Speech [Holy struggle of the people of Iran; conspiracy against the clergy]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

I thank the various strata of the people of Iran for their indefatigable holy struggle. Not only has it enhanced the image of the Shi'ah school but also enhanced the image of Islam, rather it enhanced the image of mankind. Those who chant slogans in favor of human rights have done nothing for mankind. Those who shout slogans in favor of" freedom" just in words have done no service to human beings. These different fronts «1» did nothing for the people. Those who did something and are the source of salvation for mankind are the holy struggles of the people of Iran. The holy struggles of the people of Iran with trust in Islam and will of God the Almighty rescued us and will rescue us henceforth, too.

The holy struggles of you, the youth and the prolific Muslims of Iran- of all strata- who with the unity of expression severed the hands of foreigners, are a role model for all the oppressed. I hope that all the oppressed people, who are subjugated by the arrogant oppressors, will be awakened because of your struggles and liberate themselves. You are the guardians of Islam; the people of Iran are the guardians of Islam. And just like the advent of Islam, that the companions of the holy prophet and the army of the honorable prophet were the guardians of Islam and the Qur'an, today the people of Iran have been bestowed with this honor. Everyone cried out for Islam; everyone cried out for an Islamic Republic, everyone wanted Islam; and the nation severed the hands of foreigners from this country with the cry of" God is the greatest". Without having any weapons of war, they annihilated the huge army of the taghouti forces- both the taghouti army as well as those of the foreigners that supported them- with the cry of" God is the greatest".

Those of our military personnel, who were pure and were not tainted with the filth of the taghouti regime, returned to the fold of the people, and joined them. Right now, our military, our gendarmerie forces- all of them- our police forces, our security forces are at the service of Islam; and all that was related to the taghouti regime has been buried and shall be buried. Today, you are free and have no fear of the tyrants or of the government, because the government is Islamic and it neither commits treason nor engages in tyranny.

Today, those individuals, who saw that it was the clergy who led the uprising- the clergy from all sections of the nation were at the forefront and the rest of the nation followed behind them- and rose in revolts for the sake of Islam and for the sake of the glorious Qur'an, seek to challenge the clergy. Those who had no role in this movement are today critical of the clergy and say that the clergy should not be involved. This is a vain expectation of vain individuals or of treacherous individuals. The clergy is present at the forefront among us and we are their followers. Our nation follows the clergy; and if the clergy were not involved, this uprising would not have attained fruition. I advise all those who wish to work for their own country and love their country, not to break up this divine line. The break-up of this line is the break up of the Qur'an; the break up of this line is the break up of Islam. If the banner of Islam is not present in the midst of our nation, then until the very end our nation will be the slave of others and at their service. Those who love their own country should not demolish this fortress- and will not be able to demolish it. The nation is with the clergy; those who are in favor of Islam are also in favor of the servants of Islam «2». If certain persons have entered the realm of the clergy illegitimately and are immoral it is not the fault of the clergy, those persons are ostracized. Whereas those who, because of taking inspiration from others or because of their own foolishness, presume that they can smash this solid stronghold are mistaken. This stronghold is a divine one; this fortress is a Godly one. The patron of this is the Imam of the Time- may God's peace be upon him. They should set aside these irrelevant talks. The nation cannot tolerate it do not constantly call the clergy `reactionary'. This is wrong; the treacherous individuals will take away your country if these Clergies are not present. We all saw that in all lands the clergies- the devout clergies- were at the forefront and urged the people to join the uprising and the people also obeyed. Do not assume that you can demolish this fortress. Do not demolish Islam; do not demolish the Qur'an. Be careful of what you say; be reasonable; do not betray Islam. I humbly thank all the sections of the people. I am at your service. The clergy are at the service of Islam and at the service of the nation. Protect this citadel so that your country be saved.

I enjoin all the sections of the people to believe in themselves and to take care of not becoming tools in the hands of the others. Those who talk of" human rights" should not do something that eliminates our rights. Those who talk of" democracy" should not to do something to eliminate our freedom- and they cannot do so. I warn them to remain in their places. Do not indulge in something that will cause us to exercise our divine obligation.

I pray to the Blessed and Almighty God for the health and prosperity of the whole nation, and hope that with unity of expression, with consensus and with safeguarding divine ideals, we can be at the service of the Qur'an, and with the help of God, we shall triumph over our problems.

May God's peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you.