Speech [Azarbayjan's share in Iranian revolutions- Islam, religion of brotherhood and prosperity]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

We know that Azarbayjan has always taken the initiative in these matters both prior to and after the constitutional revolution. Azarbayjan's scholars have suffered a lot. We have witnessed how the late Mr. Angaji and the late Mr. Mirza Sadiq were sent into exile. We had the privilege to meet him here. Having returned from exile, Mr. Mirza Sadiq preferred to stay here until the end of his life and we met each other for a long period. It is certain that Azarbayjan with the devotion to Islam have always stood firm against any threat to our country and our faith in light of their ardor and unfailing faith. Now, we look forward to the entire nation, particularly the people of Azarbayjan. As you observed, when a nation willed something, no one could stand in his or her way. Our nation decided to remove the Pahlavi family and the illegal and non-Islamic monarchy. All powers sought to keep it, but they failed. It was because a whole nation willed it. Iran is the nation's home; the nation wants his home; no one can oppose it.

I have sometimes pointed out in my speeches that though it is unlikely a power would come and, God forbid, occupy Iran. Let us suppose it is possible. However, experience has proved that when a power occupies a region, they have later been assimilated. If the Soviet Union or America decides to invade and occupy our country with the resources they command while we are deprived of those resources, we will overcome or assimilate them aftr a while and convert them to Islam. If they do not embrace Islam, they can no longer stay in our country. They cannot divert the attention of a nation committed to Islam. They cannot distract our nation from Islam by their papers, pens, lectures, these violations and the so-called democratic uprising. Iran is a country whose people are entirely Muslims, excluding a few, a country in whose referendum the adversaries joined forces to stand against Muslims, while the latter voted 98 or more for the establishment of Islamic Republic. Despite overwhelming majority, the nation did not put pressure on anybody. Let me say all were free. No one obliged people to vote for Islam. Nevertheless, the opponents worked to sabotage and boycot. They set some voting boxes on fire. Some 98 or more of people were on one side facing a small group of people. Such a country that is composed of more then 98 Muslims and where everyone is interested in Islam cannot be easily distracted with pens and speeches. They are wasting their time. It is feasible; if not, God would guarantee your triumph. I hope no one would stand against this development emerging in our nation, all being interested in one thing: Islamic Republic.

Let me extend my best regards to my Azarbayjani brothers via you. Let them know that we always pray for them. Language, geography and similar differences which are non-Islamic and inculcated by arrogant people are not all what we count. Islam has come for all human beings and securing prosperity for human kind. In the Qur'an, God says to the prophet," Why do you grieve for the unbelievers?" The prophet used to grieve for the unfaithful. In this battle a number of prisoners had been chained and brought before the holy prophet. The prophet stated:" Look, I have to chain them to take to paradise. We captured them to teach them manner and send to paradise." «2» The holy Prophet Muhammad and the other heavenly prophets focused primarily on the prosperity of humanity regardless of the region. Although the prophet himself was an Arab and from Saudi Arabia, he said," `Arab is not superior to non-`Arab and vice versa. What really counts is the obedience to God and piety. In this case, we are all brothers and kind to people of all nationalities and wish them to be rectified. But a number of people runs riot against those who want to correct all; this group commit murders. Islam stands firm to destroy them like a cancerous tumor that must be operated and remove or else it would decay the body. Those who ran the riot in there and were destroyed by Muslims and army were exactly the very cancerous tumor. I they were left alone, they would do so and so to Azarbayjan tomorrow and go to other places the day after tomorrow and destroy Sistan and everywhere. They must be demolished, but brothers are brothers. I pray for you all.

May God grant you safety! May you all be successful and sanctioned! Give my best regards to all the gentlemen there.