Statements of the Supreme Leader in Meeting with Commanders of the 'Basij' Nationwide

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

First, I extend a warm welcome to all the dear brothers and sisters of the Basij on the occasion of participating in this gathering and this week's ceremony, and I hope that Almighty God will bestow His special blessings upon you, dear and faithful youth.

Regarding the Basij and this week, there are several main points. One point is about the Basij itself; which in truth, the great mobilization of the Iranian nation is a manifestation of its inherent and national character. Because Basij means that the youth of the nation and the working elements of the nation, in difficult fields, feel that with hope in God and reliance on Him, they possess such power and capability that they can stand against the enemies. This is the meaning of Basij. When we look at Basij with an analytical and precise view, we see that the military battlefield was not the only field of Basij's presence. It was God's work that the Basij of the Iranian nation could show such power in the hardest fields, which is the battlefield of war, that even the most skeptical individuals accepted that the Iranian nation possesses capability.

The enemies have worked hard over many years to make us, the nation, understand and believe that we are incapable of defending ourselves; incapable of showing our character and incapable of playing a role in global equations. For at least one or two centuries, colonial efforts aimed to remove Iranians from the scene of comprehensive global activity. When the revolution triumphed and the whole world realized that the Iranian nation possesses such power that it can overthrow an oppressive and corrupt system and stand powerfully against the dangers of this action, which was the issue of war; in truth, the character of the Iranian nation was revealed. And this was thanks to the Basij. It was the people's forces who could perform the most difficult tasks on the battlefield. And if they were not there, surely the fate of the war would have been different.

This was the hardest field. In truth, Basij can also be a pivot in the field of construction and take precedence in the field of science. Basij is present everywhere in the country. Basij is present in universities, in seminaries, among specialists, in scientific institutions, among clerics, in villages, in cities, and in various classes, and it has shown that it is truly a complete example of the Iranian nation. Perhaps it can be said that among the valuable legacies left by our dear and great Imam, the most widespread legacy is the Basij. The greatest and most enduring legacy of that great man is this popular Basij, which is present everywhere; it can be a pioneer in all activities and show the Basiji spirit. It must be so. Many wanted to suggest that after the war ended, the Basij was over. This was a satanic suggestion, perhaps the enemy's hands were not ineffective in it. But I say that the Basij is not over. The Basij must expand and strengthen day by day. The Basiji spirit and knowledge must become widespread so that this country can carry the heavy burden it bears - which is the burden of divine guidance and human happiness - to its destination. Therefore, the Basij is not over.

The next point is that the great Basij of the Iranian nation has characteristics. Everywhere in the world and in difficult situations, where there are popular governments, the masses, especially in wars, go to help the governments. We have seen this in history. But this Basij is different from the presence of people in other places and countries. One feature is that in the Basij of the Iranian nation, the main element is the connection with God. The Basiji youth or any group of its groups; that is, men and women, old and young Basijis, have a spiritual and sincere connection with God. This is the main element of the work. The factor that prevents a person from getting tired in the fields is the remembrance of God. The force that keeps a person strong against all powers is reliance on God. If there is reliance and trust in God and a connection with God, the popular and Basiji movement will be a stable and lasting movement. And if not, an excitement and ignition will appear at a certain time, but it will not remain and will disappear. If you look, you will not find a country with the characteristics of Iran that has been able to stand against all those enemies, overcome them, remove obstacles, open its way, and move towards its goals. Often in countries, in revolutions, and in public movements, due to pressures and bargaining, deviations have occurred. What has guided this movement in Islamic Iran so directly towards the goal until today is your faith, your connection with God, and the spirit of prayer and supplication that exists in our Basiji forces. This is the same supplication of Kumayl that you were and are committed to reciting. This is the same Friday prayers of yours. This is the same devotions and attentions of yours to the Imams, peace be upon them. And this spiritual bond and relationship is what has preserved everything. This is a characteristic that is not found elsewhere, and you must preserve it.

The next point is that the foundation of Basij in the Islamic Republic is based on awareness. Here, the Islamic Republic system has never wanted a group to come and close their eyes and blindly and ignorantly of what is happening, go to the field and draw weapons and start fighting. We did not want this. The Islamic Republic and the Imam of this Republic - may God's pleasure and mercy be upon him - acted contrary to this movement. Our nation started with awareness, chose the field, and fought in that field. Those who stood and fought on the battlefields, during the eight years of imposed war and before and a little after it, fought with insight. They understood what they were doing, who they were fighting, why they were fighting, and what they were defending. Our Basiji youth, whether they were urban or rural, whether they apparently did not have educational degrees, whether they were not university students, whether they were not high-ranking specialists - whoever they were - we repeatedly heard from their tongues that 'We do not fight for land; we do not fight for a piece of land; we fight for our goals and ideals.' This is the same knowledge.

I want to say: Dear youth! Dear Basijis! Wherever you are in the country, increase this insight day by day. Do not let some material needs and small issues block insights. Preserve your insight and recognize your enemy. The enemy has various tricks; and the nation that succeeds is the one that is not deceived. The enemy tries to belittle revolutionary aspirations in the eyes of a faithful nation. It tries to magnify material and small needs in its eyes. Material need is also a need, but it is not above life! A nation that sacrifices its life in the way of God, what effect can other needs have where the battlefield with the enemy is!? Look now! Observe the policies of today and yesterday's world! See when there has been a time when there were no conspiracies against this sacred Islamic system in the sleeves of global arrogance and tyranny? They fear the spread of Islam. They openly declare that Islamic revolutionary sentiments are expanding in Islamic countries. We ourselves see this. This is a reality. Today, the Iranian nation is not an isolated nation. Look at various countries in the world, for example, look at the heart of Europe and ask those who have gone there and hear how a nation like the Bosnian Herzegovinian nation, which is surrounded by the enemies of humanity, chants in your name, young Iranians, and how it imitates you in tying headbands! See how it has felt that the path is the one you took and must take the same path to defeat the enemy! These are Islamic sentiments that are expanding day by day. The center of these sentiments was and still is your sacred Islamic country. That is why arrogance continuously plans. Its plans are also plans that if one looks with insight, one can recognize them.

I feel that today America's policies, to solve its problem with Arab countries and the issue of Palestine, are to make the Arab governments of the region understand that 'if you want to have enmity with someone or somewhere, it should not be Israel. Go towards Iran!' It is to make them understand 'We - who are America - support you countries of the region; provided that you open your front towards Iran and no longer have anything to do with Israel!' The new policy of the American government is to support the usurping Zionists. To preserve the Arabs of the region, the way is to make the Arabs of the region understand that 'if you want weapons, if you want support, if you want help, you should no longer have anything to do with Israel. Go and solve your issue with Israel. If you want to fight with someone, have verbal opposition, have negative propaganda; go towards the Islamic Republic and fight with it!' According to what is understood from the evidence, this is America's future policy. Of course, for the Iranian nation, after fourteen years of experiences, these threats are worthless. The day when America and the Soviet Union were allied against the Islamic Republic, this nation stood and fought with full power. When have two powers - that day when they were on the global level - not been allied against the Islamic Republic!? When America and the Soviet Union were allied, the reactionary countries supporting America also stood against the Islamic Republic, whether in helping Iraq or in other forms, and opposed it, and the Islamic Republic also stood with power. This nation was not afraid of threats that day; today it is even more so!

The fact that now they make a few governments and countries from here and there in the world equip their radios against the Islamic Republic is of no importance to us. This nation is a strong nation. This nation is a steel nation. This nation is an experienced nation. The officials who serve and govern this country today are those who have survived the fourteen, fifteen-year waves. They are not afraid of anything! My concern is that the Arab governments of the region may be deceived by America. They must think of themselves. If the Arab governments of the region listen to this satanic advice of America, they will further increase their distance from their own nations. The nations are with us, the nations are with Islam, and they chant in the name of the Islamic Republic. You see in the country of Egypt, a group of young Muslims, a group of Muslim people, stand and chant Islamic slogans, and there is no connection according to the usual human connections between them and our people. But their slogans are so close to ours that their unfortunate black-hearted president says 'They have been incited by Iran!' What connection do we have with them? They are Muslims. They themselves give Quranic slogans. They themselves feel that they must speak, shout, and move in the way of God; like the same shout that the Iranian nation made during the tyrant era against America and against global arrogance and tyranny and still makes.

The nations' hearts are with the Islamic Republic, and ignorant and black-hearted individuals think that they are incited by Iran. What incitement!? What do we have to do with inciting other nations? We give Islamic slogans; we raise the flag of Islam, and anyone who has the flame of Islam in their heart naturally gathers around this flag. When did we go to Bosnia and Herzegovina to promote the Islamic Republic? See how dear the flag of the Islamic Republic is there! Wherever a nation rises in the name of Islam and opens its mouth, undoubtedly know that the name of the Iranian nation is a dear and respected name there. This is the characteristic of your struggle. This is the characteristic of your jihad and sacrifice. And this is the characteristic of your Basiji spirit. This is the subject!

