Concept of Basij

Concept of Basij

November 26 is the Day of Basij in the Iranian calendar.

Basij (the volunteers) is a social movement that might form in any society due to the predominance of certain features. It adapts varied forms according to the predominant culture.

At the dawn of Islam, Muslims grouped together in Mosques to defend their land against pagans' attack.

The Islamic Republic of Iran inspired by the pure Islam of the Messenger of Allah also faced the same threat in its infancy.

The great goals of the Revolution and the wide array of enemy plots prompted the Iranian nation to defend the values of the Islamic Revolution.

After the Revolution, Iranians created a movement or Basij to safeguard their achievement in the Islamic Revolution

Basij was formed in two stages:

After the Islamic Revolution a cultural movement, emerged out of the concern to preserve Islamic Revolution's achievements, led to the establishment of IR Guard Corps and revolutionary committees.

The newly born organizations required military training to defend the cause of Islamic Revolution and Basij was born in mosques to fulfill this need.

The takeover of the US 'embassy' in Tehran marked the beginning of the next stage in the history of Basij. The then US government, humiliated by the action, desperately hatched plots against the newly born revolution.

The US military operation in Tabas, assassination of revolutionary figures, and various sanctions imposed on the country made Basij more determined.

The momentous decree of the Founder of Islamic Republic of Iran Imam Khomeini demanding a prospective 20 million strong army made Basij to proceed faster.

Basij was a large stride towards the materialization of the army and many regardless of their age or social position joined Basij to defend the Islamic Revolution.

Iranian-style Kefiyesh has been adopted as official emblem of the Basij.

http://english.iribnews.ir/IranVision_body.aspx?ID=368

Jannati urges Saudi to let people decide fate

Jannati urges Saudi to let people decide fate
11/25/2011 3:32:21 PM

Tehran's provisional Friday Prayers Leader Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati warned rulers in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain to let their peoples determine their own destinations.

Addressing a large gathering of worshippers in Tehran University Campus for the weekly congregational ritual, Ayatollah Jannati urged rulers in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to be vigilant enough to let their peoples decide for their own lives.

"Otherwise, you are doomed to meet the same fate as the former rulers of Egypt, Tunisia and Libya," he warned.

Pointing to the latest developments in Saudi Arabia and the violence committed against protesting people there, he said the Saudi rulers should learn from the historical lesson that hegemonic rulerships will never last for long.

The Alim also described as heart-rending the events taking place in Bahrain.

As for the situation in Egypt, Ayatollah Jannati referred to the recent unrest in the country during which the army attacked people who were opposing the military government and stressed that the Egyptian nation does not want a military rule because it thinks such a rulership is exactly like the one their former dictator Hosni Mubarak used to have.

Ayatollah Jannati also criticized certain countries and governments which keep accusing other countries of human rights violations and said they should try to treat their own disorders instead of attacking others.

He wondered whether the 99-percent-strong population which has risen against the US policies are not entitled to human rights that the government is treating them in such a violent and suppressive manner.

He said the US should be aware that its own people is rising because they know that the capitalist and discriminatory system which is ruling the country is approaching its end and this is happening at a time when the US puppet regimes and governments in different parts of the world are falling down one after the other.

Pointing to the issuing of numerous resolutions against Iran, Ayatollah Jannati went on to stress that these could affect Iran's firm will in no way and said Iran will never halt its peaceful nuclear activities, even for one single moment.

Addressing those countries which accuse Iran of trying to produce nuclear arms, he said Iran, unlike certain countries which have already made and used atomic bombs against defenseless people, does not need any nuclear bombs because it enjoys a strong nation and Basij.

http://english.iribnews.ir/NewsBody.aspx?ID=16340

Ayatollah Emami Kashani emphasizes on reinforcement of Islamic Ummah solidarity

Ayatollah Emami Kashani emphasizes on reinforcement of Islamic Ummah solidarity
Friday, 18 November 2011 12:23

Tehran's interim Friday Prayer Leader, Ayatollah Mohammad Emami Kashani, has emphasized on reinforcement of unity of the Islamic Ummah.

According to IRIB World Service, Tehran's interim Friday Prayer leader emphasized on avoidance of discord within the Islamic Ummah, and underlined that Muslims, through reinforcement of national solidarity, can stand up against the conspiracies of the enemies.

Referring to remarks recently made by the Leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, about the US threats against Iran, Tehran's interim Friday Prayer leader underscored that the Iranian people are a selfless and devoted nation, who have foiled the foes' plots and conspiracies under the prudent leadership of the Leader of Islamic Revolution, and through reinforcement of national unity.

Ayatollah Emami Kashani also referred to the recent explosion incident in one of the bases of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), in western Tehran, which led to martyrdom of seventeen people, and prayed to Almighty for the most elevated status of the martyrs of this incident.

http://english.irib.ir/news/political/item/82831-ayatollah-emami-kashani-emphasizes-on-reinforcement-of-islamic-ummah-solidarity

Spice road

Spice road

Spice Road, which dates back to 400 years will be registered on Iran's National Heritage List in the near future.

This ancient road was established in Bandar Abbas during the Safavid era. It passes through the cities of Lar and Jahrom, and terminates in Isfahan.

There is a water reservoir and two caravanserais near Chahtalkh Village, Mehr News Agency reported. Then the road becomes arduous and impassable.

The stone-paved road is considered an engineering and road building masterpiece.

In the past, merchants used to transfer commodities such as textiles and spices from India to Bandar Abbas. Then they transferred the products to other cities, including Isfahan. Therefore, the road was named "Spice Road".

Currently, only five km of the road in Jahrom have been found intact, of which one km is stone paved. Remnants of historical monuments are seen along the road.

http://english.iribnews.ir/IranVision_body.aspx?ID=366

Muslims must grab opportunity - prayers leader

Muslims must grab opportunity - prayers leader
11/11/2011 4:01:32 PM

Time has come for the Muslim world to hub of power worldwide, Substitute Friday Prayers Leader of Tehran Hojjatoleslam Kazem Sediqi said Friday.

Delivering his second Friday prayers sermon, Hojjatoleslam Sediqi said the Islamic awakening has provided Muslims with an exceptional chance.

"Now the time is ripe for Muslim world turning into hub of power worldwide."

He underlined that enemies of Muslims, especially the US, the West and Zionists, have not ever been so weak as they are now.

http://english.iribnews.ir/NewsBody.aspx?ID=16165

Supreme Leader’s Speech at Imam Ali (a.s.) Military Academy

Supreme Leader’s Speech at Imam Ali (a.s.) Military Academy
10/11/2011

The following is the full text of the speech delivered on November 10, 2011 by Ayatollah Khamenei the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution to a group of cadets in a graduation ceremony at Imam Ali (a.s.) Military Academy.

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

I would like to extend my congratulations to all the dear graduates of the military academies of the Islamic Republic of Iran and all the dear youth who have received epaulets and joined the ranks of the mujahids of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army.

The fact that so many faithful and sincere youth – graduates and students – join the great Army and Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic is worthy of congratulating. In every one of my meetings with you faithful and pious youth, I thank Allah the Exalted from the bottom of my heart. You should also thank God for these great blessings.

Military academies of the Islamic Republic of Iran are the centers of knowledge and jihad. The scent of spirituality and piety in these academies keeps getting stronger on a daily basis. This is a cause for joy and happiness. These academies are active in terms of scientific work and they enjoy active students, good teachers and commanders who are also outstanding scientific figures. Moreover, the atmosphere of mujahid-like and pious preparedness, the war games, undergoing military training in the hot weather of summer during the month of Ramadan, the large number of cadets who fast once or more every week – these are things that are unprecedented not only in the Armed Forces of our country but also in the armed forces of the world of Islam. These things are the result of the firm determination of a nation that has been making efforts to raise the flag of faith, Islam and piety. Members of the Armed Forces – who study, undergo training, make efforts and prepare themselves for the sake of God and divine ideals and who enter the arena selflessly whenever there is an opportunity for selfless struggle and defense – are a source of power for Islam and Muslims. They are a source of power for the country.

You are powerful for two reasons. First, you spend the valuable days of your youth on acquiring knowledge and engaging in jihad with sincere spirituality and faith. This is power. “And to Allah belongs the might and to His Messenger and to the believers.” [The Holy Quran, 63: 8] Power belongs to God, His Messenger and believers. So you are considered among believers.

The second reason is that you are a source of power for your country and your nation. A nation that can prove it is prepared to resist and defend itself in order to have independence, preserve its identity and fight for its ideals and existence – such a nation is powerful. The power of such a nation is secretly acknowledged even by its enemies although they might not be prepared to announce this publicly because of being stubborn. You spearhead our national defense and today your power is acknowledged even by your enemies. Many of your enemies even acknowledge your power publicly.

Allah the Exalted says, “Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies of Allah.” [The Holy Quran, 8: 60] Your preparedness makes the enemy fearful: not fearful of your invasion because you are not aggressive, but fearful of your resistance and of attacking you. In a world in which reliance on the power of bayonets and weapons can unfortunately play a determining role in the relations between nations and countries, in a world in which there are bullies who decide to take control of the destiny of other nations with iron fists, in a world that is materialistic, only a nation that proves to be prepared for defense will be secure from harm. Our Armed Forces and the Army of the Islamic Republic proved this. This is power. This is a source of power for a country. It is necessary to preserve this preparedness. You should preserve all your material and spiritual assets. During your service and throughout your life, you should safeguard your piety, faith, motivation and spiritual purity as well as your firm determination to defend the country.

We are not a nation that attacks other countries and nations. We will never start a bloody war. The Iranian nation has proven this. But we are a nation that responds to all kinds of attack and even all kinds of threats with full force and determination. We are not a nation that stands by and watches the fragile materialist powers – which have been eaten by worms and termites from within – threaten the steadfast and powerful Iranian nation. We will answer threats with threats. Anybody who thinks of attacking the Islamic Republic of Iran should be prepared to receive strong slaps and iron fists from the Armed Forces, from the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, from the Islamic Revolution’s Guards Corps and from Basij: all supported by the great Iranian nation. And America, its regional puppets and its guard dog – the Zionist regime – should know that the response of the Iranian nation to any kind of aggression, attacks or even threats will be a response that will make them collapse from within.

Continue your preparedness to maintain this national and international power. We should all be ready. Everybody should remain prepared to preserve the high values which will be permanent throughout history. Everybody should remain prepared in the arena of knowledge, work, industry, management and politics. And the Armed Forces spearhead our national defense in the military arena.

We are confident that the greatest kind of deterrence is the firm structure of the Islamic Republic, our national unity and the closeness of the hearts of the Iranian people to each other. Everybody is responsible to preserve and strengthen this firm structure.

I pray to Allah the Exalted to bestow success, good fortune, dignity and glory on all you dear youth, your teachers, your commanders and all those who have played a role in creating this beautiful and glorious reality.

Greetings be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings

http://english.khamenei.ir//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1558

Supreme Warns Enemies Against Military Threats

Supreme Warns Enemies Against Military Threats
2011/11/10 - 17:52

In a graduation ceremony at Imam Ali (a.s.) Military Academy, Ayatollah Khamenei the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces said that the Armed Forces are the first line of national defense and stressed that America and the Zionist regime should know that the Iranian nation will not attack other countries. He added that the Iranian nation will not tolerate the threats of the material powers and that any kind of invasion and threat will be met with a crushing response from the Iranian nation.

Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated: "Anybody who cherishes the thought of attacking the Islamic Republic of Iran should be prepared to receive strong slaps and powerful punches from the Iranian nation, the Revolutionary Guards, the Army and Basij."

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution called on the Iranian nation, especially the Armed Forces, to continue the path of national dignity and international glory, further stressing: "The most important kind of deterrence is the strong structure of the Islamic Republic, our national unity and the closeness of the hearts of the Iranian people to each other. Everybody is responsible to preserve and strengthen this strong structure of the Islamic Republic."

His Eminence said that the Armed Forces are a source of pride for the Iranian nation and added: "A nation that can prove its preparedness for resistance and whole-hearted defense - in order to safeguard its independence, identity, ideals and existence - will always be honored."

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution reiterated: "In a world in which the relations between nations and countries are still determined on the basis of the power of bayonets and weapons and in a world in which the bullying powers are trying to take control of the destiny of other nations with iron fists, only a nation that proves its preparedness for defense will be secure from harm."

Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the preparedness of the Iranian Armed Forces and added: "The preparedness of the Armed Forces for defense, combined with their faith and piety, is a source of glory for the Iranian nation and it is necessary to preserve and strengthen this preparedness."

http://www.leader.ir/langs/en/index.php?p=contentShow&id=8878