Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in a Meeting with Professors and Students at the University of Science and Technology

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

I am very happy and thankful to God that today we have the opportunity to be present in this great and important university among you dear ones. Both dear students are present, as well as esteemed professors and officials of this university. Thanks be to God, the University of Science and Technology is among the universities that have both scientific honors and revolutionary honors. If we consider one of the important duties of universities to be the training of capable, distinguished, and useful forces for managing parts of the country and having an influential presence in national affairs - which indeed is the case; certainly one of the duties of universities is this - your university is one of the most advanced and pioneering universities in this regard. A long list can be enumerated of graduates from this university who have played important roles in various sectors of the country over the years. Now, as an example, since the names and memories of martyrs have also been mentioned in this session, I would like to mention the esteemed commander, Javid Nishan, Mr. Haj Ahmad Motavaselian, whom I knew closely and have seen his work, his spirit, and his efforts, and he was one of the distinguished figures of the Sacred Defense - I believe especially you dear youth should read the biographies of these distinguished individuals, which teach us many lessons; especially in the part related to the operations of this dear commander; whether in the West, in Fath al-Mubin, or in Beit al-Maqdis - and the name of this martyr Mahmoud Shahbazi, who is closely associated with this great man, these are among the great honors and graduates of this university. Today, thanks be to God, the revolutionary, committed, efficient, active, and courageous president is also among the students and professors of this university. These are very good and distinguished records for this university.

Today, although esteemed professors are present in this session, my address is more directed towards the students; although I will also have some remarks regarding the general issues that certainly concern the esteemed professors during my speech. I will divide the time: I will present a brief discussion about the issue of student affairs and students and the role of students - which I believe is among the important issues of our country - and then in another talk and in a renewed look, I will provide a brief review of the revolution, both in terms of history and in terms of content - briefly - at the end of the third decade. Then, I will also present brief remarks and points regarding the topic of progress and justice - which we said the fourth decade is the decade of progress and justice.

Now, university sessions - student sessions - are very pleasant for us; because there is both an atmosphere of sincerity and devotion in these sessions, and the student plays a fundamental role in shaping the present and future; the tomorrow of the country.

This element that, in this great workshop, gains extraordinary added value through its own efforts and with the guidance and help of professors, is the student. And certainly with this perspective, the university is the most important infrastructure for the progress and development of the country; that is, none of the various infrastructures of the country has the importance and role of the university; because the university trains the human force, which is the most important asset of the country. From the university, there is always and everywhere the expectation that it will be the place of the emergence and peak of two vital currents in the country: first, the current of science and research; second, the current of idealism and aspirations and political and social goal-setting. It is difficult to find another environment - perhaps no other environment can be found - where these two currents always emerge in parallel; both the current of science and research, which is the source of the life of society and the dignity of society, and scientific dignity brings with it economic dignity, political dignity, and international dignity, is in universities, and also the issue of idealism, which seemingly has no connection to science, but everywhere in the world, the expectation from universities due to the presence of students is that they should be active in the field of delineating ideals and striving to achieve these ideals. This particularly relates to the student; the youth of the student, the age of the student, the spiritual readiness of the student, which gives this expectation to the university. This is the expectation from the university. Of course, in some places this expectation is met, and in some places it is not.

Regarding the first current - which is the current of science and research - it must be said that in the past, this current existed in our country to some extent; the university movement before the revolution cannot be completely denied. There are criticisms of it, but ultimately it was a movement that existed. Caring, interested, and knowledgeable elements would emerge and play a role in universities, but after the revolution, the scientific movement in universities accelerated, which of course has reasons for why this has happened.

In recent years, the issue of producing science and the movement of producing science, the software movement, returning to oneself, and the emphasis on research in universities has created a leap in this movement; in some scientific issues and scientific and technological works, examples of which you have observed, in the field of medical sciences, in the field of new sciences, in the field of nuclear issues, in the field of nanotechnology, and so on, important works have been done in our universities that were previously unimaginable; our researchers, our professors, our students, our youth have been able to reach these points and achieve this leap; but today it has been achieved. What is important is that this leap must continue. We are chronically lagging behind in scientific matters. What is important - which I will mention later - is the issue of continuing the rapid movement. We must continue this speed and this momentum that exists in our scientific movement for years; it is not permissible for us to stop even for a moment; because our lag behind the advanced world in terms of science is significant and considerable; we know this, we understand it, and we suffer from it. The reason is that our nation is not a nation with below-average intelligence that can say, now it is my right. Our nation is a nation with above-average intelligence in the world; this is a statement that has been proven; everyone says it. Many mention it, say it, and its effects are observed. Our scientific background and our scientific history confirm this as well. It is intolerable for this nation, especially at this sensitive point on the globe, to be afflicted with this lag and poverty that has been imposed on it. We thank God that He opened our eyes to this lag; we have been made to understand that we are afflicted with this poverty, and we thank God that this determination, this enthusiasm, this hope has arisen in our collective that we can overcome this lag. Therefore, this momentum that exists, this leap that exists, must continue for years.

We have stated that the country must achieve scientific dignity. The goal must be scientific authority in the world; just as we have repeatedly stated. That is, just as today you are compelled to refer to scientists and books related to other countries for knowledge and access to scientific products, we must reach the point where the seeker of knowledge, the seeker of science, must come to you, to your books; must learn your language in order to be able to use your knowledge. This must be the goal. This is not a mere wish. This is something that is practical. The point we are at today in terms of science and technology was once considered a mere wish.

Certainly before the revolution - before this movement and enthusiasm arose in the people; before this courageous feeling against obstacles arose in our people - if it had been said that our country would be able to reach this point of various sciences, no one would have believed it. The day when for a common illness that today is easily treated in third and fourth grade hospitals in our remote towns, individuals had to go abroad, pay large sums of money, and endure much hardship - this is not very long ago, it was before the revolution - with the situation we have today in various sciences and fields, it was certainly considered unattainable by many; but our nation achieved it, our youth achieved it. This nuclear issue is one of these cases, various issues in scientific fields are of this kind. Therefore, this is also the case that one day our country and our nation will advance the caravan of knowledge to such an extent that it can become a scientific reference in the world; this is possible. Of course, it has prerequisites, which must be fulfilled, and these prerequisites have already begun. One of these prerequisites is this self-awareness that we must feel that "we must"; and we must feel that "we can." Another prerequisite is the preparation of a comprehensive scientific map of the country so that the country does not suffer from confusion in terms of acquiring knowledge and seeking various sciences. Fortunately, this work has been done. The same friends and researchers and distinguished individuals, who have emerged from universities and from this university, have been able to prepare and provide the comprehensive scientific map, which is nearing completion, and this is a very significant step in the path of scientific progress in the country. Of course, after the comprehensive scientific map has been prepared and provided, other works must also be done; including: creating a system to engineer this map, transforming the comprehensive scientific map into hundreds of scientific projects, and assigning these projects to reliable contractors, which are the same universities and professors and research centers of universities. Then, creating a monitoring network for this scientific progress; good execution. And involving professors, students, researchers - who now students have asked what our duty is in the field of scientific progress - these must certainly be included in this engineering plan of the comprehensive scientific map. Each and every student can play a role; every center of research, every educational workshop can play a role, and professors can too. Therefore, this is a multi-year task. This multi-year task must be pursued with intensity, with determination, with full follow-up, and God willing, it will yield results. Certainly, the day will come when you will see that the scientific authority of Iranian universities and Iranian scientists is not out of reach; it is very close to you. You young people will certainly see this; I have no doubt.

This relates to the first current; universities and student affairs and the expectations from students, which of course the role of professors in this first current is very decisive, important, and sensitive.

The second current, which is the issue of idealism in universities - which is commonly referred to as the student movement - has a very interesting history in our country. I say this and emphasize it because this movement must continue and this is not something that can be stopped; because the country is in a situation and the Islamic Republic has a structure and characteristics that the student movement must definitely be present alongside it. This student movement in our country, in its recorded and recognized history, has always been anti-global arrogance, anti-domination, anti-despotism, anti-oppression, and strongly justice-seeking. These are the distinguishing features of our student movement from the very beginning until today. If someone claims to be part of the student movement but does not possess these distinguishing features, they are not sincere. The hand of the student movement cannot be in the hands of those who commit massacres in Palestine, commit crimes in Iraq, and slaughter people in Afghanistan; this is not the student movement. The student movement has its characteristics in our country at least in this way - perhaps it is the same in many other countries - that it is anti-global arrogance, anti-domination, anti-dictatorship, and pro-justice. The beginning of this movement or the recognized milestone of this movement is the 16th of Azar.

It is interesting to note that the 16th of Azar in the year 32, when three students were martyred, occurred almost four months after the 28th of Mordad; that is, after the coup of the 28th of Mordad and that strange oppression - the strange suppression of all forces and the silence of all - suddenly through the students at Tehran University, an explosion occurred in the atmosphere and environment. Why? Because Nixon, who was then the Vice President of the United States, came to Iran. As a protest against America, as a protest against Nixon, who was the agent of the coup of the 28th of Mordad, these students staged a strike and demonstration in the university environment, which of course faced suppression and three of them were killed. Now, the 16th of Azar in all years must be recognized with these characteristics. The 16th of Azar belongs to the anti-Nixon student, the anti-American student, the anti-domination student.

Then, from that year until 42 - which is the beginning of the clergy's movement and the religious and Islamic movement in our country - the student movement had some activities. I remember in the years 38, 39, 40, and ..., the students had movements, but they were severely suppressed and not allowed to manifest; until the clergy's movement began in 1341 and peaked in 42, where again you observe the signs of the student movement; that is, throughout the fifteen years between 1342, which is the beginning of the clergy's movement, and 1357, when the victory of the revolution occurred, you observe the student movement everywhere, side by side with the clergy. The universities of the country, the student environments of the country, were centers of movement and activity and one of the main arms of the movement throughout this period - which we have witnessed closely; both friends who were involved in the movement and struggles and everyone has experienced and tested this - were the students. Therefore, universities were an inseparable part of the clergy's movement. Of course, there were also atheistic and anti-religious and Marxist currents in universities, but the dominant movement was related to Muslim students. Thus, the groups that were formed - the fighting groups - and the activities that were carried out, for example in prisons - these various prisons in different years that we ourselves experienced - everywhere, students were also present; that is, clergy and students made up the majority of the prisoners. This led us, the clergy of Mashhad, the scholars of Mashhad, and a large number of the people of Mashhad, in 57, before the victory of the revolution, when we wanted to hold a sit-in, this sit-in took place at the Imam Reza Medical University; that is, the center of the university. In Tehran, the sit-in of the scholars and clergy and revolutionaries and fighters for the entry of Imam - whose entry had been delayed - took place at Tehran University. These indicate the role of the university and the role of the student until the revolution was victorious.

After the victory of the revolution, this student movement - the student movement, the presence of students - is a remarkable scene. In the very first months, the issue of forming the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the active presence of students in the Guard is there, and a few months later, the formation of the Construction Jihad by the students themselves, which the students formed and developed; they themselves advanced it, which was one of the blessings and honors of the Islamic system, the Construction Jihad. A few months after this, the second wave of students' presence was in confronting and combating armed elements who had made the university their den, many of whom were not even students, and Tehran University had turned into a center of weapons and ammunition! They had gathered these tools to fight against the revolution. The one who was able to remove these from Tehran University was the students themselves; the massive movement of the students showed itself here as well.

In 59, with the beginning of the Sacred Defense, the presence of students at the front is evident, with various examples of it, one of which was the same Haj Ahmad Motavaselian and others who rose and went to the western region in Kurdistan, in the midst of loneliness - I saw the Kurdistan region closely in the very first months of the war, five or six months after the beginning of the war; the dust of loneliness was spread over everyone there - and in isolation, without weapons and with the active presence of the enemy and constant bombardment by the enemy, these most devoted forces accomplished great tasks there before the operation of Fath al-Mubin - the operation that this great commander and his friends carried out - they conducted the operation of Muhammad Rasulullah (peace be upon him), which is one example of the presence of students. Another example is the students who participated in the incident of Hoveyzeh, whom I happened to see on the same day they were heading - on the 14th of Dey - towards the battlefield and confrontation; Martyr Alam al-Huda and Martyr Quddusi and others. This relates to the years 60 and 61, which of course continued until the end of the war. That is, truly one of the main sources of our active forces during the eight years of the Sacred Defense was the universities. Then, in the early 60s, when the universities reopened, the Islamic Jihad was formed, which is one of the sensitive points and one of the centers of pride, the Islamic Jihad. Before these, in 58, the seizure of the spy den was by the student movement.

Now, the student as a student is a member of the student movement. It is possible that someone who was active in the seizure of the spy den later regrets their actions - as we have some who have regretted! Many of those who were present in the student movement, at another time, due to life's difficulties and various motivations, lost their steadfastness - but the great movement belongs to the student, which this seizure of the spy den is one of the most important of these movements.

Now, this is a history, and it continues to this day. Throughout various periods, during the revolution, various events, critical and sensitive moments, the presence of committed, dedicated, justice-seeking, and self-sacrificing students has been able to guide the atmosphere in the right direction. This is my understanding of the student movement and my view of the student movement: anti-global arrogance, anti-corruption, anti-elitism, anti-oppressive and tyrannical governance, anti-deviant tendencies; these are the characteristics of the student movement. Throughout all these years of the revolution, the presence of students in these scenes has been active and effective. Students have been discourse creators, have created a thought space, and have established political and revolutionary discourses in society, which has existed in many cases.

Of course, my judgment is on the body of students. There may be individuals, sections of the student body that are different. We neither find it surprising nor deny it; certainly, this is the case; but the body of students, the nature of student work, and the spirit of student life is as I have described. The student is against oppression, against global arrogance, against foreign domination, loves great ideals, and is hopeful of achieving these ideals. In fact, the presence of the youth class, especially the student, is the engine of movement for a society. Students must always pay attention to this and count on it for the future of the country.

One sentence also regarding student organizations: of course, I mean the political and social organizations of students; scientific organizations have a different discussion. Student organizations are influential; without a doubt. However, it must be noted that a student organization is not a party in the sense that is commonly understood today, and it differs from that; a student organization is different from a party. Political parties and organizations in the prevailing and conventional state of the world are organizations that are formed to gain power. Parties in the world are like this. That is, groups are formed to take political power in society. This is the characteristic of a party. Student organizations are not formed for this purpose and do not seek to gain power. Student organizations are formed to achieve ideals that transcend the issue of gaining political power and taking over governance. This - political power - is not their concern. Of course, parties would not mind using these student organizations to gain power. In our view, this is not permissible, and the students themselves must pay attention to this. Parties want to gain something, to acquire power. Students often invest their lives, their abilities, their energy in student activities, and they offer something; where necessary, they offer their lives; as you have seen.

Moreover, student organizations also create an opportunity for students for collective work. And I believe in collective work and consider it a necessity for students; acquiring various skills; political and social skills. And you dear young people; both brothers and sisters, should be aware that students are surrounded by various traps and whirlpools; surrounded by various dangers. At least in our country, this is the case. One of the goals of the conspiracies of global arrogance in our country is undoubtedly the students. The reason is clear; in our country, the ratio of youth is very high, the ratio of students is also high, and students are influential; both in scientific fields and in political fields. Those who have plotted for this country and this nation must invest in Iranian students; from primal attractions to political deceptions, to seemingly spiritual shops - fabricated mysticism - which various forms of these things exist. Organizations can be protective; they can save students from falling into various whirlpools and quagmires and preserve them. This is a role that organizations can play. The officials of organizations, who have various names and work under various titles, must all consider themselves partners in this goal: helping the student.

And also, student organizations must be careful not to lose sight of their goals. The main goals of student organizations are the same things that are inscribed on the high arch of the student movement: opposition to global arrogance, helping the progress of the country, aiding national unity, assisting the advancement of science, participating in the collective struggle of the Iranian nation to overcome conspiracies and enmities; these are the main goals; they must not forget this. Of course, organizations should not separate themselves from the student body; that is, it should not be the case that the organization causes division among students. They should be close to the students. I will conclude the lengthy discussion on student issues here.

The issue of reviewing the revolution is, in my opinion, an important matter. Now, there is not much time for me to speak in detail, and my current condition of cold and chest does not allow it. I have been suffering from a cold for a few days and did not want to postpone this meeting we have today with you. That is why I came in this condition. This, after all, creates a limitation in my speech with you.

One point regarding understanding the tumultuous history of our revolution is that we should pay attention to the fact that our country, after years of being afflicted with monarchical despotism until the constitutional period, the constitutional movement was an opportunity for breathing; that is, the expectation was that the event of the constitutional movement would create a breathing space for this nation, give them freedom; but it did not happen this way. The constitutional movement was from the very beginning confiscated by foreigners, by the dominant power of the day or one of the dominant powers of the day, which was the British government.

After the chaos that arose in the early constitutional period, a few years later, the same foreign oppressive government - namely the British - brought a harsh and ruthless dictator, much more dangerous than the previous monarchs before the constitutional period - namely Mozaffar al-Din Shah and Naser al-Din Shah - to power, who was Reza Khan. The dictatorship of Reza Khan was far worse and harsher for our country and nation than the dictatorship of Naser al-Din Shah and Mozaffar al-Din Shah, which the British brought to power. In reality, we did not enter a period of freedom from the era of despotism, but rather entered another era of despotism along with dependency; that is, the nation did not taste freedom. Therefore, when the Islamic movement began in Iran and Imam announced the goal of this movement to uproot the despotic government and the government of domination and cut off foreign influence, many of the old fighters and those who were involved in the struggle could hardly believe it; they could not properly imagine how such a thing could happen! How could one eliminate the monarchy in this country?! I remember in those last years of struggle - when Imam had discussed the fundamental issues related to governance and these discussions had spread among the people and he had announced that the Shah was a traitor and the Shah must go - some of the active and good elements of the struggle - who later had a lot of activity in the revolution - even they said: Is it possible?! How could Imam raise the issue of monarchy? Is it possible to confront the monarchy?! They could not believe it. The reason was that the long period of oppression and despotism in this country had been accompanied by foreign influence, the domination of foreigners, and the support of foreigners for the monarchical system. But this happened.

The great Islamic movement, the determination of the people, the leadership of an unparalleled figure like Imam - who was truly and justly an unparalleled figure - did its work. "Patience" and "insight." I have often quoted from the words of Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him): "This knowledge is only carried by those who have insight and patience"; insight - awareness - and patience; that is, steadfastness, perseverance, not getting tired. These two characteristics emerged in the Iranian nation and did their work, and the revolution was victorious. In fact, the establishment of the Islamic Republic was a response to the long-term historical need of the Iranian nation. The Iranian nation raised and established the Islamic Republic from the depths of their historical aspirations. Well, it is obvious that when a system is rooted in the ancient aspirations of the people, this system is enduring; this system has the capability to survive, has the capability to grow, takes root, and enmity with this system is not easy. And this happened.

Certainly, no other revolutionary movement could have overthrown the monarchical system in our country - dear youth! Know this and be assured - except for the Islamic and religious movement that emerged. No other movement, no party, no revolutionary group could have overthrown the dependent despotic regime aligned with American power in this country; just as the old revolutionary movements in this country had all become ineffective; whether leftist movements, rightist movements, or armed groups. In the years 54 and 55, all these groups had been crushed by that regime. The only thing that could have toppled that false regime was the massive national wave; the unified presence of the people, which could only be achieved with the motivation of religion and the leadership of the fighting clergy and a figure like Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified). After that, when that corrupt regime was overthrown, any other system that came to power, whether leftist or rightist, would not have been able to withstand the enemy's influence, the various interventions of the enemy.

We saw how revolutions that came to power, whether of the left or the moderate type, but the influence and intervention of America - its political intervention, its military intervention, its economic blockade - destroyed them; wiped them out. Today, look at Eastern Europe - which was a major center of socialist and leftist governments - and see where they have ended up, that American military bases and missile systems are being established in those former leftist countries of Eastern Europe, and Americans are present there! Therefore, no system other than the Islamic Republic could have resisted the influence and pressure of America.

Let me also mention this: The reason for the deep and irreconcilable enmity of global arrogance, led by America and the world Zionist network, with the Islamic Republic is not the slogans that are sometimes mentioned here and there - whether the things they shout or the perceptions some have inside - is not the issue. The issue is that the Islamic Republic has a "negation" with it, a "confirmation."

It negates exploitation, negates subjugation, negates the humiliation of the nation by the political powers of the world, negates political dependency, negates the influence and intervention of the dominant powers of the world in the country, negates moral secularism; libertinism; these are firmly negated by the Islamic Republic.

It also confirms certain things: it confirms national identity, Iranian identity, confirms Islamic values, defends the oppressed of the world, strives to reach the peaks of knowledge; not just following in the matter of knowledge, and conquering the peaks of knowledge; these are among the things that the Islamic Republic insists upon.

This negation and this confirmation; these are the reasons for America's enmity and the enmity of the world Zionist network. If we accept America's influence, the enmities will diminish; if we agree that our nation should be humiliated by foreigners in various ways, and abandon the defense of national identity or the defense of Islamic values, certainly the enmities will decrease accordingly. When they say the Islamic Republic should change its behavior, this is what they mean. You have heard sometimes when political officials of arrogant countries like America speak about Iran, they say: We do not say the Islamic Republic should be destroyed, we say the Islamic Republic should change its behavior. Changing its behavior means this; it means to abandon this negation and this confirmation. This is what they want.

With this steadfastness in this negation and in that confirmation, the Islamic Republic has been able to confront a broad front equipped with various capabilities and resist against it; the same state that existed during the eight years of Sacred Defense when East and West and Europe and NATO and some Arab countries all joined hands against the Islamic Republic, and the Islamic Republic ultimately forced all of them to retreat and did not retreat at all. In the political arena and in the years after the war until today, this meaning has existed; that is, the Islamic Republic has been able to stand against this vast front that has formed against it; not only has it not retreated, but it has advanced and struck the enemy. This has happened.

Look at the current situation of America in the Middle East, look at its situation fifteen years ago, and see what the situation of America in the Middle East is like; day by day more despised, day by day more humiliated, more unsuccessful; in the issue of Palestine, one way; in the issue of Lebanon, another way; in the affairs of Iraq and Afghanistan, another way. America has failed in its plans in the Middle East - which primarily targeted the Islamic Republic more than those countries - has been unsuccessful; has been struck. And the Islamic Republic has been able to stand and resist. Well, of course, there have been many conspiracies; the first decade of the revolution was one way, and the second and third decades of the revolution had various conspiracies - I do not have time to elaborate; time is passing - but the main point that both students, esteemed university members, and all segments of the nation, especially the elites and the intelligent must pay attention to is that the Islamic Republic has this "ability" and this "inherent power"; just as it has been able to stand for these thirty years. They have all strived to destroy the Islamic Republic and eliminate it; but not only has it not been destroyed, but it has become stronger in various areas day by day.

This "ability to survive," this "power," this "capacity for survival" must be preserved. It is not the case that we can act in any way - even indifferently, even without paying attention to sensitive and important duties - and still maintain this capacity for resistance; no, the Islamic Republic must be preserved in the true sense of the word, so that it can benefit this nation, from the interests of this country, and bring this nation to the peak of its progress and its aspirations and ideals.

What is important is that the Islamic Republic has a legal and formal structure, which is the constitution, the Islamic Consultative Assembly, the Islamic government, elections - these things that you observe - which of course preserving these is necessary and obligatory; but it is not enough.

Always within the legal structure, there is a real structure, a true and real identity; this must be preserved. This legal structure is like a body; it is like a mold, that true identity is like the soul; it is like the meaning and content. If that meaning and content changes, even if this apparent and legal structure remains, it will have no benefit, nor will it endure; like a tooth that has decayed from the inside, its appearance is healthy; with the first impact with a hard object, it breaks. That inner structure is what? The same ideals of the Islamic Republic: justice, human dignity, preserving values, striving to create brotherhood and equality, ethics, standing firm against the encroachments of the enemy; these are the components of the true and inner structure of the Islamic Republic. If we stray from Islamic ethics, if we forget justice, if we push the slogan of justice into isolation, if we underestimate the people's nature of the country's officials, if the officials of the country view responsibility like many officials of other countries as a means and a center of wealth and power, if the issue of serving and sacrificing for the people is removed from the mindset and actions of the officials of the country, if being people-oriented, living simply, placing oneself at the level of the masses is removed from the mindset of the officials and eliminated; if standing firm against the aggressions of the enemy is forgotten, if personal weaknesses, personal character weaknesses dominate the political and international relations of the officials of the country, if these true brains and these main parts of the true identity of the Islamic Republic weaken and are lost, the apparent structure of the Islamic Republic will not help much; it will not have much effect, and the suffix "Islamic" after the Consultative Assembly: Islamic Consultative Assembly; Islamic Republic government, alone will not do anything. The main issue is to be careful that that spirit, that character is not lost, is not forgotten; do not be content with preserving the form and mold. Pay attention to the spirit, meaning, and character. This is the essence of the matter.

And I tell you that changing the character, changing that true identity, gradually and very quietly occurs. The attention of some to this is often not drawn, or many do not pay attention to it. At some point, it may be that everyone realizes, but by then it may be too late. Great care must be taken. The discerning eye of the enlightened and intellectual class of society - that is, the academic class - and the discerning eye of students must always consider this responsibility for themselves.

The Islamic system is an Islamic system in both appearance and essence; not just an Islamic system in appearance. Just because now certain conditions have been set in the constitution for the president and for the leader and for the head of the judiciary and for the Guardian Council and for whom and whom, these are not enough; although these are necessary. Deviations in goals, in ideals, in orientations must be monitored to prevent them from occurring. And this is something that we have been grappling with over these long years - especially after the war and after the passing of Imam - one of the fundamental struggles in these past two decades has been this. Many efforts have been made to divert the Islamic Republic from its spirit and meaning. Many efforts have been made; in various forms; whether in political fields, whether in ethical fields, whether in social fields; from the statements that have been made and the words that have been said. We have observed a period where in our press, they officially and openly announced the separation and differentiation of religion from politics! They even questioned the issue of the unity of religion and politics, which is the foundation of the Islamic Republic and the foundation of the general movement of the people. Is there anything worse than this?! In a period, it was seen in our press that openly and explicitly defended the oppressive, tyrannical, and brutal regime of Pahlavi! In order to prevent such a situation from arising and to confront this deviation, it is possible to prevent this deviation by highlighting the ideological, intellectual, and political boundaries. The indicators of Islamic identity must be clear: the indicator of justice-seeking, the indicator of the simple living of officials, the indicator of sincere work and effort, the indicator of continuous scientific pursuit and dynamism, the indicator of firm resistance against the greed and domination of foreigners, the indicator of defending national rights. Defending the rights of the nation, courageously defending is an indicator; like this nuclear right; the nuclear issue. This is one of the dozens of needs of our country; it is not our only issue; but when the enemy focuses on this point, the nation stands firm. At this point where the enemy has focused, if the nation retreats, if the officials retreat and abandon this definite and clear right, undoubtedly the way will be opened for the enemy to encroach upon national rights.

Avoiding elitism; that is, anti-value. This point existed in our revolution; gradually some have tried to weaken it. This affects our economic issues, it affects our psychological issues. Elitism and the tendency towards elitism was an anti-value in the revolution. That is, there were individuals at various levels who avoided being associated with elitism or having anything seen that would be among the characteristics of elitism. The officials of the country are primarily committed to this issue and must be. This has gradually weakened. Today, fortunately, the same wave of anti-value elitism, thanks be to God, exists; that is, the government, the government officials are simple-living, are people-oriented, and this is a very good opportunity; a great blessing. This is one of the indicators.

The value of jihad and martyrdom is another indicator. The value of struggle, the high status of martyrdom, is among the things that have been questioned by certain elements - by some, by groups - they have questioned jihad, they have questioned martyrdom. This is one of the indicators; it must be highlighted. Respect for the martyrs, respect for jihad and the mujahideen must be among the prominent parts of the Islamic Republic's flag. The Islamic Republic is known for jihad and martyrdom.

Trusting the people, a genuine belief in the participation of the people. Some mention the people; but they do not truly believe in the participation of the people. Some mention the people; but they do not trust the people. The foundation of the Islamic Republic is based on trusting the people and believing in the participation of the people.

Courage in the face of the enemy's intimidation is among the indicators. If the officials of the country feel fear and dread in front of the enemy, great calamities will befall the nation. The nations that have been humiliated and subdued by the enemy, the main reason for this was that the officials - the leaders of the nation - did not have the necessary courage, did not have the necessary self-confidence. Sometimes among the masses, there are faithful, active, self-sacrificing elements who are ready to sacrifice, but when the officials and leaders themselves do not have this readiness, their forces are also lost, and this capacity is destroyed. The day when the city of Isfahan was looted during the reign of Shah Sultan Hussein and the people were massacred and the magnificent Safavid government was destroyed, there were many brave individuals who were ready to fight and resist; but Shah Sultan Hussein was weak. If the Islamic Republic falls into the hands of Shah Sultan Hussein types, if it has managers and officials who lack courage and audacity; who do not feel power in themselves, who do not feel capability and power in their people, the Islamic Republic will be finished.

Proximity to Muslim nations. Muslim nations are the strategic depth of the Islamic Republic. Why do the strange and bizarre American and British propaganda try to create a rift between Muslim nations and the Iranian nation? Why? With the issue of ethnicity, with the issue of Sunni and Shia? Because they know they are considered the strategic depth of the Islamic Republic. The support of a nation is based on its strategic depth. They do not want the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic to benefit from this support and backing that it receives from various countries - which is indeed unparalleled. You do not see anywhere that in a country, the leaders of another country, the masses - not politicians - honor and respect; raise their pictures, mention their names with excitement; except for the Islamic Republic. In Muslim countries, wherever you go, where there is a trace of the Islamic Republic, the people express their feelings towards it and towards the Islamic Republic in this way. The enemy does not want this; the enemy does not want this connection to be established. The Islamic Republic must consider this one of its duties. This is among the main indicators.

Now, you look at the writings of narrow-minded people - who optimistically we can say are narrow-minded - or if we look pessimistically, they are malicious and traitorous, who openly and repeatedly criticize the connection of the Islamic Republic with the people of Lebanon, with the people of Iraq, with the people of Afghanistan, with the people of Palestine. Have you seen, unfortunately, in our press and in some political platforms, that these things are said? This is against one of the fundamental indicators of the Islamic Republic. No, the Islamic Republic considers the interests of Muslim nations to be its own interests; it is connected with them, defends them; defends the oppressed, defends the Palestinian nation; these are indicators and these must be highlighted. The student and the academic, especially the student, can play a role in this field; in preserving the indicators, highlighting the indicators and the true characteristics of the Islamic Republic; beyond the apparent characteristics that are the names and official and legal positions. You can be involved, you can take action. And fortunately, our nation is a vigilant nation.

Now, a major part of the discussion I wanted to have today was about the issue of progress and justice - which we said the fourth decade is the decade of progress and justice - however, both time has passed, and with the condition my throat is in now, I will not trouble you any further. I will just say a few sentences; we will leave that discussion for another student meeting, God willing.

I just want to say to you dear youth that despite all that has been done in these three decades; the various conspiracies, from the cunning and subversive conspiracies and coups that occurred in the early years, the first decade of the revolution, to the imposed war, to the so-called soft conspiracies from after the first decade and after the end of the war until today, the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic have proven that they are worthy and deserving of survival; they stood with power. After this, the various events of the world will not be able to shake this sturdy tree, which when it was a sapling, they could not uproot it, today it has turned into a sturdy and deep-rooted tree. The Islamic Republic cannot be shaken. We must be careful ourselves not to become hollow from within; not to become rotten from within. From the external enemy, when we maintain our spiritual health, follow the path that Islam and the Islamic Republic have shown us, and do not deviate from that path, we have no fear; it will not harm us; it cannot harm us.

The policies of global arrogance, the policies of America, the policies of the world Zionist network, whose primary target for enmity, for clear reasons, is the Islamic Republic, cannot bring the Islamic Republic down. Not only can they not bring it down, but they cannot slow it down. We can accelerate our movement. Of course, we are waiting for the enemy's conspiracies. These conspiracies will continue until a certain point; that point is the comprehensive power of the country, which is the work of you students, the work of you young generation. When you manage to bring the country to scientific power and economic power, and when you manage to provide scientific dignity for the country, then, of course, the conspiracies will diminish; they will become hopeless. Until we reach that point, we must be prepared for the conspiracies and ready to confront these conspiracies. And God willing, with each passing day, you will be stronger, your enemy will be weaker, and the day of final victory for the nation, God willing, will not be far away.

O Lord! Make what we have said and heard acceptable for You, in Your way and accepted at Your door. O Lord! Send down Your blessings upon the Islamic Republic, upon the defenders of this system, the martyrs of the path of the ideals of this system, and upon the great Imam of this system; send down Your mercy and grace upon these dear youth, upon all the youth of the country and our dear students; always make us among the soldiers and followers of this path; let us die on this path. O Lord! Raise the ranks of our dear martyrs higher and higher.

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