Thousands of Basijis, or members of the Basij Volunteer Force, from various cities and provinces across the country called on the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Sunday, March 26.
Speaking at the meeting, the Leader referred to moral virtues and perseverance in accomplishing one's objectives as the two important lessons taught by the Holy Prophet of Islam. He stated that the Iranian people through their high spirits and vitality and government officials through their valor and prudence should help the Islamic Iran reach such a high level of progress and development that the enemies will no longer foster hopes of encountering it.
Ayatollah Khamenei further pointed out that the real message conveyed by the designation of the New Year as the ‘Year of the Holy Prophet' is that the Iranian people and government officials should make every effort to accomplish the noble objectives of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his immaculate household).
"In particular, in the New Year, we should all try to become characterized by the moral virtues that were manifested in the conduct of the Holy Prophet of Islam," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
The Leader stressed that noble virtues will be obtained by fostering good qualities in one's heart and soul and displaying them in one's manners.
"If a society is characterized by deplorable qualities such as jealousy, malevolence, deceitfulness, greed, avarice, grudge and antipathy, this society will not attain salvation and prosperity even if it appears to be civilized and scientifically developed," he noted.
Ayatollah Khamenei further stated that the main factor helping one to attain moral virtues is the love for Almighty Allah and devotion to those beloved by Almighty Allah, namely the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him and his infallible household) and the immaculate Imams (greetings be upon them). He called on the audience to try to deepen this love and devotion in their hearts.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic referred to perseverance in achieving one's objectives as another important lesson taught by the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him and his infallible household).
"The Holy Prophet of Islam led the Muslims of his time in their confrontation with material allurements and sensual desires and also in their encounter with the aggression and threats of the enemies, and today we are in need of this kind of perseverance and determination," the Leader noted.
Ayatollah Khamenei described resistance and standing against the threats and bullying of enemies as the source of progress, honor and dignity of nations. He stated that, ever since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the Iranian people have displayed their honor and greatness through their awareness and determination in the face of their enemies.
"Thanks to their perseverance and resolution, the Iranian people are today dignified and honorable in the eyes of their friends and foes alike," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
Hinting at the enemies' threats, the Leader noted that such threats may materialize on some occasions. But he stressed that on such occasions only those nations that stand against these threats without any retreat will be able to preserve their honor and identity and protect their interests.
Further in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the United States and the Zionists as the archenemies of the Iranian nation.
"The arrogant powers have lined up against the Iranian nation, and they call this an international consensus against Iran. But everybody knows that the international consensus is against the United States and its interventions and waging wars, not against the Iranian nation," he pointed out.
Touching on the valor and determination of Iranian government officials, the Leader of the Islamic Republic further stated, "Over the past 27 years, the enemies have been confronting the Iranian nation on various pretexts, as they have been seeking to once again dominate our country. Today also they are pursuing the same goal through their negative propaganda and by spreading lies with regard to Iran's nuclear issue. But the vigilant Iranian people and their prudent and determined government officials will continue taking firm steps on the path of protecting their national interests and securing their legitimate rights."
Before the Leader's statements, the Commander of the Basij Volunteer Force Brigadier General Sayyid Mohammad Hejazi presented a report on the preparedness of Basijis to perform their religious and revolutionary duties and defend their national ideals and interests. He said that boosting defense capabilities and greater participation in the field of construction are on the agenda of the Basij Volunteer Force in the current year.