In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
His Eminence Ayatullah Milani (may his blessings last):
I have the honor to inform you that I was most happy to receive your blessed letter containing sublime facts and your kindness to me. I ask God Almighty for health, happiness, and grandeur of Your Eminence and all of the grand maraji` and other Muslims. May God Almighty make everybody aware of their religious duties and the profundities of the current affairs, and help them in taking action.
The present state of affairs is strangely ambivalent and the current events are quite unclear. The diverse local and foreign news have worried me a lot and it is probable that some unclean hands are at work to endanger the territorial integrity of the country, God forbid. The authorities either are ignorant or have an excuse. While because of the issues recently raised in Khouzestan and Kurdistan, about which much is written about in the press, «1» the government has to maintain the national calm, provocative acts are being observed in the country. They agitate and irritate the people in Shiraz by arresting Mr. Dastghayb; «2» in Jahrum and its suburbs by arresting Aqa Sayyid Husayn; «3» in Tabriz by arresting Mr. Qadi; «4» in Qum and Tehran by arresting a number of the preachers. They do this in Khorasan by arresting Mr. Tabasi «5» and other actions; in Isfahan by doing other things. The same story takes place in the other cities. These things have made me anxious and worried and I am afraid that regretful scenes may be created( God forbid )which will be against the interests of Islam and the country. Admonitions do not work with the officials; as if they do things unconsciously or out of compulsion that may have evil consequences( God forbid ). Considering Your Eminence's information about the political issues, it is necessary that you think for a solution. Notify the authorities, in one way or another, that provoking people in the present situation is dangerous although it may be of no use to admonish such a government. At the same time, having minded the current affairs, we should be most careful and wary, lest the Muslims and the clergy would become playthings in the hands of those with evil intentions. I have demanded a person trusted by the two sides to notify him of the future gains and losses, but I have received no response after three or four days and I may receive no answer at all. The government is not allowed to negotiate. This country, which is liked by all the clergymen, just as its independence and territorial integrity are, is being led to the abyss of destruction by some hidden hands unless God Almighty protects it through the grace of the Master of the Age (may Allah expedite his glorious advent). Please remember me in your benevolent prayers whenever you feel they are close to acceptance by God, on your visits to the holy shrine. May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini
Ordibehesht 25, 1343 AHS
Muharram al-Haram 3,1384 AH