In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
The respected people of Abadan, may God, the Exalted, always assist them:
The terrible news that was received of several hundreds of our fellow countrymen being burnt to death in that calculated manner is a matter of sorrow and regret. I do not think that any Muslim, in fact any human being, is capable of such a savage thing except those who have made a habit of such acts. Their disposition to such savagery and brutality has taken them outside the pale of humanity. I do not have enough information as yet; however, what is certain is that this inhuman act, contrary to Islamic principles, could not have been perpetrated by the Shah's opponents- whatever be their principles- who, in order to protect the interests of Islam, Iran and the lives and possessions of the people, have endangered their own lives and devoted themselves to defending their fellow countrymen. There are also indications of the despotic regime's criminal hand in this for the purpose of presenting a bad image of the humane Islamic movement to the world. Starting the fire in the cinema, and then having the doors locked by the police could not have been done by people who do not control affairs.
The Shah's statement that the demonstrators opposed to him have promised" the big terror", and his repeating it that this (fire) is that very promise is another proof of a conspiracy; not to say that the Shah is a great clairvoyant! The Shah's previous interview, in which he had stated that he would destroy Iran together with its people, is also indicative of this assertion. The organs of propaganda trumpeting the expressions of sorrow and regret of people whose hands are, day after day, soaked in the blood of our Muslim countrymen is a significant witness to the satanic conspiracy of the Shah and his henchmen. These are the same people who have resorted to ruthless massacres in the cities of Iran.
Are not these meek people, being killed daily in the most deplorable manner by these criminals, our fellow countrymen? There are indications that the heart-rending event in Abadan has originated from the same very source as the massacres in the other cities of Iran. Do any others hope to benefit from crimes apart from the Shah and his relations? Apart from the Shah who every once in a while resorts to the savage massacre of people, has there been anybody until now who has created or will, in future, create such scenes? This heart-rending tragedy is a master-stroke on the part of the Shah in order to resort to widespread propaganda in Iran and abroad and to instruct the propaganda machinery and the press in his service in Iran, and the profit-seeking ones abroad, to give extensive coverage to this atrocity. His purpose is to mislead people, and to attribute it to the deprived, oppressed nation of Iran so that this nation that is seeking its rights is made known abroad as one which lays no store by human and Islamic values.
I warn the people of Iran of danger; the danger of the establishment perpetrating such savage and anti-Islamic acts in all the cities of Iran in order to sully the flawless demonstrations of the courageous people who are watering the sapling of Islam with their blood. It is essential that the orators enlighten the people on the issue that could lead to the liberating revolution of Islam being stamped out. I offer my condolences to the Muslim nation of Iran, especially the persecuted people of Abadan and the bereaved families, and share their great, unendurable grief with them. I pray to God the Almighty to make Islam and Muslims triumphant and sever the hands of the foreigners and those in league with them.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini
Month of Fasting 17,1398 AH