Written by Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Jahanparvar, Researcher at the Governance thought center, in Research Institute for Islamic Culture and Thought, on the occasion of the National Conference on the Philosophy of Culture, emphasizing the views of Ayatollah Khamenei.
The culture of resistance holds an essential and fundamental place in both theory and practice within the political thought of Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. This concept, often described as finding a way to bypass hardships and overcome obstacles, has been articulated not only as a means to withstand global powers and the system of domination but also as a civilizational project aimed at achieving freedom, global justice, peaceful coexistence, and the establishment of a new Islamic civilization. By emphasizing this grand Islamic movement and enumerating the distinctive characteristics of the resistance movement, Ayatollah Khamenei presents this profound Islamic belief, which has confronted the system of domination, as an active and influential tool in facing international challenges and the unjust global order. Particularly today, in the face of new threats such as soft warfare, cultural invasion, economic crises, and the infiltration of new technologies, the culture of resistance and resilience, and the call to it, have become a necessary strategy and a healing prescription for the free and freedom-seeking nations of the world.
This article analyzes various dimensions of the culture of resistance and examines its philosophy with a futuristic approach from Ayatollah Khamenei’s perspective, discussing how to deal with threats and use the opportunities available in the future world.
The Meaning of Resistance from the Leader’s View
From his perspective, resistance means that an individual chooses a path they believe to be the right one and begins to move along it, with obstacles unable to deter or stop them from continuing. In other words, it is about finding a way to circumvent difficulties and overcome and defeat obstacles in a wise manner (June 4, 2019).
The Philosophy of the Culture of Resistance
The culture of resistance, in Ayatollah Khamenei’s thought, is founded on several core principles, including:
- Faith and Spirituality: One of the fundamental principles of the culture of resistance in Ayatollah Khamenei’s view is faith in God and spiritual principles. Promoting a spirit of spirituality in society revives the true human and faith-driven essence in youth, granting them the spiritual power to stand firm against threats and the discriminatory world system and to establish divine sovereignty.
- Islamic-Revolutionary Identity: Culture is the identity of a nation, and the culture of resistance is derived from the most religious Islamic sources such as the Quran, Hadith, and the lives of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), which evolved into the Islamic Revolution, based on elements such as naturalism, rationality, people-centeredness, theocratic governance, opposition to arrogance, and more. This culture has been implemented flexibly and dynamically.
- Dynamism and Transformation: The culture of resistance is not only a reaction to threats and a clear objection to the system of domination, but also, as a dynamic and transformative movement, continuously updates itself, presenting new strategies for dealing with the ongoing oppression of enemies.
Resistance as the Denial of Domination:
The culture of resistance, from Ayatollah Khamenei’s perspective, inherently rejects domination and colonization. This concept, particularly in the face of global domination and the imperialist policies of the United States and other Western powers, is a foundational principle in the theory of resistance. Resisting tyrants is not only a political necessity but also a religious and moral obligation, aimed at achieving national independence and social justice.
The Connection Between Ethics and Politics in Resistance:
Ayatollah Khamenei believes that resistance must take place within the framework of ethics and human virtues. This view not only makes resistance a political tool to oppose oppression, but also considers it as a path for the moral and human growth of nations and individuals. Ethics in resistance is viewed as a foundational basis for victory against enemies and the preservation of cultural and religious identity.
Historical Connection of Resistance and the Islamic Revolution:
The culture of resistance in Ayatollah Khamenei’s thought has deep roots in the history and experiences of historical resistances, especially of the Iranian people. The Islamic Revolution of Iran and the Sacred Defense (the Iran-Iraq War) are examples of popular resistance against both internal and external oppressors, striving for the establishment of God’s rule and the divine school of thought among Muslims. These historical experiences form the foundation of today’s resistance in Iran and the Islamic world against the forces of disbelief and heresy.
Culture of Resistance and Futurism
The Place of Futurism in the Culture of Resistance: Futurism, according to Ayatollah Khamenei, serves as a tool for analyzing and predicting future threats and formulating strategies to confront them. This approach enables nations to prevent potential threats with foresight and to make the best use of future opportunities. Ayatollah Khamenei consistently emphasizes that resistance must go beyond merely responding to current threats and should strive for the realization of greater civilizational and global ideals.
Islamic Civilization Building and the Culture of Resistance: Ayatollah Khamenei introduces the culture of resistance as a fundamental element in the process of building Islamic civilization. An Islamic civilization, based on the principles of the Quran and the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), seeks to establish a just global order, grounded in social justice, freedom, and human dignity. In this context, resistance is not only for self-defense but also as a tool for creating a new Islamic civilization that can spread globally.
Future Threats:The culture of resistance today faces various threats, including cultural invasion, economic warfare, and the use of new technologies. Cultural invasion, one of the greatest threats to resistance, is waged by imperialist powers through art, cinema, theater, media, social networks, and educational programs, with the goal of weakening the cultural and religious identity of nations. Economic warfare, through sanctions and exploitative economic policies by imperialist powers, is another key aspect of soft warfare. A third threat is the use of new technologies such as cyber warfare and other technological advancements, which have introduced new dimensions of opposition to the culture of resistance.
Futuristic Tools for Resistance: To confront future threats, Ayatollah Khamenei advocates the use of futuristic tools such as critical thinking, strengthening religious and political insight, proper interpretation of religious narratives, analyzing trends, defending religious values, introducing suitable models, reviving hope and motivation, and building self-confidence among nations. He also emphasizes the importance of considering commonalities over differences, scenario planning using past events, and leveraging new technologies to counter soft wars. Additionally, empowering the youth, promoting unity among ethnic and religious groups, cultural exchanges, and strengthening cultural diplomacy can act as key tools in expanding the culture of resistance and confronting new threats.
Practical Strategies for Strengthening the Culture of Resistance
- Strengthening the Educational System and Cultural Identity:
Education of future generations is a fundamental strategy for strengthening the culture of resistance. Educational programs must be designed to familiarize students with their Islamic and revolutionary identity and enable them to understand the principles of resistance. This education should be transferred through formal educational systems, schools, universities, and widespread media programs.
- Scientific and Technological Advancement:
For the culture of resistance to thrive, scientific and technological progress is crucial. Utilizing new technologies such as AI, metaverse, IoT, and blockchain can be valuable tools for combating soft wars and cultural infiltration. Additionally, developing indigenous technologies and emphasizing a resilient economy to reduce dependence on foreign powers is essential.
- Enhancing Resistance Diplomacy:
Cultural and political diplomacy is an effective tool for expanding the culture of resistance globally. Ayatollah Khamenei has emphasized the need to strengthen relations among independent nations and liberation movements globally to spread the discourse of resistance and guide subjugated countries toward independence.
- Developing a Resilient Economy:
A fundamental solution for strengthening the culture of resistance is the development of a resilient economy. This includes focusing on self-reliance, domestic production, and reducing economic dependence on imperialist countries. At the same time, international opportunities for economic growth and counteracting sanctions should be pursued.
- The Role of Family and Women:
Families, as fundamental social units, play a critical role in promoting and spreading the culture of resistance. Particularly, women and mothers, representing half of the society, must actively participate in social, cultural, and political arenas to strengthen the culture of resistance.
In conclusion, the culture of resistance, from Ayatollah Khamenei’s perspective, is not merely a reaction to external threats but a cultural and civilizational project for independent nations and societies resisting global oppressors. Rooted in faith in God, Islamic-revolutionary identity, and intellectual dynamism, it serves as a comprehensive strategy to combat oppression and imperialism. Ayatollah Khamenei believes that the culture of resistance can play a pivotal role in the process of building a new Islamic civilization, characterized by dignity, justice, freedom, and human dignity. In today’s world, where new threats such as soft wars, cultural invasions, and economic crises are becoming increasingly widespread and complex, the use of futuristic approaches in the culture of resistance is of paramount importance. Through this, nations can prepare more intelligently and efficiently for future challenges and seize new opportunities. The resistance culture, with its focus on interaction and cooperation, can serve as a model for strengthening independence, self-belief, and self-sufficiency in Muslim and even non-Muslim communities.
