Speech [Oppression faced by Islam; need for self-purification and correction of the self]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

I am delighted when I see these faces, these Islamic visages and when I see the lively affection and fervor of you dear youths. You, dear ones, enlivened Islam; you dear ones insured Iran. These young committee members who had a great role as of the first day of the victory of the revolution will continue to have this role in furthering the revolution. I hope that they will teach this role to their posterity and children so that Iran will remain Islamic in the course of its history as it is today. I hope that your dear children are reared just as you youths who have no equal in history, so that they can protect their country and the dear Islam.

Islam was suppressed for many centuries because what Islam wanted was kept behind the curtain of secrecy and the program of Islam was never put to practice and was not said. People were kept unaware of Islam. The criminals of history strived to keep Islam veiled and did not let this liberating school, this independence-nurturi school, this school that is at loggerheads with oppressors, and the brother-in-faith of the oppressed be presented. I hope that at this time when we are present, we, all our dear ones, the `ulama and preachers of Islam and all the youths who are engaged in rendering services succeed in presenting Islam, and remove the curtain that power-wielders had drawn over it so as to hide its verities. Governments and big powers denied the power of Islam. The governments that came to power, whether those opposed to Islam or those not opposed to Islam kept Islam behind a veil intentionally or out of ignorance.

The power of Islam over the world and among different peoples of the world was under a veil. An instance of it, a brief example of it emerged in our time, in our country, which proved that our youths are willing to sacrifice their lives in the way of Islam, and gallantly, as Islam decreed it, they stood against disbelief, polytheism, oppression and tyrants, and made sacrifices, to prove this fact. But no matter how hard the world powers wan to deny this fact, and no matter how hard the corrupt preachers, regimes and powers want to trample upon this Islamic Republic and the values enshrined in the Islamic Republic, in the Muslim ummah (Muslim nation at large) and in Iran, they cannot do so.

You, dear youths, demonstrated that you can resist against all powers and can protect your country. Those who had, and have, deviated imagined that if the monarchical regime is ousted, Islam and Iran and all aspects existing in Iran would be destroyed and that Iran would be disintegrated by the two powers. They were ignorant of the fact that if Islam and the Islamic nation heed the issues they can stand against all powers and teach a lesson to the devious ones. They can administer the country more efficiently than when oppression and injustice prevailed in the country. You, young people, demonstrated from the first day that you abided by your commitment to God, the Most High, and to Islam. It is hoped that you will remain so to the end and your children and offspring will survive you with the same idea and insure Iran and Islam for good.

You demonstrated that you could create whatever you want. You performed a miracle in the world, the miracle of the divine power in human beings. You stood against all powers that wanted to swallow Iran and Iranians and plunder your resources. You confronted them and emerged victorious.

You are victorious because God is with you. You are victorious because Islam supports you. You are victorious because you have faith. You are victorious because you welcome martyrdom. Those who are afraid of martyrdom and death are defeated even if they have a huge army. You won over your self. You, youths, overcame your self behind the front lines, in the country and among your brothers in the warfronts and regarded life as everlasting and eternal, and belittled this animalistic and natural life. You are now victorious for as long as this power of the self lives in you, as long as this divine ideals linger in you. You are victorious whether you suffer defeat according to superficial calculations and material criteria, or you emerge victorious. The great victory is that you win over your self and defeat Satan. And you, thank God, who are making such sacrifices in the cause of God, you have overcome the Satan of your self. Today, I should thank you who supported the people. Your activity lent peace and tranquility to this nation. The nation should thank you, youths, who ensure the internal security across the country and those youths who guard the country in warfronts and God, the Most Blessed and Exalted, will thank you.

What counts is that man's actions are acceptable to God. I see that many of these dear youths have no fear of martyrdom. Perhaps all are like this. I beseech God, the Most High, to grant health and dignity to you, grandeur to Islam and Muslims and peace to all Islamic countries. I give you, dear ones, a piece of fatherly and brotherly advice: continue with your path. As you have brought glory for Iran with your good morality, good deeds, good behavior towards your fellow countrymen, prove your glory in the presence of God, the Most High. Victory is important, but sustaining this victory is difficult and more important. Thank God, today you are the youths who have brought and will bring peace to this country and keep on performing this task for people with smiling faces and with a strong faith, from which these good morals and sound behavior will emerge. I hope that you have this mentality for generation after generation, maintain your faith and pass it on to your offspring so that Iran will, God willing, be victorious to the end.

I hope that other Islamic countries that have entangled themselves in the confines of nature, each of whom has certain constraints, break these shackles and accordingly take steps with their Iranian brothers-in-faith in this great Jihad so that they would be triumphant in the Jihad against the superpowers. I implore God, the Exalted and Blessed, to awaken the governments that rule over the Islamic countries so as not to offer resources of their poor nations gratuitously to the big powers. They should note that today Iran has revolted and emerged victorious. It is obligatory that you, the governments and nations also cooperate with Iran so that, God willing, the bedrock of oppression would be eliminated and the flag of Islam hoisted in all countries.

I thank you, gentlemen, and the `ulama' that are engaged in guiding, particularly Mr. Kani. «1» I hope that the local `ulama' and the `ulama' of Islam will guide people on Islamic issues and that no crookedness would creep into Muslim ranks. However, every one of you is responsible for his own self and should curb your carnal passions lest, God forbid, this good esteem and the regard given you would be weakened. Advise the youths, who are among you not be harsh with people. We are all in need of advice and should behave according to the Islamic codes of behavior and treat the people based on Islamic ethics. May God protect you all.

May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.