Statements at the Allegiance Ceremony of Students

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

In these very important and sensitive days of the country's political life, when the hearts of all our nation, especially you young people, students, and thinkers, are heavy with the grief of the loss of our dear Imam, and the atmosphere of Iran, under the shadow of the people's unity and the great shared calamity that has squeezed all hearts and filled all eyes with tears, is, thanks be to God, imbued with purity and sincerity, it is best that in this spiritual atmosphere and sincere environment, we speak of the most fundamental and necessary issues of the country, and the most effective sectors of the country review the future of the revolution and the country, the correct and direct line of the system, and the clear and luminous ideals, and make decisive decisions about them, and a new movement, indebted to the blessings of our dear Imam, begins.

The truth is that this great man and immense historical figure showed that with his life, existence, movement, initiative, and guidance, which emanated from his great spirit and enlightened heart, and also with his eventful death and celestial ascension, he served the revolution, Islam, and Muslims. The personality of this great man carries guidance that will be a lesson, guidance, and a pathfinder for the Islamic community for many years to come. One of these fundamental issues that deserves serious thought and decisive decision in the public space of society is the issue of universities, students, science, and research.

We can firmly claim that in the view of our late great leader, the issue of universities was among the top issues for the revolution and the country. Once, in a meeting with a group of cultural officials of the country, he said: The issue of war is a temporary matter; whereas our important, lasting, and fundamental issue is the universities. This is a reality. The university, whose mainstay is the professor and the student, is truly considered a foundation for the future of the country.

In the Islamic Republic system, which is a one hundred percent popular system, the student must have a more prominent role than other students anywhere else in the world. It is true that all nations and young people are interested in their country, destiny, and nation, but there is a difference between a system that is based on a popular revolution and relies on the will and feelings of the general public, has confronted the enemy, removed obstacles, and each individual feels a deep connection with it, and a system that is not like this.

In these days, another manifestation of this truth has become apparent. Although in various events of the revolution and in diverse and successive political presences, marches, and general mobilization, and in the great movement of people towards the war fronts - before and after the ceasefire - this meaning had been proven, global propaganda that tried to portray the truth in reverse and introduce the system as separate from the people and show them indifferent to the fate of the revolution, was bewildered and stunned in these events. Today, the world is in a state of shock in the face of the great presence and excitement of the people and the connection that was reflected in the space of history and the world in an unforgettable way with thousands of languages.

I have repeatedly said in student gatherings that in this popular system, students, who are the leading, pioneering, elite, and lively body of society, must have more role and effect in building the future and shaping the general movement of society than elsewhere. This influence is realized with two factors that must be together:

The first factor is study, knowledge, and education, so that the name of the university, student, professor, and teacher finds meaning, and the hopes drawn for the future of the country are not empty, vain, and false. Young people must study well, and professors must train them and ensure and guarantee the scientific and practical future of the country. Alongside education, the role of research is an extraordinarily important role that officials must attend to.

Therefore, the first element is the element of study and knowledge, which cannot be underestimated, its role cannot be belittled, and it cannot be ignored. My dear student brothers and sisters, pay attention to this point. Nothing should cause even a slight pause or delay in their scientific movement. The enemy wants this. You must not let him achieve his goals. Despite the enemy's wishes, the scientific movement in the country must be flourishing, hopeful, and forward-looking.

The second factor is the intellectual, political, and revolutionary orientation of the university; that which will give life, spirit, and direction to knowledge as well. In the statements of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) and his testament, this fundamental point has been greatly emphasized. A university that is indifferent and alien to religious values and indifferent and cold towards revolutionary concepts and orientations, a university where the pulse of the revolution does not beat, a university whose members - whether student or professor - do not feel a duty towards the revolutionary movement of the Iranian nation and for pioneering and leading, and do not have a primary role in the work of the revolution, is not a university that is hopeful, guaranteeing the future, and desired by Imam (may his soul be sanctified).

A university that is oriented and religious is strongly inclined towards revolutionary and Islamic values. Of course, revolutionary values are in no way separable from Islamic values; they are one and the same. No one can say I am a Muslim, but I do not accept the revolution, or say I am a revolutionary, but I do not accept Islam! Today, the most vibrant revolutionary pulses are here; the most mobilizing popular forces are this revolution; while the whole world is filled with various revolutions. So, we do not have a non-Islamic revolution and an Islamic non-revolution. Revolutionary values are the same as Islamic values.

