Naghdi: We Have Provided Extensive Training to Basij Forces for Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil

After it was recently announced that the Islamic Consultative Assembly has mandated the Basij forces to "enjoin good and forbid evil at the verbal level," the head of the Basij Organization announced that the Basij will utilize "all capacities" in this regard. According to Fars News Agency, Mohammad Reza Naghdi stated on Tuesday, November 26, at a press conference: "The Basij, with 22 million organizational members and 2,000 combat battalions, is ready to support the system." He emphasized that "we have conducted extensive training for the Basijis in the field of enjoining good and forbidding evil since last year, and the Basijis have been trained in correct and principled methods." According to Mr. Naghdi, the Basij Organization has a "wide presence" in economic fields, enjoining good and forbidding evil, and construction. He clarified: "Even if there were no law on enjoining good, we would have a duty to engage in this matter because enjoining good is a law that God has brought in the Quran." Mr. Naghdi also announced: "On December 5, a million-strong gathering of Basijis from across the country will be held." Iranian parliament members on Sunday morning, November 18, approved a bill mandating the Basij forces to "culturalize and implement enjoining good and forbidding evil at the verbal level." The parliamentarians also approved a clause from the enjoining good and forbidding evil plan that obligates all executive bodies subject to Article 5 of the 2007 Public Service Management Law, as well as private institutions, public service centers, public places, and businesses to comply with this law. On Tuesday, Mohammad Reza Naghdi continued his remarks by stating that "no manager should be afraid of enjoining good because it does not weaken management." Previously, Majid Ansari, the Iranian Vice President for Parliamentary Affairs, had stated that the "enjoining good and forbidding evil" plan contradicts multiple principles of the Constitution. The head of the Basij Organization also announced the readiness of "millions of Basijis" for deployment to Gaza and Syria, stating that this organization, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has 22 million organizational members and 2,000 combat battalions. According to Fars News Agency, Mohammad Reza Naghdi emphasized: "Millions of Basijis in Iran are ready to be deployed to Syria and Gaza and are contacting us." He noted that Basijis are very eager to go to Iraq, adding: "There is no need for the presence of Iranian military forces in Iraq, but if training is needed, it will be provided as it has been done so far." Reports have previously emerged regarding the presence of IRGC-affiliated forces in Syria and Iraq. Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of the IRGC, spoke last year about the presence of "advisors" from the IRGC in Syria. Mr. Naghdi also referred to the "National Information Network of the Basij," which he deemed "a more legitimate right than nuclear energy," stating that the Basij national information network has subscribers in 30,000 locations. The head of the Basij Organization criticized what he called "weak and questionable management" regarding the establishment of the "national information network," adding: "We must look for hidden hands that prevented us from entering this field." He also announced the launch of the Basij national information network titled "Shabab Network" - without using the internet - on December 5. Mr. Naghdi did not provide details about the activities of this network. Previously, officials from the Basij Organization had announced the establishment of national information networks in various provinces of Iran. The remarks by the head of the Basij Organization regarding the establishment of a "national information network" come at a time when the Iranian government has been working for years on a plan to separate the internet used by domestic users from the global web, known as the "National Information Network," which it claims is designed to enhance cybersecurity, counter internet attacks, and boost online business. However, critics are concerned that in addition to the poor quality of this network, the Iranian government will use its control to exert more dominance over the numerous internet users in Iran.