Speech in Meeting with Exemplary Basij Fighters from Across the Country

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Each of these hundreds and thousands of days that you were on the front lines constitutes a lifetime of history for a nation. If individuals like you had not been in those trenches, today there would be no news of Islam, the Islamic system, or the name and memory of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) in this country. Let no one think that these hours and days have been wasted, ended, and forgotten. No, every hour that created those days now exists in divine knowledge, the records of the noble scribes, and the memory of this nation's history.

The life you spent on the front lines and those golden years, months, and days you were present there are truly a blessing and a grace from the Lord for this nation. You performed a great duty very well and appropriately, and fulfilling this duty was a great blessing from God upon you. Blessed are you who succeeded in fulfilling your duty, and woe to those who did not recognize this duty, turned away from it, and took it lightly. Know that this duty is not yet complete.

We are all obliged to defend the divine values, which today are embodied in this Islamic system. Defending the independence of this Islamic country is defending its territorial integrity. Defending the revolution, which has brought so many blessings and benefits to the entire world, and every action you took, every bullet you fired, every shell you launched at the enemy, and every night you endured until morning, God willing, has impacted the protection of this system and the fruition of its results.

Some foolish and superficial people think that nothing has been accomplished. They say: What was the benefit of going to the front lines?! Or others say: We went, we worked hard, we did our part; but where are the results of the revolution?! These people are very superficial and short-sighted. They do not understand what event is about to occur in this country and is constantly happening. Do not think that the revolution is over. No, the revolution is like a volcano that does not end and like a stream that, if it does not flow there, will dry up here. You see that Islam and the Quran are in motion, bubbling, still shaking and frightening the enemy, and invigorating and strengthening the friends.

Seek help and guidance from God so that, God willing, you can always be present in the important trenches of defending the revolution and the country. In whatever responsibility and mission you are in, be good arms for the Corps so that, God willing, you can organize and mobilize the twenty-million-strong army; especially today, the Basij has a very important responsibility, and you are efficient and experienced Basijis.

May God, God willing, grant all of you success and goodness, and may your efforts be appreciated and rewarded.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings