Speech [Need for strengthening judicial power; revealing the oppression and crimes of superpowers]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

I appreciate the `ulama', learned men and judges who honored us by coming here. I hope God Almighty will protect you and grant you success to serve people. After considering all issue and areas of the former regime, we come to realize that a criterion area was worse than others. When we go to look at others, we see that they are even in worse condition. When you look at the justice department and the judiciary, you see the only thing missing there were Islam and Islamic justice. When look back at the Majlis of the former regime, we see it had not developed any relation with the people. When we study the army, we see that the missing thing was activity in the cause of the country. Maybe the gentlemen are aware that when the allied forces attacked Iran, the same military forces which Rida Khan had trumpeted and boasted of, were able to resist against the invaders for three hours. Later on, when Rida Khan asked one of the commanders why only three hours he replied," Sir, it was just empty rhetoric. We lift as soon as they arrived." This was the situation. The army was like this. The government was what you observed. Many of you can remember the events of recent past. Governors, commanders and governor-generals were those you observed. The justice department was what you know well. The Majlis was what you saw. The university was also the same. When we touch on judgment, we see it was worse than others. Improvoing the situation requires effort and hard work. God has definitely sanctioned the Islamic Republic, because in this short span of time following the revolution it has been able, despite the opposition of big powers, their all-out pressure and their extensive propaganda; make remarkable progress in all areaas. Thank God, university has improved and I hope it will continue to do so in conformity with the Islamic rules. The justice department and the judiciary have also taken long steps. It is a source of pride for a nation to succeed in rendering so many services in a short period with all problems and despite the fact that our `ulama' were not prepared to take on the job of judgment and were not familiar with it. I hope that all `ulama' in cities across the country and all the theology seminaries throughout the country see the Islamic Republic as their own and struggle to remove the deficiencies.

Nowadays, the country is yours and you should direct it. The judiciary is today an Islamic judiciary and is moving towards Islam and the Islamic `ulama' have to strengthen it send out people. The `ulama' who are in cities or people of their like who can make judgment should be engaged in the judiciary so that God willing the deficiency will be removed in all senses. We should not sit and expect the judiciary to be Islamic by itself. Never! Nothing can be accomplished by itself. Only through efforts, affairs would materialize. In fact, judgment is a religious obligation upon all unless there is sufficient number of judges. It is therefore a religious and Islamic duty. There is no excuse for us today to argue we could not or were not involved in the struggle. Not at all, all of you and all the gentlemen everywhere should be invited to enter the judiciary and strengthen it. Those who are in seminaries and those who have undergone religious education and no longer teach at seminaries should also come to strengthen the judicial power so as to it is free of problem. If this branch is rectified, many of the country's difficulties will be resolved. People deal with this branch and with justice department. You judges should consider God in your judgment. The judiciary handles the life, property, and principles of people and should always bear God in mind. Consider God present everywhere so that mistakes or errors cannot creep into your judgement. Your mistakes have serious consequences. A mistake may lead to a murder or disrepute one. You should carefully regard these matters. While the occupation is obligatory and necessary, it is a good job. If sufficient number of judges is not available, all should participate in this noble occupation, which also brings great responsibilities. All the gentlemen should strive to construct the judicial system the way prescribed by the holy Sharia. Obviously, seminaries were not prepared for the job and had no experience in this regard. Now, the groundwork has been paved and the seminaries have stated to accomplish this goal. Courses on judgment should be imparted in theological seminaries so that, God willing, the personnel the gentlemen said of whom 500 are required can be trained very soon. This number is nothing if you consider the seminaries in Isfahan, Mashhad, Tabriz and elsewhere. The applicants can apply from these cities and Qum Seminary is there to help. I hope that God willing you will be successful. May God sanction you so that we can do the job by ourselves!

I should say that day we are being beset by these devils- these governments and big powers. We should deal with the situation by ourselves. You see that everywhere some trouble is brought about for Islam under various pretexts. Everywhere a ruckus is raised. At that time, we thought Saddam is a man who retaliates out of his senses. He suffers defeat in war; then he revenges on Khouzestan and Kurdistan. We thought this treatment is Saddam's habit. However, it became clear that all are like this. A few people who have suffered at the hands of big powers, the US, Israel and France and their likes sacrifice themselves for their nation and attack somewhere. Then, Israel acts in retaliation. Well! All expect Israel to act like this. Israel is essentially like this. It should act the way it is doing. However, why has France, which tries to project itself as a leading nation and has made great claims in the course of history, ended up as a terrorist country?

French people should feel the fact that the current government at this moment has discredited France that has been admired in the course of history in books. The French government defamed the French people and presented a tarnished image of French people among other nations. Majority of the nations cannot distinguish between government and people, particularly in the republic system. Where republic form of government dominates, people should have a say. It is not accepted by French people to argue the government is such and such. The French people should think out a way to preserve their prestige that is being lost. The French people should punish the government and lay it aside- the government that should be called the arch terrorist because every terrorist seek refuge there and the government itself is involved in terrorism. One beats it because of being criminal and France punishes another one and revenges on someone else. Well! The French people should think of this. So should other nations. Nations are are not to blame. The fault of nations with republic form of government is that they vote the ruling body in and transfer the authority to them. However, after the leaders commit an offence, people should protest by mounting demonstrations and reject the offender. They can do so now. Save the prestige, you have built in the course of history for France. The French government is damaging this prestige. They have turned out to be a terrorist!

