Ayatollah Imam Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, met with the President and members of the Assembly of Experts for the Leadership on 7th March 2024. In the meeting, he explained the religious, intellectual, and human reasons for the Islamic Republic's stance against the Front of Arrogance. In advising the elected members of the new Assembly of Experts and the new Islamic Consultative Assembly, he said that forming the new Islamic Consultative Assembly is a gratifying, hope-inspiring, and valuable event that the elected members should appreciate.
In this meeting, which was the last meeting of the fifth term of the Assembly of Experts, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the enthusiastic rallies held on February 11th and the elections on March 2nd this year, saying that, more than any other year, they manifested the signs of Islamic democracy. In explaining the logic of the Islamic Republic's resistance and confrontation with the aggressors, he said that before the formation of the Islamic Republic, the only front that existed in the world was that of Western liberal democracy. However, the victory of the Islamic Revolution introduced a new front based on Islamic democracy that naturally posed a challenge to Western liberal democracy, endangering the interests of the latter. This development has led to the beginning of constant opposition and confrontation by that front towards the Islamic system. He said, "The reason why they felt threatened and began their opposition was that arrogance, aggression, violation of the rights of nations, warmongering, and endless bloodshed for the sake of gaining power are rooted in the very nature of the Western democratic system. We witnessed their colonization of many countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America in the 19th century while they were loudly proclaiming their slogans and claims of democracy, freedom, and human rights."
The Leader of the Revolution said that because of its Islamic nature, the most important issue and approach of the Islamic Democratic Front is confronting these kinds of injustices and aggressions. In response to the question of why the Islamic Republic confronts the Front of Arrogance, he said, "We have no opposition to countries, governments, and nations in and of themselves, but rather our opposition is to the injustice and aggression that is rooted in the essence of the Western democratic front."
Ayatollah Khamenei described the unfortunate events in Gaza as a clear example of the injustice and aggression of the Front of Arrogance against the owners of their land, the ruthless and heartless killing of women and children, and the destruction of the property and resources of the people of that land. He said, "The opposition of the Islamic Republic is opposition to such injustices and crimes which, despite being condemned by human reason, by every custom, religion, and conscience, are supported by America, England, and some European countries."
He said, "It becomes clear that the Front of Arrogance has hidden oppression, aggression, and massacre behind the names of democracy, human rights, and liberalism.
The Leader of the Revolution emphasised that the Islamic Republic should always be the flag-bearer and pioneer in confronting arrogance. He said, "We must make the flag of the fight against arrogance broader and lifted higher every day and not allow this flag to be taken from the Islamic Republic at any time."
Ayatollah Khamenei also mentioned that it was important to explain the reasons for the stand of the Islamic Republic against the arrogant powers to the future generation. He said that fortunately, for more than four decades of the Islamic Republic's existence, we have successfully shown the world what the fight against arrogance looks like, where the front is, and the direction the fight is going.
In another part of his speech, he described the duty of the Assembly of Experts, namely to appoint the Leader and to oversee that his qualifications for the post are maintained, as the most important managerial duty in the Islamic Republic. He said, "The members of the Assembly of Experts must be careful that the established principles of the Islamic Republic are not neglected in their election."
In explaining the established and immutable principles of the Islamic Republic, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution noted, "Fundamental principles, such as the establishment of justice, fighting against corruption, and promoting the level of Islamic knowledge and practice in society, exist in the Constitution, as well as the statements of the Great Imam, and Islamic teachings. The members of the Assembly of Experts must act with consideration and observance of these established principles in electing the Leader."
In the third part of his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei spoke about the holding of the Islamic Consultative Assembly elections. He described the inauguration of each new parliament as something gratifying, accompanied by the new hopes and new horizons for the country that arise from it. He said, "The presence of new representatives alongside those of the previous term is a combination of innovation and experience, and this is a valuable asset and fresh blood in the veins of the political system."
The Leader reminded the gathering that the enemy likes divisive speech, inciting argumentation, and belligerence because they cause the sweetness of the formation of a new parliament to become bitter. He said, "The members of the new parliament should be careful and not let the sweetness of the formation of the parliament leave a bitter taste with the people and with the new political atmosphere of the country. Besides, if the parliament becomes involved in arguments, conflict, confrontation, and factionalism, it will be distracted from its main task."
Referring to the repeated recommendations of Amir al-Mu'minin Ali (as) to his governors that they should be God-fearing, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution outlined definite requirements for officials and workers of the Islamic Republic to be adherence to the shari'ah, observance of the halal and haram, and the avoidance of lying, backbiting, and slander. He added, "Just as we are obliged to observe piety in personal matters, we must also avoid doing what is forbidden in the political and work environment."
Ayatollah Khamenei added, "Of course, in political affairs and work, there are differences in tastes and political opinions. This is not a problem, but everyone, by practising piety, must prepare the ground for attracting divine mercy and blessings."
The Leader of the Revolution also memorialised the deceased members of the Assembly of Experts, especially the late Ayatollah Imami Kashani. He called the month of Sha'ban the month of good news and happiness, the month of purification, and of preparing hearts through repentance, prayer and supplication for entering the holy month of Ramadan. He also asked for divine forgiveness in the remaining days of this month.
At the beginning of the meeting, Ayatollah Jannati, the head of the Assembly of Experts, talked about the recent session held by the Assembly and some of the concerns raised by its members.
Ayatollah Hosseini Bushehri, a member of the Presidium of the Assembly of Experts, also presented a report on the last session of the fifth term of the Assembly of Experts and the main points of the members' speeches. He said that among other programs of this session were meeting with the President and discussing various matters, reviewing economic issues with the Minister of Finance who had been invited for that purpose, and also the report on regional developments by the Commander of the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards.