Excerpts from a speech in a meeting with Basij forces

The Mobilized Resistance Forces represent an assembly in which the purest people, the most devoted and most accomplished youth of the country are gathered to lead the country to the great goals of this nation and in order to move the nation towards prosperity and perfection. The Mobilized Resistance Forces represent an organization in which, dispersed and sole individuals fashion a big and coherent group whose members are aware, committed, insightful, who identify the problems of the country and the needs of the nation; an assembly that frightens the enemy and reassures the friends. This is the meaning of the Mobilized Resistance Forces [Basij]. In fact, the Mobilized Resistance Forces represent a holy unity among the people of the nation. All of the arenas in which the Mobilized Resistance Forces have participated are national arenas: fields related to the entire nation - such as the sacred defense field, the construction field and public services. At no time the country is needless of such a massive assembly made up of the best sons and daughters of the nation, with such features. The Mobilized Resistance Forces are, in fact, the epitome of love and faith, awareness and fighting and absolute readiness to bring about the dignity of the country and the nation. Nov 26, 1997