In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Dhou'l-Qa`dah al-Haram 3,1398 AH
Salutations and greetings to my zealous Iranian brothers who have risen to liberate yourselves from the government of the Devil and to put an end to the pillaging by the international plunderers and the devourers of our oil! Praise be to the vigilant Muslims who have not allowed fear to get hold of them from the repeated attacks of the Shah's tyrants; who are following the path of Islam and those martyred, while crusading for the sake of Truth; who have shaken the foundation of the oppressors and, by their brave demonstrations, have caused the supports of the parasitical expansionists to tremble.
Now that I have to, perforce, leave my place of proximity to Mawla, «1» the Commander of the Faithful (Imam `Ali) (`a), I do not see myself in a position in the Islamic countries to serve you the deprived people that are subjected to the all-out onslaught of the foreigners and those dependent on them. As they have forbidden me from entering Kuwait, though I have permission to do so, I am flying to France. A fixed place is not important to me. Carrying out divinely-ordained duties is important; the sublime interests of Islam and the Muslims are important. Now that the Islamic movement has reached a very critical stage, we bear responsibility; Islam has expectations of us. The people the world over have riveted their eyes on you, the zealous people. The opportunist governments are engaged in studying the morale and the degree of perseverance of our nation. You, the men and women who have made history should prove to the people of the world and to future generations the firmness of your stand in crushing the oppressors and in defending Truth.
Notwithstanding all the recent troubles and preoccupations, I had been listening to the news about Iran and the repeated uprisings in various parts such as Kermanshah and some of the regions of Kurdistan, and also about the massacres perpetuated by the Shah's tyrants. I was and am sad and distressed, and, at the same time, hopeful and proud: hopeful about the courage of the nation, and proud of its sacrifices for the cause of Islam and the downtrodden. Honored is the nation that by its devotion has taken great strides in the path leading to the achieving of victory for Truth, demolishing, one after the other, the obstacles therein. Victorious are the upright people who regained their lost honor with their blood, and recovered their nobility trampled underfoot by the despotic kings! I experience a sense of shame, when I study the morale of the young men and women who valiantly stood and are standing up to all the misfortunes. I should have been with you at every step in your misfortunes, and faced what you have been facing. Regretfully, I could not be in your midst and could not experience what you have experienced. But from so far away my eyes look to you with hope, and my heart throbs for the followers of Islam. I pray to God the Almighty for the glory of Islam and the Muslims and the deprivation of the power of the foreigners and those dependent on them.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini