Statements in Meeting with Central Council Members of Jihad University on the Anniversary of Its Establishment

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

At the outset, I extend a warm welcome to the dear brothers and express my confidence and pleasure that you brothers are part of this assembly. As our dear brother Mr. Rahmati mentioned, it was indeed so. Throughout the years of our collaboration with him and Mr. Vaezzadeh, we have seen nothing but direct thought, sincere motivation, and intelligence in understanding and diagnosing issues and providing solutions. This does not mean endorsing every opinion on every issue; naturally, one may have a different opinion on a matter, and another may have another opinion; rather, it refers to the overall style of thought and perspective of these brothers towards university and student issues.

Both Mr. Vaezzadeh, who was assigned by the Supreme Council and was the head of the Jihad Council, and now Mr. Rahmati, I truly felt happy, and I am still happy. We thank God that Mr. Rahmati is engaged in this responsibility. It is a good job and a good responsibility. The other brothers, too, whose work and cultural backgrounds are clear and evident, thanks be to God.

As for Jihad University itself, I wanted to express a point. This point was in my mind, and thanks be to God, Mr. Rahmati emphasized exactly that point. I want to say that the responsibility of Jihad University is higher than what is even defined as the duty of Jihad University — that is, research and cultural work. Jihad University can be the institution that guides this wave of young, educated students within the universities and brings them to the necessary maturity and perfection. The official state apparatus or ministry, no matter how pleasing and acceptable the managers and officials may be, Jihad University still has a more intimate and sincere approach to this issue, and its composition is younger, and it seems to have been established precisely to have a connection with students, to be from the students, to attend to them, to speak their language, and to advise them. Its issue is the issue of students, and this task is more and better suited to Jihad University.

The truth is that in our universities, we do not have sufficient and adequate tools and means to guide the intellectual direction of this young student generation, and revolutionary thought does not find the necessary depth and maturity in the university. This is clear. In the sense that if we assume someone has no knowledge or belief in the revolution and enters the university, it is not that we are sure that this person, when leaving the university tomorrow, will emerge as a revolutionary believer; is that correct? There are examples of the opposite; there are not few examples. There are those who, in their family or urban environments, believe in the revolution and Islam and revolutionary principles; but when they come to the university, it fades, or they become indifferent, or — as was mentioned — they are attracted to attractions that are generally contrary to revolutionary thought and movement; but the expected opposite does not exist.

We must do something so that when a student enters the university, it is a stage where, as they increase their knowledge, they also increase their correct thought and insight and proper guidance. In my opinion, Jihad University can contribute significantly to this task. Of course, Islamic associations, if they perform well; representative offices, if they act maturely and completely, can have a significant share. But the share that Jihad University, given its capabilities and precise planning and stability, can undertake, none of them can undertake that share. You should include this task in your programs; that is, your cultural and artistic work should be in this direction; even your research work should be in this direction to guide young students in the correct intellectual and practical path. Therefore, I still believe that Jihad University should be strengthened for this purpose. This purpose is entirely rational and solid.

Jihad University is not something we should be hesitant about, saying that because a group of young and interested people are involved, they should be strengthened. No, it should be strengthened for the right purpose. That right purpose is precisely the salvation of students and the guidance of this young stream that enters the university or comes out after the university, and everything we have looks to them. We have pinned our hopes that they will run the country. Guiding them in the correct intellectual and practical direction is a very important task, and Jihad can take a significant and major share of this task.

Of course, if you want Jihad to work well and attract human resources, the condition is that the brothers at the higher levels must set aside incorrect political sensitivities; otherwise, there is not much expectation in the body. You know that I have been sensitive in such matters over the years and have been aware of the details of the work. Suppose in Jihad University Ahvaz, there are a few enthusiastic young students — which I believe their enthusiasm should also be preserved; their revolutionary excitement and enthusiasm should be maintained at any cost — now if they say something, it is forgivable, it should not be generalized, I do not believe it should be generalized, I do not generalize either.

Of course, this question arises for me that an administrative organization affiliated with a department has a head and a responsible person. This head must have control, supervision, and questioning. In the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, I asked Mr. Vaezzadeh — during the times he was responsible — this question several times. Now, you are naturally addressed by this address. There is not much expectation from those young people; more expectation is from these higher levels. Your political inclinations are really clear; they are not the same; each one also has its specific political inclination that is known. There is no problem with these inclinations sitting together and doing the work they want to do for the sake of 'work'; not to serve those political inclinations. That is, these inclinations that you have — none of which are things that go beyond the overall political lines of the country; rather, they are known and clear — without wanting to criticize or negate them; but they are not so significant that the great work of Jihad University should be sacrificed for them.

These political and factional inclinations and tastes — whatever you call them — are themselves inherently smaller than the work of Jihad University and Jihad University itself. This Jihad University cannot enter the channel of these inclinations; it is greater than them, it does not have that capacity. Just as you need cultural and research elements for your research and cultural work, and wherever you see them, you must find them. Consider the condition of Islam and the revolution as the only condition and nothing else. Act in the same way in selections. Of course, I know that you are like this. I have truly found this in the brothers that they pay more attention to that goal than to these initial minor issues.

Jihad must elevate itself above some of these things. Some time ago — I do not remember when it was and I do not remember the issue exactly now — they brought me a letter that the Islamic Association had signed and stamped; Mr. Dr. Rahimian — the president of Tehran University — had signed and stamped it; Jihad University had also stamped it. I said: What is the relevance of this?! Where is the Islamic Association, where is Mr. Dr. Rahimian, where is Jihad University?! Yes, when we look at Mr. Dr. Rahimian, apart from his presidency, he is a young enthusiastic revolutionary, we accept him, but the boundaries must be defined and maintained. Jihad University, too, is the same. When you break down Jihad University, it is composed of these enthusiastic revolutionary young people, which you are, it is very good, one likes that this enthusiasm and excitement exist; but this thing from what aspect? In our clerical environment, a lot of attention is paid to the issue of aspect. This is very important. Sometimes a single thing, from two different aspects, is two things. Is this person considered from this aspect, or from that aspect? These are very important.

Attention must be paid to these aspects. What duties do you have from the aspect of university presidency? Now, I do not mean to ask Mr. Dr. Rahimian. No, we know him, and I really have an interest in him. I knew and liked this Mr. Dr. Rahimian from afar before seeing him, and I accepted his piety and revolutionary thought. Our dear Mr. Rahmati is also in his place. But I want to say that this has no justification. This lowers you as Jihad University — let us say Jihad University for now — from your position. Then, you will no longer have the necessary capabilities for the task that is entrusted to you. In my opinion, attention must be paid to these points.

The purpose is to preserve and strengthen Jihad University. This expectation from me — the expectation of political or material support — as far as it is possible and feasible for me, is justified. God willing, I will respond to this expectation and will do so. This main stream of Jihad University is a main stream that must remain in the universities and, God willing, take on that major and significant task. In any case, I am ready for any kind of help that is possible and feasible for me and can be done, God willing. God willing, you will be successful.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings