Basij Organization of the Oppressed
The Basij Organization of the Oppressed is a social and revolutionary organization and institution that was established by order of Imam Khomeini on November 26, 1979. The Basij, or Basij Resistance Force, is a social and popular institution that is a subsidiary of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
It was formed with the aim of creating the necessary capabilities in all individuals who believe in the Constitution and the goals of the Islamic Revolution of Iran in order to defend the country, the system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also to assist people in the event of unexpected events, in coordination with legal authorities.
The role of the Popular Basij in confronting internal crises cannot be denied. This institution, under the command of the Supreme Commander, has been able to force foreign and internal enemies to retreat and defeat them at very critical times, including during the eight years of the Sacred Defense.
Some of the Basij's missions include: recruiting, training, and organizing an army of twenty million and providing manpower for the IRGC's combat units, cooperating with organizations such as literacy, Jihad-Sazandegi(Reconstruction Jihad), healthcare, etc., local defense, and popular resistance.
History
This organization, formerly known as the Basij Resistance Force, was formed on November 26, 1979, by order of Imam Khomeini, and became legally recognized after approval by the Islamic Consultative Assembly in January 1980.
Beginning of activity
On November 26, 1979, Imam Khomeini issued a decree to form a "20 million-strong army" (Basij) and after its approval by the Islamic Consultative Assembly in January 1980, it became legally official. Initially, Amir Majd and then Ahmad Salek were the commanders of the Basij for a while. Mohammad Ali Rahmani took charge of it in 1983 and worked in this position until the end of the Iraq-Iran war.
He was able to organize forces from young and old, from remote areas and villages to offices and universities, students and clerics, in a new way. By increasing the number of resistance bases from 7,000 to 21,500, he created a large force that could be sent to the front as an army of twenty million in order to carry out Imam Khomeini's command. The dispatch of the 100,000-people of Muhammad's Corps was the result of this organization.
Rahmani believed that the Basij unit should remain a popular and inclusive force, and he remained in the Basij until 1991. After the death of Imam Khomeini, pressure from the IRGC to transform the Basij Mostazafin unit into the Basij Resistance Force increased, and eventually, with Rahmani's departure from the Basij unit and a change in the structure of the Basij Resistance Force, the Basij Resistance Force was formed, and Alireza Afshar was appointed as the first commander of the Basij Resistance Force.
Missions
Basij missions within the framework of the missions of the Basij Resistance Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are determined as follows:
· Recruiting, training, and organizing a twenty-million-people army and providing manpower for the IRGC combat units
· Activities to maintain, carry out, and improve the morale of the Basij, such as cultural affairs in the army and educational advancement
· Cooperation with organizations such as literacy, Jihad-sazandegi(Reconstruction Jihad) , health care, and ...
· Protection of personalities, vital and sensitive places, and security of civilian aircraft flights
· Local defense and popular resistance.Mohammad Reza Mostofian,(2011). Factors of Preservation and Coherence of Basij Forces in the Peace Decree.Tehran: Faculty of Command and Staff [1].
Basij from the Perspective of Imam Khomeini (RA)
Certainly, the formation of the Basij in the Islamic Republic of Iran was a blessing favored by God to the dear nation and the Islamic Revolution of
Iran.
At the various events, especially the war after the victory of the revolution, there were many institutions and groups that ensured the country and the Islamic Revolution through their sacrifice, sincerity, devotion, and martyrdom. Yet, if we really want to present a perfect meaning of sacrifice,
sincerity, devotion and love of God and Islam, was there anyone more deserving than the Basij?! Basij is a pure and fruitful tree whose blossoms give out the aroma of spring, the freshness of certainty and the story of love.
Basij is the school of love and the academy of martyrdom. Its anonymous martyrs, whose followers have recited on top of its towering minaret the call to martyrdom and valor. Basij is the locus of the barefooted and ascension of the pure Islamic thought whose trained ones have gained name and fame in having no name and fame. Basij is the sincere army of God whose
organizational account has been endorsed by the mujahidin (jurists and religious authorities) from the beginning up to the end.
If the melodious tune of basiji thought was resonated on a country, the covetous eyes of the enemies and world-devourers would become far from it; otherwise, every moment any eventuality must be expected. As in the past, Basij must continue with force and certainty of mind. Today, one of the most indispensable organizations is the student and seminary Basij. The students of theology and students of universities should exert their utmost efforts in defending the revolution and Islam in their respective centers. My Basiji children in these two centers should be the guards of the unalterable principle of ―neither East nor West‖. Today, the university and the seminary are more in need of unity and solidarity than any other time and place. The children of the revolution should never allow the agents of America and the Soviet Union to penetrate these two places. It is only through the Basij that this important task can be accomplished.
Ideological issues of the basijis are on the shoulder of these two academic bastions. The seminary and the university should place the frameworks of the pure Muhammadan (s) Islam at the disposal of all members of the Basij. The basijis of the Muslim world should think of the establishment of grand Islamic government. This is possible because Basij is not only confined toIran; the nuclei of resistance should brought into being in the entire world, and the East and the West must be confronted. You showed in the imposed war that through proper and good management, Islam could dominate the world. You should know that your task has not yet ended; the Islamic Revolution in the world is in need of your self-sacrifices. Only through your
support can the officials prove to those thirsty of truth and truthfulness that without America and the Soviet Union harmonious life mixed with peace and freedom can be attained. Your presence in the scene will cause the severance from the very bottom of the anti-revolutionary root in all dimensionsMessage of Imam Khomeini (RA) to Iranian nation and the combatant Basijis.(November 23, 1988 ). Sahifeh-ye Imam. Volume 21. Retrieved April 20, 2025, from
http://staticsml.imam-khomeini.ir/en/File/NewsAttachment/2014/1715-Sahifeh-ye%20Imam-Vol%2021.pdf.[2]
Basij from the Perspective of Imam Khamenei
The Basij organization was an unparalleled phenomenon that was started in our country. This phenomenon had no precedent in any other place or country in the world and was something exceptional.
This phenomenon wasn’t imitating something else or a copy. Rather, it was formed based on our own national culture and history. The result of this is that since this phenomenon is indigenous, it’s enduring. It isn’t something that will be eliminated. It’s fixed and enduring because it has roots. It’s linked to this very nation, its history, and its national and Iranian identity.
This is a form of cultural networking. The Basij is essentially a cultural, social, and of course, military networking. The military aspect of the Basij is what initially comes to mind today. But despite its significance, this aspect is no more important than the cultural and social dimensions of the Basij. Imam [Khomeini] created this networking; it was his innovation. When? In the face of a great threat. This was one of the qualities of our magnanimous Imam.
This was one of the qualities of our magnanimous Imam. He turned threats into opportunities, and that’s precisely what happened here. On November 4th, 1979, the seizure of the US Spy Den took place. The world’s dominant power at that time, the United States, began to bare its teeth, make threats, and impose sanctions. On November 26th, in the midst of these threats, Imam Khomeini issued an order establishing the Basij. This was just 22 or 23 days after that event.
In other words, when the country had just undergone a revolution, had hardly any equipment to defend itself, and was faced with such a great threat in that situation, the Imam suddenly planted a shajarah tayyibah [blessed tree] in the country’s social, cultural, and military land, which was the “blessed tree” of the Basij. He turned a threat into an opportunity.
The Basij is first of all a school of thought, an ideology, and a philosophy. In essence, it is a network of culture and thought. If the Basij engages in military activities, social work, and scientific endeavours — which it does — the root of all these activities is the same logic and ideology that form the foundation of the Basij.
The foundation upon which the Basij is based in two words: faith and self-confidence. It can also be said to be belief in God and belief in oneself. These are the two pillars of the Basij. The Basij is built on believing in God and believing in oneself. Whatever fruits this tree bears today, tomorrow, and in the future will stem from these two things: belief in God and belief in oneself.
The Basij has many characteristics, which all stem from these two main pillars. The Basij possesses courage, creativity, quick action in carrying out tasks, a broad vision, an understanding of enemies, and sensitivity to various movements. These are the qualities of the Basij. But all of these and other outstanding qualities of the Basij originate from those same two qualities, which becomes entirely clear if we think, analyze, and discuss them.
The Basij is opposed to national humiliation. The dominators manipulate national beliefs in order to be able to dominate nations. Each nation has its own history, its own beliefs, its own great personages, and its own values. They manipulate, destroy, and belittle these.
Iran was humiliated for many years, especially during the Qajar and Pahlavi eras. The Revolution came and turned things around. After World War I, a conference was held in Paris in which many countries participated in order to make decisions about the situation of the world. The participants were those who were involved in or had been hurt by the war. Iran was among those who had been hurt by World War I, and it sent a delegation. However, the Iranian delegation was denied entry to the Paris Conference.
This is how they humiliated nations. The Iranian nation was humiliated like this for some period of time. The Basiji mindset breaks this barrier. This very dangerous weapon of soft power is neutralized by the Basiji mindset.
I would like to mention two points about the ongoing issues in Lebanon, Palestine, Gaza, and so forth, which you are all aware of and are seeing and hearing about in the news and through updates. First, the bombardment of civilians’ homes isn’t a victory. Those mindless people [the Zionists] shouldn’t think that because they bomb people’s homes, hospitals, and public gatherings they’ve achieved victory. No! No one in the world considers that to be victory. These aren’t victories. The enemy hasn’t achieved victory in Gaza or in Lebanon, and it won’t achieve victory in Gaza and Lebanon. What they’ve done isn’t a victory. It’s a war crime. Well, they’ve issued an arrest warrant for him [Netanyahu], [but] that’s not enough. Death sentences should be issued for Netanyahu and these criminal leaders. This is the first point.
Second, the Zionist regime’s crimes, both in Lebanon and in Gaza and Palestine, are producing the opposite results of what they wanted. That is, they’re strengthening and increasing the Resistance. This is a universal, unchanging ruleThe speech delivered by Imam Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with members of the Basij. (November 25, 2024). Retrieved April 20, 2025, from
https://english.khamenei.ir/news/11299/Today-however-vast-Resistance-Front-is-now-it-will-be-several[3].
References
- ↑ Mohammad Reza Mostofian,(2011). Factors of Preservation and Coherence of Basij Forces in the Peace Decree.Tehran: Faculty of Command and Staff
- ↑ Message of Imam Khomeini (RA) to Iranian nation and the combatant Basijis.(November 23, 1988 ). Sahifeh-ye Imam. Volume 21. Retrieved April 20, 2025, from http://staticsml.imam-khomeini.ir/en/File/NewsAttachment/2014/1715-Sahifeh-ye%20Imam-Vol%2021.pdf.
- ↑ The speech delivered by Imam Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with members of the Basij. (November 25, 2024). Retrieved April 20, 2025, from https://english.khamenei.ir/news/11299/Today-however-vast-Resistance-Front-is-now-it-will-be-several