He reiterated, "Nowadays, humanity, particularly the younger generation, strongly needs new propositions and Islam has new and appealing things to say with regard to humanity, society and politics, which, if brought to the attention of the world, would be embraced by many.”
In the session, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed pleasure with his meeting with
young seminarians and hearing their encouraging and good remarks, adding, "You,
young seminarians are like the high-reaching saplings of the garden of Imamate
(leadership) and Wilayat (authority) and your intellectual progress and the
growth of your practical capabilities will astound those who nurture you and
enrage enemies.”
Pointing to a verse from the Holy Quran about the fury of the infidels at
prominent Islamic growths, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said, "If the
enemies of Islam and the rule of the Quran are not infuriated by our presence,
determination and advance, we should doubt out usefulness.”
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said the clergy continue to fulfill the
responsibilities of prophets and reiterated, "Just as the prophets were seeking
to create the grounds for the rule of a monotheistic worldview and the creation
of Holy Life, the most important responsibility of the clergy is also the
fulfillment of this duty.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said, "The creation of Holy Life will definitely have
opponents just as there also were opponents against the prophets; therefore, the
clergy must prepare themselves for arduous, lengthy and at the same time,
influential and lasting work and efforts.”
He pointed to the establishment of an Islamic order in Iran and the advantages
of this era for the fulfillment of the clergy’s responsibilities and added, "‘An
Islamic milieu prevailing in the society is one of these features; furthermore,
there is an ideological vacuum at the global level resulting from frustration at
the futility of Marxis and Liberalist ideologies, which has paved the ground for
the offering of new propositions by Islamic ideology.”
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution reiterated, "If we could bring Islam’s new
and appealing propositions regarding humanity, society and politics to the
attention of the people across the world, particularly the younger generation,
they will certainly be welcome.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said the presence of widespread media and communication
devices and tools due to the emergence of cyberspace as another feature of the
present era for delivering the invigorating message of Islam and said, "One of
the other advantages of this era is the plenitude of queries and ambiguities in
minds and this abundance of questions activates the minds to find answers and
paves the way for pushing back the frontiers of science.”
He reiterated, "Just as we should not stop on questions and doubts, we should
also seek logical and correct solutions in the quest for answers.”
In another part of his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei discussed some of the issues
raised by the seminarians in the meeting and mentioned some points about them.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution urged the seminarians to "take the lessons
and academic debates seriously” and said, "To be influential in the society, we
should boost erudition and promote academic standards, just as the great [late]
Imam [Khomeini], who was at the highest academic level, succeeded in bringing to
fruition the huge campaign and movement of the Revolution.”
He said the prerequisite for reformative proposals for seminaries is their
"practicality” and added, "The plan is in fact building a road and path toward
the destination; therefore, it should be compiled based on realities, and
potential obstacles and solutions should be included and foreseen in it.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said the path to removing weak points and achieving a
favorable state hinges on a resolute will, motivated movement and campaigning
and reiterated, "Campaigning means efforts and struggle, sharing ideas and
organization.”
He described as incorrect and "betrayal of the Revolution” the assumption by
some individuals and writers that campaigning and Islamic Revolution are over,
reiterating, "A revolution disrupts previous norms and creates new norms and the
longevity of the revolution means the safeguarding of new norms.
Ayatollah Khamenei described the safeguarding and survival of revolutionary
norms as difficult and requiring campaigning and added, "Those who opposed the
very principle of the revolution and carried out acts of sabotage are also
acting similarly in the face of the sustenance of revolutionary norms, but just
as the victory of the revolution required campaigning and struggle, the
reinforcement of the norms of the revolution and the creation of an Islamic
society also requires campaigning and struggle.”
Pointing to the various stages of formation of civilizations, the Leader of the
Islamic Revolution added, "The Islamic establishment emerged from the
revolutionary movement and these great many achievements were gained, but there
is still a long way to go to reaching the favorable point and the establishment
of an Islamic government and Islamic society and we are undoubtedly moving along
this path and advancing.”
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution strongly urged all young seminarians to
observe piety, practice self-restraint, worship and establish affinity with the
Holy Quran and prayers and said, "Know that this path needs practical promotion
more than verbal promotion and we have to begin with ourselves.”
At the end, Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated, "If lessons, academic debates and
active minds are accompanied by piety, our academic and religious society, which
is called the clergy, will certainly have a much better future than today.”