You dear students must know that the role of the student for the revolutionary movement and its advancement is still a living role. Do not think that the revolution is over; the revolution continues. If revolution means creating fundamental change and heralding salvation, happiness, and righteousness for the vast oppressed and deprived classes, and enemies rise up against its orientations, it is natural that this work is still ongoing and has not ended. The reason is the enmities and hostilities that are directed towards us in the world, as well as the supports, affections, and sincerities that are expressed by the oppressed nations of the world towards this revolution and its leader - which you see the manifestation of these days.

People of a foreign country who neither know our language nor are even familiar with the alphabet of our culture, beat their heads and shed tears in the loss of our dear Imam and move the flag of the Islamic Republic in front of their march and take pride in it. They feel in this great calamity that they have lost a kind father.

Although today the global enemies of the Islamic Republic received a hard slap from you people and their expectations from the day and moment of the passing of the great leader of the revolution were not fulfilled, they certainly have not yet ceased their hostility, malice, conspiracy, and deceit against the revolution and the oppressed system of the Islamic Republic. We must be present on the scene. The people must be vigilant and awake. The enemy that stands before us is an enemy that has not taken a whiff of human values. If it finds a nation weak, submissive, and downtrodden, it does not hesitate for a moment to strike and trample.

Our enemies - these well-known global bullies, with America at their head - know and understand nothing but the language of force and bullying. It is not the case that being gentle with them and showing a friendly face will lead to cooperation, affection, or their withdrawal from hostilities and malice.

The wicked Pharaoh-like spirit that has always trampled and oppressed nations and humans throughout history has today incarnated in these powers. They take any flexibility as a sign of their own power. Why should we show flexibility and feel weak in the face of oppressive, tyrannical, and unjust powers that are fundamentally opposed to Islam, Islamic values, and the rights and uprisings of nations? We do not feel any weakness, and by the grace of God, we have always felt powerful. God is aware that today, from the bottom of our hearts, we feel power and ability in the face of all the enemies of the Islamic Republic.

We lack nothing to stand firm on our principles and move in the line of those principles towards the always-declared ideals. The enemies should not think that because the Iranian nation lost their Imam and great leader, they have also lost their power of resistance; this is not the case at all. The people are more resilient today than in the past. We all feel that because we have lost a great, powerful, dear element, we must fill his empty place with our feelings, thoughts, efforts, solidarity, and work. The Iranian nation has shown that the political analysts of the arrogance apparatus must reconsider their analyses. Those who commented on Iran's issues and its future and the period after Imam (may his soul be sanctified) must retract their fabrications and take back their words.

We are strong and, by the dignity of the Lord, we are honorable; however, you students must not forget your role. Acquire political awareness and be vigilant about what is happening, and let the youthful revolutionary motivation and pulse appropriate to your class serve the goals of the system.

Some simple-minded individuals think that if a student wants to have a revolutionary presence, the way is to shout at their officials; no, this is not revolutionary. Where you see a student shouting at the officials, the officials are not aligned with the students; they are American mercenaries, and these young people cannot bear it and eventually shout in protest; just as it was in the previous regime, and students, seminarians, people, awakened consciences, brave humans, and healthy spirits shouted at the officials.

Beware that some come in a deceptive manner and with various tricks and make a few simple young people understand that the student must shout! Yes, shouting must be done; but at America and the powers that are obstructing the officials and administrators of the system. In whichever university you study, maintain your student presence strongly and with the correct line.

Dear students and good, sincere, and healthy young people! As much as you can, maintain your unity in the university environment and do not let different names be interpreted as different orientations and the forces that should stand against the enemy and take a stance, stand against each other; be aware of this danger. Names and titles should absolutely not create walls and borders. The introduction of titles such as students of this ministry and students of that ministry, students of this university and students of that university, students of state universities and students of non-state universities, Islamic associations here and Islamic associations there, is dangerous.

The great art of our Imam was that he removed these walls from among the gatherings of people; walls that had turned the vast, wide, and open space into small holes, houses, and huts. He created a vast space and acquainted hearts with each other and created this great force. The spirit of 'And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together' (Al-Imran: 103) was manifested in his words and actions; therefore, if despite some differences in tastes and views, we come and continue this line of unity and solidarity, we have truly respected the spirit of our dear Imam.

May God preserve all of you, God willing. May He include students, professors, managers, spiritual representatives, teachers, and all those who are somehow involved in university affairs in His mercy, guidance, grace, and favor. God willing, may God grant us success to move in the line that our dear Imam wanted and wished for.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings