Statements in Meeting with the Youth of Sistan and Baluchestan

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

This session is very vibrant and attractive. One can observe the manifestations of youth in all the movements and gestures of this gathering. Students, pupils, seminarians, young graduates, young people engaged in free professions, girls and boys, all share in the essence of youth. Although I hold great value for the student, pupil, and seminarian class; today, here, my address is to the youth as youth. My dear children, various speakers have discussed the cracked earth, the desert environment, and the dry air of this region since the beginning of the session; however, when I see this multitude of youth, this collection of pure feelings, these sweet words and fruitful thoughts, I observe a lush garden and a vibrant atmosphere with a very bright horizon before my eyes in this province.

The first time I encountered the youth of this city, I was about your age; I was twenty-four years old. This goes back nearly forty years. That day, a sense of responsibility drew me to Zahedan and to the center of this province. At that time, this center was much further from being a center of thought, intellect, and public movement in the country than it is today; today, it is a center. Back then, Zahedan was truly a remote area. When I was exiled to this province, that mental background helped me connect with the youth of this province, both Baluch and Sistani and Farsi; hearts drew closer together. Now that you dear youth were speaking with me, I remembered some of the young people with whom I had connected in this province at that time. The best of them became martyrs. Martyr Karimpour was a young man from Zahedan and had the same enthusiasm as the youth who spoke here today. Martyr Atashdast was also a young man from Iranshahr. There were other brothers whose names I do not mention. Some, thanks be to God, are alive. Among them were both Baluch and Farsi.

Today, this province in terms of the level of thought and intellect and the perspective of the youth has changed from the ground to the sky compared to that day, and this is a point of hope that encourages us and gives us hope for the future.

What you said about youth and being young are my long-held beliefs. What you said about the necessity of eliminating deprivation is my day and night endeavor. What is on the tongues and in the hearts of many of you regarding various spiritual, intellectual, and cultural dangers is my constant warning signs. Yes; our country is a young country, and our revolution is also a young revolution. We must traverse a difficult path with this energy and youthful blood, and we must strive to advance. It is not enough to merely wish in our hearts; wishing becomes possible when it is accompanied by effort, action, reliance, guidance, and a sense of responsibility. Our path is a long one; however, our future will also be very bright and attractive. Looking towards that future alleviates the fatigue of the journey and faith in it dispels doubts and hesitations. Can we move along this path without concern and care? Absolutely not. The complexity of the matter arises from here; this path is not a safe and secure paved road, and one cannot move along it carelessly and without concern; there are those who are resolute on the path and those who obstruct goodness, and there are destructive policies in existence. Sensitive centers of conspiracy in the world have their eyes fixed on this collection of youth whom we love and care for. They have focused their goals on these young people and know that if this path is traversed by this young nation, many of their objectives will be thwarted, and their hands will be cut off from these goals. Therefore, our path is accompanied by obstacles, dangers, enemies, wolves, thieves, thorns, stones, and such barriers. One cannot be indifferent to these obstacles. We must strive and, before striving, open our eyes and be vigilant.

What is important for you youth, like others, is the feeling of conscious responsibility. Of course, you are young and full of energy and have greater sensitivity. A sense of responsibility means that a person, just as they think about life, livelihood, employment, marriage, and everything related to themselves, should also feel responsible for goals that transcend themselves; goals that are not limited to themselves but relate to the collective, the nation, history, and humanity. A person must feel a duty, commitment, and responsibility towards these goals. No person or society will reach the lofty peaks of happiness without this sense of commitment. This sense of responsibility and commitment must be conscious. An individual must know what they are pursuing and recognize the obstacles in their path. This is the very sense of conscious responsibility. The Iranian youth is alert, sensitive, aware, and present in the arena, and they feel a greater sense of commitment and responsibility than the youth of other regions of the world. Of course, I do not claim to be precisely informed from all over the world; however, we receive a lot of news. Our awareness has many diverse paths and avenues. Political understanding, political thought, political demands, idealistic demands, sensitivity to events, and presence in the arena of confrontation with events in Iranian youth is distinguished and exemplary, and this includes both boys and girls. For this reason, we have achieved great successes, and we are also threatened by dangers. Today, a common policy is pursued worldwide by certain centers. This policy is to drown the youth in desires, sexual instincts, and moral corruption. This is a common policy in the world and includes both East and West; each region pursues it with a specific goal. The centers that design these policies also provide the means and tools for it abundantly. These centers mainly include Zionist economic centers and international power-seekers who have their eyes fixed on the sources of wealth in countries that are often underdeveloped, poor, and weak but have many wealth resources. To seize these wealth resources, the most significant obstacle is the will of the nations to which these resources belong. To paralyze nations, the best way is to paralyze the youth because the youth are the active force of any country. To paralyze the youth, the best way is to corrupt and entrap them through sex, vice, drunkenness, and drugs. In Western countries, this policy is pursued so that the youth do not become a nuisance to the Zionists. The story of the international Zionist network's dominance over the parliament, government, officials, and, in general, many policies of countries—especially Western countries—is very astonishing and strange. If in a country, an individual is elected to a political position with anti-Zionist motivations, the Zionist networks exert so much pressure on them in various ways that they cannot continue in their responsibilities and are forced to resign and withdraw.

In America, the most active political, economic, and cultural networks are the Zionist networks. There is a danger that the youth of these countries will inquire about the cause of all this dominance, pressure, and influence of the Zionist networks, and this itself creates a nuisance for the Zionists. The way to prevent the nuisance of the youth is to keep them occupied. The youth think throughout the week about Sunday night and quenching the flames of sexual desires and other pleasures. The situation in underdeveloped countries is much more painful.

Before the revolution, the official and constant propaganda of our country was propaganda that led people towards vice and debauchery. Even in poor and underdeveloped areas—places where people were in need of bread for the night—facilities were somehow provided for debauchery and vice. This was deliberately intensified in youth environments such as universities and military barracks—not to the extent that is naturally required by youthful instincts—to entertain and corrupt the generation. When a generation of youth becomes corrupt, there is no longer a nation, and no resistance can be seen.

Now, after twenty years, these conspiracies against the Iranian nation and the youth of the post-revolution era are constantly repeated to distance the youth from the truth of the revolution. In fact, they want to take these assets from the country and paralyze it and draw a line through its bright and shining future and prevent it from reaching it.

The issue is that the American arrogance's dominance over this country was eliminated by the efforts of its people and youth. The youth, not only at the beginning of the revolution but throughout these years, with their presence, piety, and adherence to Islamic ethics, despite all the distracting and inciting factors, have discouraged them. Of course, they continue their conspiracies; however, our youth neutralize their actions. Therefore, they also intensify their activities.

Today, you youth are the target of a very dangerous conspiracy. These dangers exist wherever Islam and faith are present, and the young generation has its heart set on spirituality and truth. There is also a way to free ourselves from them, and this is something that you and I must think about. I am like a father to you. Whether in youth or later stages, I have spent decades of my life with the youth. I know how blessed youth is and how valuable the energy of youth is. I know that the key to solving the problems of the country is in the hands of the youth; however, on the condition that the youth remain for our country and the will, spirit, and faith of our youth—things that our enemies have targeted—are strong and steadfast.

One of the top officials of the usurping Zionist regime of Israel advised the Americans last year. This recommendation was fully reflected in foreign media and the internet and is not a secret or hidden matter. His advice to the Americans was not to waste their time on Iraq and North Korea and countries of this kind. The main issue for you is Iran. If you want the Middle East, do not waste your time on Iraq; go for Iran; that is where the center and source is; however, Iran is not like Iraq, North Korea, and Afghanistan that can be conquered by military attack. The Islamic system relies on the people; the people have preserved it. You must do something to make the people abandon it. The way is to lead the people towards alienation from their religion, culture, and traditions through the promotion of Western culture and American education. When the people abandon these attachments, after a few years, without spending any resources, you can remove this great obstacle, namely the Islamic system, with a possibly minor military attack! Previously, last year, when the villages and cities of Afghanistan were being destroyed by American missiles and the oppressed Afghan nation was struggling under American bombardment, an American military strategist said: If instead of these missiles, you send Afghan youth women's underwear and sexual pleasure items and light Western and American clothing, you can conquer Afghanistan without incurring these costs, and the expenses for weapons will remain in your pocket! Instead of bombs and missiles, promote pornographic CDs and images and exciting literature among them, then it will be easy for you.

This is a fundamental policy. Do not underestimate this matter. They allocated twenty million dollars to fight Iran. Can one fight and overcome Iran with just twenty million dollars!? They spend billions of dollars, and it is worth it for them. Iran, with its rich resources, consumer market, strategic position, and abundant human resources, is a treasure that Western technology, industry, and factories need to survive. The brain of Iranian youth, oil, and the market of the Iranian nation are vital for them, and their goals are precisely these matters.

Today's policy is to make Iran like Andalusia! The issue I am sharing with you does not have the form of a sermon; rather, it is a fundamental issue that is shared with the best elements of a nation - which is you youth. You are not the only audience; this message will also be heard by the youth across the country. The young generation of the country, which constitutes more than half of the nation and the population of the country, must know what obstacles exist in front of their great aspirations, lofty ideals, and sacred and acceptable goals. Once, Muslims established an Islamic country in southern Europe and in Spain up to southern France. This country became a cradle of civilization, and knowledge blossomed in Europe from that early Islamic Andalusian civilization. The flourishing of knowledge in that land has its stories, and even the Westerners acknowledge it. Of course, they now try to erase this page from the history of knowledge and completely remove the name of Muslims; however, they themselves have recorded this history, and it is also recorded in our histories.

When Europeans wanted to take Andalusia back from the Muslims, they undertook a long-term action. At that time, there were no Zionists; however, the enemies of Islam and political centers were active against Islam. They engaged in corrupting the youth and had various Christian, religious, or political motivations in this regard. One of the actions was that they endowed vineyards to provide free wine to the youth! They directed the youth towards their women and daughters to corrupt them with desires! Over time, the main paths for corrupting or building a nation do not change. Today, they are doing the same thing. Of course, the enemy has economic, cultural, and political goals as well. Their economic goals are clear; for them, economic dominance over the Middle East is vital. Today, they are initiating a great war in our neighborhood and in Iraq. The whole world knows that their primary goal is economic. Dominance over OPEC, Iraqi oil, and ultimate control over Middle Eastern oil are among these goals. Economics is the god of today's material world; a god that must be obeyed, and everyone must kneel before it and do anything to acquire wealth. These actions are not for the improvement of human economy; rather, they are aimed at filling the pockets of oil and arms companies and the like, which are manifestations of Pharaoh-like and Qarun-like behavior.

They also have cultural goals. They harbor animosity towards Islamic culture and are hostile to it. Islamic culture challenges the views of European intellectuals and questions the liberal democracy that is the banner of the West. Islamic culture promotes the spirit of independence-seeking and bravery in the large community of over a billion Muslims, and this is more intense in the most sensitive region of the world in terms of strategic and oil resources. Islamic culture has prompted this large community to think about its revival; therefore, they harbor animosity towards it and intend to crush it.

Of course, they speak of free discussion and democracy over loudspeakers; however, this is a false slogan. They are not advocates of dialogue, democracy, and free discussion. Inside Iran, they promote pluralism, skepticism, doubt in certainties and foundational beliefs, and tolerance. They say to overlook your beliefs and have tolerance and leniency towards them. However, this pertains to the internal society of Iran and Islamic communities. When the discussion reaches a point where they themselves label it as American and Western values, there is no room for dialogue. Similarity, uniformity, and globalization are certainties that the world must not raise the slightest objection against! Here, they take on a dictatorial face. The flag of democracy and freedom is a blatant lie. Which America wants to gift freedom to the people of the world?! The America that drives nations into the most horrific misery to preserve its resources?! The America whose atrocities in Vietnam and Afghanistan are not forgotten and will not be forgotten—these atrocities continue even today—and now threatens the people of Iraq?! Here, they come forward with the flag of democracy; however, when it comes to the Palestinian people, there is no news of democracy! Are the Palestinian people not human?!

Today, the world is in a miserable state under the dominance of global arrogance. Islamic culture challenges them. It is this Islamic intention, effort, and reliance that enables a nation to stand against global oppression, tyranny, and dictatorship and firmly express its words so that nations can hear.

Do not think that the nations of the world are indifferent to your slogans. Although their governments are often conservative and must somehow take care, the nations deeply understand, hear, perceive, and believe in these slogans. The beliefs of our people are the fundamental slogans of today's Muslim nations. The enemy is extremely fearful of this.

If the freedom of the revolution and the Islamic system did not exist, many truths would still remain veiled. When a person is free, they speak their mind, and their words have an impact within a limited circle; however, when a nation and a system and a government power arising from the will of the people are free, one cannot limit their words to a small circle; their words will resonate and echo in the world.

The enemies do not want to admit their defeats; however, in various political circles around the world, they always complain about the revolution and the Islamic system that the position and stance of the Islamic system on the issue of Palestine, Afghanistan, the Islamic world, arms, and human rights has thwarted many of the goals of global arrogance. This is due to the steadfastness of our nation. The Islamic system is entirely a free system, and we derive this freedom from Islam, and for this reason, they are hostile to Islam and work against it.

Today, what is our duty? Dear youth! In this regard, both the officials have responsibilities, and you yourselves are obliged. Some of you dear youth say to us to trust you. This is the very trust. The problem that concerns the Iranian nation—most of whom are young—must be neutralized with the effort, will, steadfastness, vigilance, and awareness of the young generation. Of course, the officials and the Islamic system have a heavy responsibility. They must provide the groundwork for this cultural and moral readiness for the youth; however, the primary responsibility lies with the youth. What is this responsibility? This responsibility is that the youth, as a human being, should consider themselves a trust of God and as a youth, a national asset. The enemies strive to corrupt this youth with drugs and to entrap them in desires and intoxicants and to engage them in things that prevent them from traversing this long path towards the peaks of happiness and honor until they ultimately become corrupt. The youth must strengthen faith, knowledge, and will within themselves and their surrounding environment. Each of you girls and boys must be vigilant in the university, school, social, and political efforts and prevent the infiltration of corruption and the seepage of its residues. You must be sensitive to it.

I invite the dear youth to a true struggle. Struggle is not just fighting and going to the battlefield. Efforts in the fields of science, ethics, political cooperation, and research are also considered jihad for the people. Creating a correct culture and thought in society is also jihad. All of these are jihad in the way of God and jihad fi sabilillah. The opponents of this jihad are the arrogant, the enemies, and those who harbor animosity and hostility towards Islam, Iran, identity, nationality, Islamism, and Islamic attributes. The Quran says: "They are severe against the disbelievers"; Muslims must be strict against the disbelievers. Where are these disbelievers? Not every non-believer in Islam is someone to be strict against. The Quran says: "God does not forbid you from those who do not fight you in religion and do not expel you from your homes, to be good to them and act justly towards them; indeed, God loves those who act justly"; those who do not have enmity with you and do not conspire against you and have not set out to destroy your generation and nation, even if they belong to another religion, be good to them and treat them well; the disbeliever with whom one must be strict is not this one. "Indeed, God only forbids you from those who fight you in religion and expel you from your homes". One must be strict with those who fight against your identity, Islam, nationality, country, territorial integrity, independence, honor, dignity, and values. This is the culture that must prevail in our society. Tolerance and leniency must be established among Muslims themselves.

Yesterday and the day before, in various gatherings I had in this city, I spoke about empathy and love between Shia and Sunni. I say to you youth: Know that those who incite Shia against Sunni and Sunni against Shia do not love either Shia or Sunni; they are enemies of Islam itself. "They are merciful among themselves"; that is, Muslim brothers should be merciful and kind to each other. The enemy strives from both sides. On one hand, they promote extremism and sectarianism and introduce Shia as the real enemy in the eyes of Sunni—some unfortunately believe this due to their religious rigidity—and on the other hand, they incite Shia to insult the sanctities and values of Sunni. The enemy's conspiracy is to place these two schools against each other. This discord is created to obliterate the identity of a nation and in matters that should not exist between them. I told the esteemed scholars of both Shia and Sunni that you speak of unity, and this is very good, and I thank you; however, do not be heedless of the enemy's plots. The enemy enters through paths that you may overlook and not pay attention to; be vigilant and recognize the enemy in any guise. "And you will surely recognize them by the tone of their speech"; they can be recognized by their words.

Know that those who lead you towards alienation from religion, nation, and country are enemies and not friends. Those who lead you towards internal disputes are enemies. Those who try to poison hearts against each other are enemies. Those who strive to make the ideals of the Islamic revolution unattainable and the Islamic system incapable of achieving them are enemies.

Sometimes individuals who are not enemies also repeat these words; they are heedless. Today, we see instances like pluralism, relativism, and skepticism that form the enemy's motivation flowing from the mouths of individuals who do not have enmity; however, they are heedless. They do not understand what they are saying and how they are paving the way for the enemy.

However, the officials have a heavier responsibility. Of course, I have repeatedly pointed out the necessary points to the officials and in their meetings; I will do so again. The danger is not only a moral danger; of course, the issue of culture and ethics is very important. The Islamic system cannot be indifferent to the culture and ethics of its people. The Islamic system is not one that only thinks of preserving its power and remains indifferent to the actions of its people—even if they fall into moral decline. The Islamic system suffers from what diverts and misleads the people. "It is grievous to him what you suffer; he is ardently concerned for you; and is kind and merciful to the believers"; this is the method of the noble Prophet, and the Islamic system must have the same approach. The Islamic system cannot be indifferent to the spiritual, physical, and mental sufferings and misguidance of its people. This system has a heavy responsibility. Our institutions, especially cultural institutions, have an even heavier responsibility; just as the economic and developmental institutions of the country have a heavy responsibility. In places like your province—Sistan and Baluchestan—which is very deprived, the responsibilities are even more challenging.

My dear children, when they spoke, they repeatedly asked me to take action regarding this problem. I have not had as much pause in any of the provinces as I have in this province. The reason for this is that the attention of the officials in various sectors must be drawn to the essential needs of this province. Each must know their responsibility, define it, and take action on it, and of course, good preparations have also been made, and I said in the public speech on the first day that the officials have listed multiple tasks that need to be done, specified the solutions, and allocated budgets for them. These actions are carried out within the limits of the country's capabilities. After this, the officials must follow up on each of these tasks to ensure they are completed. In the past years, many works have been accomplished. You youth did not see Sistan and Baluchestan before the revolution. Last night, Mr. Governor provided statistics in a meeting I attended. The indicators of growth and development in the province have progressed by a thousand percent, six percent, five hundred percent, and two thousand percent. These actions have been carried out after the revolution. Before the revolution, when I was exiled in Iranshahr, the people of that city said: Not even a deputy governor has visited this city until now! Iranshahr is not a village; it is a city, and at that time it was neglected to this extent. They traveled to areas where they could fill their pockets and provide their pleasures and comforts and had nothing to do with Iranshahr, Khash, and Chabahar. The attention of the officials, the connection and strong bond between the people and the officials, and the many activities that have been carried out and whose list is very long, date back to after the revolution. Of course, the needs of the province exceed these; more efforts must be made. It is not that a new task will begin; the officials' efforts must be devoted to each period of time. I wanted a surge and leap in this work, and for this reason, I came on this trip. God willing, a substantial work will be done that will have a noticeable and evident impact in the province at its specified time.

We are approaching the days of the city and village council elections. In the previous term when the council elections were held, I spoke and made many recommendations that could fill a book. These discussions included encouraging people to participate in the council elections, advising officials regarding the councils, and advising the elected council members. One of the issues I emphasized at that time was that do not make the councils a place for settling party, factional, and gang scores; let the councils work for the people. The councils in some cities have done useful work, and good individuals have been elected in those cities. In one area, a father of three martyrs was elected, who is a faithful, capable, and worthy man. These individuals worked in the councils and for the people. However, in some places, they did not perform well. Some members committed acts that created problems for that city. I do not mention the names of these cities. The members of the councils of these cities did not pass their test well.

Now I say: Choose members who are, first and foremost, faithful, competent, capable, and trustworthy. This responsibility is a trust that is entrusted to them; it is the trust of your vote. The integrity of the Islamic Republic system depends on the trusts of the people regarding those they elect for positions of power. They must act on the demands of the people and respond to their trust. The other side of the matter must respect your trust and respond to your confidence; this side too - which is you - must open your eyes and be aware of whom you are voting for and whom you are electing. Some factions and groups have acted in such a way that the people no longer trust their recommendations. The fact that the people do not trust the recommendations of individuals and factions is a loss.

In this election, strive to choose, first and foremost, faithful and believing individuals. The propaganda of the enemies and their followers is aimed at diminishing faith in society. They say, what is faith?! The answer is that without faith, competence and capability will not come into play. An individual who is more competent, if they lack faith, will steal more and cause harm. If they have faith, their competence and capability will be beneficial to the people. Therefore, choose faithful, competent, capable, and trustworthy individuals and be vigilant about their performance.

O Lord! Bestow Your mercy and grace upon these young hearts. O Lord! Grant the light of knowledge and insight into the truth to our dear youth. O Lord! Grant us and all the officials of the country and all the individuals of this nation the ability to fulfill the heavy duties of this era. O Lord! Increase Your grace upon these people and upon all the nation of Iran day by day. O Lord! Destroy the enemies and traitors of this nation. O Lord! Neutralize the conspirators against this nation; thwart their plots. O Lord! Make the heart of the Master of the Age, may his soul be sanctified, pleased and happy with us; include us in the prayers of that great one.

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