In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Negligence of the main tasks
Some gentlemen have been appointed to study the constitution; now is the time for this task. If we get preoccupied with those secondary tasks now, we shall neglect these tasks that are basic and on which hinge the destiny of our country. Put aside those tasks for now and after the main problems have been set right then come forward and we shall discuss them.
[One person among the audience:" If the workers councils are not set up now within the Ministry of Labor, there is the plan to establish workers' syndicates. Workers' syndicate is what the communists are demanding. These missionaries are bringing the workers under their own influence and are organizing the syndicates."]
Nevertheless, if you get preoccupied with these secondary problems, you shall forget the main problems; at present this problem takes precedence.
[One among the audience:" At present another problem is being put forth. We request the Imam to take an appropriate stand vis-a-vis the Islamic personality of the late Shari`ati «1» in order to prevent deviant clashes and creating sensitivity in the educated Muslim youth and also to prevent the sowing of discord by individuals who do not comprehend the post-revolutionary situation."]
The enemy's exploitation of the differences
I shall not reply to this. This same problem is one of creating differences. This very problem results in you becoming one group and they becoming another group; you preoccupy yourself with one task while they also do their own job which is what is present right now in Tehran, in Mashhad and in Isfahan. They are busily engaged in sowing discord between you and the clergy so that you are preoccupied with another task while they are busy with the main issue. See what the main issue is; this matter of knowing about the stance of Dr. Shari`ati and what type of person he was should be set aside for another time. Both you and the other party will be neglectful. Now, if you get preoccupied with this issue, it will increase in extent and will engulf the whole country. You will fight each other over an issue that has no truth to it while being neglectful of the main issue. They are busy exploiting the situation while you are busy quarreling.
The blight of differences
What I am saying to you is that today differences between you the youth of the country results in not focusing on the main issue that we all have and which is the foundation of the country; to focus on other things that are not relevant to the country is for them to take away the fundamental thing from your grasp. If they succeed in taking away the fundamental issue, then neither you nor the other party will be given another opportunity. Now is not the time to air differences; differences over nothing! Any person who wants to create differences is either an individual who is doing it according to a plan which has been handed to him by foreigners or is an ignorant person. You the youth should beware; today is not the day for us to fight each other while the others exploit the situation. Put aside these secondary issues about what are the contents of the book of such and such person. We shall discuss later what this book has achieved. Do not talk about it now, for the present preoccupies you with the study of the constitution; write about its shortcomings; write down your proposals and ideas; present them before it is late. For later on, search to find good and righteous individuals; introduce them; nominate them; so that at least the constitution- which is in agreement with the interests of the nation and the interests of Islam- is prepared. Following it the other problems shall be resolved. Later on is the time to discuss who is better and who is worse! There is a lot of time for that; now is not the time for it; now is the time for that task; do not focus on any other task. Focus only on that task for which the time now is ripe. May God grant success to all of you.