The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, visited the command headquarters of the Basij Volunteer Force (BVF) on Wednesday, August 24.
During his visit, the Leader inspected various elite military units of the force and observed their capabilities and achievements. Further, he had a meeting with the BVF commanding officers and also talked to intellectual and elite Basijis in a cordial and sincere atmosphere.
The national Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran was played when the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces entered the parade ground. Then, Ayatollah Khamenei paid homage to the martyrs of the Sacred Defense in front of the Martyrs Memorial.
Afterwards, the Leader reviewed the elite military units of the Basij Volunteer Force present on the parade ground.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ayatollah Khamenei described the Basij Volunteer Force as a symbol of the Iranian nation's vigilance and awareness combined with spirituality and devotion and also as a unique and exceptional phenomenon of the Islamic Revolution.
"The Basij Volunteer Force is a vast popular movement including both men and women from various tribes and social strata and at different intellectual levels. It is a reality that looks like a legend, and it is exciting and exhilarating for our youth, encouraging and promising for our friends and daunting and deterring for our enemies," he told the gathering.
The Leader further referred to the marvelous role played by the BVF during the eight years of the Sacred Defense and described jihad and martyrdom as the two prominent features of the BVF members.
"The paradigm introduced by the Basijis has influenced the Islamic world and other nations as well. This is the reason why the United States and its agents are trying to defame jihad and martyrdom and cast aspersions on these lofty values," the Leader pointed out.
Further in his statements, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces emphasized that the resistance of the Iranian nation and Basiji youngsters against U.S. threats would ensure regional stability. He also hinted at U.S. defeat and failure in the face of the Iranian people's firmness and resolution, especially with regard to the recent presidential election in Iran.
"The United States is now trying to transmute and degenerate the Islamic Republic and change its identity through political and cultural means and with the help of its agents and mercenaries. But it will suffer its greatest defeat in this arena by Basiji youngsters," he told the gathering.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic honored the memory of late Imam Khomeini as the founder of the Basij Volunteer Force. He also referred to the Iranian nation as a great and vast ocean.
"This ocean may be calm under certain circumstances. But when it gets stormy, it will perform marvelous and great deeds in various arenas," the Leader remarked.
Before the Leader's speech, the Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Major General Rahim Safavi, welcomed the Leader of the Islamic Republic to the BVF command headquarters. He also emphasized the preparedness of valorous Basijis and IRGC members to defend the ideals of Imam Khomeini and the Islamic Revolution.
The BVF Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Hejazi also presented a report on the various activities of the force. He said that the BVF members, in addition to their defense preparedness and their role in extending relief aid during emergencies, also have a bright and glorious record in scientific fields.
At the ceremony, a number of exemplary Basijis and the families of some martyred BVF members received prizes from the Leader. Further during the ceremony, the elite units of the Basij Volunteer Force marched past the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
In his meeting with Basiji intellectuals and elites, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that in today's world, there is a political, economic and cultural order based on hegemony and domination. He stated that this system of domination is trying to destroy the power of choice of human beings or, at least, influence and manipulate it.
"The only country that is systematically and based on its religious principles and values standing up to this decadent world order and insisting on its right to choose is the Islamic Republic of Iran," he told the gathering.
As regards the roots and foundations of the present global hegemonic order, the Leader of the Islamic Republic stated, "This degenerate global order has emanated from major capitalists and economic conglomerates in the world, which are trying to propagate their ideological principles through mass media under attractive slogans such as the liberty of mankind and human rights."
Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that efforts should be made to further strengthen the ideological foundations of the Islamic system and expound and introduce these principles in various scientific and artistic arenas. He noted that serious attention should also be paid to moral self-discipline.
"The only organization which is active in all these spheres is the Basij Volunteer Force. This is the most important feature that makes the Basij Volunteer Force distinct from all other organizations," he pointed out.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces also hinted at the remarkable role of devoted Basiji youngsters in bringing about great scientific achievements.
"The great accomplishments of Basiji youngsters in different areas have stemmed from their religious faith, the people's moral support, the words of late Imam Khomeini about the Basij Volunteer Force and, in short, from the ideology of the Islamic Revolution, which has been able to mobilize the Iranian nation against the system of global hegemony," he remarked.
The Leader further stated, "Today, the Islamic Republic is the claimant, and the global hegemonic system should be taken to task and held accountable for plundering the wealth of nations, corrupting the young generation, oppressing the women, abusing science and technology, committing numerous crimes against humanity and repeatedly violating human rights."
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the BVF members are mostly characterized by having a dynamic and forceful character, being in the vanguard of campaigns in various arenas as well as having a thirst for and seeking knowledge.
"Obtaining knowledge and making progress in various scientific fields constitute the most important means of countering the domination system, and Iranians have shown that they are capable of doing anything with their extraordinary talent and potential," Ayatollah Khamenei told the Basiji youngsters.
In a separate meeting with the BVF commanding officers, the Leader of the Islamic Republic stated that the Basij Volunteer Force has been defined as inclusive of the whole Iranian nation. He stressed that the most significant duty of the force is to prepare the necessary groundwork for this public participation.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces referred to the Basij Volunteer Force as a great asset to the Iranian nation and emphasized that the force should also play an important role in construction and development.
"The Basij Volunteer Force, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, should take concrete measures to promote the country's progress and development and also fill the free time of youngsters in the most appropriate manner," he noted.
Pointing to the fact that youngsters constitute a great portion of the Iranian population, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that filling the spare time of youngsters is of great significance.
"Through appropriate planning as well as proper cooperation and coordination among all relevant government organizations, the great vigor and vitality of youngsters should be utilized on the right path and in the best possible manner," the Leader told the BVF commanding officers.
Before the Leader's address, the BVF Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Hejazi presented a report on the approaches, strategies and activities of the Basij Volunteer Force within the framework of the country's Fourth Development Plan.
He also said that the BVF members are characterized by their religious faith and devotion, popularity and strong commitment to serve the people.