Speech [Rioting and dispute as a plot to prevent the implementation of Islamic decrees]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

First of all, I would like to apologize to the gentlemen for having gathered in this hot place, under the hot sunshine and in this cramped house. I must shorten my speech so that the gentlemen do not have to suffer long. I thank all of you for having come here from faraway places to meet me and for me to tell them about our grievances and for them also to talk with us about the subjects which they want to discuss. You have precedence over others in respect of Islam. You are Arabs and Islam is from the Arabs and the Prophet of Islam was an Arab. Therefore, an Arab must pay greater attention to Islam because Islam is from him and the others are followers.

Today is the day when the destiny of Islam, the destiny of the Islamic country must be shaped by the able hands of the people. Today is the day which is the most sensitive moment for our country. On one hand, we must undertake to review the draft of the constitution. The legislators of the land must be elected from individuals who are experts, and they should study the constitution which is the foundation of the state and in which lies the destiny of Islam and the country. On the other hand, you are aware that plots are being hatched everywhere to prevent the proper realization of this basis and foundation.

They are creating differences in one way or the other, in every part of the homeland; and especially in these past few days and weeks since the issue of the constitution has arisen, and the opponents of Islam and your opponents are worried that the constitution shall be drafted and approved in such a way that their hands will be severed forever. They are thinking of diverting the attention of the nation, the minds of the pious believers, the minds of the esteemed preachers, the minds of the distinguished `ulama', and the minds of the rest of the strata of people from this straight path that must be traveled country are afraid of Islam. Right now their fear is that the constitution will be approved in the manner that Islam wants; in the manner that the munificent Qur'an commands and Islam is; and after that is this same people who are in the majority; and this same nation that emerged victorious in that fashion that was unprecedented in the world; these people are afraid that the constitution will be reviewed by experts whom you the people appoint; that the constitution shall be an Islamic one; and then afterwards when it is put to a referendum of the nation, they know that the majority is with the people; they are afraid that these stages will be covered and their hands and the hands of their masters will be severed from the resources and interests of our nation. For this reason, you noticed that in the referendum some of these people who are opposed to the constitution, boycotted it; and some of these people who are opposed to Islam burnt some of the ballot boxes or prevented people from voting at gunpoint. In spite of all these, our nation gave a hundred percent- minus one or two percent- in favor of Islam while all the factions earned one percent or one-half percent of the votes. These people now feel defeated from within; and with this feeling of defeat they are struggling to divide the groups from one another and to circulate among the people that the Kurds are distinct; that the Arabs are separate; that the Balouch are separate; that the people of Fars are separate; that the Turks are separate and to divide them into distinct groups. This is while Islam gives no preference to any one except in terms of following the tenets of Islam and of piety.

You brethren who have come here from afar and are also now suffering in this hot and scorching sun must focus your attention and be aware lest these corruption-mongering and conspiring individuals who want to create rifts between Arab and non-Arab, Kurds, Turks and Arabs and the rest succeed in these plots. Negate their ploys. When all the Arab and non-Arab preachers said on the pulpit that they were all brothers and all follow the Qur'an and all believe in Islam, then there is no word remaining to be spoken for them to hatch plots and wish to prevent the constitution from being drafted. You must be vigilant and ensure that at such an instance, all your minds are focused on preparing a constitution that is proper and Islamic. The destiny of all of us hinges on the constitution and then the Council of Experts followed by the Consultative Assembly which should be national and not under the command of others as it was previously.

Therefore, what I would like to request from you not to listen to those that now want to sow discord; focus on the objective; concentrate on the advancement of Islam. All strata of the nation except a few who have deviated from Islam are with you and are together. All must offer the hand of brotherhood to one another and defuse these plots.

The specialist persons that you want to send to study and review the constitution, to lay the foundation should be persons with the qualities that Islam requires; they should be Muslims; they should have faith in the religion; must believe in our creed and must not incline to the left or to the right nor have other deviations; they should be trustworthy; they should understand Islam and be followers of Islam; they should be `ulama' of Islam. Such persons should be nominated and sent to the Assembly to study your constitution and produce a constitution that has been researched and that conforms to Islam. The differences that exist today are extremely harmful; the harm of differences is greater now than at any other moment. If you find some persons who by means of their sinister propaganda wish to create rifts among you brothers; between the Arabs and non-Arabs, Kurds and non-Kurds and Turks and non-Turks, then know that a conspiracy is at work and that they wish to lead all of you astray from that fundamental issue and God forbid, write the constitution in a deviant form.

May God enable all of you to succeed. Finally, I thank all of you who have come here.

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