Message [The playing of the imperialist tune from the throat of devotees]

In His Most Exalted Name
To all classes of the noble nation of Iran, may Allah always assist them:
After greetings and salutations, I have repeatedly mentioned that the only thing which can come between the imperialist governments and me, and not allow their control over the resources of the Muslim countries is Islam and its distinguished `ulama'. This is a fact that has been proven throughout history to the imperialist governments. The wicked former prime minister of the imperialist British government is reported to have said:" So long as the Qur'an is in the hands of the Muslims we cannot make advancement in our goals." The imperialist governments' original plan is to eliminate the Qur'an, Islam, and the `ulama'. In order to attain their imperialist goal, every so often they hatch a new plot through their wicked stooges and they manifest clearer their hostile-to-the-natio essence as they have recently been playing on the `Religious Corps' tune through the dirty tongue of one of its submissive lackeys.
The tune of the Religious Corps is played at a time when the tyrannical regime is daily striking continuous blows at the body of Islam while the criminal hand of Israel is free in all of Iran's economic, political and military affairs. Many of the distinguished `ulama', honorable preachers, seminary students, and the noble nation of Iran are imprisoned, exiled and tortured. The zealous patriotic youth are executed and shot up or the initial steps for their trial and execution are prepared.
I warn of danger to the respected nation of Iran if, God forbid, the hands of the foreigners and the enemies of Islam succeed in this sinister and backbreaking objective. Firstly, they will put aside the distinguished `ulama', preachers and propagators of Islam. Secondly, they will obliterate and destroy Islam and its heavenly laws. The threat posed by this ominous corps, which must be at the service of imperialism, is that it would justify and interpret all the Islamic truths in their interests. This is the greatest threat that the Muslims and foremost of whom, the distinguished `ulama', have ever encountered. From their long years of experience, they have realized that the eminent `ulama' of Islam and honorable preachers have led the nations toward Islam and the Qur'an through their constant efforts and that they have never yielded to the threats and allurements in favor of the tyrannical regime and plundering foreigners. Through utmost effort they have preserved their integrity and have made the mosques and religious assemblies at the service of the Holy Qur'an and dear Islam. If some ill-reputed and ignorant of God turbaned men act in favor of the tyrannical regime, they are ostracized by the seminary society and Islamic communities. Thus, they have drawn this menacing design so that in their wrong imagination they could suppress the distinguished `ulama' and propagators, make Islam as a plaything in the hands of their stooges, and uproot the foundation of faith in a bid to obtain their objective which is to appropriate all the resources of the country and keep the Muslim nation backward and colonized.
The Islamic nation must know that the services rendered throughout history to the Islamic countries by the religious scholars are innumerable. In the recent years, the deliverance of the country from its definite fall is indebted to the efforts of the marja` of the time, the late Mirza Shirazi, «1» and the `ulama' of the theological center. The theological centers and the distinguished `ulama' always have been the vanguards of independence and the integrity of the Muslim countries. The services they have rendered under the inspiration of Islam for peace and the maintenance of orders in the Muslim countries is one-tenth of the one-tenths that the governments and police forces have done although the country doesn't have any budget deficit. In the opinion of the foreigners and their treacherous stooges, this fortress must be destroyed so that they can easily continue their ignominious life filled with invasion, plunder and pleasure-seeking.
Now it is up to the zealous Muslims and especially the enlightened young generation to earnestly declare their aversion to this discordant, destructive tune and to increasingly attend the mosques and religious gatherings and express their devotion to Islam, the distinguished `ulama' and honorable preachers, may their blessings last, all the more and through this expression, strike these imperialist agents of imperialism (may God forsake them) in the mouth.
It is upon all the distinguished `ulama' and respected preachers to be indifferent in any complaints they may have toward each other and to equip themselves, tighten their ranks and to find a solution together for this critical issue. It is also upon them, other intellectuals and those interested in Islam and the country's independence to make the Muslim nation, especially the inhabitants of villages and small towns, be aware that the evil intention behind the deceiving term, `Religious Corps', is to crush religion and the country's independence. In anyway possible they must make the people aware of the mischief of this sinister plan.
I ask the young generation who are people of knowledge and pulpit, «2» to give the older class and `ulama' due respect, and I ask their eminences, the distinguished `ulama', to act with kindness and affection toward the young generation. It is a certain hope that by the will of God, the Exalted, the filthy agents of the foreigners in this affair as well as in all the anti-Islamic and inhuman activities would be disgraced in the presence of the noble nation of Iran, may God always assist them. God, the Exalted, is the protector of religion and religious seminaries." Lo! We, even We, reveal the Reminder, and lo! We verily are its Guardian." «3» I beseech God, the Exalted, for the severance of the hands of imperialism and its treacherous agent. May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini