Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in a meeting with members of the Union of Islamic Associations of Students

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

Thanks be to God, the vitality of youth and student life is palpable in our intimate gathering, and this session is almost a sample of the situation that exists throughout our beloved country. It is no small privilege for a country of seventy million to have a majority of youth and adolescents. Youth and adolescents are a bubbling spring of energy and talent. Youth means the future. A good youth for a country means a good future. Our youth and adolescents are thinkers, perceivers, and analysts; this is another advantage. All that is observed in the analyses of the enemies of this nation and this country as a central point is that they seek to incapacitate this young, passionate, and future-building generation through various means for the construction of a prosperous, free, faithful, and pure Iran; however, despite the enemies' efforts, the reality is the opposite. I do not accept the words and analyses of those who sometimes speak of the deviation of the youth in some media or publications. It is not like that. If sometimes a mistake or error occurs from the youth, considering their pure and radiant hearts, this mistake is entirely redeemable. Why do they not see the virtue, purity, piety, and sincerity of the youth? Why do they not see the enthusiasm and awareness of the youth? They fixate on a few minor errors of the youth and speak or write precisely in the same vein that the enemies desire and prefer.

Our country, in terms of geography, history, humanity, and natural resources, is undoubtedly one of the prominent countries in the world. Our history is glorious, fruitful, and honorable. Our geography is a very sensitive geography. We are located in a region that, in the age of communications and the connection of countries, news, capital, and technologies to one another, is considered one of the most sensitive places on the entire earth. In my meeting with the officials and agents of the system, I provided detailed statistics showing that our country is one of the richest in terms of natural resources. In terms of oil, gas, precious metals, minerals, and other natural resources, it is evident. In terms of humanity, our country is also one of the most talented. This has been shown in the past, and our present time also demonstrates it. Whenever a field has opened, this truth—namely, brilliant talents—has revealed itself. The average talent of our country is higher than the global average. For example, look at the scene of the eight years of sacred defense—from 1980 to 1988—when the field for the emergence of talents was opened. There was great need, but the doors of the world were closed to us. Everything that could assist our war was not made available to us by the world—neither weapons, nor ammunition, nor support, nor information—while the country was engaged in defending its identity, its land, its borders, and its homes; thus, it needed those resources. This need caused talents to emerge in all areas—both in scientific and military fields. The foundation of the scientific advancements of the country—which you hear some examples of today—was laid during the sacred defense. Today, many of the youth who are working in very sensitive scientific sectors of the country are the same elements from the sacred defense who have engaged in work with the same spirit and motivation, and today one example of their astonishing work is the enrichment of nuclear materials, which is among the most confidential technologies in the world that the powers have kept entirely to themselves; however, our youth were able to accomplish this great task relying on their talents, intelligence, and skilled hands, as you can see the reactions of the arrogant powers of the world. The commotion that exists today in the world is a reaction to your talents, abilities, and honors.

Another example is the production and replication of stem cells, which I mentioned last month; recently, they came and explained it. Global specialists and scientists have been forced to admit that our youth, backed by faith, effort, and valor, have been able to reveal their hidden bubbling talents and pursue this great path. We have numerous examples in the field of research. The same is true in military fields. It may be interesting for you dear youth and adolescents to know that during the eight years of sacred defense, the greatest blows inflicted on the equipped army of Iraq by our brave warriors—while that army was financially, militarily, and informationally supported by the United States, the then Soviet Union, Europe, and many countries in the region—were often the work of young planners and commanders, aged twenty-five or six, who were able to bring the seasoned generals of the Iraqi army to their knees! When our youth recaptured Khorramshahr, it was early in my presidency. An international delegation came to Iran, and its head said to me—approximately in this wording—that today your situation in the world is like night and day compared to a year ago. He was right. The world could not believe that our youth, our Basijis, our newly formed army, and our battle-hardened army could recapture Khorramshahr with all the fortifications that the enemy and its supporters had constructed. When our youth recaptured Khorramshahr, they reclaimed the borders and were able to regain the common water line and humiliate the enemy by advancing to Fao. We did not intend to hold Fao; this was a humiliation of the Saddam regime; this was bringing the Ba'ath army to disgrace. Our youth accomplished this, not with advanced equipment that they did not have, nor with the military or informational support that was not available to them; rather, it was through the power of will, thought, intelligence, and youthful effectiveness. At that time, our commanders were twenty-three, twenty-five, twenty-six, and twenty-seven years old; that is, they accomplished these great tasks at ages very close to yours.

This bubbling talent, this rich land, this sensitive geographical position, this glorious history—which is the cultural and honorable backing of ours—and above all, the light of faith that today shines in the hearts of our youth and draws the world's attention to itself, all heralds a promising future for our young generation. Your effort should be to build that future as best as you can. We had this youth, this position, and this historical past before the revolution; however, we did not have this brilliance and progress. Why? Because at that time, the political apparatus and power that ruled this country and all centers of effort and capability in this country were, firstly, completely devoid of religious faith and valuable beliefs—a bunch of hollow individuals without any lofty values within themselves ruled over the people—and secondly, these individuals had made themselves dependent on the enemies. Our dear Iran was a paradise for plunderers and looters. Why? Because they had seen the landlord, they plundered the village! The officials of the system had made themselves partners in their looting, and they exploited this nation. The revolution came and created the greatest barrier against the treacherous infiltration of foreigners and also against the illegitimate and unreasonable domination of corrupt individuals. What was that barrier? Islam. As long as Islam is in its rightful place, the propagandists of global arrogance and international domination are extremely fearful of Islam. Yes; if Islam is distanced from politics, life, and the social environment and is confined to the corners of worship and the solitude of mosques, they have no concern about it. If a few individuals engage in worship in solitude while the realm of society, the management of the country, and the governance of affairs are in the hands of various thoughts and whims, they do not care about this Islam and do not give it any importance; but if Islam, as God has desired and the Quran has legislated, is perceived and accepted as a program for life, they fear it. Why? Because this Islam, first and foremost, contains two great elements within itself: one is respect for the personality and concern for the growth of humanity, and the second is preventing the infiltration of plunderers, tyrants, and unjust global powers. In the word of monotheism, these elements exist; "There is no god but God." One of the prominent and important lines of the poem "There is no god but God" is that one cannot coexist with tyrants, global oppressors, and the international powers that you see today rampaging in the world and what they do to nations. Such submission has empowered these bloodthirsty individuals. If nations recognize their rights and refuse to submit to international bullying and do not accept the false slogans of these international hypocrites, they would not become so powerful.

Islam does not allow Muslim nations to submit to oppression and domination and be trampled upon. The dignity and growth of the Islamic personality must be preserved in all circumstances; these are inherent in Islam. When Islam is presented as a program for life, these elements are also presented. Our society, thanks be to God, is endowed with millions of young girls and boys. This is a source of pride for our nation. This nation must be proud of the existence of so many youth, so much talent, and so many pure and radiant hearts, and the youth must also take pride in their country, their revolution, their Islamic system, and the raised flag of Islam and build the future. The future is not built with words; it is built with intelligent and faithful work. You must work; and that too, with intelligent work backed by faith. The youth you see today suddenly appearing in the form of a great technical project or creating a significant technology have worked faithfully for a long time and have suddenly emerged in the fields of science. You can also do it. Pay attention to science, classes, study, research, and inquiry. I also advise the managers and officials in these areas; however, this advice is separate, and I will convey it to them separately. To you young people, as dear children and pieces of the hearts of this nation, I say separately: My dear ones! Work hard. Today, the enemies do not want there to be universities, lessons, schools, and teachers. Our enemies do not want millions of youth, through studying and maintaining their faith, to create a glorious tomorrow for a powerful Iran. They know that if this immense force works in this manner, in the not-so-distant future, a greatness will emerge from this region that the enemies will despair of being able to bully. I insist that you act in opposition to this colonial and arrogant desire, maintain your faith and purity, study well, and value your youth. This energy and vitality must be expended in the pursuit of these lofty values; the time is now. You are in the golden years of your life, and God Almighty will assist you. Make the best use of this good opportunity in life and the warm and kind embrace of the Islamic system and the Islamic revolution—which, thanks be to God, has been able to nurture so many faithful and good youth within itself. As I said, our youth are good. Mistakes and slips exist; they are not exclusive to the youth. The youth have the advantage that they can, through repentance and returning to the embrace of God and divine mercy, cleanse any impurity from their lives. The work of the youth is, in this regard, easier than that of the elderly. Of course, a youth who strives not to be tainted by sin and error will have much greater success, radiance, and brilliance; all your efforts should be directed towards this. I also have the duty to pray for you as a father, and I do. I hope that in these luminous days of the appointment of the noble Prophet of Islam—which coincides with the beginning of the school year—all of you will be encompassed by divine blessings and favors, and God willing, the prayer of the Awaited Savior, may our souls be sacrificed for him, will be with you.

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