Speech [Reconstruction of the country and its problems]

[In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful]

The gentlemen know that Iran's situation is a critical one; it is now more critical than before we had ousted the thieves. It is because that time was the time of ousting and driving out (the Shah), which, thanks God, was achieved through the nation's efforts and the power of faith. The power of the nation's faith prevailed over tanks, cannons and the superpowers, all of which were supporting him. And they were all very powerful. But God's power is greater than all powers. Thanks God, you have been victorious up to this stage; however, you are heirs now to a devastated country, that is, everything of it is in a state of disorder. They plundered all our resources and carted off Iran's jewels, and then fled. They built mansions abroad. God willing, these will be retrieved from them. Iran is in a situation wherein its economy, culture, military, administrative offices are all in a shambles.

There are two points here: One is that a single group of people cannot repair all this destruction. The government, the army, the merchants cannot compensate (for the destruction). One group cannot do this (alone). People from all walks of life such as the workers, employees, civil servants and, the rest of the nation, in whatever position, should work together so that we can rebuild these ruins. Your country has been robbed, quake-stricken and devastated. These ruins have fallen into your hands, but this is your country. It has not been yours up until now. So far, everything belonged to foreign powers and it was they who benefited from what was yours. But it was you who would do the hard work. Now I hope that Iran has become yours, God willing. But this ruined land belonging to you must be built up with your determination, togetherness and unity of expression; and you must preserve this unity.

The second point is that people should not expect a country to bee set right in a few days or months when it has been trampled under the boots (of a tyrannical monarchial system) for 2,500 years, and in which destruction has taken place for these fifty-odd years- which we ourselves have witnessed- by all the powers banding together to destroy it. There are problems to tackle. The government, army, offices are all facing many problems; people must be patient. They should show a degree of toleration. The same people, who put up with fifty-odd years of torture, and are now set free, do not have any fear of being caught for no reason by anyone anymore. They have no fear of being hit on the head by a military officer. This is a great blessing that the Exalted God has bestowed upon you that you now sleep at home with peace of mind, without any fear of security forces, of the army or the government anymore. But those people who are impatient must be reminded that they had tolerated a life for fifty-odd years under the boots of predacious people and plunderers, and so for a few more years they must join hands and build (these ruins). Do not think that it can be accomplished instantaneously. It is not possible to reconstruct a ravaged country, for you to find fault now with Mr. Bazargan, complaining as to why he has not taken any action on such and such issue. Could anyone in his place have done more than what he has done? Officials are all working hard. Everybody is fulfilling his or her duties and God willing, you people, who are sensible should work, will be working seriously to build this devastated country anew. May God protect you and may you be successful.