Statements of His Excellency at the Joint Oath-Taking Ceremony of Students of the Army Officer Universities at Imam Ali (AS) University

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

I welcome the dear and esteemed youth and children who today officially enter the arena of the warriors and defenders of the homeland and the values of the Islamic system, and I regard each of you as valuable children of this land and those who can play prominent roles in this country.

Militarism in all armies of the world signifies coercive power; however, depending on the definition and goal of power, the positive or negative connotation of militarism varies.

From ancient times to today, figures like Genghis, Nero, Saddam, and Bush—professional murderers—have had a wrong and inhumane definition and goal of power, which is an unreasonable and undesirable aim. Their definition of power is domination over people, and their goal is indifference to the lives, dignity, and values of human beings; the more control and dominance over the lives and properties of people, the better. This is fundamentally and entirely different from the goals and methods of power in Islam. Power in Islamic culture means serving humanity and human beings and serving human values from a position of strength, not from a position of weakness. Accordingly, the methods of militarism and power in Islam are entirely different from the views of the ignorant culture and the tyranny of past and present oppressors.

The Prophet and Abu Jahl both wielded swords, both gathered military forces, both fought; however, the essence of these two fronts, these two ranks, and these two fighters is entirely different. This goal differs from that goal by a vast margin. The training of individuals serving in the armed forces also changes accordingly. The army and armed forces that serve the domination of companies and the tyrants and wealthy oppressors of the world, who dominate over people, countries, and financial and human resources, the more hard-hearted and blind they are, the more desirable they are. However, the army that seeks to demonstrate its power for pure and lofty goals, relying on popular values, the more aware and popular it is, the more desirable it is.

The Islamic Republic does not consider the armed forces as a means to defend a person or a class, or as a tool for tyranny and domination over the resources of other human beings. The goal of the armed forces in the Islamic system is the revival of humanity and human values and divine ideals; it is striving in the path of God. When a faithful and brave man enters the battlefield with the aim of striving in the path of God, he considers dying in this field an honor. The high value of martyrdom in Islam is based on this principle. At that point, the martyr becomes a shining star in the sky of the life and history of that nation. For someone who fights in the service of the oppressors and the wealthy, death is a terrifying and dark pit from which he must escape; for him, dying and falling into that dreadful pit holds neither joy nor honor. Therefore, if a battle occurs anywhere in the world between purposeful and idealistic fighters and those who fight for companies and the wealthy and for money, victory will be with the Mujahideen who consider martyrdom and dying in the way of God an honor.

Dear youth! The eight-year defense period is a lasting lesson not only for us but for all the valiant youth across the world. The army, the Guard, the Basij, and other fighting forces were able during these eight years to stand against an army that was equipped and strengthened from all sides of the world; they thwarted it and repeatedly inflicted crushing blows upon it. While in those days, our forces had significant shortages in weapons, equipment, and material resources. This is the miracle of faith and the miracle of awareness.

My dear ones! There are fundamental differences between you and armies like Saddam's army and Bush's army; know your worth. You have chosen the profession of militarism in the path of lofty ideals. In this path, every movement and effort for conscientious people is exciting and beautiful. They serve the global wealthy and the tyrants and oppressors aligned with deceptive media and do not fight for any ideal. You saw how Saddam's army, with all its equipment, melted away like snow and could not defend not only its homeland and people but even itself. Aimless people, despite having equipment and weapons, are essentially nothing. The same goes for Bush's army; when they face the mountain of faith, steadfastness, and determination of the faithful people, they will be the same.

We believe in iron discipline, logical order, scientific work, up-to-date training, and weapons to the extent possible for our armed forces; however, we consider all of these alongside piety, reliance on God, and devotion to ideals and the people. Our model is "Malik Ashtar"; the greatest commander of the tumultuous wars of Amir al-Mu'minin; the bravest Arab man. A young man in the streets of Medina did not recognize him; he insulted him, even spat in his direction! This high-ranking commander and noble leader not only did not frown at him but went to the mosque, prayed for him, and sought forgiveness from God for the ignorance of this young man! After Malik Ashtar was introduced to that young man, he came to apologize to him. He said, "Apology is not necessary; I came to seek forgiveness for you from God Almighty." That firmness, that bravery, that greatness in the battlefield is accompanied by greatness in the realm of spirituality; the greatness of the soul.

Dear youth! The final product of Western liberal democracy is global domination and tyranny that is visible before the eyes of the people of the world. You see; tyranny and the law of the jungle. In a year and a half, they devastated the two Muslim nations of Afghanistan and Iraq; they plunged them into blood and soil. The pinnacle of liberal democracy, with all its claims and despite all its false assertions, has become this. They paid no attention to any global opposition; that is, the people and humanity and the desires of human beings hold no value in their eyes. There is no global authority, and those who are comforted by global forums are deceiving themselves. You see how the United Nations and global authorities react to these atrocities!

In the world of the law of the jungle, every nation must think of itself and strengthen itself. If it believes in dignity, honor, independence, and its human identity, it must create the power of defense within itself. Of course, part of this power is material defense and weapons and military; however, this power is spiritual and national unity; cooperation and solidarity of the people with the officials of the country; the efforts of the officials of the country for the advancement of the people; maintaining the unity of the people, and alongside these, the readiness of the best, bravest youth for the defense of the country, values, independence, and national dignity. You have entered a good field and chosen a good goal. Your youth is being directed in the best way. Value this and strive more in your material and spiritual, mental and physical, military and pious construction. The Almighty God looks with mercy upon that nation that strives for self-improvement, will, and movement.

We honor the memory of the dear martyrs of this glorious path and send greetings upon all of them and upon the Imam of the martyrs.

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