Leader hails youthful exuberance, predicts end of US & Zionist regime

Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, during the closing days of the fasting month of Ramadhan granted audience to university students, answered questions posed by them on various topics, hailed them as hopes of the future, and gave tidings to them of the approaching end of the two archenemies of Islam, that is, the US and the Zionist regime. Stay with us please for excerpts.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution praised Allah Almighty for His Favours, and saluted the Master of the all Divine Messengers, Prophet Mohammad (SAWA). Next he greeted the Lord of the Age, Imam Mahdi (AS) – may God hasten his reappearance for establishment of the global government of peace, prosperity and justice.

He took note of the exuberant spirit of the youths and appreciated the views expressed by the young speakers before his speech and the questions raised by them, saying: “One of the honourable speakers asked if the problems that we witness in the society today – the shortcomings and the hurdles – are related to the system or to officials.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said in answer: “There is nothing wrong with the structure of the Constitution, though structures reach completion in the course of time, as the shortcomings and gaps are eliminated and filled in, as part of the natural process. For example, one day we did not have an Expediency Council, while today we have it. There are other such achievements and this is the case in all systems in the world.

“Another matter discussed by the friends was that we should put an end to privatization. Of course, grave mistakes have been committed in the area of privatization which was pointed out by our dear brother. I too have issued some warnings and consequently, they have improved certain areas and they have prevented some tasks from being carried out. There are specific problems in privatization, but the essence of privatization is what the economy of our country urgently needs. This is one of those elements which completes the structure and which did not exist on the first day.

“One of the friends asked whether I have ratified the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action) – on Iran’s nuclear rights. Well, you should look at the letter that I wrote and see the terms of the ratification. In that letter, certain terms have been mentioned for ratifying the deal. Of course, if those terms are not observed and acted on, the duty of the Leadership is not to jump in, saying that JCPOA should not be adhered to.

“I believe that the Leader should not enter the arena in executive areas and that he should not execute something or prevent something from being executed unless that specific course of action is related to the general movement of the Revolution. In these circumstances, I get involved, but in other cases no.

“So no, I did not much believe in JCPOA in the way it was implemented and realized and I have pointed this out many times to the officials of this matter – the President, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and others - I have said this and in many cases, issued warnings to them.”

The Leader said in his speech: “Some of the friends made certain criticisms which are good. Many of them are legitimate, but you should not criticize in a very harsh tone. You should pay attention to two points: one is that when making criticisms, you should not let the other side take advantage. In other words, you should not speak in a way that they can sue you in a court of law. You should pay attention that you should not speak in a way that the other side can take advantage of it by convicting you in a judicial sense. This is one point.

“It should not be the case that you reject a group of people downright or criticize them. This is because some of them may not be relevant to your criticism. These are warnings that are important.

“Now, I wish to speak about the points that I have written down. The first is benefiting from the opportunity of the month of Ramadhan by making the most of your youth. My dear ones, the month of Ramadan is a very good opportunity for cleansing one’s heart and soul and for strengthening one’s relationship with God. The month of Ramadhan is a very good opportunity to getting close to the Quran, to the daily ritual prayers, to various supplications in the Divine Court and to the fasting obligations; all of which are the blessings of God for you. These are the ingredients of this Divine Banquet referred to in the Hadith literature.

“According to the reports that I have received, in the past one, two years, student associations and groups have carried out good tasks on different issues - including on domestic and international issues, such as on the issue of (war-stricken) Yemen, on the issue of the recent incident (massacred of Muslim worshippers) in New Zealand and on the issue of Nigeria – where the aspirations of Shi’a Muslims are suppressed.

“Sometimes, it is good to organize a gathering in front of such and such an embassy. Of course, this should be done in a peaceful, careful and reasonable way and by showing one’s rational and spiritual power. It is not the case that climbing the walls of an embassy is always good. In certain cases, however, it is good, like the days when the US Den of Espionage was captured. Your presence, your demands, your reasonable ideas, your display of power and your gatherings are influential, though you may not see the impact immediately.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said: Notice that the Second Phase of the Revolution Statement (which I made in Mashhad in my inaugural speech of the current calendar year 1398). It was a general portrayal of the Revolution’s past, present and future. Well, forty years have passed since the victory of the Islamic Revolution. Four main points were stressed in that Statement:

The first point is the greatness of the phenomenon of the Revolution. Many people do not pay attention to this. Both the emergence of the Revolution in this specific geographical area and at an important historic juncture and after that, the progress of the Revolution are important. The greatness of the Islamic Revolution both in terms of its occurrence and in terms of its thriving.

“The second point is the greatness of the path trodden and the functioning of the Islamic Revolution till this day. As I had stated, the Islamic Revolution has had a completely outstanding and brilliant performance in various areas including social, political, and scientific areas and in the area of justice and freedom. The Revolution has had an outstanding performance in the area of all important human, national and international demands.

“The third point is the greatness of the outlook that we wish to reach. This is about where we want to go, what we want to do and where our goal lies.

“And the fourth point is the greatness of the role that young committed forces play: not every youth, rather those youth who have a sense of commitment and responsibility. The greatness of the role that this group of people play means what part committed youth play on the path that we have ahead of us and in reaching that specific outlook. Well, we need a public movement to reach that outlook. Of course, the movement already exists, but it should have more discipline, it should get accelerated and its movement towards that outlook should be tangible. It is committed youth who are the pivot of this movement.

“When I say “youth”, I do not necessarily mean 22, 25-year-old youths. Of course, 22, 25-year-old youth can accomplish many things. So, when I speak about youth, I mean thirty, thirty-five, and forty-year old individuals are also young. They too can play their part in this arena. They can work as well. If these individuals are committed, they can bring about a deep transformation in the managerial system of the country.”

The Leader pointed out: “Today, the Iranian nation has shown that it is perfectly capable of accomplishing great feats. The Iranian nation launched the Islamic Revolution and launched the formation of the Islamic Republic. These courses of action are like a miracle. The formation of the Islamic Republic in that day’s bipolar world of capitalism and communism was like a miracle. It is really like the miracle of passing through the sea which happened to the Israelites or the rod of Prophet Moses. It is like a miracle.

“Well, the Iranian nation accomplished this. And later on, they managed to maintain it. Others too carried out such tasks a few years ago, as you witnessed. Some North African and other such countries adopted such courses of action, but they could not hold onto them. The Iranian nation managed to stand up to great superpowers and force them into retreat. So, this in itself is a hope-generating factor.

“Another hope-generating factor is that today western civilization is declining. It is on the edge of the abyss. Of course, social incidents and developments occur gradually and they are not felt at once. Even western thinkers have felt and acknowledged this. The western materialistic civilization is opposed to us and it is being worn down. As the holy Qur’an says: If you help the cause of Allah, He will help you. This means that if you move towards an Islamic civilization and society for implementing God’s religion - He will help you.

“Fortunately, today, we are not short of outstanding intellectuals in various areas which are needed among our youth and our officials. They can engage in planning and guiding. Student associations are an example of these groups. Experienced and active groups in cultural, intellectual and other such areas are another example. Whoever is more active in these areas will be more influential. Affairs will be in the hands of those who are active. Establishing cultural committees throughout the country and in mosques is an example of these tasks.

“Holding round-table discussions and free debates in universities is another activity. I have frequently stressed and advised this. However, as I said all these moves should be made in a disciplined way. These tasks should be carried out in a disciplined and well-informed manner and by conducting detailed studies with the help of individuals who have active minds and eloquent tongues.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution further said: “Another important factor is the formation of movement-based groups to focus on international issues. For instance, they invited active students from Resistance countries to Tehran and other cities and held good meetings. This means being active with the issues of the world of Islam. Certain groups should be formed and pursue these tasks: the issues of Gaza, the issues of Palestine, the issue of Yemen, the issue of Bahrain, the issues related to the Muslims of Myanmar and the issues related to European Muslims.

“One of our points of debate in active student environments is related to European Muslims, which requires a long discussion. Another area of study is the issues arisen in some countries such as the current events in Paris (of the Yellow Vests protests). These events can be examined and studied.

“Another procedure is to form scientific groups and to cooperate with scientific centers. Another procedure is to cooperate with knowledge-based companies and to engage in economic work. Another very important procedure is doing work related to public service such as the jihadi groups which go to various areas. This is one of the best pieces of student work. The more these tasks develop and the stronger and more purposeful they become, the better it will be for strengthening the body and the soul.

“Another procedure is doing social work. An example of social activities is the tasks that I mentioned regarding Haft Tappeh. Students did a good job in this area.

What will be the result of all these procedures? I have written down in my notes that the result will be drawing the committed young generation to the management arena of the country. Entrance into this arena for the young generation takes place with these ways. Naturally, if the young generation enters the arena of management and if the high-ranking managers of the system are from among committed youth - as I said, they should be committed hezbollahi youth: they should really be hezbollahi in the true sense of the word - then the public movement of the country will naturally thrive and it will be accelerated and realized.”

Ayatollah Khamenei made it clear: “Of course, these activities should not harm the academic work of students. They do not contradict each other. When you say, “the long-term policy of the system is scientific progress and breaking the current borders of science and moving forward”, this is correct. We should undoubtedly conquer the peaks of science. You can both engage in these activities and make scientific endeavors. You can be outstanding students and achieve high ranks at different fields and at the same time, you can participate in jihadi groups, in student committees, in public service associations and in journalistic work.

“One of the friends in the meeting said something about periodicals and publications. I believe that those who write and work in student publications should form groups for continuing their work after their graduation. What he mentioned is correct. Those who write in different publications were students one day, but not all those who dabbed at this while they were students entered the arena of writing in publications and in the press and the like.

“Well, we too were once your age. That era coincided with revolutionary activities. In those days, we really moved in a voluntary way. In those days of struggle we did not have anyone to guide us. There was no party, no organization. Our magnanimous Imam Khomeini was there, but he was in Najaf. Sometimes, we would receive a message and an announcement from him and this would re-circulate the blood in our veins and would guide us. Well, there were many obstacles. We were subject to beatings and to prison and sometimes, there were monetary hurdles, accompanied by hunger and other such problems, but we would move forward nonetheless.

“Youth should move like this today, just like the revolutionary activities during the time of evil regime. If these measures are adopted, the plots of the enemies will be foiled. Everyone is speaking about the soft plots of the enemies, the most important of which is crippling the young generation. One of the most important plots hatched against our country and our revolution today is crippling the young generation and busying it with various forms of lust and different diversions such as computer games and other things including making them addicted to drugs and the like.

“However, the method that I explained will foil this plot of disappointing the young generation by generating liveliness and hope in them. Insha Allah, if you prepare the ground for the establishment of a young and hezbollahi administration, I believe that many of your concerns, worries and anxieties will come to an end. Everything is promising for us. Everything is a source of hope for us. You should rely on Allah the Exalted and you should purify your intentions.

“You should know that Allah the Exalted will help you. By Allah’s favour, all of you will see the termination of the enemies of humanity - in other words, the current decadent American civilization and the termination of Israel.”

AS/MG