In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and greetings be upon our Master Muhammad, and upon his pure household, and may God curse all their enemies
I thank God and I am happy to see that this gathering has been held despite the current unfavorable circumstances. Of course, meeting with you youth in person would have been more satisfactory for me, but even holding it this way [via videoconference] is a new experience. I hope that this meeting will prove to be valuable to youth, to the country and to this humble person.
Students raised good points in the meeting
The discussions that the friends in the meeting initiated had certain characteristics which I wish to speak about: first of all, they were well-informed, calculated and satisfactory. In my opinion, this year’s discussions were at a higher level than previous years. Students had thought about and worked on them and this is really valuable. I am grateful for this. Well, many questions were posed. If I want to answer even some of them, that will take a lot of time. I think that if I ask our friends and representatives in universities and those departments in my office which are in contact with students and universities to answer these questions, that will be a reasonable expectation. There are clear answers for these questions and there are good explanations for the doubts and criticisms expressed in the meeting. There can be further discussions for raising these issues. As for the proposals put forward, well, they are proposals and not are all proposals operational. Some of the proposals put forward at the meeting originate from not having mastery over all aspects of the issue. This was evident. If we want to make decisions about them – either me or other organizations – this requires more work. I hope that Allah the Exalted will give us the blessing to do so.
Of course, I recommend that my office take all these proposals and study and work on each and every one of them. I would like to add that some of the criticisms that existed in the speeches of you dear ones about the performance of certain organizations were not justifiable. Some of them were justifiable and some were not. The reason why they were not justifiable is that you are not completely informed about the existing conditions. That is why some questions are raised in one’s mind and anyone being in this condition will naturally have such questions and criticisms. Anyway, these questions, these doubts and these criticisms could be resolved in direct conversations and discussions. Nonetheless, many of the points raised by you were correct and discussing them in such gatherings and programs will naturally help create discourses. I like the idea of creating public discourses in some of these areas and of guiding the minds of the masses of the people in society and in our country towards these issues and arenas.
A friend in the meeting asked what I think of the speeches made and the proposals put forward here. Well, my viewpoint can be understood from my public speeches. For example, speaking of justice, some of you complained why a certain group has criticized the heated discussions about the administration of justice. Well, you yourselves also had complaints about some extremist actions in this regard. My viewpoint about matters related to the administration of justice is a clear viewpoint and I have discussed them at length. I can discuss other viewpoints raised in the meeting, but I think that it falls again on my office or my representatives in academic and student centers. I will not discuss the points raised here any longer because if I do so, there will be a very long discussion.
The future belongs to the youth
I have written down certain matters to bring up and I believe they are noteworthy. This is a student meeting, but I am not only addressing students. Of course, we have four million students, which is a high figure, but those who are addressed by these statements are youth in general: young students, young clergy, young graduates and young employees. It is all youth whom I am addressing. The reason why I insist on speaking to, hearing from and having discussions with youth is based on a clear assumption: the assumption that the future will be in the hands of youth. There is no doubt that in the mid-term and also in the short-term, the responsibility of many of the matters raised today by you youth will fall on you and all youth who are addressed by these statements. They will be in charge of managing and leading the country. There is no doubt about this. That is why debates and conversations with youth are very important to me. Everyone who is interested in the future of the country should help youth so that they will be able to build the future in the best way possible, God willing.
Youth have precious qualities
Another part of the logic of speaking to youth concerns youthful nature. As was witnessed in the statements of you dear ones – I have always had this viewpoint about youth – youthful nature is tied to hope, innovation, outspokenness, risk-taking and tirelessness. These qualities are precious for the management of society. Some of our problems result from a lack of risk-taking, of fatigue, of blandness, of conservativeness and of hopelessness. However, these vices do not exist in youth. That is why I am willing to speak more and more to groups of youth who are naturally equipped with these traits.
