BOROUJERD, Lorestan Prov. -- The Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei here on Tuesday termed martyrdom as a decisive element of national strength and devotion.

In a message to a congress held to commemorate the memory of martyred students of this western province, the Leader stressed that enemies of Islam today are trying to undermine jihad (holy war) and the virtue of martyrdom.

Elsewhere in his message, Ayatollah Khamenei called on all Iranian students to value martyrdom.

The Leader, in his message to the congress, also referred to martyrdom as the most beautiful of human values.