In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Reports coming from Iran about the repeated massacres in the holy cities of Isfahan, Shiraz and are further examples of the endless crimes of the Shah. It is said that the Shah in one of his interviews- the publication of which has been prevented- has stated:" If I am to go, I will raze Iran to the ground before going." The recent atrocities show that he is busy implementing his plan. The Muslim people of Iran attribute all their misfortunes and those of the country to the Shah. They will not stop their opposition to the Shah until they have gained victory; until they have achieved their goal of independence and freedom. The people should realize that the freedom-seekers of the world did not gain their freedom easily. The Great Prophet of Islam (s) with all the intolerable hardships and sufferings he underwent for the sake of his aims, did not abandon his mission against the oppressors till the end of his life. The Commander of the Faithful spent all his life fighting the oppressors who used to depict themselves as Muslims. Defending Islam and Truth is one of the greatest forms of worship. Even if they shed blood in our places of worship and shut the doors to us in this blessed month, the Muslims will spend the holy month in a greater form of worship.
Following the reports received, the announcement of the distinguished `ulama' of Shiraz, may their blessings last long, mentions tens of people killed and hundreds injured. The Shah's agents poured into the mosque and started killing and wounding the people as well as setting the mosque on fire. Likewise, the merciless massacre in Isfahan, following the falsehoods, lies and ruses, is a matter of great sorrow and regret. In the name of martial law that is devoid of legitimacy, the people of Isfahan, under the boots of the Shah's bloodthirsty agents, are forbidden to have religious gatherings and do not have the right to express their opinions; but they have" granted" freedom!
The Iranian army and the respectable officers should realize that the atrocities and massacres that the Shah is compelling them to carry out will gain nothing for them except infamy and shame. Till when will the officers of the army, the police and the gendarmerie of Iran, under compulsion and without any free will, continue to have their brethren killed by a bunch of uninformed agents? In the end, to protect whom? The person who has dealt Islam, your womenfolk and your freedom repeated blows? The person who has made you known to the world as the most disreputable officers who, for the sake of their exorbitant salaries, perpetrate every kind of ugly act? Are the daily massacres, beatings and the infliction of injuries and that too by your own hands, or by some with regard to whom you do not have the right to object compatible with humanity?
Using your mission as an excuse, you open fire on your brothers-in-faith for which you, besides the Shah, are accountable. Acting on God's command, you must disobey the tyrants' orders that compel you to kill and oppress people. Do not invest in the hell of this world or that of the hereafter by killing your brothers. Listen with your heart to the wailing of the bereaved mothers and fathers for their lost sons. These are your own mothers. Have you ever thought of what endless grief and misery you cause to at least one large family with your bullets? Even if you have, so far, committed such an act, you must repent as soon as possible and join the ranks of the army fighting for Truth. Rest assured that victory in this world and the hereafter will be yours. Oh you free Muslim officers of the Iranian army! Fulfill your obligations to Islam and the Muslims, and do not allow yourselves to be further humiliated.
All the Islamic groups including the distinguished `ulama', the esteemed preachers, seminarians, students, the youth, our dear children, the respectable merchants, workers, the dignified and vigilant farmers, and all the factions and political parties must strive in unison to awaken the non-commissioned officers of the army, gendarmerie and police to the facts. They should also invite them to cooperate in overthrowing this instinctive criminal, thus delivering the nation from the villainy of this tyrant. They should not give him the opportunity to kill more of our men and women: big and small, old and young, the babies, too; neither to sacrifice Islam for the sake of his passions. Now in the evening of my life, I humbly extend my hand towards you and solicit the assistance of all the groups who are endeavoring and making sacrifices to establish Islam and its precepts which constitute the sole way to bliss and are the guarantors of the independence and freedom of Iran from colonialism and neo-colonialism. This man has braced himself in all seriousness to wipe out the vestiges of Islam. By means of lies and tricks, he wants to show himself as being a supporter of Islam and the nation. Now that the brave people of Iran, may God always assist them, have become acquainted with his ruses and have risen in full awareness, the learned strata of society, the writers and orators, whatever their garb or occupation, should join hands, and with pen and speech further enlighten the vigilant nation of Iran of the innumerable crimes of the regime. The brave and dear seminarians and students throughout Iran should avail of every opportunity to keep the anti-Shah slogan- which is the slogan of Islam- alive.
The committed and conscientious scholars and students abroad should write and publish to the fullest extent, in Iran and abroad, the crimes of this dangerous element. They should also make the universally-famous, free-minded personalities all over the world aware of the cruelty and oppression to which the Iranians are being subjected, and mobilize them to help save the brave nation of Iran from clutches of world expansionism and exploitation.
All the strata of people should put an end to their petty differences and rise to save themselves, while taking action with whatever means possible to get rid of this corrupt entity on earth. Keeping silent these days vis-a-vis this tyrant, and indifference over his atrocities are against the sublime interests of Islam and contrary to the conduct of the great Prophets and the pure Imams, (`a). Any topic these days that causes the noble nation to deviate from its true path is satanic and is raised by the plots the satans hatch.
I wish to offer my condolences to Islam and the saints of Islam, may peace be upon them, to the Muslims in general, especially the faithful of Shiraz and Isfahan, may God always assist them, and to the bereaved kith and kin of the dear ones of Islam, as well as the worthy, religious Muslim youth, while sharing their grief with them. It is hoped that the other provinces of Iran commiserate with the inhabitants of these two big provinces and share their immense sorrow with them. May God's peace and mercy be upon you.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini
Ramadan 8,1398 AH