The Role of University Students in Confronting Soft War With Emphasis on Different Dimensions and Elements of Soft Jihad

One of the most influential groups in contemporary society is university students who can play a highly significant role in advancing the major goals of every nation owing to the tools at their disposal. Mingling of college education and literacy level of students, on the one hand, and their freshness and liveliness, on the other, doubles their effectiveness. One of the key factors which qualifies the Basiji students for stepping into the civilization-building arena, as a sublime cause, is the notion of student as a rational agent with a revolutionary, justiceseeking and idealistic spirit. Relying on the teachings of Islam and the guidelines given by the Supreme Leader, Imam Khamenei, the present paper attempts to address the scientific, cultural-social and political dimensions of jihad. The paper also identifies the operational features of jihad and a role model Basij student for creating soft security. To accomplish this, first, jihad is defined and, then, the standing and role of jihad in Islam is scrutinized. Finally, academic jihad as the most significant attribute of a role model Basij student in the fields of science, political insight, politics, and cultural autonomy is explicated.