RNA – In his Friday prayer sermon delivered to a large and fervent crowd of believers at Qom’s Qods Prayer Hall, Ayatollah Sayyed Mohammad Sa’idi referred to the May 19th Iranian presidential and parliamentary elections and said, “Elections are the manifestation of religious democracy and are a celebration of the policies of the Iranian nation.”
“Before the Islamic Revolution, the Iranian people were deprived of their rights for many years and thus, they must be thankful and appreciate this celebration,” he added.
The custodian of the Holy Shrine of Lady Fatimah al-Ma’sumah continued, “All people, including the candidates, executives, observers and supporters of the functions of the law must be thankful in regard to the elections. Over the next few days as presidential candidates are registering for the elections, how can individuals register who know they don’t have the requirements to be the president?”
In regard to the fact that several hundred candidates have registered while the Guardian Council only confirm a few individuals, Ayatollah Sa’idi wondered, “For what incentive do those individuals have to register who know that their qualifications cannot be verified? What does it mean if someone who isn’t qualified was to register to be president? This this not a game?”
“In this arena, we have witnessed violations of the law and officials should help so that the situation, which is similar to satire and insult, is removed,” he added.
The senior scholar pointed out that the “glorious” participation of the people in the elections is very important and added he people must elect the most suitable candidates and pointed out that the foremost characteristic of a president is that he must be a supporter of the system of Wilayat al-Faqih.
He said that among our people slogans have no place and added that sometimes good slogans are shouted and the name of the Supreme Leader is mentioned but in reality, they are implementing their own work.
His Eminence added the most suitable candidate must have a practical program and plan to solve the economic and livelihood problems faced by the people and the symbols of this program are that the effects of this plan must be seen by people but “unfortunately, this hasn’t occurred.”
Ayatollah Sa’idi said that the Iranian people want a president who can solve the economic problems that they face and added a suitable presidential candidate must hate the arrogant and imperialist powers, especially the “world devouring” United States.
“The most suitable candidate must take a coherent stance in the face of the arrogant powers, not trust the US and must follow the path of Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei,” he stressed.
Referring to external developments, he pointed out that the dictatorial leaders of some Muslim countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Jordan, have acted in a villainous manner and have insulted the Iranian people.
Addressing these countries, Ayatollah Sa’idi said, “It isn’t dignified for you to be the servants of the arrogant powers and parrot their invaluable words. Be sure that your friendship with the arrogant powers and your opposition to Iran is at your expense. The consequences of your relationship with the arrogant powers is that one day, they will abandon you and they will abandon you worse than they way they abandoned Saddam.”
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