Memoirs of Sardar Yousef Foroutan

Emblem for the IRGC

Faezeh Sasanikhah
Translated by: Zahra Hosseinian

2023-5-14

As the public relations officer of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, I was in charge of choosing an emblem for the IRGC. Several friends who were people of art helped me. I said to one of my friends named Adel and was a designer: ‘We want to design an emblem to show the military, ideological, and universal spirit as well as to be based on Quran; and additionally, to be indicative of solidarity and unity. After a week, he designed three emblem that I liked one of them, but it needed a little edition. The Arabic word "لا" used in this emblem has derived from the "لااله‌الاالله"[1], which expresses the opinion and ideological thinking of the IRGC; that is, it does not accept non-Islamic and non-Qur'anic thinking. At the top of the emblem, a Quranic verse has been designed: “و اعدوا لهم مااستطعتم من قوه”[2], which means, "Prepare against them what you ‘believers’ can of ‘military’ power".

According to the meaning of the above verse, the strengthening of military forces and weapons to protect the religion, and to be prepared comprehensively against all kinds of threats to be inferred, as matter of fact, this verse is the main slogan and structural identity of the formation of the IRGC. The circle above the emblem is the sign of the globe. The globe is a symbol of universality, and an emphasis on the IRGC's international presence in various world arenas. This symbol shows the universality of the path and belief of the IRGC. The olive branch used as a symbol of peace to show that the IRGC is a peaceful institution. The right hand is the symbol of power. The raised fist held a weapon is a clear symbol of the popular armed resistance, and in other words, it is indicative of the struggle in the way of God, the popular standing and resistance to defend the Islamic and revolutionary ideals, and the fight against the tyrants of the time. This institution has been given the name of 'Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' to guard and protect the religion, considering its popular basis. The name of this institute has been registered in the constitution of the parliament as the 'Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps'. But the word “Iran” was not included in the emblem, because the IRGC is not limited to Iran. The Iranian year 1357, which has been designed at the bottom of the emblem, is the year of establishment of the Corps units (before the issuance of Imam’s order regarding the formation of the Corps on April 22, 1979).

At the time of the approval of the emblem in the parliament, many representatives said that its name should be "Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps", but we believed that Islam is not limited to Iran. Then some emphasized that in this case, a political debate will be raised that the IRGC will intervene forcefully and directly everywhere, and will become a problem. This issue was discussed for some time; and finally, it was approved that the emblem will be "Islamic Revolutionary Guards", but this institute was named "Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps" in the constitution. The emblem was approved with the presence and signature of Dr. Beheshti. There was a detailed discussion about how to wear the IRGC badge; and I made arguments that authorities accepted. I said: ‘Since it has a verse of the Qur'an, it is better to be put on the heart, that is, on the left side of the body.’ After a while it was officially announced that the badge should be worn on the left side. The initial uniforms of the IRGC had differences from the current ones. The first uniforms were more ordinary and simple; but later, they were changed from being simple to military according to the arguments of the authorities. Over time and according to the time conditions, the type of uniforms changed. Finally, two types of uniforms were considered for IRGC: work or combat uniform, and the other, an ordinary uniform which is still worn by the personnel of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.[3]