Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with Members of the Union of Islamic Associations of Students

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

I am very happy and pleased to meet with you dear young people. The atmosphere that you young ones create with your sincerity and purity in every environment you are present in is truly a very sweet and attractive space for me. Certainly, the elite of the youth of the country are the students and religious scholars. The more the sense of commitment, responsibility, and work among this vast and millions-strong group increases, the higher the value of youth rises; and there should be no doubt that the Islamic student associations are among the most diligent, hardworking, and faithful groups. Therefore, I consider this meeting with you to be precious, I regard you as very dear elements, I appreciate you, and I nurture the hope that, God willing, in the future of this country, your role and activities can fulfill the great aspirations of this nation.

One of the most important aspirations of every young person at your age - whether male or female - is to observe these characteristics in the environment and society in which they live: that their society is an advanced one in terms of science and civilization; that it possesses justice and human and moral social relations; and that there is a bright horizon for all individuals - especially the youth. The great work that our nation accomplished twenty-six years ago - that is, the establishment of the Islamic Revolution - if it had been done fifty years or even thirty years earlier, we would have today had this ideal society in our country and home. When the Constitutional Revolution occurred, or in the years following it, if the Iranian nation had been able to do what it did in the Islamic Revolution, the path would have started from that time, and today we could have witnessed a society that is advanced both scientifically and industrially, a society that enjoys justice, and a society that possesses a sense of spirituality and moral faith - which is very important for the youth - but when the Iranian nation was thirsty for such a transformation, they did not allow this transformation to take place. When I say they did not allow it, it has a completely accurate and scientific calculation; it is not that the Iranian nation did not want it or was not willing to sacrifice; yes, but during the Constitutional Revolution, they exploited the inexperience of the nation and its leaders, and the great movement that had arisen in this country against the long-standing despotism of the kings - which was the source of all misfortunes - was led astray and was hollowed out and destroyed from within. The story of the Constitutional Revolution is one of the bitter stories of our recent history. The Iranian nation entered the field; the spiritual leaders, great scholars, and authorities from Najaf and from within the country mobilized the people; the nation also made great sacrifices; but because they lacked practical experience, the enemies, infiltrators, and foreign dominators were able to neutralize and destroy this movement from within.

Of course, at that time, the enemy was specifically the British government, and in the world, it played the same role that America plays today. Their goal was domination, encroachment, world conquest, interference in the affairs of nations to siphon off national wealth and keep the nations of Asia and Africa and elsewhere backward. In the very first steps, by using complex methods, they diverted the Constitutional Revolution from the path that the nation had embarked on - that is, the path of independence and freedom under the shadow of Islam - they accused some of the leaders of the Constitutional Revolution, executed some, assassinated some, confined some to their homes, and through the uproar created by their agents, they took control of the atmosphere. For ten to fifteen years that passed, the British brought to power Reza Khan Pahlavi as a substitute for the Constitutional Revolution and the great movement of the Iranian nation. The nation lacked experience; even the leaders lacked experience; therefore, the enemy was able to carry out its plans; thus, the beginning of this great movement was delayed by eighty to ninety years, and during this time, they did whatever they could with this oppressed nation and this country. They brought the Pahlavis to power to impose foreign domination - which complemented the dark fate of the nation after internal despotism - on the nation; and because they knew that the nation was familiar with the advancements of the world, to quench the very sincere appetite of the nation for progress, they kept the nation occupied with the dazzling tools of civilization and withheld the truth of Western civilization - which was science and progress - from it, and distracted the nation with appearances; like a hungry child who might go for food; but instead of giving him food rich in protein and vitamins, they would spoil his appetite with salty snacks so that he would no longer feel inclined; this is what they did with the nation.

For years, this nation endured the hardships caused by foreign domination until the ground was prepared for the Islamic Revolution. A wise, powerful leadership, with determination and a resolute will, emerged among the people and entered the field; the nation had also gained experience; thus, the Islamic Revolution took shape, and this time the enemy's tricks were ineffective; because the nation and the leaders had gained experience in the Islamic Revolution. During the Constitutional Revolution, the leaders and the people did not know how dangerous the foreign ambushes with prior preparations were; thus, they dismantled their own barriers and prepared to accept the enemy's attack; the enemy came and did whatever it wanted in this country. This time in the Islamic Revolution, using the experience of the Constitutional Revolution, both our nation and our spiritual leaders and our sincere intellectuals understood that they must keep the spiritual barriers - that is, the barriers of faith, revolutionary values, and the barrier of awakening - strong against the enemy's conspiracies.

The fact that you see our nation after twenty-six years does not forget "Death to America" is because forgetting the conspiracy of global arrogance is the same as becoming captive to the conspiracy. In fact, the "Death to America" that our people chant is like the "I seek refuge in God from the accursed Satan" that is said at the beginning of every chapter of the Quran before "In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful." Why is there a seeking refuge in God from the accursed Satan? It is so that the believer does not forget for a moment the presence of Satan; does not forget for a moment that Satan is ready to attack him and destroy his spiritual and faith barriers. The "Death to America" is also so that the nation does not forget the global dominators' abundant interests that they have had in this country and whose hands have been cut off, and they have not forgotten. They are always seeking to secure those interests again within this country for themselves at the cost of destroying the talents of the youth and the future of this country, and to increase their wealth and knowledge and technology. Thus, the Iranian nation started late; it started with the Islamic Revolution.

To transform the situation that has arisen for the nation into the desirable situation that I first described, one year, two years, or ten years is not enough; these profound social changes must occur over several generations. Today, we have made significant progress along this path. Those who were present in the Islamic Revolution at your age or slightly older and worked diligently fulfilled their duties well at that time; the next generation has also made good efforts over the past twenty-six years.

The fact that you see today we have made advancements in nuclear science, in stem cell science - which is one of the rarest sciences in the world - and in many other fields that even our enemies are compelled to acknowledge, indicates that in an environment where self-belief exists and the nation has recognized its own power and is working freely and without foreign domination, all types of peaks can be conquered. We can conquer the peaks of science and ethics - not unethical and anti-ethical science; like the science that exists today in the Western world - and achieve true progress and dignity for humanity in society and establish justice and equitable relations in our country so that every young person in this country, when looking ahead, sees all horizons bright. Today, the Western world feels helpless in this regard. Today, countries that are at the peak of material scientific and industrial advancement, their youth feel despair and lack of future; hence, suicide and delinquency among them are very high. We can create this hopeful and vibrant environment, accompanied by material and spiritual progress and equitable relations in the country; but on the condition that you young people move as befits your generation in such an era.

Fortunately, I see that our youth are awake and aware. The presence of Islamic associations in this regard is a sign. The presence of young people - whether students, university students, or religious scholars - in various social arenas, their thinking, and their intellectual groundwork for the future - of which I observe signs - all indicate that our youth today are working well; however, they must remain vigilant. With our current situation, reaching that peak requires traversing a distance; this distance must be covered. By sitting, being complacent, seeking comfort, and getting distracted by the whims and toys that the enemy places in our way and in the way of our youth, this path will not be traversed. This generation must complete and perfect the work of the predecessors. You must study well and strictly observe social discipline and order. An environment of chaos and an environment devoid of hope is anti-progress. You see today that our enemies, who are disappointed in face-to-face confrontation with this nation and seek to influence this nation through various means, use these very tools; that is, they try to make the horizon appear dark and gloomy; they try to discourage the youth; they try to occupy the youth with various toys and distractions; they try to prevent the youth from pursuing knowledge and incite them to chaos; thus, one must remain vigilant. With a sense of duty, with solidarity, with hopeful and warm and engaging efforts, with thoughtful and planned work, and at the same time with reliance on God and seeking help from the Lord, this distance must be traversed. The youth must keep all of these in mind.

Today, our youth can become familiar with the major issues of this country and political matters. In the past, young people at your age did not understand anything about the political issues of the country. Governments would come and go, change would occur, mock elections would be held, and some would be sent to what was called the National Assembly based on a court list, and no one would even know! We really did not even know the names of the heads of government; no one among the youth in the country had any interest or enthusiasm for this work; the paths to political knowledge were closed; but today it is not like that; today our youth know the plans of global arrogance; they recognize the presence of arrogance at the regional level with its political and military apparatus; they know the role of America in occupied Palestine; they understand the high value and importance of the Palestinian struggle. At your age, perhaps the name Palestine had not even reached our ears. At that time, there was also a struggle, at that time Palestine was also occupied, but no one knew; but today all of this is known by our youth.

I am in favor of young people being informed about the political issues of the country and being able to analyze them. Of course, I do not approve of political maneuvering, playing politics, and becoming a tool for this party or that party; these do not create any honor or pride for the youth; but the fact that the youth know they can be influential and play a role is very valuable. During the Sacred Defense, our youth understood that they could play a role, and they did. Sixteen and seventeen-year-olds went to the battlefield and remained in the battlefield for four, five, six, or eight years - depending on the individuals - and then emerged from the battlefield as prominent, aware, capable, and competent personalities. The general mobilization of the people - which was carried out at the command of Imam - educated and informed our youth so that they could play a role both in the Sacred Defense and in other arenas; today it is the same.

The presence of young people in the elections of this country over time has been a joyful, effective, and decisive presence; and it must continue to be so. In the not-too-distant future - in about two or three months - we have elections. Our youth must view an issue like elections as a righteous act and a great task. Mr. Ali Akbari expressed a good phrase in his speech; in fact, elections for our youth who are entering this arena for the first time is a political coming-of-age celebration. The political coming-of-age celebration is the day when a person becomes obligated and prays. The political coming-of-age celebration is the day when they first go to play their role in electing an individual, whether as a representative of the parliament, or as a representative in the city council, or as president; these are very valuable.

Studying, maintaining purity, and avoiding frivolous distractions are among the duties of the youth. Of course, I am very much in favor of the entertainment and joy of the youth; but some of the distractions and entertainment that are misleading are deliberately introduced into our society by the enemy to distract us and the youth. This is not specific to our society; this is done in many other places as well. In the past year or two, we have had numerous reports that in various Asian countries - like Malaysia and China ... - and even European countries, CDs that had been smuggled into their countries and were deemed misleading and harmful for the youth were collected and destroyed. In fact, they treated these CDs like drugs - which being around them is a sin for the youth - and dealt with them accordingly. Those who smuggle these products are often wicked Zionists; they are the agents of misleading and corrupting the youth in many countries, especially in Islamic countries, and particularly in Iran. Why? Because they fear the future of Iran. They do not want the Iranian nation to achieve scientific, civilizational, and social progress that would serve as a model for other Islamic countries; as the Islamic movements in other countries show that the Iranian nation has already become a model; however, the day you can conquer the peaks of knowledge and faith and human and ethical coexistence and create an advanced, just, spiritual society that enjoys both material and spiritual wealth and institutionalize the values of the revolution, the enemy's weapon will completely become ineffective. They want to prevent you from reaching that point.

Islamic associations must strengthen their organization. This heartfelt and faith-based bond that has manifested in Islamic associations is very precious; preserve and strengthen it. Enrich the gatherings that the association creates from among the students and youth with moral, religious, and political knowledge. Be a model for other youth in terms of studying, and also be prominent in various social and political arenas; be a guiding finger for the youth so that they look to you and draw lessons and inspiration from you. Of course, this is not possible through claims and imposition; you must build yourselves in such a way that others naturally respect your views, your gestures, and your judgments and consider them credible and use them as a sign. The work and program of Islamic associations should be this. Expand your sphere of influence. Today, our student youth is very good. You must prepare yourselves during your student years and high school so that, God willing, if you go to university or a seminary, you can also be influential in that environment. Prepare your character, both in terms of knowledge, ethics, effort, activity, and enthusiasm for work in social and political fields, so that wherever you are placed, you illuminate the environment like a lamp.

I also, God willing, pray for all of you dear children and ask God to include you in His grace, bestowal, guidance, and assistance, and God willing, may all of you be included in the prayers of the Awaited Savior (may our souls be sacrificed for him).

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.