Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Saturday congratulated the Iranian nation and all nations marking Norouz the start of Persian New Year, naming the calender Iranian year of 1394 as the Year of ‘Government and Nation; Empathy and Rapport’.

Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the coincidence of the start of new calendar year with the anniversary of martyrdom of Fatima (SA), the daughter of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and said: “The sincerity of our people vis-à-vis the household of the prophet [Muhammad] and the esteemed daughter of the great messenger has requirements which everyone is bound to meet and will definitely do so. We hope that these days and this [new] year would be adorned with the blessings of Fatima and the blessed name of this great figure and her memory would leave profound and durable effects on the life of our people.”

The Supreme Leader underlined the necessity for close cooperation between the government and the nation, saying: “In order to realize the slogan of the [calendar] year 1394, or the Year of ‘Government and Nation; Empathy and Rapport’, both sides of this motto, i.e. the esteemed, great, courageous, prudent, knowledgeable and determined nation of Iran and the government, dedicated to serving people, should trust one another and have friendly cooperation.”

Referring to the aspirations of the Iranian nation in the new calendar year, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Economic development, regional and international might and dignity, scientific breakthroughs in the proper sense of the word, judicial and economic justice and above all, faith and spirituality are our big wishes for the Iranian nation in this year and of course all these wishes and expectations are attainable and they do not lie outside the great capacity of the Iranian nation and the policies of the [Islamic] establishment.”

He said realization of these wishes depend on cooperation, solidarity and friendly ties between the government and the nation.

In his assessment of the realization of the slogan for the last calendar year, he said the year 1393 witnessed challenges and progresses in the country.

“The motto ‘National Resolve and Determined Management’ was chosen for the year 1393 in light of these challenges and our nation demonstrated its firm determination in enduring certain problems that existed, it proved this determination, this aspiration on Bahman 22 (February 11), on Quds Day and in the massive demonstration on Arabeen (December 13, 2014),” he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei also said the slogan of Determined Management was realized in some sectors. “Wherever Determined Management was manifested, there was also progress. Furthermore, national resolve and determined management are not specific to the year 1393. The esteemed Iranian nation needs them this year and the following years,” he said.