Speech [Importance and duties of city councils - two major duties of athletes]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

I am delighted at meeting two groups of athletes and champions today. Since the gentlemen are from different cities, I den it necessary to tell them about the concern we are embroiled in today so that you may preach it to your brothers in you cities after return. I mean the question of city councils, which should be, established in[ big ]cities and then in other places as well, God willing. These councils, the members of which would be elected by the people, decide the fate of every city and town in which the councils are established.

Thing which is necessary for all the gentlemen, the youth and adult and for all classes of the society is to open their eyes and carefully elect individuals who have the following specific features: First, they should be faithful to the revolution; second, be in favor of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the people; third, be trustworthy; fourth support Islam, not the East or West and should have no ideological deviations so that they may serve the interest of their nation and their cities. If, God forbid, you neglect this point and the devils that move around, showing themselves to the people by saving appearances, then it would be dangerous to the councils and cities and to the country and Islam.

The great responsibility shouldered by the whole nation including you who are champions of the nations, is that we falling on a time that many of the roots of the former corrupted regime's roots are still among the people and may infiltrate the rank of the nation by ostentation. They must be identified. In each province some 10 or 15 candidate should be elected- the number will be determined. Every person in every town knows e.g. which clergyman is competent for this task and is sympathetic to the nation. If there are a candidate among other trades e.g. businessmen, workers and the farmers, the people should know their records, family background, and what position they held in taghouti regime. If the people do not consider these points carefully, they would be accountable to God. If there will be any difficulty in the future because of our selection we would be greatly accountable.

Islam may be in danger today. If incompetent persons take charge of affairs in a city, doing wrong things, they are not only harmful for that city but also mar the image of Islam. Those who act maliciously are against you, Islam and I. They want to select candidates that would try to make a separation between the affairs and Islam as much as they can. However we want to act according to Islam. Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow the candidates may be introduced, so you shouldn't consider the city council, the members of which you must elect, as an easy and unimportant matter.

The city council means taking charge of all affairs of the city, appointing the mayor. The councils supervise the bazaar and everywhere. They have authorities. If, God forbid, incompetent persons were elected, they would be harmful for the cities and for Islam.

So it is an important issue you should take under consideration and communicate this to your friends and scholars in your towns to make them aware that they cast their votes knowingly.

This is the matter you should take under consideration and should perform it. There are other stages we should discuss later, in our own right.

First, it is the matter of establishing and electing the members of Islamic Consultative Assembly, which would have all state affairs under its control; the other matter is the presidential elections, God willing.

I hope that we will go through these stages with the endeavor of all classes of the society and that those opposing these suffer defeat as they did in the referendum, with the Muslim emerging triumphant. May God protect you all, God willing! As explained efficiently by a gentleman, the athletes have two major duties: first physical exercises to become bodily to defend their country against the adversaries who want to attack and second, developing spiritually which multiplies one's physical strength.

Try to produce the latter one, which is a divine power, with the grace of Islam and commander of the Faithful (`a) to become a powerful man both physically and spiritually. I will also pray for you and I am servant of you all. May God protect you all!