Translated Excerpts from Rafsanjani’s Mashhad speech transcripts.
The full transcript of Rafsanjani’s speech on 15 Azar in Mashhad was published yesterday by Kaleme : http://www.kaleme.com/1388/09/24/klm-5785
Translated Excerpts :
- I don’t see a difference between extremists of both sides (of the conflict) but a majority of our society,especially educated traditionalists prefer moderation.
- It breaks your heart to see students not voicing their opinions out of fear.
- Conditions don’t allow to address issues openly in speeches.
- When I said “The Regime derives its legitimacy from people’s vote,” they said “What is this (nonsense)you say, God appoints a man to govern, people’s vote is just decoration & they have to accept(Gov).”
- Our system is based on faith & Government derives its legitimacy from acceptance of people. If you don’t believe in that, then you don’t believe in the prophet himself.
- Prophet Mohammad told Imam Ali: From God you have permission to rule but that’s only valid if the people accept you. If they accept you, rule; if not, don’t. When Ali saw that some people didn’t accept his guardianship, he abstained. 5 years later, people came to him, and asked why he abstained and allowed others to rule. “For 5 years there had only been wars and killings, and we are tired.” There was critic raining down from doors and walls (everywhere). It’s the same discussion we had with our Revolution : Governance and Revolution begin with people. Until Khordad 15, people were asking for their rights in demonstrations, then the killings started and Shah’s regime became violent. It was then clear that the regime didn’t accept the will of people. (justifying uprising and power of people, and their rights.)
