Statements of the Supreme Leader in a Meeting with a Large Group of Youth from Ardabil Province

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, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure and chosen progeny, the guided and the Mahdi. Especially the Awaited One of God on earth.

For me, one of the sweetest meetings and moments is the meeting with pure-hearted and radiant youth. This is the nature of youth, which makes the atmosphere fragrant, lively, energetic, and full of purity. This is true everywhere; however, in some places, the youth have a different radiance and brilliance. I found you, dear youth of Ardabil Province, in this way and saw you like this. You are beloved children whose future, happiness, and destiny constitute the greatest part of our hope and faith.

I sincerely thank you for the expressions you made regarding your old father. This dear young man said that we preferred tears; however, I love your youthful faces to be cheerful and lively, and I prefer smiles on your dear faces. Let me recite a couplet from our contemporary poet from Ardabil for you. He says:

"The sorrowful one is in a fever, O Lord, I do not die; the dew is a bubble, O Lord, I do not die."

The joy and enthusiasm on your faces, which are manifestations of your purity and the delicacy of your youth, are more beautiful for us. It is with this enthusiasm that your faith and strong beliefs will be able to guide you young people towards your ideals for many years to come - for decades.

Today, I have divided the topics I thought to share with you into three parts:

The first part consists of a few spiritual sentences; to ensure that this delicate spiritual atmosphere - which you have created yourselves - continues. One sentence about the political issues of today and always in the revolution; one sentence about the view of religion; and one piece of advice at the end to all the youth - both to you and to the youth who will hear this speech later.

I have drawn the spiritual sentence from Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabili; this great scholar, interpreter, and knower of religious knowledge who has been resting in your city for centuries. Sheikh Safi al-Din was asked: "Sheikh! The Prophet said that I seek forgiveness seventy times a day; why? The Prophet did not sin; and even God said in Surah Al-Fath regarding the Prophet's omission: 'So that God may forgive you what has preceded of your sin and what will follow'; he who bears no burden or sin; why seek forgiveness?" The Sheikh replied: "The Prophet, with his struggles, with remembrance, and with his great spiritual efforts, would pass through a stage of closeness to God every day. The Prophet, even though he is the perfect human, does not stop; however, the sacred realm of divine proximity has no end. He too must progress every day and would advance a stage each day. When the Prophet looked at yesterday's stage, he saw it as a veil, a dimension, and a distance; thus, he sought forgiveness for the distance of yesterday. Every day he would open a new stage and, from the presence in the previous stage - which was distant compared to today's position - he would seek forgiveness from God.

This is a great lesson; the depth of meaning and the essence of this statement is like the oceans. A moment of stopping on the path of human perfection is not permissible. In this vast ocean, some of us have entered up to our ankles, and some up to our knees; there are those who have 'plunged into the sea' and swim, and there are those who have advanced stages, have illuminated themselves, and fly above the material world and the petty desires and small aspirations. They do not ignore the world, but they do not make the world their goal. Those lofty aspirants of this infinite sky also strive for a higher flight every day.

Just as the youth have vitality and freshness in their bodies, their spirits are also full of vitality. This being - with its power of thought, its power of reason, its physical strength, its nervous strength, and its unknown forces - has been created by the Almighty God to use this nature, this food and sleep, and this material world as a means to reach the ranks of divine proximity.

One should not think that this perspective is an isolated and detached view from the world; no. The path to divine proximity passes through the midst of these material things; however, it does not stop in materiality. The great sin of humanity, which has drowned itself in materialism, is not that it has engaged with the world; its sin is that it has not envisioned an ideal, a shining star, a goal, and a lofty destination beyond material desires.

You youth - both boys and girls - are at the beginning of the path; you have both ability and the power of choice, and you can traverse this path; and this path is open before humans in the Islamic Republic and in any Islamic and divine system. The path of spirituality and purity is not a dead-end alley. From here, I move on to the second issue.

This movement and this path have enemies; there are obstacles and barriers; both within the individual and in social life, as well as in the vast political horizons. In my speeches, I have repeatedly mentioned the enemy and spoken about the enemy. Some have shown sensitivity to this approach; they said or implied why I keep addressing the enemy. In response to them, I have always said and I say now that if we assume that there is an enemy at every turn, it is not wise for a person to ignore the enemy and assume his existence is non-existent. If we assume that the enemy is not lurking, it does not necessarily mean that he is not lurking. If an enemy is assumed, he must be recognized and one must be wary of him. We have faced enemies since the first day regarding the major political issue of our country - the emergence of a new system, an unprecedented system, a system that has a new message and speech; that is, the Islamic Republic. From the first day until now, we have faced enemies. If we close our eyes to these enemies, they will not disappear. If we convince ourselves that he is not our enemy, he will not cease to be an enemy; the enemy must be recognized.

Some said: You are imagining a conspiracy; there is no conspiracy! In response, I will present a long list of signs of conspiracy and signs of hostility from the beginning of the revolution until today and show it. How can there be no conspiracy against us?! At the beginning of the victory of the revolution, there was open opposition to the revolution; at the level of security services, political assemblies, and political organizations of some countries, especially in those areas where this revolution and the establishment of this system have undermined their interests. This series has continued to this day.

Today, we truly have enemies in the world. Can we dissuade the enemy from enmity? This is a question. Can we confront the enemy? This is another question. The answers to these questions must be given. Any aware person of the political issues of the world can find the answers to these questions with not too difficult contemplation.

My discussion is not that we should now come and specifically identify the enemy with signs and characteristics; no. Identifying the enemy is not difficult. What is certain is that there is a global system of domination that today is headed by the American regime. In the past, there were others; there may be other powers in the future. Today, America has defined its interests in the world - it is not hidden - they have written it in their articles; in their political analyses, they have defined their interests. Their interests consist of creating a unipolar world; that is, at the head of all the countries of the world, there is a government called the American government, and in the body, there are various types of governments; some have scientific power and scientific advancements and military capability; they must be dealt with in a way that their interests are prioritized over their own; this is the American analysis - there are also governments that do not have military or economic power; they are labeled as developing countries, or in the previous terminology, third-world countries. All opportunities from these countries that can be used for the development of American power must be utilized. If we need their energy - their oil, their gas - we must open the way to their oil and gas by any means necessary. If we need a consumer market from them, we must open the way to their consumer market by any means possible. If we need political and economic presence among them, we must open that way. If there are troublesome governments in those countries, those governments must be removed. If there are troublesome ideas in those countries, those ideas must be eradicated from the mental space of society. If there are personalities in those countries that can be bought, they must be bought. If there are forces in those countries that can be used as pressure against governments that oppose this policy, they must be spent and employed. This is the policy of global arrogance. Today, America has this policy. One day, England had it; at the time when the sovereignty of the British monarchy was established in the East and West of the world; in Asia, in the Indian subcontinent, in Australia, in Canada, and in other places. Before that, Tsarist Russia applied this policy regarding the limited area over which it had influence and pressure. Of course, today the tools have become more modern and the means more advanced.

Is this policy only against the Islamic Republic? No. This is a ubiquitous policy. We are facing this policy in the Islamic Republic, other governments are also facing it; however, the governments are different. Some governments and statesmen find it in their interest to submit to these excessive demands; some governments do not consider the interests of their nations, and some governments are terrified of the influence and domination of American news and espionage agencies.

During my presidency, I participated in the Non-Aligned Movement summit and delivered a very passionate speech there - about a hundred and one countries were gathered there - then most of the heads of state came and, as we say, they praised and confirmed it. Among them, who were mostly third-world and African and Asian countries, a relatively young and very active African president came and said: "The things you said are all our words too. In the Organization of African Unity and elsewhere, we have exactly the same words. The difference between us and you is that you dare to say these words, but we are afraid of America!" Interestingly, after a while, the same fear that this young man had also materialized. Because he was anti-global arrogance, a coup was staged against him, and he was killed. After one or two years, this event occurred.

Some countries are afraid; some countries are cautious; many leaders of countries are deeply pained by this American policy of domination; they have no way out; their connection with the people is severed, and they have no popular support to stand firm; they are forced to align themselves. Some are dependent; the Americans have brought them to power. The Pahlavi regime did not fail to understand this policy; it did not fail to know; it understood well what America wanted in this country; however, who wanted to confront this? The Shah was brought to power by the Americans; the coup of Mordad 32 was initiated by the Americans in Iran, and they brought back Mohammad Reza, who had fled Iran, and made him king. Could he confront America?!

Many of these countries that you see - I do not want to name them - today submit to the excessive demands and greed of America. There are those whose leaders are not satisfied; however, they either lack the necessary courage and audacity, or they do not have national support, or their interests do not allow it, or they are clinging to their positions. We in the Islamic Republic do not have any of these problems. Our revolution and our system were fundamentally formed against America.

It is true that the Islamic Revolution of Iran destroyed the Pahlavi regime, but this struggle was not just against the Pahlavi regime; it was a struggle against the presence of America and the domination and influence of Americans that had penetrated to the marrow of this nation. Therefore, from the beginning, the whole world understood that at the forefront of the enemies of this system and this revolution is America. Now, should we close our eyes, put a hat on our heads, and say: No, America is not our enemy?! What has it done to show that it is not an enemy? Has it not blocked our assets? Right now, billions of dollars belonging to this nation are blocked in America. Many assets and tools that were bought from America during the previous regime had not yet been transferred when the revolution occurred. These are kept in a warehouse; we pursued them for several years to get them back, but they did not accept. They did not return our assets that are in their warehouses; although they had received the money for them; and interestingly, they even charged for storage and began deducting from our claims! What can an enemy do to make one believe he is an enemy?!

The eight-year war against us began. Of course, several leaders of countries in the Middle East and outside the Middle East have told me over the years that Iraq's attack on Iran was pre-coordinated, and the Americans knew what was happening; it was not that they were faced with a fait accompli; rather, they encouraged and facilitated it! Of course, I have no document; however, the signs all indicate this; just as we have claimed other things without having written evidence - the signs testified to it - after several years, when the war was over, they themselves admitted it! For example, we said that the Americans were providing satellite intelligence from our military centers, from movements, from gatherings, and from the positions of our military units to Iraq - Iraq did not have the means itself - we understood this at that time; the signs indicated this. After several years, when the war was over, some Western centers - both European and American - explicitly stated this! In fact, they facilitated the war, created it, encouraged it, and throughout the war, they assisted Saddam Hussein. The day it became clear that the Islamic Republic would win the war, they explicitly stood up and said: We do not accept that this war has a winner! If Saddam were to come and take Khuzestan - as he claimed, to reach Tehran in three days! - then having a winner in the war would not be a problem! After the war, they have opposed this system and this nation wherever they could as a superpower! With all this, should we close our eyes?! Is this wise?! Should we say no, God willing, it is a cat?!

Of course, the enemy is not only America; Israel is also a main enemy; it has its own specific reasons. Israel - as I have said many times - is a fabricated existence, a fabricated nation, and a false nation. From Russia, Eastern Europe, America, Islamic countries, and even from our own Iran, several million Jews have been taken and settled in one place and called them a nation! They are not a nation; each one belongs to a different nation. If, with God's grace, the Zionist government collapses - which this day is certainly ahead; now when, I cannot say; but I am certain that such a day will come - then you youth, God willing, will certainly see - we may see it, we may not see it - the majority of this population that is currently in Israel will return to their own regions.

The second question arises: Is it possible to remove this enmity or not? This is an important question. If a person can dissuade an enemy - no matter how malicious and ill-intentioned - from enmity, this is a victory. Is it possible to remove this enmity or not? I have two answers to this question:

One answer is: As I see it, I do not see such a possibility naturally. Of course, this is a political perspective; another political person may have a different opinion; but in my understanding, with the knowledge I have of this country, this revolution, and this nation on one hand, and the knowledge I have of global arrogance, of arrogant governments, of the relationships of arrogant governments with weak nations, of historical past, of the fate of nations, and of the words of political thinkers of the world that I remember on the other hand, I do not believe that this enmity will go away. Of course, if I were to point to a reason, in a short sentence I can say: The enmity of America will not go away; because the Islamic government is not merely the establishment of a new system and regime in a country; it is the establishment of a model. This is the flaw for the Americans.

There is a time when a new regime comes to power in a country, opposes a certain government, and they negotiate; one step back, one step forward, and they make compromises. This is not the case here. This system is presented as a model for Muslim nations. Of course, they do not openly acknowledge it, they do not write it in newspapers, and especially their deeper thinkers conceal it vehemently; but this is a reality that today Muslim nations in the Islamic world - in Egypt, in North Africa, in the Middle East, and in our eastern region - have a fever and a tumult; they have a surge and their eyes are on Iran.

This experience has been a successful one for the Muslims of the world. The slogans that our enemies gave were that this experience would not last five years; they said it would not last two years! Twenty-one years have passed since the life of the Islamic system, and the world acknowledges that today it is much stronger than ten years ago, and ten years ago from the beginning of the revolution; it has maintained its popular trust and relationship with the people, has made great efforts, has preserved its independence, and has largely realized its slogans. Of course, the realization of slogans is not possible anywhere in the world and under any conditions in a short time; especially with all this opposition and enmity; but it has made good progress; this becomes a model; this is a successful model. If they come to terms with this and accept it as it is, they have effectively stamped their approval on this model for other countries.

They are willing to come to terms, but on the condition that the Islamic Republic is no longer 'Islamic Republic'; that it is no longer 'Republic'; that it is no longer 'Islamic'; that it is not reliant on the people and not centered around Islam. If this happens, then they will be more than willing to come forward; whoever is at the head of the government! They are not dealing with individuals as individuals; they are dealing with directions, ideals, and lines. As long as it is 'Republic' and 'popular' - and that too, the enthusiastic Muslim people of this vast region and great Iran - and as long as it is centered around Islam, I do not see that they can stop their enmity.

The second answer: If we assume that removing enmity is possible, it is only possible with the power, dignity, and independence of Iran; not with humiliation, not with need. If Islamic Iran, with the efforts of you youth and the efforts of this growing generation today, advances in scientific levels and can secure a significant share for itself in superior industry and technology that is needed today, so that they cannot bully it; if it can strengthen its military power and the economic foundations of the country, if it can eliminate these deprivations, if it can exploit the rich and abundant resources of this country everywhere, if it can elevate the political awareness of the people, then perhaps the enmity of theirs will diminish. Therefore, if it is possible, that day will be possible.

That some take it upon themselves to speak according to the desires of American political experts, to talk about closeness and negotiation and to normalize the atmosphere, this is the greatest insult and betrayal to this people. If it is to be said that the enmity of sworn enemies should be removed, it should be on the day when this country has strengthened its economic foundations; has eliminated deprivations; has eradicated this unemployment ratio; has illuminated the future of the youth; has educated graduates who do not have concerns about livelihood and employment; and can train artists who can manage the cinema of the country, manage the art of the country, manage the press of the country according to national interests and benefits. If this happens, then it will be time to think about removing enmity; otherwise, in the absence of that, any approach to the enemy, any display of softness towards the enemy, sharpens the fire of enmity and oppression of the enemy.

The third question: Now that we are facing such enemies at this level, do we have the ability to defend ourselves, or to strike the enemy, or to prevent the enemy's strike? This is also an important question. My answer is yes, we do. Not that I want to shout slogans. Today, among the countries that I know in this region - Middle Eastern countries, Persian Gulf countries, East Asian countries, Central Asian countries, and newly independent countries - no country besides Iran has this capability. Of course, there are also great countries that have this capability for other reasons; but our reasons are unique to us; we fully have this capability.

A long list of these positive points and elements constituting this truth can be enumerated; however, I will mention a few of them:

First, a major reason is that until today we have been able to defend ourselves. It is well known that "the strongest proof of the possibility of anything is its occurrence." No one should think that these sworn enemies did not want to fight against the revolution and the Islamic system; why would they not want to? They exerted all their efforts; however, we are alive and we are stronger. Today our spirit and enthusiasm are greater than before; our general and national freshness and vitality are also greater than before; this is proof that they have not been able to.

But aside from this, there are several fundamental reasons that I would like you youth to think about. One reason is the vulnerability of the enemy; another reason is the solidity of the foundations of the Islamic Republic; another reason is the emotional and sentimental backing that the Islamic Republic naturally enjoys.

Let me briefly mention the vulnerability of the enemy: Today, even a power like America - which is certainly high in terms of economy, national wealth, scientific and military advancement - is severely vulnerable and is threatened from within. This cannot be seen in American demonstrations; we who look from the outside cannot see this correctly; but thinkers and political philosophers of America themselves give this warning and have written it in numerous books.

Today, they compare America to the 1960s - from 1960 to 1970; the decade of the Vietnam War - and believe that the 1960s was a decade of instability for America; a period when the Vietnam War was ongoing, and American universities, streets, and public environments were in a constant challenge with the government. The war ended, and that fire somewhat subsided; because it had no manifestation.

Today, in the first decade of the third millennium, they say the conditions for them are like the 1960s; however, the destruction is from within - it is moral destruction, it is faith destruction - the focal point of faith for the people and the youth is not there. Science is advancing, laboratories are working, scientific and industrial and nuclear construction is progressing; however, day by day, national identity is weakening. This is what they say; this vulnerability is significant. It is not expected that we will observe this in the gestures of the American president, or hear their acknowledgment of it in their words; but it is a reality. If we want to observe the manifestation of this weakness in the outside world, the decline of American influence in the world is one of its manifestations. America's sanctions in the world are met with a strong backlash. America's decisions regarding collective issues are met with the refusal of other governments in Europe and beyond. America's economic choices in global matters face a tremendous challenge from popular and political powers in the world.

American influence is declining. After the Cold War, after the decline and dissolution of the Soviet Union, they claimed that we must be the head of the great empire of the world; however, the world no longer listens to them even as a superpower. They prohibited an oil company contracted with Iranian gas-producing regions from continuing its work; immediately a French company took its place. They legislated, shouted, and wrote; it was of no use. This is how it is. Political influence of America has declined; this is one of the manifestations of the retreat of American power.

They are vulnerable. The most recent example of this in the past few days is the issue of "Camp David 2." They kept Yasser Arafat and the head of the Zionist regime for fifteen days in "Camp David" to see if they could extract something from it that would provide America with a political movement, a political revival, and a manifestation of political influence. They could not; they admitted that they failed. The Americans suffered a humiliating defeat in the case of "Camp David 2"; no side surrendered to them. The defeat in "Camp David 2," which relates to these days, is not just a contemporary event; this defeat is a failure of the American idea of Middle Eastern reconciliation. These are manifestations and examples of it. Therefore, the vulnerability of the enemy - the vulnerability of the American regime - is one side of the issue.

The other side of the issue is the solidity of the foundations of the Islamic Republic. Here, the political system is such that it is based on faith, belief, religion, and emotions. This relationship that exists today between this servant of yours and you youth in this region and in other regions of the country is a strong bond that exists between officials and the people throughout the country; it is a novel and unprecedented bond. It is not like this anywhere else. This bond is not a mere formal bond; it is a religious bond; the deep-rooted enmity of the enemies with the principle of the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist is precisely because of this. The principle of the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist means creating millions of religious relationships between the hearts of the people and the center of the system. The discussion is not about individuals; it is about identity, meaning, and personality; hence you see that they oppose it. Of course, these enmities are of no benefit.

Today, thanks be to God, a new generation of Islamic thinkers - the young Islamic thinkers - has emerged in seminaries and in some universities and other centers who, despite the enemy, break down, analyze, and explain the issues. What they wanted to prevent has happened. New branches of the Islamic sapling have sprouted; they cannot do anything about it. Today, in response to the doubts created by the enemy, enlightening and healing words are being offered. This relationship will remain.

Another element I mentioned is the political backing of the Islamic Republic. You see in which country it is possible for the leader of a country, the president of a country to go to another country, and the people there welcome him in such a way that they do not welcome their own president and leader. Where does such an event occur? See where you recognize it like this. This event has repeatedly and continuously occurred regarding the presidents of the Islamic Republic in other countries.

During my presidency, I went to Pakistan. The welcome I received in Pakistan was a tremendous event. Despite the fact that global media wanted to say nothing about this, they were forced to. In all global media, there was astonishment expressed for several days about this tremendous event. Millions of people in Islamabad and Lahore and other areas we visited welcomed us; just as you observed the welcome today in Meshginshahr and the day before in Ardabil.

Our president went to Sudan; another president of ours went to Pakistan; they behaved in this way. And today, wherever the Muslims there - whether Shia or Sunni - want to freely express their feelings, if representatives of the Islamic Republic go there, they express their feelings in the same way. Of course, it is natural that the characteristics of nations are different; some are stronger, some weaker; but this political backing exists everywhere.

America wants to buy this support of countries with money and cannot obtain it. In the same Pakistan I mentioned - at the time of Zia-ul-Haq when I went - the Americans and some regimes dependent on America were spending billions there; but it was of no use. Two or three years after my visit, an American president wanted to go to Pakistan; the people in that southern region of Pakistan protested, and he was forced not to go! This political backing is specific to the Islamic Republic.

Regarding Israel, the matter is clearer. See, my dear ones! The awakening movement of the Palestinians and the struggle against the usurping government has become a movement that cannot be easily defeated. It is not something that depends on someone like Arafat, who can be tired or bought; no. The Palestinian movement has fallen into the hands of the people and the faithful youth. The defeat in southern Lebanon, then the failure of the reconciliation negotiations in "Camp David 2," and in the future, numerous defeats for Israel - under the influence of the strong and faithful presence of Palestinian and Lebanese youth - will continue.

This hook of the anti-Zionist movement has fallen into the mouth of this shark of the Middle East, and they cannot do anything about it. When this hook falls into the mouth of the fish, any movement the fish makes will further ensnare the hook. Whatever they do, they will be consumed: if they show softness, they will be consumed in one way; if they show hardness and severity, they will be consumed in another way; if they pursue reconciliation negotiations, they will be struck in one way; if they stop and suspend, they will be struck in another way. This hook is ensnared. Therefore, they are vulnerable, and the Islamic Republic is solid.

These positions, these analyses, and this perspective stem from what? If I and the Islamic Republic and the decision-making bodies in the Islamic Republic adopt and announce these positions, what does it stem from? Does it stem from a mere political vision? No. It stems from a religious perspective. Here, I transition to the third issue.

My dear ones! Some, out of misunderstanding or malice, portray religion as a series of prohibitions and limitations - do this, do not do that; eat this, do not eat that - they introduce religion in this way. Is this religion?! This is the most unfair and simplistic view of any religion, especially Islam. Clear knowledge, the joy arising from faith, movement stemming from knowledge, activating the spirit of wisdom, and then having a clear and transparent worldview regarding all phenomena of the world; this is the foundation of religion. Religion, first and foremost, is a knowledge and understanding; understanding of this world, of humanity, of responsibility, of the path and goal; the collection of this knowledge is the foundation of religion. Religion considers humanity as the center of the universe; it sees the world as a collection and manifestation of the power and grace of God; it considers the hand of God's power and creation to be involved and all-encompassing in the construction of the world and the grand engineering of existence.

The more science advances, the more the foundations of religious faith will be strengthened. The day you look at a grain of soil or a grain of stone as a simple body and say God created this, you have a certain type of faith; but when you observe all the molecules and all the atomic particles present in this body - their order, their movement, their complex engineering, their effects, their properties - and say God is the creator of this, your knowledge and faith will be of a different kind.

The more science progresses, the more galaxies are recognized, the more seas and deserts and particles are placed under the scrutiny of science, the more the compressed forces within human existence are recognized, the faith in the God who is the creator and provider of this vast and complex system will find a more solid foundation. Some may look at a crumpled and crumpled piece of paper as a small appendage; however, one may open this paper, remove its folds, and it may become a large page; then read the lines that are in it, word by word, and understand its words. Today, the immense powers that exist within limited human beings are being discovered by science; in the nervous system, in the particles of existence, in all the molecules of the body, and in the brain; they admit that they have not yet properly understood the human brain; they have not understood the powers of human beings and the concentration power of humans properly. When a person observes these, their faith becomes stronger.

Religion, at its core, is a worldview. Understanding the world means that this grand engineering has come into existence by the hand of God's creation and power, and humanity is a rider who can think within this vast realm; activate reason; open unexplored areas. As someone who can achieve their true perfection and reach the rank of proximity in this world; and looking at the objects of the world as tools that are in the hands of humans for this perfection. This is the foundation. Then, based on this, a whole structure of life is created; individual life, collective life. Of course, in individual life, there are duties; in collective life, there are also duties. Duty comes from "kalfat"; it means difficulty. Every duty has a type of difficulty. A person can choose not to endure the difficulty of sports. Many of these athletes endure difficulties. Climbing to the summit of Sabalan, mountaineering, or wrestling, or other sports all have their difficulties. One person may not endure this difficulty; however, the products of that sport will not be obtained; that physical power, that nervous ability, that beauty of body, and the other things that may result from sports will not be achieved. Religious duties are the same: a person may not pray, may not fast, may not give charity, may not strive; they will be more comfortable; they will not have that difficulty; but they will also not have the products that are necessary for life and the fate of humanity. The Islamic system is a system whose foundation is based on meeting the physical, spiritual, material, and moral needs of humanity. When we have this understanding of the Islamic system, then we attribute the greatest value to all religious duties in creating and preserving this system. Hence, Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) said: "Preserving the Islamic system is one of the most obligatory obligations"; and the truth is the same.

I do not want to continue the talk; it has become lengthy. You are also cramped, and it is warm here. Especially I apologize to my dear daughters who are in the tents and endure more heat. However, I want to offer one sentence as advice to you and all the youth:

My dear ones! Today, the country is in dire need of your vitality, your strength, your innovation, your faith, and your purity. Today, the youth must strengthen their wisdom, their knowledge and understanding, their faith, their solidarity and unity as much as possible; precisely in those areas that the enemy wants to weaken. The enemy wants our knowledge not to progress; our universities to engage in other activities instead of studying; the faith of the youth to not be strengthened, and the believing youth to turn into hedonistic youth. The enemy wants there to be no unity among our forces and for brothers to turn into enemies. The enemy wants us to lack purity, radiance, and spirituality, and for our youth to become materialistic and emotionless; this is what the enemy wants. Today, everyone has a duty to counter this movement.

Regarding unity and integrity, let me say one sentence: A friend told me that some political hands in the country are trying to turn the political arena into a field of sports, dividing it into "blue" and "red" teams. Some are "red" and some are "blue". They should compete in the political arena. I said that in the field of sports, both the "red" and "blue" teams participate in the national team. When both the "red" and "blue" teams participate in the national team, one becomes the goalkeeper, one becomes the defender, one becomes the striker; they cooperate. If in the political arena, some become "red" and some become "blue" and some become "green" and some become "yellow"; let it be; but where the national team is involved, where the interests of the nation and facing the enemy are at stake, they should be careful to set aside their differences and work like a team. It should not be that in the national team, where the interests of the nation are at stake, they score an own goal! If this happens, it does not matter; the names can be different, but the hearts should be one. Hearts should be one; centered around religion, centered around the system, centered around Islam, and centered around national interests. We hope that, God willing, it will be this way.

O Lord! Bestow your grace, mercy, and increasing radiance upon the hearts of these youth. O Lord! Make the youth of our country the builders of the greatness and dignity of this country. O Lord! Remove the problems of the youth. O Lord! Grant our officials the opportunity, success, and awareness to be able to address the problems of the youth in the best possible way. O Lord! Include the prayer of the Awaited One, may our souls be sacrificed for him, in the fate of our youth; guide and support all of them on their path; and bring them to their great and human aspirations.

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