Tehran’s Interim Friday Prayers Leader, Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, has emphasized that the “Islamic Republic” is not just a ceremonial term, it is a reality, and if any part of the Islamic Republic is harmed, then the Islamic Revolution has been harmed. Addressing a massive crowd of the faithful and Friday prayers worshippers in Tehran, Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani stressed that in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the basis of government has always been the vote of the people. He said the “Islamic Republic” is not a ceremonial term, it is, as the name implies, both “Islamic” and a “Republic”, and both of these are absolutely essential; without the people’s votes, we can’t have an Islamic Republic, and without Islam, the country will surely go astray. Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani emphasized that the Islamic Republic is firmly rooted in our belief in the Holy Quran, the Holy Prophet of Islam, Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him and his progeny), and other Holy prophets and Imams (Peace be upon them).
The Head of Iran’s State Expediency Council emphasized the extremely high turnout of the Iranian people at the ballot box, with close to 40 million Iranians taking part in the 12th June presidential elections, saying the honour must go to the Iranian people who so wholeheartedly participated in the balloting.
Referring to the guidance of the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini (may his soul rest in peace), who often said that the people should be respected, Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said now more than ever, “our society needs unity”. He added we must regain the trust of a section of the population, and absolutely everybody, including government officials, the government, the Iranian Majlis, the security forces and the protestors must all act within the framework of the laws of the land.

Turning to the nuclear issue, Tehran’s interim Friday prayers Leader emphasized that Iran’s enemies want to deprive Iran of advanced technology; nuclear technology being a case in point. He forthrightly added: “All of us should safeguard the values of the Islamic Revolution, and stand up to the threats of the enemies, who covet the rich resources of Islamic Iran, and disappoint the enemy”.
In further remarks, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani called for the release of those arrested in post-election protests in Iran, emphasizing the need for sympathy towards them, and listening to those who have been harmed in the events following the presidential election.
Turning to recent events in China, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani deplored the killing of dozens of Chinese Muslims by China’s police and security forces, saying the Chinese government should pay more attention to the conditions under which the Muslim community lives in China. He added: “The Beijing government will not benefit from a confrontation with 1.6 Billion Muslims worldwide, and some 60 Muslim countries whose hearts and minds are closely linked with Chinese Muslims”.
Tehran’s interim Friday Prayers Leader went on to express hope that in addition to China, Muslims living in other countries such as occupied Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and elsewhere can live without any oppression.