When the French government sees that Iraq is unable to pay back its debts to France, it tries to take revenge on Iranians. Why do they revenge on Iranians? If Iraq cannot pay its debts, you should demand it, the Iraqi people. Why do you supply Iraq with different types of plans to attack Iran?

The situation has become such that we have been beset by big powers that act in contrast to the opinion of their own people. I do not think the American people are content with the fact that American government pokes its nose into every business and gets its youths killed. This is the same with Frech government and others. Now, Britain has also joined up with them. France wants to catch up with others and join the clique. France's story is like that of the packsaddle maker who accompanied the tailors. He was asked where he would go with the tailors and he replied" I an also in business of stiching." Now the big powers that have come together in the world to harras the people, France and England have appeared and mixed in the affair to say they are part of the tailors capable of stitching. Why has the situation become like this? What did they win in this affair? What honor have they reaped in these crimes? Now that the US and Soviet governments commit these crimes and compete with each other in doing crime, in oppressing people and committing crime against people, what have they won that you have lagged behind, hastening to catch up with them? What do you want to gain? Muslims should think out a way. These Muslims and `Arabs who constitute majority of Muslims and are embroiled in the scheme brewed for them should think out a way so as not to give in to them. They have rendered Lebanon destroyed and nothing much is left of this country. Well, why do not the Islamic countries set aside their differences so that big powers cannot treat them like this? Why should they (the big powers) come and beset people in the name of reform? This is not reform. If they were reformist and peace loving, they would not act like this. Do those who came to Lebanon and caused afflictions for people are peace loving? If they go after your own business, people would set things right. They do not let people improve. Every one of them interferes in a country under a different guise. For instance, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in the name of making improvements there. The US, France and England enter Lebanon to put things right. This is because Muslims are not wakeful. Governments of Muslims do not know what power they command and how they can get rid of the invadors. If Muslims cut the profits to east and west for 10 days, they will get a good lesson. It is a shame they cannot. They do not understand what they should do. They have been frightened that if they do such and such, they may undergo negative consequences. Right, this" if" was true of Iran. However, Iran did as it deemed right and they could not do anything, nor can they do anything now. In the future, too, they cannot do anything. That is to say, as long as Iran is in such a state, as long as Islamic and human relationships prevails among all, as long as people constitute a single nation and as long as this condition exists among men, women, the young and old, no power in the world can do anything against us. Why should not Muslims be like this? Why should not Hijaz experience our condition? Why should not Iraq be like this? Unfortunately, owing to idiocy of some leaders Muslims are pitted against one another. Iraq is forced to attack Iran to suffer so many losses and sufferings, with Iraqi people sustaining those afflictions due to foolishness to become Commander of Qadesiyeh! On the other hand, Palestinians have been set against each other and internecine wars have erupted among different groups there. Difference has also appeared among us- Muslim governments. Why should we act like this? If they really awaken and come to realize what power they command and what resources, they have and find out that the life line of their enemies is in the hands of Muslims, they would improve relations- friendly relations. Well! We always want to make friends with other nations. However, they constantly argue that Iran wants to destroy all countries of the world. Why should Iran do so? Iran wants to improve the situation and wishes all Muslims to be united and brothers. Unfortunately, they do not understand. What is to be done? I hope the situation will improve gradually, people will wake up and the works will be corrected through nations. May God sanction you and those who serve in this country, Islam and the country! As long as the intention is pure and one bears, God in mind sincerely this country will be unquestionably triumphant. The waves will be released from here and get everywhere, as has been reached. Your revolution has been exported. I do not mean will be exported. It has already been exported and will be strengthened abroad.

A point I would like to remind is that the judicial branch, as pointed out by the gentleman, should be an independent branch. Everywhere in the world judiciary is supposed to be independent. Now in our country Islam has given independence to the judicial branch and judges. The judicial branch is independent in Iran and no one must interfere in it. The judges should not listen to anyone except God. They should do their job for God and consider the right. For instance, if they are certain that something was right, but the entire nation prssed them to have an opposit verdict, they must not listen to people. God has so ordained and you should establish the right. Do not be concerned with the fact that one is friend of such and such, the other is the son of that person or this is a certain person. You should judge as prescribed by the holy Sharia. You should be careful lest the right of an oppressed person is infringed on, or some one is fired more that it is due. You should be very careful because these issues very very complicated. You should be attentive, as you will be in trouble. I hope that the gentlemen who are now engaged and those to come later note that they are independent and no one have the right to interfere in their work. Obviously, things should proceed in accordance with Sharia rules. If there is a mistake in applicatioin of the Sharia rules, then you should use the same rules to amend it. May God keep you successful! I pray for you.

May God's peace and mercy be upon you!