Looking at the sensitive position of the country from three angles
This issue is of more significance considering the current circumstances in the country. In my opinion, for every decision and every action, we should pay attention to the current circumstances of the country, which are very important and sensitive circumstances. I wish to discuss some points about the current circumstances of the country. One can look at these circumstances from three angles:
The Islamic Republic’s involvement in a great and vast battle
One perspective is that there is a clear reality: the fact that the Islamic Republic is involved in a vast and great battle existing at an international level. There is a serious fight and the Islamic Republic is one side of it. The other side is comprised of the front of kufr, oppression and arrogance. Today, the Islamic Republic is involved in such a great and big battle. There should not be any doubts about this. The other side is trying to push the Islamic Republic out of the arena with all kinds of methods, means and resources which are at its disposal. If it manages to do so – by Allah’s favor, it will definitively fail to do so – and if the Islamic Republic retreats, gives in and gets out of the arena in the face of this front of oppression, kufr and arrogance, then the country will pay a big price for that in the future.
On the other hand, the confrontation of the camp of kufr and arrogance against the Islamic Republic is focused on preventing the Islamic Republic from presenting a model. Many of the problems that we have today stem from that. Certain obstacles have been created in order to prevent the emergence of that attractive model for nations. We cannot forget about and ignore these obstacles. They existed in the past and they exist today as well. Therefore, one of our outlooks towards the position of the country is related to the fact that the Islamic Republic is faced with such a political, intellectual and soft battle and war and that it will possibly have a serious confrontation with that large camp of oppression, kufr and arrogance.
The high capacity of the country for confrontation
Another perspective about the position of the country is knowing that the country has great capacities for confrontation. In order to confront this large powerful camp – it has some material power – we have enormous capacities. Experience has proved this to us. We have gained great experience over the course of these years. It proves to us that we have the capability to confront, to tackle and to contend with this large front. We have military experience as well which has been obtained through the Sacred Defense Era and other subsequent events – such as regional matters which some of you touched on when discussing your love to our dear martyr, Shahid Soleimani. We have also been engaged in a scientific jihad: the world has acknowledged that the rate of the Islamic Republic’s movement in the area of scientific matters is several times faster than the global average. That was a very important issue which fortunately continues to exist.
Large groups of youth committed to religious matters despite the cultural invasion of the enemy
We have been engaged in a cultural jihad as well. Notice that despite all the valuable things that you friends pointed out and that I acknowledge, there is a reality: they are really working against our country by launching a cultural invasion. And this is not particular to the present time. These days, cyberspace has appeared as well and the volume of their attacks has increased, but in the past too they used to endeavor really hard by means of radio, television and various other cultural means. Despite all these endeavors, a large group of youth – not a small minority – have been committed to religious and ideological principles and to the cultural tenets of the Islamic Republic. This indicates that we are stronger than the enemy even when it comes to the cultural jihad. There are various examples some of which you mentioned, and some of which you did not.
All the religious demonstrations held in recent years – the Arbaeen rally, itikaf ceremonies, mourning occasions for Imam Hussain and lately, the great and unprecedented burial ceremony for our dear martyr, Shahid Soleimani and other such demonstrations – show that the Islamic Republic has not fallen behind in the cultural battle against the front of arrogance. Impressive feats have been accomplished and amazing breakthroughs have been made. So, there is experience in the cultural domain as well. The same is true of the social jihad. An example is the large volume of social services presented in recent incidents – last year’s floods and earthquakes – during which the presence of jihadi groups was felt which led to the emergence of a magnificent movement. All these phenomena show that in the area of social jihad too, the performance and capacities of the country have been at a high level. These capacities can even be further developed in underprivileged areas.
I would like to raise another point in this regard: some of the friends pointed to the activities of public service organizations affiliated with the Leadership. I will tell you that I believe you are not aware of many of these activities. This point is related to your criticism of lack of transparency in some organizations. Most of you are not aware of the great tasks being carried out. Good endeavors are being made in terms of social services. The same is true of ideological jihad. Many activities have been done regarding cultural jihad as a result of which, commitment to revolutionary slogans has been reinforced. The very discussions that you initiate indicate the depth and progress of ideological and intellectual work.
Of course, some people might say that 40 – as a gentleman said – 42 years have passed since the victory of the Revolution. However, 42 years is not a long time for such general and fundamental matters, rather it is short. Many tasks are carried out gradually and over the course of time, particularly considering the problems that have existed in our country. Therefore, if we want to look at the position of the country from this angle, we must admit and acknowledge that the country has huge capacities for confronting the enemy in military, scientific, social, cultural and other such areas. We can comfortably face, confront and surmount that front. In other words, our hope of victory is not a vain hope, rather it is a hope based on this clear reality.
