Holding the 18th National Festival of Hazrat Ali Akbar (AS) - The Young Soldier

According to a report from the Communications and International Relations Center of the Supreme National Defense University, the 18th National Festival of Hazrat Ali Akbar (AS) - The Young Soldier, under the aforementioned title, was held for organizational echelons of the Armed Forces General Staff and the Headquarters of Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya (PBUH). The event was attended by conscripted personnel and various officials, including Brigadier General Mohammad Javad Zadeh Kamand, Deputy Executive of the Armed Forces General Staff, and Brigadier General Seyed Mohammad Bagherzadeh, Head of the Missing Persons Committee of the Armed Forces General Staff.

The ceremony began with Quranic recitations, the performance of the Islamic Republic of Iran's national anthem, and other patriotic songs by the "Razm Navazan" group of the Imam Ali (AS) Military University. Brigadier General Mohammad Javad Zadeh Kamand, in his speech, congratulated the attendees on the auspicious days of Sha'ban and honored the memory of the martyrs, especially Brigadier General Martyr Mohammad Bagheri, the former Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff, who had special consideration for the youth, particularly conscripted soldiers. He thanked the conscripts for their enthusiastic participation and expressed gratitude to the festival organizers.

Part of his speech included: "I bring greetings and words of encouragement from the Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff, Major General Mousavi, to you dear attendees. Today, the approach regarding conscripted soldiers within the Armed Forces General Staff is derived from the directives of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, His Eminence Ayatollah Khamenei (may his shadow endure). In this approach, we strive to turn the period of military service into a period where our youth tread the path of excellence. While their primary role in safeguarding security and defending the land and the Islamic Revolution remains our top priority, we aim to make their role in building a better future for the country and themselves in the field of skill acquisition more dynamic and active. So far, over 1.3 million soldiers have completed skill training courses, for which the officials in charge deserve appreciation and thanks. Of course, learning and skill acquisition depend on the effort and endeavor of the conscripted soldiers themselves."

In another part of the festival, Major General Dr. Ismail Ahmadi-Moghaddam, Commander of the National Defense University, in his speech congratulated the attendees on the days of Sha'ban and the appointment of the Great Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (PBUH). He discussed the importance of military service from an Islamic perspective, citing Quranic verses and narrations from the Ahl al-Bayt (AS). He stated, "In these times, the sworn enemies of this land seek to create insecurity and have caused many problems for the people, even in their livelihoods. Soldiers are the strong fortress of the people, and the Quran also emphasizes that there is no issue with any cost incurred on this path." Continuing, he explained the concepts of divine decree and destiny in Islam, adding, "Whenever you set a goal and do not achieve it, do not despair. The future is built, so dear youth, build it and avoid a fatalistic view of the future. Everyone acts according to their inherent structure and achieves their goals. It is human will that can compensate for existing weaknesses in the family and society, overcome these weaknesses, build one's own path, and this is only possible with strong individual will. The result of your efforts in this world, besides building a better future for yourselves and your country, also has a reward in the hereafter. Know that the world has many ups and downs, successes and failures. Do not be deceived by worldly successes, nor let worldly hardships bring you down."

Sharing memories from his youth and his presence during the Sacred Defense, he expressed, "Play your role well in the events of life's path. Do not get overly excited by the opportunities that arise, and do not become disheartened by any failure that occurs. Get up and continue your path. As Martyr Dr. Ayatollah Beheshti (RA) said, 'Paradise is given for a price, not for an excuse.'"

He further added, "At the Supreme National Defense University, we always strive to improve the period of military service and create a suitable environment for them, so that along this path they acquire the necessary skills to build a better future for themselves after the end of their service."

At the end of the ceremony, awards were presented to outstanding conscripted soldiers and various echelons of the Armed Forces General Staff in eleven different fields, as well as to a number of commanders who oversaw these soldiers.