Leader of Islamic Revolution Calls for Maximum Voter Turnout
TEHRAN -- Leader of the
Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Tuesday called for “maximum” voter turnout in this week’s presidential election to “overcome the enemy,” criticizing politicians who believe that everything good comes from the U.S.
Iranians will go to the polls on Friday to elect the next president from among the six candidates vying to replace President Ebrahim Raisi who lost his life in a helicopter crash last month.
Addressing thousands of Iranians on the occasion of Eid al-Ghadir, the Leader said the nation will be put to a test on Friday.
“Elections are always a test, but now they are more so than ever,” he said.
“Everyone who is interested in a strong and proud Iran and everyone who believes in supporting the establishment should participate in the elections.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said the key to national pride in the elections lies in maximum public participation and the election of the most qualified candidate.
“The reason for the insistence and emphasis on maximum participation in the elections is that the most important impact of a high turnout is that it brings honor to the Islamic Republic,” he said.
The Leader advised people to show a high voter turnout in the election to silence the country’s ill-wishers, noting that whenever participation was low it served as a tool for the enemies to reproach the Islamic establishment.
“Iran has enemies, one of the factors that enable the Islamic Republic to overcome the enemy is the election,” Ayatollah Khamenei asserted.
The Leader criticized those who think progress can only be achieved by relying on foreign powers and the illusion that the U.S. is the only path to development.
“Those who are pinning their hopes on outside the country do not see capacities within. When they do not see or understand the value of these capacities, they will naturally fail to make plans to use them.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said despite facing hostility and challenges, the Islamic Republic has advanced with the help of God
and without relying on foreigners. “The Iranian nation will not permit others to determine its fate in the future either,” he said.
The Leader not relying on foreigners is a demonstration of valor and national independence, adding with these two components, the Iranian nation will showcase its capability, character,
and power, and it garner further respect on the global stage.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the most qualified candidate is the person who is capable of tapping into domestic opportunities and capacities, among them the country’s young, educated generation.
The Leader said he has always believed in interaction with the entire world, with one or two exceptions.
He also touched on the event of Ghadir which marked Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) announcing Imam Ali (AS) as his successor.
The Leader attributed the continuation of the Islamic way of life to the continuation of Islamic sovereignty through the concept of Imamate (the office or leadership of the Imam).
“The goal of the 250-year-long endeavors and battles of the Imams – which some Shia scholars later pursued and continued, and in the present era with the endeavors of Imam Khomeini and the Iranian nation – was the sovereignty of Islam, in order to promote the Islamic way of life in society,” he said.
In explaining the main principles of the Islamic way of life, Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted the importance of justice, being strict towards disbelievers and showing mercy to fellow Muslims, the ruler’s understanding of the people’s sufferings and hardships, and the people’s support, obedience, and collaboration with the Islamic leadership.
The Leader emphasized that Ghadir serves as the basis for upholding these noble Islamic principles, saying it can foster unity among different Islamic sects rather than being a cause of division between Shia and Sunni communities.
The Leader said Imam Ali (AS) possesses virtues of the highest caliber, as described in Nahj al-Balaghah of his sermons and letters.
These virtues, he explained, include unwavering faith free from even a trace of despair or doubt, compassion for all individuals regardless of their religion or creed, indescribable justice, and the ability to remain completely vigilant and discern the true intentions of enemies despite their deceptive appearance.
Ayatollah Khamenei said the event of Ghadir serves as the foundation for the continuation of Islamic governance and the continuity of the Islamic way of life.
“We have learned the people-centric nature of the Islamic system and belief in the impact of each individual’s presence on the fate of the country from our master,” he said, referring to Imam Ali (AS).