Interview [Relations of the Revolution with the Lebanese Muslims; role of women in the future government]

Interviewer: A Lebanese reporter of the Amal daily, the organ of the youth of Harikat al-Mahroumin[ the Movement of the Disinherited]
Question: [Millions of Iranian Muslims have currently risen up and endeavor to overthrow the Shah and thus far thousands have been killed by the army and the police in their struggle. What is the center of opposition in the movement, which is led and organized by you?]
Answer: For more than fifty years the Shah and his father have been hostile to and vengeful of Islam. They have tried to destroy Islam which is the only religion ensuring the independence and freedom of the country and they have violated the entire rights and freedoms of the nation and even violated the rights of the religious minorities. The independence of the country has been totally destroyed and they have ruined the country in their own interests and those of their masters. We, and the people, want to uproot the cause and source of the corruption and decadence. The main domestic source is the Shah and his family. Emancipation from the bond of the aliens would guarantee the independence and freedom of the country. The people's uprising aims to achieve these goals.
Q: [Some Lebanese figures argue that because other Arab governments support other Lebanese tribes, the Lebanese Shi`ah should support and cooperate with the Iranian government, which is a Shi`i government. They propagate this issue not only with regard to the Lebanese Shi`ah, but also other Shi`ah in other Arab regions. What is your opinion in this regard?]
A: Those who propagate such issues are unaware of Islam and the world affairs, or they are biased and have some grudge. One who is aware of the Shah's performance would not say that he is a Shi`i power and must not seek help from him. Everybody knows that he is pounding Iran, which is an Islamic state and a Shi`i country. He has given all its resources to others and carried out a number of pogroms. One who supports the Shah is either ignorant or a traitor.
Q: [What are your expectations from the Lebanese Muslims?]
A: I expect them to remain brothers and rise together against oppression and also cooperate with the movement that is going on in Iran as much as they can; at least, they can publicize it as the Iranian people have thus far served them and have not left them alone in their difficulties.
Q: [The Amal[ Movement ]has offered a number of martyrs to defend the continuous aggressions of Israel. What recommendations do you have for South Lebanon?]
A: All should get united and unanimously stand against this aggressive people in order to take action and cut its usurping hands. Basically, it is the duty of all the Muslims to liberate the Quds and rid the Islamic countries from this corpus of corruption.
Q: [What measures have you taken with regard to Imam Mousa Sadr? «1»]
A: When I was in Najaf, I sent a telegram to Mr. Yasir `Arafat and another to the leader of the Samoud Front[ Syrian President Hafiz Asad ]in Syria. When the Libyan ambassador came here I talked to him about him. I hope that he will go back to Lebanon as soon as possible and continue his struggles against Israel. This issue has upset me and I pray that it will be fairly ended.
Q: [As you are aware, for long years, the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) used to coexist with the Muslims on the basis of mutual respect. Given the Lebanese war and its result, what is your assessment?]
A: Anyone who has some information about Islam knows that Islam has never had any ill-will against the religious minorities and the followers of other religions, and has always treated them respectfully. Any propaganda indicating other than this belongs to the aliens and the enemies of Islam.
Q: [We know that the International Zionism, through establishing close ties with countries such as Iran and also full support of the Iranian regimes, has succeeded to keep Iran away from the Arabs in their struggles against Israel. What is your opinion in this regard?]
A: One reason for our opposition to the Shah is his support for Israel. I have always said that the Shah has cooperated with Israel from its very inception and when the war between Israel and the Arabs reached its peak, the Shah continued to usurp the oil of the Muslims and supply it to Israel. This very issue was one of the reasons for my opposition to the Shah. The Iranian Muslim nation has never supported Israel and in this regard has always been oppressed and suppressed by the Shah's regime.
Q: [There are dubious provocation and continuous attacks to tarnish the relations between the Arab and Iranian, Turkish, and Kurdish ... people. What mechanism do you offer to thwart these plots and what is your opinion about it?]
A: The writers and orators must explain these problems for the people and introduce Islam to them. They must make it clear that Islam does not belong to any particular nationality; it does not belong to the Turks, Iranians, Arabs or non-Arabs. Islam belongs to all, and race, color, tribe and language do not have any weight in this system. The Qur'an is the book of all and the propaganda saying this is an Arab, that is a Turk or Iranian or a Kurd is launched by the aliens to divide the Muslims and plunder the resources of these countries. The Muslims must be wakeful and should not be deceived by such propaganda.
Q: [The superpowers and their dependents cannot understand the meaning of independence. In their political logic, if someone is not dependent on any one of them is immediately introduced as a dependent of the other. This issue is amply seen in Lebanon, and today we observe similar things in Iran. Given this, is there any relation between your Islamic movement and the communists?]
A: No. There are no relations. In the similar manner that we have attacked the United States, we have bashed the Soviet Union as well. There are no differences for us between the East and the West. We will attain true independence through relying on God and the courageous nation.
Q: [It is said that the collapse of the Shah is tantamount to a victory for the communists. Is it true?]
A: No. Given the bitter experiences the informed Iranian nation has about the communists, they will never allow them to interfere in their destiny.
Q: [There are some people who argue that political activities are separate from religious activities. What is your opinion?]
A: The slogan of the separation of religion from politics is a colonial propaganda aimed to stop the Muslim nations from playing a role in their own destiny. The sacred canons of Islam discuss political and social affairs more than they elaborate on the rituals. The precept of the Prophet (s) of Islam in the domestic and foreign affairs of the Muslims indicates that one of the greatest tasks of the Holy Prophet (s) was the political struggles of his holiness. The martyrdom of the Commander of the Faith (`a) as well as that of Husayn (`a), and the imprisonment, torture, banishment and poisoning of the infallible Imams (`a) were all directed toward the Shi`ah political struggles against oppressions. And in sum, struggle and political activities are but a significant parcel of the religious obligations.
Q: [There is an increasing wave of tendency toward religion in most of the Islamic countries. What is the reason?]
A: One reason is the tendency of mankind toward religion, for today's generation that has run away from religion has a worrying sense of frustration. Hence they find religion the only base for themselves. Another reason is the tendency toward Islam, for man has become disappointed at today's prevailing schools of thought in solving his problems in various aspects of life, while the Islamic thinkers and writers have introduced Islam to the human society as a school that is capable of solving all the problems of mankind.
Q: [What will be the role of the religious minorities in your intended Islamic Republic?]
A: Islam has always been and is the protector of the legitimate rights of the religious minorities. They will be free in the Islamic Republic, will be freely practicing their rites, and like others will be free to express their ideas under the protection of the Islamic government.
Q: [Women constitute a great multitude of the Muslims. What role or what rights do you consider for women in the Islamic system?]
A: Currently the Muslim women of Iran participate in the anti-Shah political struggles and demonstrations. I have been informed that the women in Iran hold political meetings in various cities. In an Islamic system, the women enjoy the same rights that men do, that is, right to education, right to work, right to property, and right to suffrage. Women enjoy the same rights that men do in all fields. However, there are certain cases that are forbidden for men in order to prevent corruption, likewise there are certain cases that are forbidden for women because they cause corruption. Islam has tried to protect the humane status of men and women. Islam has tried to prevent the women from becoming a plaything in the hands of men. What they have said outside about women, that is, they are treated violently, is incorrect and is false propaganda by those who have prejudice, otherwise, men and women both have their own rights in Islam. If there are differences, it is for both of them that is related to their nature.
Q: [Has any Arab government assisted your movement?]
A: No government has thus far helped.