In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Rajab 28,1398 AH
My views have been repeatedly sought for by people in Iran regarding the ceremonies known as" 3 rd and 15 th Sha`ban celebrations" «1» that used to be held. Regretfully, the vile family has not left any `Id for the Muslims of Iran. The Shah's hands are stained with the blood of the nation, up to the elbow, and at present the dear people are mourning for their loved ones. How is it possible for one to express the opinion that the people celebrate and rejoice? Celebrations over the blood-soaked corpses of the sons of Islam?! Celebrations with regard to the noble people who are imprisoned in the dungeons undergoing the severest of hellish tortures inflicted by the executioners? Celebrations over their banishment by which they have been driven out of the country, contrary to all the human and legal norms?!
We can have no celebrations when the bereaved mothers are still wearing black for our youth; when we are still witnessing the soul-shattering harm inflicted by the Shah on the great religion of Islam and the Islamic country. How can we have illuminations when our schools, mosques and universities are being attacked by the Shah's agents at every opportunity?
The people of Iran should know that the vile hand of the government is actively trying to divert the course of the genuine, matured and universal movement of Iran. One of their cleverest moves is this widespread agitation over the need for holding the celebrations so that in the glare of lights, the innocent blood of the Iranian nation is obscured and the great Islamic movement slackened or, God forbid, extinguished. The Iranian nation is awake and has found its bearings. It is well aware that every tune, under whatever name, that diverts it from its course, which is the uprising against the Shah, is a satanic one, even if it be in the name of the Holy Qur'an or the Master of the Age; may God expedite his advent. We will celebrate `Id when we demolish the structure of oppression and oppressor, and sever the hands of the tyrannical Pahlavi family from the country. That day is near, God willing, the day of the `Id of Islam and that of the Master of the Age, may God expedite his advent.
It is now necessary that in these `Ids turned into mourning occasions under the rule of this despotic dynasty, large number of people, all over Iran gather in public places such as big mosques without the least ceremony to show that it is `Id and an occasion for rejoicing. The brave and respectable orators should notify the listeners of the miseries inflicted upon the nation, and also expose to the fullest extent the anti-Islamic and illegitimate acts of the regime. They must also remove the fear of the army of Satan from their hearts and strive to continue the movement that is agreeable to God the Almighty and the Master of the Age. They should keep this brilliant light of guidance burning; and even burning more brightly and, by trusting in the Almighty, be assured that the nation will triumph.
I pray to God the Almighty for the glory of Islam and the Muslims and for the severance of the hands of the foreigners and those connected to them.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini