Members of the Union of the Islamic Associations of Independent University Students met the Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Thursday, March 3.
In an address to the audience, the Leader referred to the young generation of faithful university students as the best, most reliable and most efficient people for the performance of great and demanding tasks. He stressed that this young, vigilant and promising generation is the most effective factor shaping the identity of the Iranian nation.
Ayatollah Khamenei described deep systematic thinking and insight as well as rational, principled and diligent follow-up as absolutely necessary for the accomplishment of ideals and objectives. He also placed emphasis on moral and religious self-reformation, adding that facing the ups and downs and treading the winding path of the world requires piety and constant self-purification.
Elsewhere in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic rebuked some U.S. officials for their comments to the effect that the United States is entitled to interfere in other countries. He warned that the independent world nations are facing overt and concealed aggression waged by the domineering powers. "U.S. officials assume that they are the aldermen of the global village. Thus, they expect all nations to submit to their demands."
Referring to the Middle East as one of the major points of global conflict, Ayatollah Khamenei further expounded on a postmodern colonialism that is taking shape. "The United States, in an effort to materialize its utterly colonial Great Middle East plan, is trying to bring to power in the Middle East certain regimes wearing a democratic makeup but totally controlled by the Western corporations and submissive to U.S. policies. Unfortunately, some Middle Eastern countries, which are caught in this same trap, are helping Washington to achieve its diabolical goals."
The Leader considered the essence of the present world conflict to be the attempts made by the powerful capitalists to dominate the world. "What our late magnanimous Imam referred to many years ago as the war between poverty and wealth is an evident and tangible reality nowadays," he noted.
Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that the arrogant and domineering powers in the era of postmodern colonialism are utilizing different tools such as mass media and artistic means to achieve their hegemony over the world. He stressed that despite all these attempts, if nations remain on the scene of struggle against domination with vigilance, insight, determination and an analytical mind, the United States will not succeed in achieving its goals.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic hinted at the fact that U.S. plots and machinations against the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic have all been thwarted over the past 26 years as a result of the awareness and resistance of the Iranian people. He added that the great achievements of the Iranian nation in different scientific, technological, political, economic, social and other areas indicate that if a nation perseveres in defending its independence and ideals with vigilance, unity and solidarity, the United States will not be able to do anything.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated that U.S. pressures and recent moves are aimed at removing the Iranian nation from the scene. "They are trying to give the Iranian people the wrong impression that it is not possible to resist U.S. hegemony and domination, so that the ground may be prepared for the achievement of their goals in Iran," he added.
Further in his statements, the Leader called for the promotion of science and different branches of knowledge in society. He said that science has presently turned into a major tool in the hands of the Western powers for dominating the world. "The most basic measure that we should take is to raise the status and level of science in our country as much as we can. Our universities and centers of higher education shoulder heavy responsibility in this respect."
Referring to the commotion raised and the anger expressed by the arrogant powers over Iran's achievements in the field of nuclear technology, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that the United States and the European countries, despite their differences over certain issues, are both pressuring Iran to abandon its uranium enrichment activities. "This is because uranium enrichment is a path toward scientific progress and if a nation treads this path, it will be less affected by the plots and hostilities of the arrogant powers."
The Leader of the Islamic Republic also emphasized that another reason for the opposition expressed by the U.S. and Europe to Iran's scientific and technological progress is to keep the Iranian nation underdeveloped and backward. "The Islamic system, relying on the popular support that it enjoys, is determined to resist all these pressures. Also, by administering social justice and accomplishing other objectives, it is going to build a strong and modern country in which all the Iranian people will benefit form the facilities and amenities associated with modern life," he noted.
Ayatollah Khamenei considered national unity the only way to accomplish the objectives of the nation. Referring to the upcoming presidential elections, he stressed that the role played by the government and the president of the Islamic Republic in treading the path of progress and development and achieving the ideals of the revolution is a very significant role.
The Leader further stated that a sound and efficient Executive can greatly help to solve the problems. "Therefore, in the upcoming elections, the Iranian people should be careful about which candidate they are going to vote for. They should seek assistance from Almighty Allah so that they may pass the difficult and demanding test of elections successfully."