The Islamic civilization began flourishing shortly after the advent of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula.

Thanks to the Islamic teachings, this civilization was the torch-bearer of science, culture and economy in the world for several centuries. Although it has weakened since long ago, the Islamic Revolution of Iran heralds its revival. Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, made it clear in his comprehensive statement, known as the "Second Phase of the Revolution", that we are moving toward shaping the great Islamic civilization and preparedness for the reappearance of Imam Mahdi. In view of this, it is evident that the new chapter of this splendid revolution is more crucial and important than the first one.

Generally speaking, the Islamic civilization is characterized by indices and parameters which are shaped according to the Islamic values and guidelines. Hence, ethics and spirituality are very significant in it. Ayatollah Khamenei considers the Islamic civilization as an atmosphere in which man is able to grow spiritually and materially to attain the ideals ordained for him by God. The Leader emphasizes that the Islamic Republic seeks to reach such a civilization.

As his first advice for the youth, Ayatollah Khamenei stresses "hope and optimistic look at future" as the key to every lock. He says, "What I say is a true hope relying on substantial realities. I have always shunned false and deceptive hope; but I have prevented myself and everybody from undue despair and false fear."

Avoiding despair becomes more significant when we witness the endeavours of governments and smear campaign of media against the Iranian nation. Some of their stratagems include: dissemination of false news, biased analyses, showing realities upside down, concealing hope-inspiring factors, aggrandizing petty defects and trivializing or ignoring great achievements.

The Islamic Revolution of Iran was a great stimulant for Islamic values and spiritual affairs among Iranians. As a result, it increased people's tendency toward religion and God. This tendency has gone beyond the borders even among non-Muslims. Ayatollah Khamenei states, "Spirituality and morals direct every individual and social move and activity; and are the main need of the society. Their existence makes the living environment a paradise despite material defects; whereas their lack, even with material enjoyment, will create a hell."

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution describes spirituality and morals as follows, "Spirituality means highlighting spiritual values such as sincerity, self-sacrifice, trust in God, and faith in yourself and society. Morals means observing virtues such as benevolence, pardoning, helping the needy, truthfulness, courage, humbleness, self-confidence and other good traits."

Scientific and technological progress is among the most important factors for building and empowerment of civilizations. The Leader says, "Science is the most obvious instrument of dignity and power of a country. The other face of science is ability."

Although Europe, thanks to scientific progresses, attained broad abilities in the past centuries; due to lack of morals and spirituality, it abused those progresses in indecent and inhumane grounds such as colonialism and exploitation of other nations, launching wars and manufacture of lethal weapons. In the Islamic civilization, however, science and technology are at the service of the whole mankind to enhance their material and spiritual life. The Islamic Republic of Iran, despite economic, scientific and political sanctions and pressures, has gained great achievements in science and technology.

Ayatollah Khamenei says, "Thank God, our nation's talent in acquiring science and research is higher than the world's average. The scientific resurrection, that has begun since almost two decades ago, has been going forward with a speed that has surprised the global observers- i.e. 11 times faster than the average pace of scientific growth in the world."

The increase of the number of scientists, researchers and specialists in any country sets the ground for great scientific moves. Now, the Islamic Republic of Iran, in addition to nearly 4 million students in different fields and academic levels, has millions of graduates who are serving the country and nation in various domains. Success in Olympiads is considered as an index for determining the scientific levels of students and youths. For the past three decades, Iranian students have succeeded to garner 700 medals in global Olympiads to place the country among the 10 top nations.

Nanotechnology is one of the new scientific fields with ample applications. The Islamic Republic ranks 4^th in this field and the Iranian specialists have made more than 420 highly consumed products with the help of Nanotechnology. These products are exported to 47 countries.

The Islamic Republic has made spectacular breakthroughs in medicine, too. This includes advancement in medical sciences and manufacture of equipment. Moreover, Iranian scientists have succeeded to bring hope to the hearts of many patients through making progress in usage of stem cells. Transplantation of body organs like brain, cornea and bone; and repairment of damaged tissues and treatment of spinal cord are among the achievements of Iran's scientists.

Manufacture and launching of satellite into the orbit is a very sophisticated technology which has been attained by the Iranian scientists. Indeed, Iran is the only country in West Asia that is able to manufacture indigenous satellite, making it the 11^th member of the club of the nations which possess this know-how. The first Iranian satellite was launched into the orbit in 2009 and this has been followed by several other satellites. The Islamic Republic has also succeeded to produce full nuclear fuel cycle.

Iranian scientists have gained eye-catching successes in peaceful usage of nuclear technology in energy, medicine, agriculture and animal farming.

Iranian scientists have been very bright in defence domain, too. They have made sophisticated weapons like ballistic missiles, drones, warships, submarines, tanks and so on. That's why the Leader of the Islamic Revolution stresses in his comprehensive statement known as "The Second Phase of the Revolution", "We should go beyond the current frontiers of science in the most important fields. We have started the move and go forward at full speed. But this momentum should continue with high speed to compensate for the regression."

RM/MG