Message [Reply to a telegram congratulating the arrival of the holy month of Ramdan]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

His Excellency Shaykh Za'id Bin Sultan Al-e Nahyan, Head of State of the United `Arab Emirate,

I acknowledge the receipt of your kind telegram congratulating the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan and with appreciation. It is regrettable that the holy month of Ramadan arrives at a time when the usurper Israel, after many years of crime and destruction and usurpation of Islamic lands, has recently committed another horrible crime and attacked Lebanon and the Muslims of this land. More regrettable is that the rulers of Islamic countries indifferently watch this big disaster or simply condemn it by releasing a communique and content themselves with some statements. Truly, it is a tragic case for which one should recite Istirja` (a verse reading" We are from God and to Him shall we return" pronounced in time of death and disasters). The biggest disaster for the Islamic community is this recent disaster. I sense danger for all Muslims from this lamentable situation and hope that neglectful officials would awaken from this deep slumber and not witness the abjection and misery of Muslims who once governed the hemisphere. May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you!

Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini