December 18, 2009
Source: Official Website of the Islamic Committee at University of Tehran, and School of Medicine at University of Tehran
Date: Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Dear students – I am glad that I can talk to you once more and I send my warmest regards. This is not the first time that I am in your presence although I would like to be among you instead of talking to you through a video message. God willing, that will truly happen someday. This gathering is being held while our country is in dire straits. Under these circumstances, the students are faced with great challenges. However, based on the tidings of the Almighty, I am certain and hopeful that “with every difficulty there will be relief” [1]. God willing, the current problems will come to a satisfactory and expedient end by means of the people’s efforts.
I have referred to the importance and the responsibilities of Islamic groups in this very same lecture room, during a session for this very association, as well as at the School of Medicine last year. Their value is twofold. On the one hand, university students are in touch with the modern world. Human experience is in their hands and they are at the forefront of knowledge; they are observing the developments of the world and their minds are evolving On the other hand, university students are connected to vast traditions, as well as to a great civilization. In this way, they can choose from the best sources to lead their academic community and their nation. In fact, the secret to their power is their dual-perspective. First, they approach tradition without neglecting it and regard it as a source of support. Second, they have sight of the modern world. They do not fall into superstitions. They know that the greatness of their country and the greatness of their humanity both depend on their usage of the human experience. Having access to both perspectives implies that students must shoulder certain responsibilities.
Nevertheless, there is another component to all this – the fact that university movements have been concerned about national and social issues from the beginning. As long as I remember, the universities and their Islamic Associations have always been sensitive to people’s affairs, whether they were social issues or economic ones. Hence, university students have always been a total reflection of the will, the demands and the needs of our people. However, I think it is necessary to point out that the current situation we are in should not distract students from attending to others’ daily struggles and financial problems – especially for the poor. I hope that students will never neglect such issues.
Our problems are all interconnected. As such the solutions to those problems can not stem from one political, social or economic approach. Today our political, social and economic issues are tied together and interact with one another; it makes sense for them to do so. Attending to such an important issue provides a perspective for all those who want to help in solving the nation’s problems.
In our country, university students comprise a significant social group and their number is very meaningful. Aside from the fact that students are very important qualitatively – thanks to their visions and ideas – their quantity is of key importance as well. If the academics, the Islamic associations [in universities] and all of the students reach a consensus on a particular subject, or agree on a discourse, such a discourse would have more influence throughout the nation than it has before, due to the students larger numbers. In the past, we had 60 to 70 thousand students in total and only a few universities. Now, that number is much higher – many more universities operate alongside private and semi-private institutions, and all of them are connected. Thus, it is important to see and attend to a standard series of criteria at all times.
These standards are achieved by students’ discussions and interactions. The aftermath of the election and the subsequent formation of the green movement produced a series of benchmarks and frameworks. They are the result of communication between countless people, and this feature is their strength.
In order to resolve the issues of the country more easily and to achieve stronger harmony, it is better to form agreements based on the Constitution. I want to tell you that, due to the presence of the people who ask for their rightful demands, there is a special sensitivity towards the Constitution these days. It is a dry text that has been seldom referred to by the ordinary people because it is normally used by the legislative branch, the judicial branch, and the government. However, today it is referred to by all – not merely intellectuals and academics. It is time to expand this desire and sensitivity.
People’s awareness of the framework that the Constitution provides for them to have the ability to govern their own fates is extremely valuable, helping the green movement to succeed and the country to progress. For this reason, talking about the text is a mission that should be followed by academics, students and others very closely. I believe that the context for such discussion is ready. Of course, the students are aware of this. We are witness to the fact that there are some efforts to place different groups of people on opposing sides. Most probably, such efforts are made in the universities as well. The best way to deal with such attempts is to discuss different opinions in a peaceful way and with sympathy, persuasion, and kindness. We don’t believe that any group is completely right; it’s more probable that every group has some good ideas. In my opinion, we should interact on a national level to discuss all options and listen to different factions. The exchange should specifically happen among those who think and act based on common understanding. For example, we shouldn’t consider those who are not students or academics; who create chaos, and act inappropriately. I believe this is agreed upon within academic circles.
In any case, we have begun a movement that’s not going to end. We are determined to step forward and make progress. On our way, we need the participation of diverse groups of people – among them, the thinkers and the political and social leaders. Students and university scholars are especially important. They are a powerful social group and they come from different families, and that makes them considerably more important on a national scale.
I believe that every powerful message that is expressed and approved by the students, and every discourse that takes place in universities, has an immediate social effect. It’s been like this before and, recently, due to the increased number of students and the fact that they are even more knowledgeable than before, this effect is even stronger. These days, the subjects that have an impact on students – those that are discussed in articles, writings, books, and on the internet – are much greater in number than before. We did not have such an antecedent in our history. Hence, this is a source of great hope for us.
Students are not afraid of thinking. I believe that those who care about the efficiency and development of Iran, should not be afraid of fearlessly-thinking youths. They should try to find solutions to the country’s administrative challenges in an environment of dialogue and co-operation. I do not believe that any country has a chance of victory and prosperity without the circulation of thoughts and ideas in a transparent atmosphere. Freedom of expression is our nation’s greatest demand and students are campaigning for this cause. In the history of our country, students have shown that they are willing to pay the price without hesitation.
This is what we expect and our nation expects the same. Needless to say, it is in the interest of the country to demand the execution of its ideals in a peaceful form and manner.
I wish every one of you the best of luck and prosperity and I’m hopeful that a day will come when expressing thoughts freely has a lower cost; when the country is free, and all words are said. We should employ our society’s tolerance and trust our nation for all voices to be heard. Our people, with their historic background and religious beliefs, will certainly choose best. A prosperous society is not one where only a few are in charge of its affairs; when only a few regard themselves as ‘the nation’ while referring to an enormous margin of people as ‘the others’ and preventing them being involved in the decision-making process.
We should not be afraid of different groups getting together to exchange thoughts in order to find better solutions to the country’s administrative challenges. I believe that universities are the most critical centers to stage these gatherings, because scholars value their country and the revolution. Students are aware of the difficulties in making these discussions happen and the conspiracies against them. Moreover, they are aware of those who have no interest in their form of thought and work to thwart them. I sincerely believe so.
God-willing, you will be victorious and successful.
[1] Qur’an: 94-6
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