Interviewer: A reporter of the Sigma News Agency
Question: [Do your follower-groups that are in the bazaar, support you just because of their religious beliefs? Or because you have provided them with the opportunity to stage rallies against the Shah?]
Answer: Yes, that is because of their religious beliefs. It is their religious beliefs that makes them rise against dictatorship and oppression. And principally Islam is a religion that teaches them how to establish a progressive, sound and developing society. And they support us, as they see that we reflect their ideas and demands.
Q: [Who are the people of the bazaar?]
A: They are Muslims who are the intermediaries for transporting other people's demanded goods to them. Of course there are many cases in which due to the corrupted and anti-Islamic system, the regime has destroyed the Islamic limitations of these transactions in all fields including the field of economy. But any way, they have proved their loyalty to Islam and their Islamic country through their endless sacrifices.
Q: [Where is the status of the bazaar men in the Iranian society?]
A: The bazaar and those working in the bazaar have always enjoyed a special respect among the Iranian nation and their decisions have always had a great and determining impact on the political struggles. They have also been the sources of many social services and have been among the best relief workers to the deprived people at the time of incidents and disasters.
Q: [Has the bazaar been always against the Shah?]
A: The bazaar has never supported the Shah and if something is said about the bazaar's support for the Shah, it is merely an accusation.
Q: [Don't you think that your constant orders for strikes will just deteriorate the economic situation in Iran and create financial problems for the poor?]
A: Definitely, the Shah's atrocities have served fatal blows to the Iranians, both when he held the rein of government and now that the nation is going to oust him. But the Iranian nation has proved its resistance against problems. Those working in the bazaar, traders and merchants are well aware of the fact that the damages incurred by the strikes are far better than being under the dominance of colonialism and the current regime.
Q: [Do you have a specific political program to be implemented after your return to Iran?]
A: It is definite that we continue to guide the nation just as before, and we do have a program for the future, that will be submitted to the future liberal and Islamic government, and then it is up to them to decide and the nation will always supervise its work.