Leader says “national solidarity” key factor in empowerment of country

In an address to a group of people from Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province in Imam Khomeini (RA) Husseiniya, the Leader underlined “national solidarity” as the other key factor in empowerment of the country and noted that the different viewpoints should not lead to clashes saying,” Debates and discussions in seminary and academies should be led with politeness and discipline.”

On the eve of the anniversary of historical uprising by people of Tabriz on February 18, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei met with visitors from East Azerbaijan.

The Leader condemned the enemies lying on “devastating” condition of the Islamic Republic despite the much advancement made in the country in comparison with the past three decades.

Supreme Leader stressed,” We have maintained the different aspects of defense from the viewpoint of Sharia and rationality and according to Qur’an we will make utmost efforts for more achievements in this field.”

The Leader added,” Our country has done double work and investment in industry, infrastructures, road construction, dam construction and other fields in comparison with the defense projects while the enemies, much feared of our UAVs, denies other advancements to highlight our defense activities.”

Ayatollah Khamenei hailed the advancements made in the country as an admirable and satisfying fact and noted the “unsatisfactory media and promotion” job done in this field.

The Leader said,” To highlight the advancements does not mean denial of the weaknesses” referring to the inflation and devaluation of national currency as circumstances felt by the people.

Ayatollah Khamenei counted the two approaches either of which to be followed in regards to the shortcomings: one is a revolutionary view that says the deficiencies can be fulfilled with the same endeavor that led to the achievements.

The second approach according the Supreme Leader is a recessive one that is hopeless of any solution, cries out the shortcomings and in some cases totally denies the Islamic Revolution and Islamic Republic.

The Leader highlighted the economic growth and containment of inflation as the key measure and reiterated economic issues as the most important to be pursued by officials.

Supreme Leader also lauded the Iranian nation for the epic move they made on February 11 and their massive turnout in the rallies held to mark 44^th anniversary of Islamic Revolution.

The Leader praised the Iranians for attending the February 11 rallies despite the propaganda, hostile provocations, freezing temperature and all other issues and said,” This turn up revealed several facts.”

According to Ayatollah Khamenei, the message of the Iranian nation in February 11 rallies was “absolute support for the Islamic Revolution and Islamic Republic.”

The Leader also referred to the uprising of the people in Tabriz on February 18, 1978 as a landmark in the history.

Supreme Leader said,” On January 9 of the same year (1978) an uprising had happened in Qom and that was undoubtedly a great move” and added,” People in Tabriz turned the Qom uprising into a national and popular uprising though the crackdown of people was much harder in Tabriz.”

Ayatollah Khamenei hailed the people in Tabriz for sacrificing their lives, resistance and nationalizing the uprising of people in Qom and continued,” The 40^th day after Tabriz was marked in several cities and that means the outcry of people in Tabriz overflowed to all Iran. Less than a year after that the autocratic kingdom was toppled. That stands for a history-making movement.

The uprising by people of Tabriz on February 18, 1978 happened as people took to the streets to mark the 40^th day after martyrdom of people in Qom on January 9. Forces of former Pahlavi regime began major crackdown on the demonstrators in Tabriz. This turned to the second instance when the army was involved to contain the demonstrators and the day became a turning point as 9 people were killed and 118 injured with 581 others arrested.