Be insightful in recognizing the enemy. Be insightful in recognizing the enemy's tricks. See how the enemy wants to misrepresent the Islamic Republic globally or introduce it in wrong forms! Of course, they will not succeed. The enemy's propaganda is indeed calculated propaganda. We must accept this. They spend money; they spend billions of dollars to be able to fabricate a statement that when this statement is placed on the wings of their radio waves and reaches the ears of an individual from the Iranian nation through one or two intermediaries, it affects their heart. How many lies have they fabricated in this way! They have specialists for such work. Therefore, their goal must be understood. Their goal is to separate us from Islam; to separate the nation from the officials; to discourage the nation from the revolution; to make the nation hopeless about its future jihad and defense; to push the nation back from the battlefield and the center of the struggle. Of course, they must know that they will never succeed in these desires.

The next and last point is related to you dear Basijis. The Quran tells us: 'And do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are believers.' (Al-Imran: 139) That is, do not weaken, do not grieve, you are superior to others. Following this sentence, there is a condition: 'if you are believers.' All these words we said are related to when our relationship with God is good; related to when you dear youth are pious; related to when you men and women try to preserve your religion; do not surrender to the attractions of sin and resist the whispers of Satan. You can, and we have tested that you can. The highest whispers of Satan are the whispers of self-preservation. How much you advanced under the continuous bombardments of the enemy and the massive fires that the enemy poured on you in the war and were not afraid! You saw the pure and blessed body of your friend fall beside you and be martyred, but you advanced. Satan has very strong whispers here. Satan frightens; 'He only frightens his allies.' (Al-Imran: 175) But he could not frighten you. He could not take you into his grip and control, and he will not be able to in the face of sin either.

Know that today one of the weapons of the enemies you curse is to scatter seeds in front of our youth - seeds of sin, seeds of the attractions of sin, attractions of corruption - so that they might be able to attract them. A strong soul must stand and not surrender to these attractions. Be careful! Our Basiji youth are faithful, pure, and clean. But it is possible that among them, individuals may be found who do not have a strong spirit and surrender to the enemy's and Satan's tricks. Here, piety is useful. Piety means that we constantly watch ourselves and do not let ourselves make mistakes. One of our weapons is prayer; 'He possesses nothing but supplication.' (Dua Kumayl) We have prayer; we have the weapon of supplication; we have the weapon of crying. We never cry out of fear. We are not afraid of anyone or any power in the world. But the greatest honor for a faithful person is to shed tears before the greatness of their God; to cry for themselves; to regret their sins and the life spent in sin.

Supplicate before God and ask for everything with supplication from God. This strong arm, this powerful and steel will, will find effectiveness with prayer. In the battlefield, too, the Holy Prophet and the Commander of the Faithful, peace be upon them, prayed and supplicated to Almighty God. Our dear Imam also prayed in the war. Our hearts were firm with the prayers of that great man and the prayers of the faithful and the righteous. Do not abandon prayers. Ask for everything with prayer. We help the deprived and oppressed people of Bosnia and Herzegovina as much as we can. We have helped and will continue to help. But I say: Pray for them too. Prayers must also be made. A person can pray for them with supplication and from the depths of their heart.

You must engage in self-building. Do not abandon the mosques. The Basij Resistance Force's best place is these mosques. However, keep the mosques as mosques. Be brotherly and sincere with the mosque's prayer leader, with the worshippers of the mosque, and with the faithful who are in the mosque - which, thanks be to God, you are - and preserve and increase it. Pray in congregation at the first opportunity, behind the prayer leader of any mosque you are in. Participate in the mosque's religious ceremonies and its propaganda. Participate in prayer ceremonies, Quranic ceremonies, and religious ceremonies. You and the mosque's prayer leader - whoever he is - should jointly preserve the mosque. Create an attraction for the mosque so that children, youth, and men and women of the neighborhood are attracted to the mosque you are in and come. The mosque is a very important base.

The last point is that you should rely on Almighty God with all your being. I say with all my being and with all my heart: Know that if the power of America and all the material powers of the world join hands and want to defeat this Islamic system with the presence of our faithful Basijis, by God, they will not be able to.

The dear officials of the country should also appreciate the Basijis. Thanks be to God, they themselves are also Basijis. Our dear President is a Basiji; a Basiji who has seen the battlefield, endured danger, been beaten by the revolution, and is a true Basiji. The rest of the officials, too, thanks be to God, each has more or less a share of being a Basiji and engaging in Basiji activities.

They must appreciate the Basijis. In every department and every ministry, the person who has the Basiji spirit must be considered dear. In various government institutions, the person who has the Basiji spirit; the Basiji specialist, the Basiji doctor, the Basiji student, the Basiji cleric, the Basiji manager, the Basiji employee, wherever they are, must be considered dear and esteemed. With this situation, by the grace of the Lord, this dear legacy of the Imam of the nation will always remain for this nation and will give its blessings to this nation.

I hope that God will help all of you and place the light of guidance in your hearts.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings