jfid – In his presidential campaign, Saeed Jalili emphasizes the concept of “velayat-e faqih” or “guardianship of the jurist” as the ideological foundation and legitimacy of power.
Jalili seeks to attract support from various segments in Iran by promoting the dominance of clerics in government, loyalty to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an anti-Western stance, and the preservation of traditional Iranian values.
The concept of “velayat-e faqih” is central to Saeed Jalili’s campaign. As a candidate known for his loyalty to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Jalili uses this ideology to emphasize the importance of the role of clerics in the Iranian government.
“Velayat-e faqih” is a concept introduced by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which asserts that clerics should hold the highest authority in running the government.
Dr. Farhad Rezaei, a researcher at the Center for Iranian Studies, explains, “The concept of ‘velayat-e faqih’ not only grants legitimacy to clerics to rule but also ensures that political and legal decisions align with Islamic teachings as interpreted by the clerics.”
By making “velayat-e faqih” the cornerstone of his campaign, Jalili hopes to attract support from conservatives who believe in clerical dominance in governance.
Saeed Jalili not only emphasizes the importance of “velayat-e faqih” as an ideological foundation but also demonstrates his loyalty to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
On every occasion, Jalili asserts that he is a faithful executor of Khamenei’s policies and is committed to implementing the supreme leader’s vision.
In an interview, Jalili stated, “Khamenei is the leader who guides us on the right path, and I promise to always follow his direction.”
This statement reflects how crucial loyalty to Khamenei is for Jalili, who hopes to garner support from Khamenei’s loyal followers, who are significant in number in Iran.
One important aspect of Jalili’s campaign is his strong anti-Western stance. Jalili emphasizes that Iran must be self-reliant and not succumb to pressure or influence from Western countries.
According to Jalili, “Western influence will only erode our values and destabilize the country. We must stand firm and maintain our sovereignty.”
This anti-Western stance aligns with Khamenei’s views, who often criticizes Western policies towards Iran.
By adopting this stance, Jalili hopes to strengthen his image as a resolute leader who will not bow to foreign pressure, a quality highly valued by many Iranians.
In addition to emphasizing the importance of the role of clerics and an anti-Western stance, Jalili also highlights his loyalty to traditional Iranian values.
He often speaks about the importance of preserving the rich cultural heritage and national identity of Iran.
“We must safeguard and cherish our cultural heritage. This is our identity, and we must be proud of it,” Jalili said in one of his speeches.
By stressing the importance of traditional values, Jalili hopes to attract support from those who feel that excessive modernization and foreign cultural influences could undermine Iran’s national identity.
This is a crucial point in his campaign, especially among conservative and nationalist voters.
In his campaign, Saeed Jalili uses the concept of “velayat-e faqih” as a strong ideological foundation to attract support from various segments in Iran.
By emphasizing clerical dominance, loyalty to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an anti-Western stance, and loyalty to traditional values, Jalili strives to show that he is the best choice to lead Iran in the future.
However, whether this approach will succeed remains to be seen. Jalili faces significant challenges from other candidates who may offer different visions for Iran’s future.
But one thing is certain, “velayat-e faqih” will continue to be a highly important topic in Iranian politics, and the role of clerics in governance will remain a fiercely debated issue.