Iran Press/ Iran news: Basij is a Persian word that means to be prepared and mobilized; it is the name of a paramilitary force in Iran that was formed in 1979 upon a decree by the late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini as a popular and voluntary force that is tasked with serving the Islamic Republic’s ideals.
The Basij is an affiliate of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC). It has many sub-divisions, including "Basij-e Sazandegi" or the "Construction Basij", which is engaged in building or renovating schools, houses, and hospitals in deprived areas, or the Medical Basij which is tasked with providing free-of-charge medical service in low-privileged areas.
In order to renew allegiance with the ideals of the great founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the occasion of the 44th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution and show the power and authority of the Basij forces, a gathering of 12 thousand Basijis of Tehran was held on Monday in Tehran's Azadi sports complex under the title of the "Defenders of the Velayat" exercise.
The gathering took place after the decision of the European Parliament to declare the IRGC as a so-called terrorist organization and the publication of insulting cartoons by the French magazine Charlene Hebdo.
In this ceremony, the deputy commander of the IRGC, Brigadier General Ali Fadavi, said: "The enemies thought that they would win, but they have been making this miscalculation for 44 years."
Referring to the recent foreign-backed riots inside the country, he said: "In the recent sedition, they tried and planned but failed. But Basijis prevailed."
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