Speech [Big problems for Muslims]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

On this momentous Islamic holiday, I congratulate all of the distinguished Islamic nations and hope that all festivities be an auspicious and happy occasion for these nations. I also thank you gentlemen for attending so I can, in person, put my case to you. A Muslim holiday is an auspicious and happy occasion only when the Muslims have themselves obtained their independence and esteem, the same esteem the Muslims acquired at the advent of Islam. As long as the Muslims are in this situation of detachment and discernment, and while all of their affairs are related to others, no day is auspicious for them. Auspicious is the day when all foreign ties with our nations, our Islamic countries, are severed and Muslims stand on their own feet and take the affairs of their own countries into their own hands.

I do not know when this dilemma, which concerns both the Islamic governments and Islamic nations must be resolved? One dilemma is the problem between nations and their governments. One of the greatest difficulties and predicaments of the Muslims is the problem between nations and governments. Another dilemma is the difficulty between governments, Islamic governments, and certain ones with certain others.

The trouble with governments and nations is that governments still do not know themselves and nations do not know themselves either. Governments still think they must have sovereignty and people must blindly obey them. As long as this problem of governments wanting sovereignty remains, and because of their sovereignty, they repress their own people, this dilemma will not be resolved, and if this problem is not solved, our main dilemma, which is our predicament at the hands of the world powers, will be unsolved as well. And as long as governments still do not know their obligations, of course they are aware of its dangers, they know that this discrepancy between them is the cause of this predicament and the disorganization of their countries. Therefore, the interceding of certain matters, motives or even treason by certain political wings, will not remedy this problem. Till when, must we be in this difficult predicament and dependant on the west and east? When will the Islamic governments and we wake up? Till when, do the Islamic governments want to treat their people in the same manner the Islamic governments, Islam, its states, its countries and its own nation was treated at the beginning of Islam? Till when, do we want to be detached from the people?

Observe the two conditions our people had; one condition was the state during the Shah's regime from t he beginning till the conclusion of the monarchy, especially in the past 50 odd years. I remember all and it is possible that you do not remember. However, some of the conditions you have well perceived. Compare with that time, an era in which our nation prevailed over all powers, over all super powers and broke down their barriers. Compare these two situations and the two governments in these two situations and see what they should do. In the case of the previous regime, the people were detached from the government. Not an indifferent detachment, but a separation where they opposed each other. The whole aim of the deposed Shah and his government was to suppress the nation, so he crushed, the people with all his might; he incarcerated them, tortured them, executed them and did not permit them to take a breath. The nation was also against him. Even if it would not create problem for the government, even if the nation would not exacerbate the problem, it would not lessen it either. It would not assist; rather, if the government failed, the nation would be glad. If the government or the Shah prevailed, the nation would be dejected.

We saw and you also heard, and I saw and heard partly that Rida Khan ruled over here- a despotic and illegitimate rule. He did to the nation that will be recorded in history. That day when the foreigners committed aggression and occupied our country and brought everything we have on the verge of danger, yet I was witness that when Rida Khan went out of Iran and they kicked him off, our nation, amidst its being so depressed for the occupation of the foreigners, was so glad for the removal of Rida Khan. They considered it a heavenly gift. I warned his immature son not to be like his father such that when he was no more, the people will rejoice. He did not listen and then when he left, our nation rejoiced; they expressed so much joy in the streets. It is this government that opposes its own nation.

Now, you can observe that the government has not stood against the nation. Everyday, the people are not afraid that the government agents will go out and apprehend them, bring them, incarcerate them and torture them. Now, the nation is such that if a problem appears for the government, the nation itself will be the forerunner in solving it. Now, as the government cannot solve these difficulties for our nation, created by the former regime and all its agents, our nation went out, extending assistance in all strata. Just today, before the arrival of the gentlemen, individuals who are active in the Jihad for Reconstruction right here in Qum came to me and enumerated to me all the activities they have done, although without having assistance coming from the government. There are so many buildings, so many harvests of wheat and cultivations for the farmers, so many public baths, so many medical centers and the like. It is a nation, which considers its country as its own, and its government as its own. When the country becomes its and the government as its very own, the government will not feel the need for it to deal with the nation at the point of a barrel. And neither the nation will be afraid of the government to do so. Neither will it feel that the government is an alien one and its service to it is service to the foreigners. You can observe these two conditions. That condition was such that the nation was separated from the government. And this condition is such that the nation is not separated from the government. This condition is what Islam wants for the governments- to be at the service of the nations.

The main problem of Muslims is unfortunately that we have little growth. Our political growth is but a little. We imagine again that through the gun, through pressure, through a security organization and through the army, we can reform a nation and a country can attain its independence. Again, we are thinking like that. Our governments are again thinking that they have to suppress their nation through whatever means available. When will this problem be solved? And when will these governments come to their senses to befriend their own nations? It is with the nations that you are living out of their sufferings. Befriend your own nations; and they are your backing and you are their servants. If the nations feel that the governments are meant to support and render services to them, there will be no hindrance to their being ready to render service, too. It is the governments that should resolve this problem. Unfortunately, they do not. This is one of our problems. Unless this problem is not resolve, there is no hope we can raise voice against the superpowers and drive them out of our countries.

The second problem that is like this one is the problem among the governments. Why should Islamic states treat one another like this, each going its way? Why should Israel with its little population govern countries that treasure everything and all sorts of power? Why should it be the case? Is it not for the fact that nations are separate from governments that are in turn divided? One billion Muslims with all the equipment they command are sitting idly while Israel is committing those crimes in Lebanon, treating Palestine like that, with Muslims watching. They are simply onlookers. The outcry of our brothers is so loud, yet we are listening and watching. When should we find out our power? You know and history has it that Muslims in the early days of Islam with scanty number yet united overcame others thanks to their faith. In less that half a century, they conquered almost all flourished lands of the time. It was because they were unified and treasured the weapon of faith. When should we pick up the weapon of faith that had been pushed aside and confront with these powers with the weapon of faith? You saw that a nation with little population and no arm and war materials and militarism but expression of faith overpowered a satanic ower backed by all powers, not simply those powers but all powers. It was the force of faith that helped a handful of people who had nothing emerge victorious. It was the same owner that in the early days of Islam Muslims with meager instruments and population overpowered Rome and the Persian Empire with all their might. They were however devoid of faith, but Muslims were overwhelmed with faith and triumphed.

When do Muslims want to wake up from this slumber? When do they want to settle the problems among them? As long as problems among you are not removed and the problems between governments, their people are not removed and the problems among governments are not removed, do not expected restoration of your dignity. For many years I have pointed out and written about this fact and they have listened and watched.

May God awaken us Muslims and acquaint us with our divinely duty. May God grant us success to celebrate the feast free from trammels of superpowers! May God sanction all of you and strengthen all Islamic lands. May God grant us faith and help us remove the problems.

Rouhoullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini