Islamic Republic is not a ceremonial word, it originates from our religious beliefs. Be sure that if any of them get hurt, we will no longer have this revolution. Where there are no people and their votes, there is no Islamic government

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's last Friday prayer sermon (July 17, 2009):

"Before the fall of the Bakhtiar government, the Imam was in such a hurry to hand over the affairs to the people that during the reign of the Prime Minister, Engineer Bazargan, they prioritized shortening the term of the Revolutionary Council and writing the constitution."

"All affairs of the country must be decided by the people's vote. From leadership to the presidency, parliament, councils and...
Republic and Islam, both should be together. Be sure that if any one of them gets hurt, we will no longer have this revolution."

If it is not Islamic, we will go astray, the republic, if it is not, it cannot be realized at all. Where there are no people and their votes, the government is not Islamic. The reason is that Ali lived at home for 19 years, but when people came and asked, they accepted. This was our way from the beginning."