Speech [The people's cooperation with the Armed Forces and the Disciplinary Forces in guarding the country]

Each one of the various forces in the country, or in any country, has a specific duty to perform. One of them has the duty of staying in the border regions, another on the seas, yet another between the cities and one within cities. This is the case in normal circumstances. When the situation is normal, each of them has to carry out their duties in their respective places. However, in the case of unusual circumstances, in conditions that are extraordinary, the situation is not the same for the gendarmerie to say that it has nothing to do with the borders, or the force stationed at the border to say that the highways are not its concern. It would be something like the people in the cities- who have their own particular occupations and are engaged in their work as usual in normal circumstances- saying in the event of a disastrous earthquake that they are busy at their desks with administrative duties, or a merchant saying that his occupation is business to which he has to attend. They have no right to give such excuses. All of them- in keeping with the dictates of conscience, common sense and religious law- are duty-bound to go to the rescue of the earthquake-stricken people.

You are aware that we are still in a revolutionary situation. We have made some headway, of course. However, the revolutionary state still exists and the conditions are unusual. We have a revolutionary situation on our hands because of the unusual circumstances in which the borders are not what they should be. We also receive almost daily reports, from here and there, about weapons, drugs and people being smuggled into the country. Then, there is the trouble on the highways, and in the cities, too. There are the counter-revolutionar to contend with. All the forces must concentrate on their respective purposes in these revolutionary times. Those at the borders must counter any groups that intend to rebel, that intend to act against the Revolution and indulge in sabotage. They must come to the assistance of those in the cities, who are not able to counter these anti-revolutionary elements, and accomplish the task because guarding the borders is for the protection of the country. If the gendarmerie wants to establish order in the cities, it is for safeguarding the system. When the gendarmerie sees that there is unrest in the border areas and that they are in danger of being lost, it has no right to say that its duty only concerns the highways. The same applies to the city force (the police). The Air Force, Army and Navy have the same duty now. All the forces should now watch over the whole country, just as the people are duty-bound to do so. This duty is not confirmed to the disciplinary forces. We should not sit doing nothing and say that the maintenance of law and order rests with the police. No; maintaining law and order would have been the duty of the police had the situation been normal. But when the conditions become abnormal, it is the duty of the people to help the police force. They should not leave the police alone. The pasdars (Revolutionary Guards) are responsible, too, and so are the people. Now that the order that we want has not been restored to the country, it is the duty of all of us to keep an eye on the situation. If at any time it is seen that something is being said- that is contrary to what is customary- in a city, for example, with the likelihood of it culminating in a big explosion, for instance, then the people, wherever they are, should be permitted, and even ordered, by their civil officials to look into the matter and deal with it. The same applies to the gendarmerie. If at any time it notices anything untoward in the border areas, the gendarmes should not remain inactive, saying that it is the job of the army to put things straight in that place. They should, themselves, go there (to restore order). The army and the people should also help them.

In Islam, when the question of defense arises, it is not so that the defenders must be males, or must be adults and so on. When the issue of defending an Islamic country arises, children, adults, men and women, all of them are duty-bound to go and defend (the country). The situation is extraordinary. Ordinary circumstances are of one kind, and extraordinary ones of another. And now that the situation is not normal, the arrangements made by each group are more necessary than at other times. Obeying superiors, maintaining discipline and observing the chain of command are essential when times are normal, but more so when they are exceptional. The reason is that if, in an extraordinary situation, the people are not to obey orders and maintain discipline, it would then lead to the country's disintegration.

All the forces are, therefore, obliged to observe the chain of command, and obey the orders of those who are higher in rank and who should be obeyed in conformity with the rules of seniority. The officials should also realize that there are not the times of the taghout for them to do whatever they please and oppress anyone they want. They should behave in a fatherly manner with their subordinates and show them respect. They, too, should obey their superiors. Now that the situation is not normal, extra attention should be paid to this matter. Discipline and the chain of command should be observed more scrupulously.

In any case, I hope that God protects you, and I am grateful for the way you helped at the time when there was such bloodshed and intense revolutionary activities. The disciplinary forces have a big share in all these matters. May God keep you all. May we be successful in restoring this country to normalcy and to a state in which it becomes self-sufficient without the need to depend on any place or anything. May all of you be healthy and successful, God willing.

[In reply to the remarks of one of those present in the audience, the Imam stated:]

I do not think that there is any reward greater than what God, the Blessed and Exalted, has given you and those who serve Him. And neither is there any prop greater than faith. When a community or a group has faith; faith in God and, based on that faith, considers itself as duty-bound to serve, then this constitutes a greater support for that group and for the people than all the other kinds of support. I would of course, like to thank you. The nation also appreciates you. It is not so that they have no appreciation; they are also appreciative. We appreciate all of you and all the disciplinary forces. You extended your help when the country was in turmoil. Your help was so great that it can never be forgotten. May God assist all of you; may He be your Supporter. The nation also supports you, and we, too, pray for you.

[Following the remarks of another person present, the Imam stated:]

In any case, you remind them that we do not expect the Muslims and Islamic governments to oppose the Islamic movement of our country that rose for the sake of Islam, with the power of Islam and in the manner of Islam that rose to drive away those that had been opposed to Islam and the, interests of the Muslims, and those that had been assisting these opponents. Such opposition to the movement is against Islam and, God forbid, amounts to being in agreement with the powers that want to sideline Islam again and, instead, bring corrupt regimes to power. We do not expect this from the governments, the heads of which are Muslims. We expect the Islamic powers to strengthen our nation; not that the Kuwaiti government- according to what is being said, but should not be believed- even help the opponents of Islam and the deviant people. If this is so, it is against your own interests and of the Muslims. That's all about.