Speech to a Large Gathering of People from Delvar District and Surrounding Villages

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

Thanks be to God, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings upon our Master and Prophet, Abul-Qasim Muhammad, and his pure, immaculate family.

I am very pleased to visit you, dear brothers and sisters. Thanks be to God, you are revolutionary and enthusiastic youth, and God has bestowed His blessing of guidance and grace upon you. I have learned that during the years of war, many faithful and brave young people from this village were sent to the front, and some were martyred; God willing, may God accept from you. I want to tell you dear young people, the people of this village, and the honorable families of the martyrs that your struggles have caused Islam, the Quran, and the name of God to be held high in the world.

You are the border residents of the Islamic Republic, and thanks be to God, you have been able to fulfill your duties; from now on, the entire Iranian nation - including you people of this region - must strive to protect these borders and this land. In the face of enemies who threaten Iran and Islam, you brave young people, with the power of will you possess, with the enthusiasm you have, must stand firm. The independence of the country depends on you. The defense of the country is entrusted to courageous and determined young people like you.

Young people must first, as always, be present in the field of jihad bravely and learn the art of warfare and be part of the Basij; secondly, they must also be active in the field of construction. Young people in villages and districts must work and strive. Thanks be to God, there is good land, good soil, good fertility potential, and abundant resources; young people must work and make the world prosperous. Men and women, all must strive to develop the country; however, young people have a greater share.

I do not know if the fight against illiteracy is active in your village or not. It is very good that you say it is active. You must ensure that knowledge, education, literacy, reading, and writing become common among all individuals in this district, and no one remains illiterate, and young people increase their awareness day by day, God willing; the hope of the country is in you young people.

Today, the government and state officials are determined to develop deprived areas and, God willing, eliminate deprivations; they are also working hard. We hope that gradually all these remote and deprived areas of the country - which also have very good potentials - will be developed; however, your efforts, young people, greatly help. Young people should not spend their time in idleness; they should devote their life, their energy - this abundant energy - to constructive and blessed activities.

Brothers and sisters! God is with us. The enemies have repeatedly tried to attack Iran and the Islamic Republic and strike it; but each time they have been rebuffed by this nation and have not been able to achieve their evil goals; again, God willing, the Almighty God and the divine power will be with us, and by God's grace, we will be able to preserve the independence of this country, and the country will be developed by you, and God willing, dear Iran will become a model for Muslims in other parts of the world; they should work to remove the ominous shadow of the enemies of nations from over the people.

I bid you farewell. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to come among you and see you up close. As I was told, this district has been exemplary in terms of mobilizing forces; and this is very pleasing to us. I hope you will always be joyful, active, and engaged in the path of God, and God willing, as time passes, the situation of this region and these villages and this district center will become better than before.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings