In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Dhou'l-Hijjah 21,1398 AH
With the appearance of the new moon, Muharram, the month of heroism, bravery, and sacrifice has commenced. It is a month wherein the blood conquered the sword; it is a month in which the power of truth rescinded the wrong forever and stamped the forehead of tyrants and the satanic governments with its stigma. It is a month which has taught the generations throughout history the path of victory over the lances; a month that witnessed the downfall of big powers against the word of truth. Indeed, it is a month in which the Imam of the Muslims has taught us the way of campaigning against the oppressed in history- a way wherein the closed fists of freedom-wishers, independence-seekers, and the truth-tellers should overcome the tanks, machine-guns, and the array of Iblis[ Satan ]. Falsehood should vanish before the word of truth. The Imam of the Muslims has taught us to rise against a tyrant, in any age, who rules ruthlessly over Muslims- even though your strength happened to be inconsistent, you should display your disdain and denial. If you see the prestige of Islam in peril, do make sacrifices and ever forges your blood.
Today the regime of Shah is ruling tyrannically over the oppressed nation against the Islamic law and the nation's will- in the face of an uprising against him all over Iran. He has occupied the governmental position, violating the high interests of Muslims and the commandments of Islam to the benefit of his own devilish authority and that of his parasitical masters. It is incumbent upon the whole up-risen nation to broaden and continue their opposition with the Shah and to pull him down from his peril-inducing office.
The military government is an insurgent government which is constitutionally and religiously illegal, and it is incumbent on all of the people to oppose it and avoid assisting it. They are also to refuse to pay taxes and to do anything that will help this oppressive and treacherous regime. The employees and workers of the oil company are to prevent this vital wealth from leaving. Are the employers and workers aware that the guns which tear open the chests of our beloved youth and cause our men, women and children to bleed and suffer are funded by this very oil which is extracted by these extreme efforts? Do they know that a significant portion of Israel's oil- Israel the great enemy of Islam and usurper of the rights of the Muslims- is provided by the Shah? If the insurgent regime by applying pressure to the oil workers intends to continue this treason, then may be the position of oil needs to be clarified once and for all.
Those who are well informed of the situation of the country are to prepare a list of the ministers of the rebellious government and traitors of the country and those holding posts around the country who are committing crimes and murders so that in due course the country's position as relates to them can be made clear. The government and those in high positions must know that if they do not discontinue their support of the Shah- the criminal and traitor to Islam and the Islamic country- in the near future they will reap the fruits of what they have sown.
Now that it is the month of Muharram, the month which is like a divine sword in the hands of the Muslim soldiers, esteemed clergy, respected orators and dignified Shi`ah of the Doyen of the Martyrs (`a), it must be made full use of; and by depending on divine power, they must sever the remaining roots of this oppressive and treacherous tree, because the month of Muharram is the month of destruction of Yazidi forces and satanic deceit. Meetings in commemoration of the Master of the Oppressed and header of the tree are meetings commemorating the victory of knowledge over ignorance, justice over oppression, honesty over treason and Islamic government over a satanic regime and should be undertaken in a more compact fashion and with great splendor. The bloody flag of `Ashoura' should be flown high as a sign of the coming of a day of revenge for the oppressed over the oppressors.
The esteemed preachers and dear orators should act accordingly with their divine duty, which is to reveal the regime's crimes, and so maintain their dignity in the eyes of God Almighty and the Master of the Time- may God Almighty expedite his advent. Seminarians and seminary teachers, who leave for villages for enlightening the people, must inform the deprived and esteemed farmers of the misdeeds performed by the Shah and the massacre of the people, and notify them that contrary to the wicked propaganda spread by the Shah's entourage, the Islamic government is not a supporter for the entrepreneurs and proprietors; these empty talks are just meant to bend the truth. They may be assured that Islam is a supporter of the poor, the farmers and the penniless. Shah is the one who has ruined the resources of the poor nation in support for the capitalists. You, make them assured that in the government of the just, they will be best supported.
Dear young men in seminaries, universities, schools, training colleges, the esteemed journalists, factory workers, deprived farmers, combatant and informed tradesmen and bazaar shop-owners, venerable employees, and all among other strata of people, such as valiant tribes, nomads, and the deprived slum-dwellers, everybody! With unison and support for one another, toward the sacred goal of Islam that is, bringing down the despotic Pahlavi dynasty, destroying the corrupt monarchy, and establishing an Islamic republic based on the highly developed laws of Islam! Victory belongs to the up-risen nation.
No need to mention that holding sessions of religious mourning must be performed independently and without taking permissions from the police or the evil-doing so-called Security Organization. You beloved nation, hold the gatherings without referring to the officials, and in case of any prevention, assemble in the plazas and streets, and reveal Muslim catastrophes, and the Shah's regime's treasons.
Today the Iranian history is witnessing some of the most crucial days suffered by Islam and Muslims. Today you, the great nation, are at the junction where you have to decide between everlasting dignity and pride, and perpetual disgrace and humiliation. No one from among the strata of the nation is excused today, and reticence and aloofness is nothing less than suicide and being an accomplice of the ruling regime. Today, it is a betrayal of Islam and Nation and support for their opponents, to go astray from the unmistakable course of the Nation and Islam. The betrayers, who suppose that by their silence or possibly their proclivity for the Shah's taghouti «1» system they can bring the movement to a halt or save the Shah, are definitely mistaken. First of all is that it is high time things are set, and Shah is destined to get away and it is not possible to save him through this kind of self-prostitution; and the next is that if he was salvaged, he would not be faithful to those who had saved him, as you and we both have witnessed.
Heartily and devotedly, I join hands with the highly esteemed nation of Iran who has dealt the Shah and his supporters a mighty blow on the mouth. Getting martyred for the sake of Truth and divine goals is an eternal pride, in my opinion. I congratulate the parents of the youth who have proffered their blood in the way of Islam and liberty. I covet the beloved and valiant young people who have sacrificed their lives for the Divine Friend. The grand Iranian Revolution is echoing in Islamic and other countries, gaining us much pride. You noble nation have alerted the valiant youth of Islamic states. Let's hope that the glorious flag of the Islamic state will be erected in all corners of the world by your powerful hands. This is what I implore God Almighty for. May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini