What Is Freedom?

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Freedom is the most precious jewel in the world—the rarest and most priceless crimson diamond in the treasure chest of human existence and the history of nations. It is the essence of progress and the defining feature of human identity. For the story of humankind is, at its heart, the conscious and often tumultuous journey from the realm of compulsion and necessity to the realm of choice and liberty.

But this crimson diamond of freedom is not handed out freely. It must be earned—through struggle and sacrifice, through pain and perseverance, through love, truth, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

After a Century of Struggle for Freedom, Where Do We Stand?

I want to emphasize a vital truth: we are closer to freedom now than ever before. Our resistance movement—the proud legacy and lifeblood of our nation's dignity—has proven, more powerfully and brilliantly than ever, our people's worthiness of freedom.

Today, freedom is no longer a distant, unreachable dream. We have encircled the monster of religious and political tyranny.

In my view, freedom is the bright tomorrow that lies ahead of us. I have no doubt about the dawn of that tomorrow, because I have seen the sun of freedom in the resistance of this generation—a resistance that, with 100,000 eternal flames of freedom, has written its love for the people and homeland in lines of blood and sacrifice, and has truly become the vanguard and leader of freedom in our time.

On behalf of this Resistance, on behalf of a generation of selfless women and men who, like moths to a flame, have burned and still burn for freedom, I want to say: today, the Iranian Resistance movement—and tomorrow, the homeland we call the most beautiful of all—are the most deserving of freedom and the loudest voice in defense of human dignity.

Why? Because in this Resistance, we fight a regime that is utterly inhuman, on the basis of human values.

What Does Freedom Mean?

Indeed, what is freedom—the very notion that has caused so much trouble for the mullahs and tyrants throughout history—in its political sense?

Each time the question is asked—"What is freedom?"—various definitions come to mind. Some say, in political terms, freedom means democracy: the rule of the people, by the people. And they are absolutely right. That is precisely what has always stood at the heart of our demands.

Or it is said that freedom is a series of recognized individual and social rights; but I have not come here merely to emphasize these undeniable facts. I have come to make clear that, for our resistance, freedom goes beyond all of this.

For us, freedom is, above all, an ideal and a conviction. It is the living spirit and driving force woven into the very fabric of our resistance. Freedom is what has shaped the existence and growth of our struggle.

In most national liberation and revolutionary movements, a sacred popular resentment against oppression and the systems that enforce servitude fuels the drive for change. But within the Iranian resistance, there is an even more powerful and profound force at work—an abiding love of freedom.

What I want to emphasize is that without this love, we could neither stand firm nor fight nor endure against the ruling religious tyranny. This is not romantic idealism—it is a stubborn, unbreakable reality forged in the heat of our struggle.

Faith in a Free Iran

If you ask me how I have faith in a future of freedom, what assures me, and what dispels my doubts, I answer with the deepest conviction of my heart and soul. I point to the pure and enduring roots of the resistance and freedom movement, and to the honored name of the gardener who has nurtured generations, the organization, and the army devoted to the freedom of the Iranian people: the esteemed name of Massoud Rajavi.

Truly, what a garden of sacrifice and blood it has been—a field of tulips nourished by the blood of 100,000 fallen heroes of freedom.

A rider borne on blazing flame,

Burst forth beyond the walls of shame.

A beacon bright for those who care,

A veil of smoke to blind the snare.

I throw my heart into the fire—

Feed the blaze, lift it higher.

Till morning breaks with golden light,

And shadows vanish in the fight.

Defining the Boundaries of Freedom

The tree of the Iranian Resistance has taken root in freedom, standing firm through its clear commitment to the cause of liberty. Its branches have grown strong and enduring—nourished by freedom and the heavy, bloodied price paid for it.

Now we come to the fruit of freedom—a harvest that must be shared with the people, bringing liberty into the political and social life of the Iranian nation. This resistance has intertwined peace with freedom, independence with freedom, and social justice with freedom, recognizing freedom as the wellspring of them all.

Today, before the eyes of all of you and the consciences of freedom-loving people around the world, a thriving resistance stands firm in Iran—standing tall against the most terrifying dictatorship of the century.

The Victory of Freedom

There is absolutely no doubt that freedom’s victory—and the end of the dark night of clerical tyranny—will be secured with the arrival of the Army of Freedom on our soil, driven by the unwavering determination of Iran’s courageous people and the emergence of a democratic alternative: the National Council of Resistance.

Yes, Iran can and must be freed, rebuilt, and filled with joy.

It can and must be done.

It can and must be done.

It can and must be done…

Excerpts from the speech by Maryam Rajavi addressing the grand meeting on June 20, 1995