In His Most Exalted Name
Rajab 20,1387 AH
I beg to inform you that two respectful missives that were expressive of your good health and your heartfelt grief were received. Iran's problems are not limited to one or two cases that you can easily express. Following the publication of a missive that was written to Hoveyda, «1» a great number of people have been either imprisoned or exiled both among the learned men, such as Mr. Muntaziri, and other classes of people. This, according to the report we have received, has found massive circulations in large cities such as Tehran, Mashhad, Kerman, Shiraz, and Qum. Some radio stations have also aired its content with prior notice and this has annoyed the regime. Even the `Ittila`at newspaper had covered two sensitive lines and, of course, has criticized what had been written. Pressures on the people from all walks of life continue. Suggestions have been passed to the clergymen for a meeting «2» and expression of congratulations. As it is said, in some of the newspapers, Mr. Hakim has been charged with expressing congratulatory remarks through the minister of economy. God willing, it is not true. Mr. Milani had been told that there was a pressure for a meeting to which he did not content; he has requested for a memorandum in writing. According to what we know, Mr. Golpaygani has proposed to Mr. Hakim whether they should express the congratulatory remarks. Feasts and scandals have reached their zenith. According to what we know, it has been proposed to some of the `ulama' in cities to set up feasts in the mosques and recite the adhan [call to prayer]; such examples are abundant.
As to the issue of invitation extended to Your Eminence, this issue was raised last year and Mr. Haj Aqa Hasan Shirazi, the brother of Mr. Haj Aqa Muhammad, «3» came over repeatedly and said that he had held conversations resulting that chances are that if people like you write a collective letter to the King of Saudi Arabia, it might be effective. It was then said that Mr. Khou'i either has written or will write such a letter and that Mr. Shahroudi has promised to talk this over with the King while on hajj pilgrimage. Finally, and although I was assured that nothing would materialize in Hijaz on these matters, I wrote something and Mr. Shirazi delivered. After some time a helter-skelter letter was received from the Hijaz Embassy. This year Mr. Haj Aqa Hasan «4» came over and said that a diplomatic delegate, was due to be dispatched there and they have promised for the judges to be present there for discussion. They mentioned the names of a bunch of people who were not qualified on this issue. I did not interfere because I believe that even if a meeting is being held, and both parties to the dispute show up, it won't result in any positive outcome. Furthermore, the frightening part of the matter is that our participants could not carry a fruitful dialogue with the participants who label the former as infidels and heretics, and thus the meeting would turn a failure and condemnation throughout. I gave him a brief summary of the issue. I also told him that the abovementioned people (you were not among them) do not have the competency [over that issue]. I also remarked that even if he deemed doing it, not to do it in a way to put all the forces of the Shi`ah at the forefront; rather, a few people representing an area and not representing all the Shi`ah countries and the `ulama' and after a few words, would turn incapable.
I do not approve of the essence of the issue in hand and consider a dialogue as harmful. They expect from the gentlemen the correct hadith in their own style about the domes and shrines. If you come short of anything, and say that a huge tent is for vigilance, you have confirmed their words and you are condemned throughout while you have practically condemned other sacred thresholds. This could be reflected as such and in its entirety in the Muslim countries. At the same time, the foundation of religion in these territories is in danger of blasphemy while their agents are praised and cleansed by the grand authorities. The tragic affairs are either silenced or confirmed. You will come to see what would happen and what they will do after a while if, God forbid, Almighty God will grant a respite. God is with the former and against the latter. May peace be upon you.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini
P.S.A huge number of commandos laid siege to my house in Qum and prevented the narration of the tragedies of Karbala. However, the afternoon restriction was lifted. And as it is heard, a huge number of people gathered in the evening. The commandos have also taken my brother from Qum to Tehran where they set him free. It has been some time now since they closed the Faydiyyah Madrasah. Following some reforms the most important of which has been the photos and the slogans, which have been outwardly rejected and are in reality under strict watch, one night, walls were covered with graffiti and the offenders are not caught yet. Some have been caught. The state of affairs in Qum is tragic and this kind of school management is even more tragic. These are what have been reported.