The institutionalization of a sense of power and dignity in the country
There is another perspective which is a feeling of power and dignity which has become deeply ingrained in the country. This is a very important fact. There is a deeply ingrained feeling of power among most people in the country. Now, some people exaggerate about the negative points and extend the weaknesses in them to the whole country, to the whole society and to the Islamic Republic, but the truth of the matter is that there is fortunately a deep feeling in the country and among the public: the feeling of dignity and power.
Dictatorial and colonialist powers try to create a sense of humiliation in nations
I would like to explain this issue a little bit more: An important aspect of dictatorial and colonialist treatment of nations is that colonialist and imperialist powers try to create a sense of humiliation in nations which they want to dominate. A preliminary constituent of their domination is to humiliate nations and to create a sense of mortification in nations. They wish to inject a sense of incapability in nations and to make them believe that they are nothing, that they have no identity and they are not significant at all. This is one of their major methods.
This was unfortunately done in Iran as well. It started in the late Qajari era. Both the domestic tyranny of last Qajar rulers and the interfering and very perilous and influential policies of foreign powers in the country – mostly on the part of the English – expanded this concept. Of course, at that time, both the Russians and the English were dominant, but the Russians retreated a little bit for various reasons that cannot be discussed considering our time. It was for the most part the English who had the upper hand in the events of the country, an example of which is the well-known 1919 Vosughul-Dowlah contract. That was a well-known colonialist contract. In other words, they created this sense of public humiliation and the nothingness of the nation in the country. Therefore, the ground was prepared for Reza Pahlavi to come to power and to strengthen his reign and after that, his son – Mohammad Reza – came to power. That was a disastrous event that the enemies imposed on our country while the people were mere spectators. The people were mere spectators and did not have any role in the seizure of power by Reza Pahlavi. They did not have a say in it. They just looked how an event took shape and how a coup was launched. They did not look for the culprits and the causes, nor did they express their viewpoints and mount an opposition and consequently, they paid the bitter price. In other words, the Iranian nation endured a 50-year dictatorial regime because of a sense of humiliation that had been imposed on them in the first place.
The uprooting of the Pahlavi regime by the Islamic Revolution caused an earthquake in the world
The exact opposite happened during the Islamic Revolution. During the Islamic Revolution, the youth of the country felt that they were capable of doing the impossible – everyone was describing it as an impossible endeavor – and that was overthrowing the Pahlavi government. However, they did it in the best way possible. Not only did they manage to shake its foundations, but they also managed to uproot it. And that was a government which was being seriously supported and protected by foreigners. As you see, the Americans defend certain governments today, but they were wholeheartedly defending the Pahlavi government as well. They were protecting it with all their power, but their defense of the Pahlavi regime was stronger than their defense of some of the governments dependent on them in the present time.
There were very harsh suppressive measures inside the country as well. Today’s youth cannot even fathom what they did to the people and to the revolutionary fighters, opponents and protesters. You do not at all know what was being done in those days. For example, having a book or even half a line of writing in a notebook would send the holder to prison for a long time. Besides, he would be tortured before being put on trial. There were extraordinary circumstances that cannot be discussed here.
However, Iranian youth and the Iranian nation together succeeded in uprooting that regime with their firm determination and with their power and by doing so, they achieved such a feat that the whole world became flabbergasted. When the Islamic Republic was established and the dependent monarchic regime was destroyed in the country, the whole world was impressed. For a while, everyone was confused about what was happening. An earthquake happened in the whole world, in the true sense of the word.
Since then, elements that create a sense of dignity and power have emerged one after another until the country reached this state of national power. In other words, we are a country that stands up against bullying in a powerful and explicit manner. This does not mean that only a few people in the government have such a position. No, the whole nation has this feeling of power and dignity. Of course, there is a small and isolated minority that keep weaving negative stories, but the majority of the people have this feeling of power and dignity.
The enemy’s efforts to destroy this sense of dignity and power
Of course, the enemy continues its policy of trying to humiliate the nation. Today, they press ahead with the same policies. The enemy is not disappointed with his effort to influence the people’s feelings. All of us should consider this point in our analyses, our statements and our complaints: the enemy is trying to undermine and to destroy this feeling of dignity, power and national confidence today. Notice what is happening in the west, in western countries and in the US. The events that occurred here [the coronavirus pandemic] occurred there as well. Compare the conditions in those countries with ours. Exemplary management was witnessed in our country and the people accomplished great feats as well. Another achievement is the launching of a satellite. We can also refer to the scientific endeavors carried out for understanding the virus. All these are events that Allah the Exalted has destined for us. We can also cite the great movement of offering pious and charitable assistance to the needy. So, these are the conditions of the country. Of course, there is enmity and hostility, but there are also capacities and this great sense of dignity and power in the country.
The attention and opportunities given to youth for the management of the country
Now, having discussed these matters, I have written down some additional points about youth that I deem necessary in this regard. Of course, as a result of stressing the role of youth in a repeated manner, more attention is being paid to issues related to youth. Perhaps, some disappointment was witnessed in the statements of some of the friends today, but I think there is no cause for disappointment. More attention is being paid to the presence of youth in different areas and work is being done in this regard. That what I mean by a youth-oriented system is one of the questions which should be answered by my representatives in academic centers. There is attention to youth and great significance is attached to their entry into mid-level management and to their viewpoints.
The good tasks accomplished in academic and seminarian environments
Student environments themselves have fortunately accomplished good tasks. Since last year – when this meeting was held – good tasks have been carried out. One of these good tasks, accomplished in academic and also in seminarian environments, is problem-based discussions which was one of our recommendations. Fortunately, this has been pursued and certain important issues have been debated and discussed with a problem-based orientation. Consequently, good viewpoints have been put forward. Another good task was to hold debates about international matters which was another one of my recommendations. Fortunately, I can see that over the course of the past year, many international issues have been attended to, but I do not want to mention which issues.
There was a complaint in the meeting about the failure to pursue such and such an issue. Well, you are not aware of it because they did pursue the matter. One of the brothers pointed to an issue, complaining why it was not pursued, but you should know that it was indeed pursued. As it happens, they even pursued it seriously, but there were not satisfactory results, but it was followed up in a serious way. One part of the task was in our hands and the other part was in others’ hands and therefore, there were not satisfactory results. Anyway, youth have worked on international matters. They have come up with certain ideas. There have been really astonishing jihadi activities. Although I have expressed my gratitude many times, I deem it necessary to thank those in charge and to thank Allah the Exalted for having prepared our youth in this amazing manner. As for the complaint voiced by our jihadi friends – they complained why they are not invited in decision-making congresses, why their viewpoints are not sounded out for presenting certain public services and why they merely serve as manpower – well, this is a legitimate and completely reasonable complaint.
Attending to the issues related to transfers [of governmental shares] was also undertaken by a young group. Of course, there have been some extremist actions, but in my opinion, the essence of following up such matters was good as it made officials aware of their duties. As for the criticism made by a friend in the meeting – saying that after students worked on the ground, they have come to disagree with the decision – that is a matter open to debate, but in any way, the very essence of following up these matters was good, as a result of which certain voluntary activities were done. Another matter pursued by students was the role of family and matters related to women. Fortunately, it was discussed in today’s meeting as well. In my opinion, this is an important subject that should be pursued considering the fact that there have not been enough activities in this regard. I accept all the complaints in this area and I believe that there is a serious lack of activity in this domain. Fortunately, I have witnessed these debates among student groups.
Some words of advice to youth: Individual and collective edification
Now, I wish to offer some words of advice considering all that was said. I have written down some pieces of advice. The first word of advice for you dear youth – whether you students or the other youth whom I mentioned in the beginning – is the issue of self-edification. Self-edification is very important both at an individual or collective level. You should engage in edifying yourselves as individuals and as a group. Self-edification is very important. The month of Ramadan provides good opportunities. Although we have reached the final days, the remaining days are also a good opportunity for praying and getting close to the Holy Quran.
When the month of Ramadan is over, you should not abandon your spiritual contact with God. It should not be the case that because you are fasting in the month of Ramadan and because time is apt for praying, supplicating and getting close to God, you do certain things, but you abandon them as soon as the month of Ramadan is over. Establishing a close relationship with the Quran, saying daily prayers on time and in an attentive manner, paying attention to the duas – some of which I mentioned and will mention later on as well – are obligations that I believe are necessary for self-edification. These things will help you safely pass through slippery terrains. There are some slippery terrains: fear, doubt, feeling of weakness and unhealthy motives. There are different slippery grounds on our way forward, particularly for social activists. Therefore, such people need self-edification even more and they need to strengthen their mental and spiritual stamina.
In my opinion, when your mental and spiritual stamina is reinforced, you will have more capabilities when it comes to making and to implementing decisions. And we need these things in our young generation. This is my first word of advice to you dear youth. You are like my own children in the real sense of the word. Therefore, I would like you to have what I want for my own children. I am saying these things to you because I really find them valuable for you. This is the first advice.
Strengthening one’s ideological principles and avoiding passivity and deviation
The second word of advice is to strengthen one’s ideological principles. This is very important. Thankfully, there are many broad-minded individuals among you as you think and work on many matters, but since long ago, youth environments, including universities, have been subject to certain detriments. There are actually two big detriments jeopardizing youth environments: one is passivity and another is deviation. Passivity means feeling that your hands are tied, that you are of no value and you have no hope of being able to face difficult events. This could be remedied with the previous word of advice: when your spiritual relationship with God is strengthened, you will not be passive in any way. Deviation too – ideological deviation and deviation from one’s principles – is remedied with the same word of advice.
Notice that in the beginning of the Revolution, we had youth who were Muslims and who had entered the arena for the sake of Islam, but because they had a shaky ideology and because their ideological values were not solid for whatever reason, they joined up with false synthesized groups and they changed from pious, healthy, Islamic and religious youth to people who aimed guns at their own compatriots. They shot at other youth, at the elderly and at shopkeepers and they committed those horrible crimes. Because of their weak ideological basis, they joined up with those corrupt groups and they were pushed into those paths. And they finally ended up being under the flag of Saddam. They finished up in those places. All of that originated from ideological instability.
And there were other individuals at that time – I knew many individuals: before the Revolution, I was familiar with many youth who were members of different groups – who stood firm because they had correct ideological principles. They would read Shahid Motahhari’s books and they were familiar with the viewpoints of Allamah Tabatabai and Shahid Sadr. Therefore, they had a solid ideological and intellectual basis and as a result, they stood really firm.
However, some of them had shaky principles and they were unfortunately lost. And there were some people who used to do revolutionary activities in the beginning of the Revolution, but who regretted their actions later on. They were “the regretful”. One of the problems of our Revolution is the issue of these regretful individuals: those who were revolutionaries one day, but who regretted being revolutionary later on.
The extraordinary duas of Sahifa al-Sajjadiyyah
These things happen because one’s ideological principles are shaky. When one’s ideological principles are weak, one cannot naturally preserve one’s beliefs in the face of events, questions and doubts and keep them on the straight path. That is why I believe that you should pay attention to religious and ideological matters. Notice that the dua that I pointed out – Dua 20 of Sahifa al-Sajjadiyyah, the prayer known as Makarim-ul Akhlaq – says, “Oh God, bring my faith to perfection and make my certitude the best of certitudes.” The speaker in the prayer says that he has certitude, but he wishes it to be perfect. It goes on to say: “Guide my intentions until they become the best intentions and make my actions the best actions.” This is an astonishing prayer. I recommend that youth familiarize themselves with the Dua 20 of Sahifa al-Sajjadiyyah.
Of course, all duas in Sahifa al-Sajjadiyyah are extraordinary. In other words, Sahifa al-Sajjadiyyah is not about one, two prayers. Now, I mentioned Dua 20, but Dua 21 is also astonishing in another way. The same is true of various other duas in that extraordinarily valuable book. However, you can select Dua 20 – Dua Makarim al-Akhlaq – and benefit from it. Fortunately, there are good translations of Sahifa al-Sajjadiyyah. I looked at three, four translations and to be fair, they were very good and reliable translations. You should refer to and benefit from them. This is my second word of advice to you dear ones.
Idealism and insistence on demands
The third word of advice is that you should not put down the flag of idealism and insistence on demands. All these discussions and debates that you had here for around an hour and a half were about insisting on demands. Sometimes, I was the addressee and sometimes, my office and other organizations were your addressees. This is a very valuable phenomenon. You should not stop insisting. You should not stop being idealists either. These demands are a sign of idealism. Some of the things that you demand might not be possible – and this is the truth of the matter. When we enter into the arena of action, the problems on the ground become clearer to us and we tangibly see that some of the things that we were demanding beforehand are either impossible or difficult to achieve in the short-term.
However, the very essence of this idealism is valuable because without idealism, we will lose the path. Idealism prevents us from losing our path or from deviating from it. Therefore, you should abide by your idealism. You should preserve important ideals such as justice, independence, the elimination of corruption and ultimately, the realization of an Islamic civilization. The main, the real and the ultimate ideal is the establishment of an Islamic civilization. You should not miss out on them and you should demand and think on them. Of course, insistence on one’s demands should be done in a reasonable way. I might explain this more later on.
Do not allow the enemy to take advantage of your pursuance of demands
I have written down two points about insistence on demands. I think it will be good to discuss them. The first point is that demands are usually accompanied by some kind of protest. Well, the existence of demands signifies that there is a shortcoming that we wish to eliminate. That is what a demand is. Therefore, it is accompanied by complaints. However, you should not allow your insistence and your complaints be interpreted as protest against the Islamic government. This is the important point because the enemy is lurking around for this. Sometimes, you might have some complaints about the stock market or about the price of a Pride [car model] – for instance – and you express your complaints, but the enemy interprets them as protest against the Islamic government because of the way you voice them and it conveys the message that it was protest against the system. Therefore, you should not let this happen and you should seriously try to prevent the enemy from having an opportunity to have this interpretation of your complaints and to convey this message to his audience.
The second point is that it is good for you to be carrying the flag of demands, but if you put it down, it might be picked up by those whose goal is not to solve the people’s problems, but whose real goal is to confront and fight against Islam, the Islamic Republic and the Islamic government. You should not let this happen either.
Of course, Marxist leftism, which has always pursued such matters, does not have any credibility in the world anymore. This orientation suffers from deep poverty. They really have nothing to present in terms of ideas and, as they themselves put it, in terms of theories. They also suffer from deep poverty in terms of politics. All their bosses and big personalities surrendered to the US and to the Zionist regime. They also surrendered to royalists. Therefore, they suffer from poverty in terms of ideology, politics and practicality – in other words, they do not have active and self-sacrificing individuals prepared to enter these arenas. Therefore, they are really nothing, but in any case, there are always people who wish to take advantage of good and proper slogans. If you abandon these slogans, they might be usurped by such individuals. This is another point.
Putting forward proposals as well as making criticisms and avoiding aggressiveness
The forth point is that insistence on one’s demands does not only mean making criticism and protesting although lodging protests is a part of having demands. Criticism should be accompanied by proposals. Of course, certain proposals were put forward today, some of which are acceptable and some of which can be studied. However, the young groups of people who hear these statements and who are active in these domains should pay attention that we will get nowhere with sheer criticism and sheer protest. This will not exert a serious and permanent impact although they might pay off a little bit in the beginning. What pays off is putting forward proposals. Notice that in Islam advising against evil is accompanied by enjoining to do good. Advice against evil is the same as protest and enjoining to do good means making a proposal and putting forward suggestions – in other words, saying what can be done to resolve a problem. These two come together.
Therefore, you should definitely accompany your demands with proposals, suggestions and good and acceptable solutions. Besides, you should not be aggressive when insisting on your demands. This is my serious request to you. Of course, you spoke very politely to me today and I am grateful for that, but in the past – both before and during my presidency – I used to face aggressive behavior in my visits to different universities, but I did not care. I could get along with such behavior, but in the confrontations between this humble person – while taking those podiums – and the group of people who were making harsh criticisms, he who would be defeated was not me.
Today too, you thankfully spoke very well, but sometimes, officials show their presence in universities and in such and such academic and youth centers in order to talk, but they are treated in a harsh manner. You complained that such and such officials refused to attend an academic debate despite the fact that they were invited. I too have frequently advised officials to talk to students in universities and to justify their actions. I share your idea, but they say in response that whenever they go, the goal of those who gather in those centers is not to understand issues, rather their goal is to attack and to pan. That is why they do not show their presence there.
I strongly request that you should not block the path of dialogue. When the issue is about attacking, insulting, mudslinging and the like, the outlet for dialogue is naturally blocked. You should not let this happen. You should speak in a reasonable and cogent manner. Of course, some comments might be mixed with a tinge of pungency and there is nothing wrong with it. Speaking in a pungent manner does not contradict avoiding aggression, insult and the like.
The importance of discourse
The fifth point is about creating discourse which I touched on in the beginning of my statements. One of the blessings of meetings with you students and meetings with youth – lately, these meetings are held once a year, but we had more meetings with youth before – is the creation of discourse. When you discuss an issue, your message spreads here and there and other youth and other people hear it. Then, there will be different outlooks. These outlooks are the same as discourse. In other words, it creates a certain intellectual orientation in society which is really valuable. My request is that student orientations attach significance to discourse construction. You should identify and think on the issues of the system. Then, you should put forward reasonable and solid proposals and discuss them in society.
Of course, national media should help. Without a doubt, national media should help. In recent years, national media have set up young, enthusiastic and revolutionary departments, but the friends in the area of media did not pay attention to them. However, the viewpoints of youth and the proposals that they put forward should receive attention until a discourse is built in society. When a discourse is built, the public will give a warmer reception to young leading groups. In other words, the people will welcome them and this will exert its effect on the appointment of managers and directors.
The solution for the problems of the country is the establishment of a young and Hezbollahi administration
Of course, as I mentioned last year and as I repeatedly said afterwards, I believe in a young and Hezbollahi administration. Of course, the establishment of a young administration does not mean that its president should be a, for example, a 32-year-old youth. This is not what I mean. A young administration means an agile, enthusiastic and prepared administration whose members are at an age of work and endeavor and who do not become tired easily. This is what I mean. Some people are mentally young even if they are at an advanced age. For example, the dear martyr whom you mentioned – Shahid Soleimani whom I think about day and night – was 60-plus years old. He was not very young, but if he had lived ten more years, if I myself lived long enough to see him in action and if I could appoint people, I would keep him there and would not have dismissed him although he was not young. Therefore, sometimes people who are not at a young age can accomplish feats that are typical of youth. In any case, in my opinion, the solution for the problems of the country is the establishment of a young, Hezbollahi and pious administration that can help the country get through difficult passes.
Expanding the revolutionary camp
The next point and the next word of advice – I think it is the sixth one – is that you should expand the revolutionary camp. You should recruit, not dismiss, soldiers. Just because there are some differences of opinion and slight disagreements, you should not disown individuals. There are some people who believe in Islam, in the Revolution, in the Islamic government and in many of the principles which you hold dear, but who do not agree with you on such and such matters. This should not make you reject them and eliminate them from the circle of the Revolution. You should expand the revolutionary camp as much as you can and you should attract more people. Of course I do not mean attracting hypocrites and disloyal individuals, rather I mean attracting faithful people who might have some disagreements with you.
Being outspoken and showing power in the face of cynics and those who beautify the enemy
The next point – the seventh one – is that the opposite conduct to rejection and disownment is another conduct which is wrong as well: there are some people who focus all their efforts on creating doubts about the principles of the Revolution and on denying all the achievements of the country. You should speak to such individuals in a powerful and explicit manner. You should distinguish your borders with them. I do not advise you to compromise with those who do not believe in the principles of the Revolution, who create doubts about these principles, who embellish the enemy and who show us the wrong way. You should not get along with them and you should confront them in a powerful and outspoken way. He who creates doubts acts as the spinal cord of the enemy’s cultural work. And the goal of the enemy’s soft war is to create doubts. So, if someone inside the country does the enemy’s work for him, they should naturally be confronted. After all, there are some people who help the enemy and who embellish him.
Nations and even governments hate the US
I will tell you that despite the fact that the US has spent heavily, in recent years, on making the US seem like an attractive creature for the whole world, today, American society is not attractive in any way. Moreover, the American nation, society and government have become something of a disgusting monstrosity in a large part of the world. This is a reality. The fact that the US flag is burned in many countries even inside the US itself – some time ago, there was a report clearly saying that the US flag was burned by some people in the US – shows nations’ hatred of that system. Even the same governments which cooperate with the US on many issues express their hatred of the US and their distrust of its politicians once they begin to open up and share their real feelings. Of course, this hatred and this rejection of the US in recent years is partly due to the existence of the men who hold power there. This hatred is partly due to them: to the “honorable gentlemen” who lead that country. On the one hand, they have a President- “Doctor Trump”- our talented youth have produced a show called “Doctor Salaam”: this description reminds one of that show – and on the other hand, they have a puerile, nonsensical and glib Secretary of State who talks gibberish and makes completely unreasonable and stupid comments here and there. These people have contributed to the hatred of the US.
They have contributed to nations’ and even politicians’ hatred of the US, but this is not the only reason. The long-term actions of the US, its warmongering and its performance sheet in many countries – including in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria – have contributed to this hatred as well. They explicitly say that they will deploy their forces in such and such an area of Syria because there is oil there. They say this openly. They are so shameless and brazen. Of course, the Americans will not stay for long either in Syria or in Iraq and they will be forced to leave and they will certainly leave. There is no doubt about this, they will be expelled, but this is their behavior anyway.
They engage in fratricide, in warmongering and in helping tyrannical and notorious governments: governments which are notorious in the world in the true sense of the word. Their crimes, their warmongering, their support for terrorism and their wholehearted defense of the increasingly oppressive actions taken by the Zionist regime, their parody of justice and recently their terrible handling of the Coronavirus are factors that have contributed to the hatred of the US. That is while some people are trying to spruce up the US and put it on display for public opinion.
Paying attention to scientific progress
The next point, the eighth one, is about scientific progress. Once more, I wish to stress the issue of scientific progress despite the fact that I have placed great emphasis on it in recent years. I wish to repeat, “Knowledge is power.” Knowledge is power and therefore, one should pursue it. Academic circles and research centers should definitely pay attention to science. Meanwhile, you should pay attention that the reason why I stress science is for the sake of the progress of the country. Science is a means for broadening future horizons. It should be used to achieve what I said years ago: that we should reach a point where anyone wishing to benefit from new scientific discoveries would have to learn Farsi. Science should be pursued with this goal and this intention. Those who developed science in the world were people who had the same goals. Otherwise, if we pursue scientific work just in order to make temporary personal profits, that is of no value. The main point is looking at science as a means for broadening horizons.
Attaching significance to hijab and Islamic modesty in academic environments
The ninth word of advice is about hijab and Islamic modesty in universities. This is one of my big concerns and I strongly request that officials, heads of universities, managers in ministries related to academic work and students themselves – in particular, young ladies – pay attention and attach great significance to the issue of distance between men and women, which is an issue existing in Islam. They should observe shar’i principles in this regard.
Vigilance about the enemy’s effort to deceive youth
The last point is that youth and the organizations in charge of youth matters should know that as we attach significance to youth for the future progress of the country, our enemy too attaches significance to them, but he does so for the sake of destroying the country and bringing the Revolution to its knees. He is aware of youth’s role as well. Everyone should pay attention that they too are working on our youth. They are trying to take advantage of our youth. All of them pursue this matter and plan for it. Sometimes, they need agents inside the country and they work on the youth of the country to achieve their goal. Sometimes, they need propagandists, analysts and political figures and therefore, they work on youth. And sometimes, they need to encourage youth to turn their back on the country and to leave, as has been witnessed sometimes. They lure actors, athletes, semi-educated clergy and students into leaving the country by creating a fuss. Such courses of action are sometimes adopted by the enemy against our youth. Everyone should pay attention and take care not to help the enemy recruit the youth of the country.
I hope that Allah the Exalted will bless all of you. I constantly and persistently – once a day, at least – pray for youth. I pray that God will help and guide you youth and all the youth of the country, and that He will resolve their problems – their various problems related to occupation, marriage and various other problems. By Allah’s favor, I will continue to pray. I hope that God will answer these prayers and He will definitely do so. Surely, in the future our society of youth will improve compared to today by Allah’s favor and with the blessings of the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake). You should supplicate to that great Imam and ask him to help, to intercede on your behalf and to pray for you.
I hope that Allah the Exalted will help you, us, all Muslim nations and our dear people win over the heart of that great Imam so that he will keep being kind to us. I hope that He will help us deserve that Imam’s kindness as well. I also send greetings to the immaculate soul of our magnanimous Imam and to the pure souls of our dear martyrs and I ask God to bestow His mercy and forgiveness on them. Some gentlemen and a lady asked for rings, chafiyahs and copies of the Holy Quran as gifts. I will give all you asked for, God willing.
Greetings be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings
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