Statements in Meeting with a Group of Students

On the sixteenth day of the blessed month of Ramadan,

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our master and prophet, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure and chosen progeny, especially the Awaited One on earth.

Thanks be to God, today’s meeting is very lively and energetic. The characteristic of youth, above all, is this liveliness and energy, which, God willing, will be a source of progress and utilization of opportunities in the country.

Of course, dear youth who spoke, mostly expressed concerns and pains; this is good, there is no harm in it. I do not oppose the expression of concerns and issues; I completely agree that they should be stated and raised. However, there should be some precision in expressions; because carelessness in expression and interpretation may not only lead to divine accountability but also have undesirable external effects; criticism must be done with precision. This spirit of liveliness and demand - which I will now mention - is very good.

Before I delve into the discussion, regarding the points raised by friends - which I have noted down - a couple of points were mentioned here; one is that one of the friends - one of the esteemed speakers - asked, "Do the issues we observe in society today - these shortages and the issues you mentioned - relate to the structure or the officials?" The constitutional structure is a good structure, meaning there is no fault in it; of course, structures are completed over time, their deficiencies and gaps are addressed; this is a natural matter. For instance, suppose that one day we did not have the Expediency Council; this was a deficiency, a gap, and today we have this council; and such advancements are the same in all systems around the world. For example, in a presidential system like the United States, which has been established for over two hundred years, I read a few years ago that they are establishing or eliminating certain things; meaning they are completing the system. Therefore, the structure is not problematic; the structure is good; of course, it may be adjusted. Regarding the parliamentary system - which one of the friends mentioned - we discussed these in detail in the assembly that was held for the revision of the constitution and reached the conclusion we have today; the problems of the parliamentary system - at least for us - are more than those of the presidential system. In any case, I do not see a problem in the structure. Yes, we have issues with the officials; there is no doubt about that. The officials have shortcomings, various tastes, incapacities, and deficiencies, and the result is that sometimes we make mistakes in our actions. Our mistakes are not like the mistakes of ordinary people; when we make mistakes, our mistakes create significant gaps in the fabric of society.

Another point is that one of the friends said, "Privatization should be stopped." Of course, significant errors have occurred in the area of privatization, which this brother also pointed out, and I have repeatedly given reminders that some areas have been corrected, and in some areas, actions have been halted. There are issues in privatization; however, the principle of privatization is an urgent necessity for our economy; this is among those matters that complete the structure - which did not exist at first. We utilized the relevant principle in the constitution, announced that utilization, and all experts confirmed it from all aspects, saying it is a good thing, and it truly is a good thing; it should not be halted. However, in practice, like many other tasks, there are issues and errors, and there has been negligence; perhaps there have been slips in this area, and we must prevent these slips. What is our duty is to prevent these slips.

Another matter is that I have been attributed to opposing revolutionary youth; do not believe this. I never oppose revolutionary youth. I have always supported the revolutionary youth, especially the revolutionary youth movement, and I will continue to support them; of course, this does not mean that if a number of revolutionary youth commit a wrongful act, we should also endorse that; no. I was once a revolutionary youth in this country, and I have spent a lifetime in this regard; I look at myself and see how many mistakes I have made in my work; well, a revolutionary youth may also make a mistake at some point; I do not endorse that mistake, but I certainly endorse the revolutionary youth. If something is conveyed in this regard, do not accept it and do not believe it.

One of the friends said that the approval of the JCPOA has been attributed to the leadership; well, yes, but you have eyes, and, God willing, you understand everything! Look at the letter I wrote, see how the approval is; conditions are mentioned that under these circumstances, this [agreement] is approved. Of course, if these conditions and characteristics are not implemented, the duty of the leadership is not to come in and say the JCPOA should not be implemented. [Of course] this is a topic regarding what the duty of the leadership is in such situations. Our belief is that in executive matters, the leadership should not enter the field and execute a task or prevent the execution of a task unless it relates to the overall movement of the revolution; in that case, we enter, but not in other cases. Therefore, no, I did not have much faith in the JCPOA as it was implemented and realized, and I have repeatedly told the responsible officials of this matter - to the President, to the esteemed Foreign Minister, to others - I have said this and reminded them of many instances.

Some friends criticized, which is good; many criticisms are also valid, but do not make the tone of criticism too harsh; that is, keep two things in mind: one is that in criticisms, try not to give the opposing side a weak point; that is, do not speak in a way that they can condemn you in a judicial authority; keep this in mind; I may have mentioned this once or twice before in gatherings of youth; keep in mind not to speak in a way that can be used by the opposing side to judicially condemn you; this is one.

Secondly, avoid exaggeration and extremism in expression. You see in the Quran when it talks about, for example, the disbelievers and the opponents of the Prophet, it then says: وَ لٰکِنَّ اَکثَرَهُم یَجهَلون (but most of them do not know); it does not say "but they do not know"; it says: اَکثَرَهُم یَجهَلون, meaning there are some among them who are not subject to this judgment. It should not be that you categorically deny a group or impose a criticism on them while some of them may not fall under your criticism. These are important reminders. You are all my children; I truly consider you like my own children; I want your work and the direction you are moving in to be a correct direction.

However, I want to tell you what I have noted down. (I do not know how much time there will be.) Now I will speak for a while.

First of all, what I have noted down at the beginning is the utilization of the opportunity of the month of Ramadan while having the advantage of youth. My dear ones! The month of Ramadan is a very good opportunity for the cleansing of the heart and soul, for strengthening the relationship with God; and you need this strengthening of your relationship; all of us need it. The month of Ramadan is a very good opportunity. Familiarity with the Quran, familiarity with prayer, familiarity with supplication, this fasting you observe is a blessing from God for you. The materials of this divine banquet, which have been narrated as "the divine feast", are these; that is, fasting is one of those heavenly provisions that God Almighty gives you in this banquet; supplication is another of these provisions; prayer is the same, and this for you who are young has ten times the ability and power of influence than for those of us who are in old age and at the end of our lives; this is how it is, appreciate this. This opportunity of youth that you have is irreplaceable; utilize this opportunity to make familiarity with God, familiarity with prayer, familiarity with the Quran a habit for yourself; good and commendable habits; and then it will accompany you for the rest of your life. If you do not do this now, in old age, it may not be possible for some, or for some it will be difficult; it may be possible but it is difficult; however, now if you take action, this will remain for you as a psychological virtue and is the treasure of your youth. Therefore, cherish these days, these fasts, these acts of worship, these prayers; strengthen your connection with God Almighty and, God willing, continue this after the month of Ramadan. This is our first advice.

In the past couple of years - according to reports I have received - student organizations and student groups have done good work in various issues; whether national issues or international issues; for instance, what this brother mentioned regarding privatization, that the student children entered the field regarding privatization, in this issue of Haft Tappeh sugarcane and Tabriz machine-making, the students went and really solved a problem; that is, they have neither money nor legal power, but their presence can solve a big problem. For example, among these cases is: in support of workers; or in demands from the authorities, which these demands have had an effect; that is, when the student body demands something from the judiciary or the legislative branch or the Expediency Council, it is influential; this has had an effect, and this is work that you have done and it is very good. This is from the past couple of years that we observe these movements in student organizations.

Or in the area of international activities and regional activities, for example, regarding Yemen, regarding the recent issue in New Zealand, regarding Nigeria, where students announced their presence; and in many other issues as well; these announcements of presence are good. Or sometimes a gathering in front of an embassy is good; of course, with dignity, with precision, with rationality, and by showing spiritual and moral authority. It is not always good to climb over walls - sometimes it is good; in the case of the seizure of the US embassy, it was a good act, but it is not always like that - however, your presence, your demands, your logical words, showing your authority, showing your gathering is influential. You may not see its effect immediately, but know that these have had an impact. Therefore, this [presence] is among the matters that I emphasize, I endorse, and I wish for its continuation.

Of course, according to the report I received, one recommendation we have always made, that is, the issue of reading books and the movement of reading books has not had the desired prevalence among student groups. I emphasize this again: you need to read, you need to know. (Now, God willing, if there is time, I will mention it) you must start a reading movement, truly read books, study. Of course, in previous sessions I have repeatedly talked about the books of Martyr Motahhari, but I do not want to say just that; no, you should, your think tanks, your older peers should sit down and design a reading list and study program for various places, for different strata, and define it, and do such things. This is very necessary.

Well, there are several points in my mind that I want to mention. I have noted these under the title "The Second Step Statement" to tell you. Not that I want to talk about the statement, but on the occasion and by the name of "The Second Step Statement", I want to present these points of concern to you.

You see, "The Second Step Statement" is a general outline of the past, present, and future of the revolution. Well, forty years have passed [since the revolution] - it is a general outline, we did not go into details - a general image has been created regarding the main issues of the revolution. Four main points have been emphasized in this statement:

The first point: "The greatness of the revolutionary event." Many do not pay attention to this; we wanted this to be noticed, to be emphasized: the event of the revolution; both the emergence of the revolution at this specific geographical point and at that important historical juncture, and then the endurance of the revolution; therefore, this is one point: the greatness of the revolution, both in terms of occurrence and in terms of endurance.

The second point: "The greatness of the path taken and the performance of the revolution until today"; that is, the opposite of the claim of those who insist on saying that the revolution has not been able to show any performance. In this statement, I expressed this - of course, briefly and concisely - that no, the revolution has had a completely outstanding and distinguished performance in various fields; both in political, social, scientific, justice, and freedom areas. The revolution has had outstanding performances in all important human, national, and international demands. So the second point is the greatness of the revolution's performances.

The third point that is mentioned in this statement is "the greatness of the vision we must reach"; that is, where do we want to reach, what do we want to do, where is our goal.

And the fourth point: "The greatness of the role of committed youth"; not just any youth; youth who feel commitment, feel responsibility. The greatness of the role of this group, that is, committed youth, in this path we have ahead and in reaching that desired vision.

These are the four points we wanted to express here. Of course, I mentioned them briefly; in a statement, one cannot elaborate too much - one or two books must be written - but there is room for elaboration, thought, study, and deepening of these words.

Well, we need a general movement towards that vision; a general movement must be initiated in the country; of course, this movement exists, but it must gain discipline, speed, and its progress must be noticeable towards that vision. This movement is naturally centered around committed youth; committed youth are the axis of this movement. When I say youth, I do not necessarily mean twenty-two and twenty-five-year-olds; of course, much can be done by twenty-two and twenty-five-year-olds; this is truly the case, as this dear sister said, who compared the twenty-year-olds with the sixty-year-olds, and you all applauded; I also mean twenty-year-olds and twenty-five-year-olds; however, when I say youth, I do not mean just those in their twenties; no, thirty-year-olds, thirty-five-year-olds, forty-year-olds, they are also young; that is, they can also play a role in this arena, they can work; these are the ones who, if committed, can bring about a great transformation in the management system of the country.

Now, a question arises here, and that is, what is the process for the entry of youth into this general movement? Now you are a committed youth, you want to be present in this general movement; how should you participate? This is the matter I have noted down to present to you; an explanation must be given.

You see, pay close attention! A reasonable and disciplined general movement - disciplined! When we say disciplined, it means the movement should not be chaotic and disorderly; sometimes general movements are accompanied by chaos and disorder; they have no value - and if it is to be carried out correctly, orderly, and rationally, it needs several things:

First, it needs to have a proper understanding of the scene; that is, those who carry out this movement or are the axis of this movement or at least stimulate this movement must correctly understand the scene, recognize the elements involved in this scene. Today, you want to carry out a movement in your country, in the Islamic Republic; well, you must know what the Islamic Republic is like today, what it is facing, what opportunities it has, what threats it faces, who its enemies are, who its friends are; this must be known and recognized.

Another element that is necessary for this movement is that this movement must have a specific orientation; a logical and acceptable orientation, which in the general movement of the Iranian nation that we are proposing and discussing, this orientation is towards an Islamic society or Islamic civilization; that is, we want to move towards the formation of an Islamic society; and the general movement must lead us here and ultimately to an advanced Islamic civilization. This is the second element.

The third element that this movement needs is that there must be a point of hope, a bright point must exist. In any movement, if this bright point, this hopeful point does not exist, the movement does not progress. Fortunately, in our country, for our society, for our people, this is completely accessible; the bright point is the national capacities that we have recognized; that is, today even you youth have recognized the capacities of your nation. The Iranian nation has shown that it can carry out great tasks well; the Iranian nation initiated the revolution, established the Islamic Republic; these are like miracles. The establishment of the Islamic Republic in the bipolar world of capitalism and communism - which was the case at that time - is like a miracle; it is truly similar to the miracle of crossing the sea for the Children of Israel or the staff of Moses; it is like a miracle. Well, the Iranian nation did this; this is a very important capacity. Then they were able to maintain it. Others also did similar things just a few years ago; you saw it; some of these countries in the northern part of Africa did such things, but they could not maintain it. The Iranian nation was able to maintain it. The Iranian nation was able to stand against the great superpowers of the time and force them to retreat; so this itself is a point of hope. Therefore, we have this point of hope. Of course, there are many points of hope; one of them is this. One of the points of hope is the weariness of the opposing front. I firmly say - of course, some will immediately start justifying, interpreting, and denying, but I firmly say this, I can also prove it, but now is not the time - today, Western civilization is in decline, meaning it is truly in a state of decay: عَلیٰ شَفا جُرُفٍ هارٍ فَانهارَ بِه؛ فی نارِ جَهَنَّم (on the edge of a crumbling cliff, and it falls into the fire of hell); this is how it is. Of course, the events and transformations of societies happen gradually; that is, they are not felt immediately. Even Western thinkers have felt this and express it. This is also one of our points of hope. Western civilization, material civilization is decaying in front of us. This is also one of the hopeful points; and then the promise of God that "if you help God, He will help you." Well, وَمَن اَصدَقُ مِنَ اللهِ قیلًا؟ (And who is more truthful than God in speech?) Who's promise is more truthful than God's? God says: "If you help God, He will help you"; if you move towards the civilization of Islam and the Islamic society and the realization of God's religion, God will support you; this is a point of hope. So the third element, which is the existence of a point of hope, exists.

The fourth element is that, after all, practical solutions are necessary at every juncture. At every point in time, practical solutions are needed. Well, our discussion is here. What you are asking - that is, the younger generation may ask and there is a hidden question - is that what are the practical solutions for us to be able to enter the field as youth? Well, these four elements we mentioned - all of these - that are needed for a general movement, explaining these requires an active mind and an eloquent tongue; however, this last matter, which is the issue of practical solutions, requires guidance, concentration, follow-up, continuous activity, and moment-to-moment effort to advance this great caravan of society and, more importantly, the youth of society. Whose job is this? This concentration, this creation of a work program, finding solutions, presenting solutions, planning, is the responsibility of the middle circles. This is not the responsibility of the leadership, nor the government, nor other institutions; rather, it is the responsibility of groups from within the nation, which fortunately we do not lack today. We have intellectual elites in various fields needed among the youth, among our officials. They can sit down, plan, and guide. Student organizations are among these, experienced and active groups in cultural and intellectual fields are among these, and whoever is more active in these areas will be more effective; that is, the reins of work are in the hands of those who are active; laziness, lethargy, and apathy are of no use.

