemies with reliance on God and follows Imam’s path, or they might appoint someone who is different. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful in voting for candidates.”

“Endurance of the Revolution and the nation’s hopeful and calming resistance will surely triumph the nation against the united States and hostile conspiracies,” concluded ayatollah Khamenei.