Message [to The Muslim nation of Iran]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Beware O Muslims! Islam is in danger of blasphemy. The authorities and `ulama' of Islam, some are in restriction, and some are jailed, and profaned. The government ordered the seminaries to be violated, the defenseless tullab beaten, and the marketplace of the Muslims pillaged and store windows shattered. Their Eminences Ayatullah Khwansari «1» and Ayatullah Behbahani «2» are under strict house arrest and a number of esteemed `ulama' and venerable preachers are jailed. We cannot contact them and do not know their whereabouts at all. Ruffians and thugs are provoked to insult the `ulama' and the clergy. They prevent the tullab and preachers from moving around the country to preach Islam and the Islamic laws. They treat us like slaves of the Middle Ages. I swear to Almighty God I don't want this life." I find nothing in death but happiness and see nothing in living with tyrants but disgrace." «3»

I wish the police would come and arrest me so that I would be relieved of my responsibilities. The only crime of the `ulama' of Islam and other Muslims is that they defend the Holy Qur'an, Islam's dignity and the nation's independence, and they oppose imperialism. These are our conditions now; it would be interesting to know what Mr. `Alam and Arsanjani's opinions are about it. «4»

Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini