The landslide victory of Seyyed Mohammad Khatami in the May 23, 1997 presidential elections of the Islamic Republic of Iran has attracted substantial attention across the world. Kindling optimism in Iran and around the world for a brighter and more harmonious future for Iranians, the election results mark a new era. Published in the spirit of cross-cultural understanding that is essential to our ever-increasing global interdependence, President Khatami's message provides a clear and authentic perspective of culture and political issues in Iran and the Islamic world.