Commemoration of Basij Day

On the 5th of the Iranian month of Azar of the Iranian solar calendar year 1358, corresponding to November 26, 1979, the Founder of Islamic Republic of Iran, late Imam Khomeini (God's mercy upon him), called for the nationwide military training, and the establishment of the 20 million-strong army.

Late Imam, in a keynote address to members of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps located in Tehran, put emphasis on unity and preparedness against the undergoing threats posed against Islamic Iran, underscoring that the entire Iranian nation should undergo military training and the 20 million-strong army should be established in Islamic Iran.

The Basij Commemoration Week marks the countless selfless efforts of Basij Mobilization Force, which have been carried out for the elevation and honor of Iran. It would be wrong to image that Basij Mobilization Force is the sole outcome of the Iraqi imposed war, or the Islamic Revolution. In fact, Basij reflects the true understanding of the unity, indomitable resolve, and purity of Muslims, which came into existence upon the advent of Islam, and has grown within Muslim nations.

Basij Mobilization Force is one of the five forces of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, which maintains the responsibility of collection, management, and organization of popular volunteer forces, in line with the elevated goals of Basiji forces. Basij Mobilization Force was founded upon the order of late Imam on November 26, 1979; and upon the approval of Majlis on 28th of the Iranian month of Dey in the Iranian solar calendar year 1359, corresponding to January 18, 1981, joined the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps. In accordance with the 13th Article of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Recruitment Act, Basiji is a volunteer who joins the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps for the materialization of the 20 million-strong army. Based on this Article, Basijis are divided into three groups, namely ordinary Basijis, active Basijis, and especial Basijis. Throughout the Iraqi imposed war, Basijis mainly volunteered and were organized for presence within warfronts.

The Leader of Islamic Revolution notes: "In short, Basij is an organization which is comprised of the purest, most selfless, and most prepared Iranian youths, who have gathered for the sake of fulfillment of the high and elevated goals of the Iranian nation, and the perfection and prosperity of this country. Basij is an establishment, within which individuals shape a huge, coherent, vigilant, and committed group, that is insightful toward the country's topics of importance, and the needs of the Iranian nation. Basij instils fear among the enemies, and instils hope and assurance among friends. In fact, all of the faithful, vigilant, insightful, and committed individuals who are interested and aware of the tasks, in all scenes, and who are beneficial for the Iranian nation, are part of the Basij. Therefore, Basij is a sacred name."

Upon the break out of the Iraqi imposed war; nationwide military training, and formation of Basij Mobilization Force solved many of the problems of the country, while the trained Iranian people flocked to warfronts.

The major missions of the Basij Mobilization Force in the campaign against foreign enemies, and domestic mercenaries, coupled with the simple lifestyle of Basiji forces, were praised and lauded by late Imam on several occasions. The Founder of Islamic Republic of Iran always pointed out that Islamic Iran is indebted to selfless efforts of Basijis, and Basij Mobilization Force is the best supporter of the grand Iranian nation, and the sacred Islamic system. The Leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, named Basij Mobilization Force as the main, most valuable, and ever-lasting legacy of late Imam.

Basij Mobilization Force has always played an effective role in supporting and safeguarding the goals of Islamic Revolution. Basijis also played an effective role within warfronts throughout the Sacred Defense era.

Throughout natural disasters, Basijis have solved people's problems, and have been a source of hope for people and officials of the sacred Islamic system.

A glance at Iran's history in recent centuries shows that no movement and development has begun in the absence of leadership of clerics or popular support for clergy. Campaign against injustices, and administration of justice has always been an integral part of the duties of Muslim clerics. Basij is an organization which is rooted in masses of people. Combatant clerics have always been highly active members of Basij Mobilization Force. Numerous Basiji clerics courted martyrdom throughout the imposed war, for the sake of protection and elevation of the honor and dignity of Iranian nation. Furthermore, many clerics are currently actively present in different sections of Basij, including the ideology, military, and political sections of Basij Mobilization Force.

Women constitute a large segment of any given community, and they play the main upbringing and educational role in human community. In fact, women highly contribute to formation and development of culture of any given nation. The sacred religion of Islam attaches significant importance to status of women, and puts emphasis on women's active presence in the society.

The especial status of women in the Iranian society has led to embodiment and growth of Basiji thoughts among them. Women's Basiji forces, upon recruiting, training, and organizing Iranian women, have made relentless efforts for the growth and development of Basiji culture.