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The formation of the Islamic Movement and the people who launched it with
Ayatollah Khomeini's leadership was based on religious and spiritual teachings
of Islam and Shia beliefs. The victory of the movement not only led to the
overthrow of a royal system, but also brought with itself a massive change in
attitudes towards social, political and cultural developments of the Iranian
community. The Islamic Revolution was a revolution of values, values that
persevered in the 8-year war against Saddam Hussein’s Army, the Holy Defense.
Therefore, by definition the Revolutionary Guards Corps cannot be indifferent to
the issues of value and belief of Iranian society and considers its protection
as one of its duties. Naturally, such an accomplishment does not necessarily
follow military practices. In order to be active in such fields, it is essential
that the methods and materials be tailored to the cultural affairs and equipped
with a weapon of thought and pen in order to allow further effect.
Readiness to deal with any kind of threat
Confronting the cultural invasion and the spiritual transformation of the
society requires the IRGC to have a high level of structural and organizational
strength. Given the high capabilities of this revolutionary institution, it is
expected that the Revolutionary Guards will be prepared to deal with any kind of
threat, and this requires flexibility in the structure. Experience has shown
that the dynamism of this institution has led to the adoption of necessary
measures in line with the social and technological developments, and adoption of
new methods by the enemies in confronting the Islamic Revolution. So the Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps is engaged in a tough battle, whether in the semi-hard
war or in soft war.
The Revolutionary Guards has been the strongest cultural institution in the
country due to the presence of educated, intelligent, tireless and revolutionary
forces on the one hand and the backing of propaganda facilities and the lack of
other cultural institutions. Examples are many: establishment of two
universities, Imam Hussein (AS) and Baqiyatallah (AS), four university colleges
and high schools, audiovisual productions, the launch of various cultural and
political websites, organization of Basij elites for development of
public-interest engineering in the cultural-political aspects of society.
Popularity, the result of construction
Another success of the Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij is in the
area of ‘soft services’, which has promoted the status of these institutions.
After the Holy Defense, Basij at all levels and strata - artists, engineers, the
medical community- has played a leading role in community service, particularly
in tackling poverty in marginal regions. Basij youth jihadist groups performed
well with young people and sometimes spontaneously in this regard, developing a
culture that is a precious asset for the nation and advancement of the country's
goals.
Countering cyber threats
Books and publishing is another area where the IRGC is present. After the Holy
Defense, IRGC diversified its activities in medical, engineering, humanities,
cultural, security, and military areas. Revolutionary Guards' cultural
activities, rooted in their revolutionary morale, advocates Iranian society’s
‘look inside’ vis-à-vis sanctions and threats of the enemy, and independence
from ‘alien’ currents. Moreover, the Revolutionary Guards, relying on internal
capacity and recognizing true threats, has contributed greatly to the cyber
security of the country.
Jihad in all fields
Another social and cultural feature of the Revolutionary Guards is the
preservation of ‘jihadi spirit’. The experience of the eight years of Holy
Defense and reconstruction of the country has shown that the military, taking
into account the emphasis placed on the jihadist spirit, were prepared in every
way against the sanctions and took effective steps in various fields of
development and construction. This kind of look can of course be regarded as a
model for the country's leaders in the cultural arena. Revolutionarism is the
most important principle in keeping the movement upbeat. Maintaining this spirit
is the main factor for self-determination and political, economic and cultural
independence, and the establishment and Revolution will not be harmed as long as
this spirit persists. Hence, the Revolutionary Guards always emphasizes its
revolutionary character in all fields.
* Sajad Abadi is visiting professor at the University of Saint Joseph of
Lebanon. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect Iranian
Diplomacy's editorial policy.
source :irdiplomacy