Audio Clip | If You Truly Care About Iran, Step Forward in God's Name...

Through striving and dedicated effort, we must eradicate the despair and hopelessness that the government has cast among the people.

Profile:

• Production: Bayan Ma'navi
• Duration: 03:12
• Source:

Transcript:

This "Government of Hope" has disappointed the people to such an extent that they can no longer envision any way out of the current situation to feel hopeful enough to come to the ballot boxes. Eradicate this despair that they have instilled in the people! This requires a sincere striving—a true jihad. What must we do? Look at what Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her) did. She went door-to-door, knocking on every single door, engaging in what we call today face-to-face dialogue. If every caring individual in this country—not just the devoutly religious, but anyone who genuinely cares about their nation—decides, following the path of Lady Fatimah (sa), to speak with just forty people who firmly intend not to participate in the election and invite them to vote, what will happen? Undoubtedly, voter turnout will surpass previous terms. You ask someone: "Sir, do you plan to take part in the election?" If he says yes, you say: "Great, thank you very much, and may God bless you." But if he says: "No, I do not intend to participate," then say: "Come, let us sit and talk."

Imam Khomeini considered working for elections and inviting people to participate as a religious obligation (wajib). He would even say that seminary students should pause their studies during presidential election days and go out to guide and enlighten the public. We must awaken our fellow citizens one by one. We must go to the ballot box with hope and demand transformation for our society. We must destroy this despair that has been planted in the hearts of the people. This calls for dedicated struggle.

This election will be the beginning of transformation for our society. Be completely certain that saving this nation is entirely achievable; it is not out of reach. By God, this country can be run so beautifully that it flourishes like a flower garden! This is what countless experts and dedicated specialists are saying. This is what many factory owners and entrepreneurs are saying. This is what numerous merchants and tradespeople are saying. This is what university scholars and academics are saying. This "Government of Hope" has made people so despondent that they can no longer see a way out of the present status quo to come to the polls with hope. If we can draw a lesson from this administration—which failed to deliver on its promises, whose approach was compromise, full of illusions and empty rhetoric—we can move forward. If we do not learn the lesson from this government, we will not build the future of our society; naturally, we will face an even darker future. A specific individual is entirely secondary. Eradicate this despair they have instilled in the people. This requires dedicated effort.