Title: Jihadi Spirit: A Blueprint for National Progress and Social Cohesion
In a powerful address to the nation’s youth, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf championed the “Jihadi Spirit” as the essential catalyst for overcoming social challenges and driving the country’s advancement. Speaking at a conference honoring recipients of the National Amir Award for socially influential youth, the Speaker outlined a vision of proactive service and unwavering faith as the foundation for national development.
The Power of a Jihadi Mindset
Speaker Ghalibaf emphasized that a Jihadi outlook transcends material limitations, fostering intellectual courage and transformative decision-making. He articulated a core principle of this philosophy: a dedicated individual first identifies their duty and ultimate goal, confident that a resolute human will can overcome any perceived shortage of resources.
“An individual with a Jihadi spirit is never shackled by a lack of means,” Ghalibaf stated. “Material constraints cannot stop them, for they believe that once a mission is correctly identified, all factors and resources will align to achieve the objective.” This approach, he contrasted, stands in opposition to conventional planning methods that focus solely on existing assets.
Beyond the Classroom: Cultivating Character Through Action
A significant portion of the Speaker’s remarks focused on the practical formation of character. He suggested that an over-reliance on theoretical and classroom education can be a shortcoming in building a faithful and committed generation.
“Real human growth and true education do not happen solely in classic educational environments,” Ghalibaf noted, drawing from his personal experiences. He shared an anecdote from his youth, where a teacher took him and his classmates to assist in marginalized urban areas and later to help victims of an earthquake. “When we returned, we were not the same people we were before,” he recalled, highlighting how such practical, service-oriented experiences can open new worlds for young people.
A Unifying National Ethos
The Parliament Speaker was keen to stress the inclusive nature of the Jihadi culture, clarifying that it is not confined to any specific group, party, or sect. “The core of the work is the intention and the will to perform service,” he said. He described it as a school of thought that fosters collective work, responsibility, and creativity, preparing individuals for leadership.
He invoked the era of the Sacred Defense, pointing to it as a prime example of this spirit in action. “We saw a 75-year-old man fighting in the same trench as an elite student who had returned from America… Their morale, motivation, and cohesion were higher than any trained force. This is the very spirit of Jihadi work,” Ghalibaf stated, underscoring the power of a unified national purpose.
Transforming Challenges into Opportunities
Speaker Ghalibaf presented the Jihadi spirit as a dynamic force that converts threats into opportunities. He explained that a Jihadi individual does not even perceive obstacles as threats, but rather as chances for growth and achievement. This mindset, he argued, is what leads to innovation and breakthrough solutions to complex problems.
“Creativity, leaps in progress, and problem-solving always occur where a person chooses a risky opportunity, not a risk-free one,” he asserted. “Risk-free opportunities are merely ordinary, routine paths. It is the risky opportunities that are the points where extraordinary events are forged.”
A Model for Leadership and Management
Linking the philosophy directly to governance, Ghalibaf called for the strengthening of the Jihadi spirit in the country’s management. He outlined the profile of a Jihadi manager as one who creates authority and resources through sheer will and dedication, rather than waiting for them to be provided.
“A Jihadi manager believes in the people and advances public empowerment through their own conviction,” he said. Such leaders, he concluded, pave the way for others, demonstrating that when action is guided by sincerity, intellect, justice, and spirituality, divine blessing and national progress inevitably follow.