Well, now I have noted down some examples, examples of actions that can help the youth in their role and status as the axis of the general movement of society and provide them with the necessary capacity. I have noted down some examples here. One is the formation of cultural working groups; this is a work that is currently being done; this exists now. I am familiar with many of these, and I have connections with some. Cultural working groups across the country and in mosques - which was also mentioned in one of the friends' speeches - is one of the tasks. This "fire at your own discretion" that I mentioned a while ago is related to this group, that is, active groups in cultural fields that can have a profound impact. From the very beginning of the revolution, it has been like this, and it is still like this. Now, wherever you find a group of young people - organized, thoughtful, and active - who engage in cultural work, for example, in a mosque, in a mourning ceremony - just as the friends mentioned - these can influence the youth, influence the neighborhood, influence relatives, influence student organizations, create a movement, a determination, a vision in a group.

Another task is the formation of active political groups; of course, I do not mean party politics. Party politics is something I do not see any blessing in; however, political work is not just party politics; sitting down, analyzing politics, recognizing political events, understanding, and conveying is one of the very fundamental tasks that accelerates the general movement of society, shapes it, and helps it; this is one of the tasks.

The formation of roundtables and free-thinking forums in universities, which I have repeatedly emphasized and recommended; and well, it has not made much progress. Who should do this? If you wait for the dean of the faculty or the cultural deputy or someone like that to do it, it will be of no use; you must do it yourselves. In universities, free-thinking forums must be formed; however, just as I said, all these movements must be disciplined; they should be initiated with discipline, with foresight, with good study by individuals who have active minds and eloquent tongues; these will certainly help, have an impact. Now, the student body that is with the organizations is not a high percentage of the students in the country. If you do these tasks, this percentage will definitely grow. Well, a student who is not committed or is engaged in irrelevant activities has no positive impact on the country's progress, if they do not have a negative impact. You can have an impact with this [work]. One chapter is this; that is, one of the solutions mentioned is this.

Another solution is the formation of movement groups related to international issues and global matters. Just as I mentioned, some groups have done these tasks. For example, they invited active students from resistance countries who came to Tehran or some other cities, gathered, and had good sessions, and such tasks can be done; that is, becoming active in the issues of the Islamic world. Groups should be formed and pursue these tasks: the issues of Gaza, the issues of Palestine, the issue of Yemen, the issue of Bahrain, the issues related to Muslims in Myanmar, the issues related to Muslims in Europe - one of the issues we can discuss in active student environments is Muslims in Europe, which has its own story - the events that have occurred in some countries [have arisen]; for example, the events in Paris are worth examining, studying, and becoming active; that is, in relation to these events and regional events, a student organization can become active; this is also one of the solutions.

Another solution is the formation of scientific groups and collaboration with scientific centers. A very important solution is working with knowledge-based companies and economic work. Another very important solution is service work; that is, the work of jihadist groups that go to various areas, which is one of the best student works; the more these are developed and strengthened and become more directed and purposeful, the better; these strengthen the body and soul and create that general movement.

People's informational activities. Many of the tasks that our intelligence agencies cannot carry out or for various reasons get stuck in the middle of tasks, sometimes are carried out by alert and aware individuals and have had an impact. Sometimes information has been provided to us, it has had an impact, and positive actions have been taken. For example, [information about] an abuse in the area of smuggling, in the area of various imports; like the ones that one of the friends mentioned here, dog food and such things; groups can become active in these areas.

Social activities. You see, now in this list I have mentioned so far, seven or eight, ten or twelve solutions have been mentioned; fifty solutions can be found like this. Social activities, like the very good work I mentioned regarding Haft Tappeh and similar tasks that the student children have done, are very good. Working groups that may not be directly related but must be guided, must be planned. All these tasks must be planned by the youth. Of course, all of these must also be inspired by that general orientation I mentioned [that is] towards reaching an Islamic society and Islamic civilization. In all these tasks, those planners, those centers of planning and guidance - which we said the middle circles must carry out - must pay attention to that orientation.

What is the result of these? Here I have noted down that ultimately [these lead to] bringing the committed youth generation into the management of the country, which one of the friends complained that the youth are not allowed into management. Well, how do they enter the management arena? Entry into the management arena for the youth generation happens through these paths, and naturally, if the youth generation enters the management arena, and senior managers of the system are among the committed youth - that is, I said committed, Hezbollah youth, meaning they must truly be Hezbollah in the correct sense of the word - then that general movement of the country will naturally continue, accelerate, and be realized. Therefore, this question of how youth can enter the field of this general movement has clear answers, some of which I have mentioned.

Of course, these movements should not harm the scientific work of the young student body; they do not contradict each other. That is, you should say, "The long-term strategy of the system is scientific progress and breaking current lines of knowledge and moving forward" is correct. We must undoubtedly conquer the peak of knowledge, but these tasks should not hinder that; they do not contradict each other; one can do this work and also pursue scientific movement; one can be an outstanding student with high ranks in various fields while also being present in jihadist groups, in student associations, in service groups, in publication activities.

One thing here, one of the friends mentioned regarding publications. My belief is that those who write and work in student publications should form groups to continue their activities after their student period. Just as it was pointed out, it is correct; those who are currently writing in publications were once students, but not all those who were engaged in writing during their student period entered the flow of writing in publications and managing publications and such matters. I believe they can work in this area as well. I have noted down: "Creating a network of active student writers in student publications for the continuity of activities in the field of publishing."

I want to say a couple of words about students. What we expect from the student children, from you dear youth whom I am truly fond of, is that you must be self-motivated, you must be proactive, you must not wait for someone to push you to work; especially the youth who are related to various student organizations. You must move proactively, you must be the children who are thoughtful; some are advanced in thought, some are advanced in executive movements; each in whatever area you have the ability must be self-motivated and proactive; like the struggles of the fighters during the tyranny. Well, if you believe that we were once your age, we were once in this period. In fact, during those years of struggle, no one was above us; there was no party, no organization, no collective; [only] Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) was [there] in Najaf or Turkey. Sometimes a message from the Imam would come, a statement would come, it would send blood flowing through our veins and guide us. Well, there were many obstacles; there was beating, there was imprisonment, there were financial obstacles, there was hunger, and such things, but at the same time, we moved forward. Today’s youth must move like that; like the struggles of the fighters during the tyranny. And if the tasks I mentioned and these lists are carried out, the enemy's plots will be thwarted; those soft plots that everyone talks about - which primarily aim to paralyze the youth generation [that is] one of the most important plots against our country and our revolution is the plot to paralyze the youth generation and distract them with desires, distract them with useless activities, [like] computer games and various tasks that exist, making them addicted to drugs and such things; these paralyze the youth generation - with the approach I mentioned, they will be thwarted. The plot of demoralizing the youth generation will be eliminated with these movements that are invigorating and hope-giving. Therefore, if, God willing, you youth move forward with these movements and prepare the ground for bringing a young and Hezbollah government to power, I believe that many of your concerns, worries, and sorrows will come to an end; these sorrows, of course, are not only specific to you.

The last point, which is also very important, is this: you may observe some things that you find undesirable; suppose the political inclination of a certain figure or a flaw in the work of a certain official in a certain branch is unpleasant for you. If you observe a hundred such incidents, do not become hopeless; this is my definite and main advice. Do not lose hope! Everything is hopeful for us, everything is promising for us. As I pointed out, we are a nation that the factors of hope around us and within us are far greater than the factors that cause despair and hopelessness. Find these hopeful factors, be encouraged by them, trust in God Almighty, purify your intentions and resolve, and know that God Almighty will help and support you. God willing, you will all witness the decline of the enemies of humanity, namely this degenerate American civilization and the decline of Israel, by God's grace.

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