In my opinion, student activists who are pursuing ideals and who know the existing realities should never feel, under any circumstances, that they are in a dead end. That is to say, they should not stop pursuing ideals, neither during sweat victories nor during bitter defeats. We achieved both great victories and suffered bitter defeats during the Sacred Defense Era. Imam Khomeini (may God bestow paradise on him) used to say to us, "Do not say that you were defeated. Rather, you should say that you did not achieve a victory." Sometimes, one wins a victory and sometimes one does not. What does it matter?
There are some people who stop pursuing ideals when everything is going well and when they reach the desired point. This is wrong. "Therefore, when you are free (from your immediate task), still labour hard." [The Holy Quran, 94: 7] The Holy Quran tells us that when we make our efforts and when we finish doing something, immediately we should prepare ourselves to continue another task. Some people stop pursuing their ideals. This is wrong. On the other hand, some people become hopeless and adopt a passive role if what happens is not what they wanted. This is also wrong. Both are wrong. There is not any dead end in pursuing ideals which are appropriate and realistic. When we take realities into consideration, there will be nothing which seems unpredictable to us.
Allah the Exalted has enlightened our hearts due to our reliance on Him. He has filled our hearts with hope. We have not lost our hope in divine assistance for a moment, and we hope that will never lose it. "Despair not of Allah's mercy." [The Holy Quran 12:87]. Allah the Exalted has made this nation determined, enthusiastic, and hopeful. Dear brother and sister, and dear youth, if you want to keep this strong determination and this dynamic spirit, you must strengthen your relationship with God on a daily basis. You must talk to Allah the Exalted. You must ask God for your requirements. You must seek protection in Allah. You must ask Allah the Exalted for help. He will certainly help you. God willing, the youth of this country will witness days that will be far more pleasant. There are bright and brilliant prospects for the Islamic Republic. I hope that Allah the Exalted will make us successful in making the holy heart of His Holiness the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake) pleased with us.
