Speech [The relations with America and other superpowers; the secrets behind the survival of Shi`ism]

The current month of Muharram is different from previous Muharrams. One of the differences is in previous Muharrams we had to reckon with the despotic Pahlavi dynasty, which was the very foundation of corruption. In the current month of Muharram we are facing the mother of corruptions, «1» who have dominated all weak nations by installing agents over the nations to plunder them. praise to be Allah, in the struggle against that ignoble offshoot (of corruption) we came out victorious through the efforts of the nation and yours, the preachers (clergy) from all over the country, particularly those from Qum, which has always been the foundation of dignity, and through reliance on the Exalted and Blessed God and unity of expression.

In a statement, Mr. Carter has declared that if the diplomats who are now to the den of spies are to be detained and tried, the world's anger will be aroused. The arrogant powers see our world as a different world. They look at it from their own peculiar arrogant point of view and as someone afflicted by a spiritual disease. They look at the world from their specific arrogant point of view and disease. This disease has caused them to look down upon great masses of nations in the world. They suffer from a mental disease which forces them to look down upon the deprived nations. Mr. Carter and his likes comprise not even fifty thousand out of the three billions world population. These are the hands of governments who force others to practice tyranny and aggression. They consider all nations as nothing. They believe that the world is made up of a limited group like Cater and his cohorts. And those who are in the other parts of the world which have joined his gang have such approach towards the whole of the World.

In the aggressors' point of view, other major walks of life of nations which are as vast as the oceans in which Carter and the likes of him are nothing but a drop yet these don't take them into account. This (megalomania) malady prevents them from seeing these nations. Consequently, when they are posted on the seat of the presidency they see things in a different light, that is, from a diseased viewpoint. So, it may arise the anger of some of their ministers in somewhere and some individuals who are a part of their assemblies, or some people associated with them. He imagines them as whole of the world and name them as diplomats. He considers them as diplomats whereas it has been proved with evidence that they are spies. The world, too, looks at them as such based on own imagination. To certain extent the Shah also suffers from the same disease. This very disease caused his destruction. The same disease made him see only himself and a bunch of flatterers around him. He could see the flatterers around him and ignored the whole nation. He could not comprehend that the base of a country is a nation. The governments are just a minority which should serve the nation. They don't understand that the government should serve the people, not dominate them. The Shah was also suffering from such a disease: that he thought of himself as everything and the absolute ruler he considered himself as the whole nation. He did not consider any values for others. This attitude caused him to engage in all sorts of treasons all of which he committed dueled by the thoughts that nobody had right to question his actions. He could not imagine that there might be a power which could oppose bayonets and machineguns. This disease caused him to get involved in committing crimes. Based on this mentality, he saw no other power but himself and as a result, his excesses ended up in what you and we witnessed. This, «2» too, suffers from the same disease, but to a greater degree. This is because the more you have power; the worse is your disease.

First, I want to emphasize that when I talk about America I do not refer to the American people unless I explicitly name the American nation. We do not oppose nations. The Shah's failure caused the America to suffer from two kinds of failures: one was the economic failure; the other one was the political failure. Mr. Carter tried his best to keep Muhammad-Rida he previously sent envoys many times to negotiate with us and was latterly determined to keep Bakhtiyar, but failed. That failure was huge by itself, but the second failure which he is going to face is even greater. Offering shelter to a person who was a criminal who committed crimes for almost more than thirty years and all our thirty-five million are witness to his crimes, expected for a small group, population attest to this fact yet don't perceive. But thirty-five millions of population and hundreds of millions of the world population know as well that he was a criminal, a despot, and a tyrant. He committed countless cases of crimes and evil acts; he committed crimes against the nation and subjected them to so much deprivation; he imprisoned and exiled to such extent; Keeping Shah and giving an asylum is itself a political failure throughout the World yet Carter who is suffering from such disease should know that the persons who are spies and living in spy-den will remain and put to trial until he denies from hading the criminal over to the nation; this is also a defeat which is even worse than second defeat. If he does not send the Shah back, these detainees might get tried. And if this happens, Carter then will understand what it will lead to.

Carter tries to frighten us with the threats of military intervention or economic sanctions. However, he knows that this drum beaten by him is hollow and these are mere bluffs. This is because he is incapable of carrying out military expeditions against us; besides, his inferiors would not listen to him. This mistake is originated by the disease which is being suffered from these superpowers; this is again a mistake which he assumes that all countries are in his hand like a ring. For example; if he mentioned for depriving us of buying wheat, all other countries would pay respect and abide by his orders. He became aware that he is even not followed even in his own country. His Secretary of Agriculture has informed him that his decision is not sound one. We do not need American wheat; we have large oil resources. It reminds us of Churchill, that great British statesman who went to the parliament at the time of his War with Germany and he was almost afraid of facing defeat; whenever he came up to address British parliament to explain his sufferings that where they have been defeated yet concluded that victory belongs to those who are sitting on the oil reserves."

We are swimming on the waves of oil, but you have plundered our wealth. You have stolen our reserves. Instead, you have supplied us with weaponry, and those weapons were good for yourselves. We possess oil. The world needs our oil. The world hates the United States. Carter is hated by the world. The world does not care for him, but cares for our oil. Because of our oil, the world would bow to us. The world would not bow to you when you try to be the president for the second term. You try hard to be re-elected, but you do not know how. Carter used to think that if he imposed economic sanctions on Iran, the American nation would applaud him, but now he has realized that a large group of society who are black have abandoned him. There was a group of five hundred black priests who took to the streets against Carter recently and shouted slogans in favor of Iran. Later on, others will do so, as well.

But the true world rests on the shoulders of deprived and the oppressed. The World consists of oppressed people. If the world is understood with this reality that these are the oppressed people who manage the world and the oppressors and arrogant do nothing except getting engaged in corruption. If such aspect and image of the world exist that is not be in agreement with you. Such world doesn't get along with the president who claims for being fond of human rights yet simultaneously put the human to death and leads towards destruction. Claim of being in favor of human rights is not acceptable from such person. You; who claim to protect human rights; bear in mind that the people of Iran are also humans; Iranian are also human beings. What has happened to you that this nation has suffered from so many miseries during some years of your government and during the past fifty years rule of yours predecessor. Neither you nor yours predecessors who do claim to be a champion of human rights neither the legislative bodies established by you raised a voice of opposition. You intended to have fun at us and did not utter even a single expression that why Muhammad-Rida is acting in such way. On the contrary, you supported him and tried your best to keep him in power. It is funny that Carter claimed that extensive freedoms had been offered to Iran and as a result tone of voices is being heard and the people are out crying that they are demanding freedom because their freedom is extensive. They have excessive freedom which has been stem from certain disease. «3»

Let him (Carter) know that we are not withdrawing even a single step from our position. This is our right on this globe and whole of the world is familiar and it is stipulated in all International rules and laws that a criminal should be returned to the location where he committed crimes to be tried. We ask Carter to give the Shah to us for putting him on trial. We demand certain criminal so he can be put here on trial. If they return this criminal to us, we will close down this place which is not able to be converted as an embassy anymore but if the espionage center is ended and they intend to have an embassy not an espionage center; such thing would be possible yet not certain. It is possible if they hand him over and bring the spy den to an end then we might continue with our limited relations of such type which are in our interest. We will not cut the relations off until he (the Shah) is there and for the sake and protection of these (detainees) who are in our custody. These are spies not diplomats. It became apparent that he (Carter) considers the spies as diplomats because of holding a certain outlook and suffering from such type of psychological diseases.

It is time for dominant rulers who have been aggressively dominating their nations to change; those who behave with the oppressed people of the world in such way; they should also change their attitudes. Their thoughts are no longer valid. Their methods were good at a time when people were not vigilant. Now, people have awakened everywhere. In the last some years and especially during these two years, we have witnessed tremendous changes and transformations our country. The persons have been converted to other ones; the people are same yet their thoughts have been changed; the thoughts have been changed. As the nations have been changed and improved and these nations are no longer quiescent to be ruled over them and they remain totally obedient. You should also reconsider your attitude. These head of states including America and non-America should change themselves. It is not in their interest if they don't adjust themselves and it could be lead towards their destruction.

I used to tell those who came to Iran from abroad that the governments of the world would have problems dealing with their respective nations. The problem with these governments is that they consider themselves a ruler and dominating powers and do not give importance to their peoples. Therefore, they are deprived of the nations' support. We have witnessed in Iran: while the government considered itself as power dominating and ruling over the people power" The king of kings" or" Aryamehr", the nation didn't support him. If he had the support of his nation, he would not have had to leave for some other place. Now, that despotic government has changed into an Islamic government, which is not yet one hundred percent Islamic; rather, it has some taint of Islam. Now, the governments don't consider themselves despotic. They are not allowed to detain people, or to imprison them for no reason. Such things never take place. As they don't pretend to be as despotic subsequently the nation become as their supporters. Now the nation supports such a government. If the government faces any problems, it is the nation who finds a solution for it.

Now, let these governments get rid of that disease and resolve this problem. Those foreign governments have their certain standing yet I talk about the Islamic governments to resolve this problem. They have the key to the problem. Let them learn lessons from Iran and compare two periods; Muhammad-Rida's era with the present situation. If some problems had appeared for the government in those days; the nation used to make the problem severe instead of removing and might made it extensive. But now if the government faces any problems, people solve it of their own accord. We have seen that these rulers have not tried to solve people's problems. Presently, we see the rulers in the Islamic countries suffer from the same disease, i. e., megallomania as the Shah and Carter are. They only care for their own interests and those of the flattering people around them. They do not care for their own nations, however. They do not take their nations seriously. Thus, they show all sorts of cruelty, injustice and mischief against their deprived people. They are generous towards their close associates and spend on them extravagantly which they had snatched from deprived class. As a result, at the time of crisis, they are not supported by their people. The nation will ignore them at critical moments. It is in the interest of the governments to resolve this problem. These governments would be independent and would get rid of the superpowers' hegemony if they improved their relations with other Islamic governments and if they cooperated with one another. These superpowers will take advantage of the disagreements among us. If Muslims united and cooperated with each other, the governments would have to respect their rights. But there are some governments which will not allow the different nations to cooperate. The Islamic government and the Muslims will meet with no obstacles if they unite. There will be no power stronger than Islam and the Muslims. This is because there are a billion Muslims in the world with huge reserves of oil.

Now we come to the responsibility we have at this junction regarding this super power and the illusions existing in the mind of this gentleman. We should act exactly as we did during the previous year, that is, since last Muharram or a bit earlier than that until Muhammad-Rida's fall. Now we should e the same way. Now, different walks of people must unite even further. Those days, some people must have said that" the Shah is the king of the nation after all- he's one of us. Or, he is the shadow of God"- or such nonsense. Being" Shadow of God", however, if considered by the Infallible Imams for the governments, will be a tough task. This is because the" Shadow of God" does not have any thing of his own; whatever is. There, belongs to the" Owner of the Shadow."" The Shadow of God" is of no movement of its own; any movement belongs to the" owner of the Shadow."

" Shadow of God" was the great Prophet, who was nothing on his own; whatever is there is Revelation. Whatever is there belongs to God, the Glorious and the Greatest. If this common belief that" the King is the Shadow of God" is accepted, all kings of the world will be done for. This is because they are not" Shadows of God, but the Shadows of Satan." Nevertheless, such wrong logic has been around. Even a well-educated clergyman believes so. Someone told me once that he was in Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. It must be last year or so, the time we were in conflict with this person[ the Shah ]. He said he was sitting in front of the Ka`bah and felt like praying and asked his companion to pray for the removal of the Shah, but he said" no, we must pray for his survival." Well, there have been such logic occasionally, but such logic is rare, if any in the case of foreign powers.

There should be a great mistake on the part of someone or he might be treacherous if he follows foreigner who is stranger and excludes our setup. It is not clear that whether he acts upon the foundations of his own religion and it is also not obvious that how much he has supporters to be followed; in addition he is opposed to our nation and if there is class among our nation who are in agreement with him against the desire of our nation, they are less in numbers. Therefore our unity should become strong during this period of time. If there were some variances in those days yet now all classes should get united and pave this way. You will definitely be victorious. The right will always prevail. The right will always prevail yet we will have to find the code of victory that what was the secret of our victory and the reasons of the survival of Shi`ism throughout the course of history. And it is our tasks to carry out some research to find out why Shi`ism has prevailed despite the small numbers of Shi`ites from the reign of Imam `Ali (`a) in previous centuries. Presently, praised to be God; the number of Shi`ites has increased, but in those years it was small not compared with others. Let's explore the secrets of the survival of the Islamic and Shi`ite's countries. We should protect such code and secret. One of the most important secret has been the Doyen of the Martyrs, Imam Husayn (`a) «4», and his sacrifices which safeguards Islam. He safeguarded the Islam by putting into practice and protected it. He defeated through the uprising planned by him. Although he got martyred yet defeated Umayyad and others and this movement must be protected.

We should protect these secrets if a country wishes to remain an independent and free nation. These ceremonies have always been performed due to the commands and guidance of the Infallible Imams (`a). Our youth should not assume that previously people used to weep in such ceremonies, and that now we do not have to weep any more. This is a big misunderstanding. When Imam Baqir (`a) was on his death-bed, he ordered his followers to hire somebody at Mina to weep for him for ten years. What kind of fight is it? Did Imam Baqir (`a) need somebody's tears? What Hadrat Baqir (`a) wanted to do with weep and wail by managing to take it place in Mana during the days of Hajj. This point of weeping and wailing there for a period of ten years covers essential, political, psychological and human significances. When the people will move toward there and inquire about the reason of lamentation and they will be given answer about the tragedy which has taken place. This will cause to attract people towards this school of thought that renders in destruction of oppressor and it will strengthen the oppressed.

We have already sacrificed many young men. There were many martyred ones in Karbala, as well. Therefore, we should keep on holding these lamentation ceremonies. It is not the weeping which is significant; rather, it is a political, psychological and social issue. What does Imam Husayn (`a) need weeping for? If the issue is defined by only weeping then what is meant by making believe or acting as wailing. Whether acting as wailing is required and is it of some value? Whether the doyen of martyrs has need for our weeping and wailing? The Infallible Ones (s) insisted on people's gatherings. They recommended that they weep. This weeping will safeguard the very foundation of our school. These groups of people who take to the streets during the days of `Ashoura don't assume for adopting it as demonstrations; the demonstrations exist and aim at political function as it existed in the past yet these mourning and reciting of elegies are the secrets behind our victory. These for the commemoration ceremonies of the martyrs of Karbala should always be performed throughout the country. Everybody should participate and everybody should weep. What is more unifying than these ceremonies? Have you ever seen that a nation become unified to such extent? Who has unified them? It is the Doyen of the Martyrs (`a) who made this unification possible. On the days of `Ashoura and Tasou`a, for example; on the date of 28 th and the bands of mourners with certain dignity proceed in the streets of all Muslim countries. Of course, the non-Shari`ah aspects should be considered as invalid and the shari`ah considerations should be observed in such gatherings. Everywhere in the world you can come across with certain people who are harmonious in such way. These gatherings with such dignity and message take to street and who can cause to get the people gather and where in the world have you seen such huge gatherings are in harmony to such extent? It is a common feature of the Muslims in India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Iraq and Afghanistan and everywhere move about you will find the same situation. Who has caused for such harmony to be formed among the people? You should never lose such harmony. They make our youth neglectful. Our youth and dears with pure hearts are not fully aware of the evils planned for spoiling their minds through vaccination of certain thoughts. They themselves are being vaccinated by others and subsequently those blemish the minds of these through injecting certain thoughts.

In certain period some foreign hands approached and caused discord between the clergy and the youth by bringing forth the issues of shaving beard and putting on collars. There existed some grounds for such misuses and it was not carried out without motives and intentions. They indoctrinated the clergy saying" what are these collar styles? Why do they youth shave their bread?" Meanwhile, they viciously indoctrinated the youth that it was the English who brought forth the clergy. They caused our separation and disunity. But who took the advantage? It was those who had plans for plundering our oil reserves. They have created discord among us to achieve their goals. They try to disrupt our harmony. When they break our harmony and coordination, they will then easily get what they are after. Today, when we are on the verge of Muharram, I am told that some youth are being misled by the claims that gatherings for the commemoration of the martyrs of Karbala are not necessary any longer.

They are not attentive about those who opposed Rawdah were those who also opposed the clergy, those who opposed the existence of the universities, those who opposed the workers, those who opposed the farmers and those who wished to plunder us and keep us miserable. The issue of Karbala martyrs is a unifying factor among the nation; and it is one of the most significant political factors in the world. It is also a psychological factor. It unifies all hearts. If we pave the way wisely, we will succeed for such unification. We should appreciate its significance. Our youth must pay attention towards these issues.. Our youth should be aware of the fact that there are some agents who plan to get rid of effective personalities. They want to disrupt the gatherings. They plan to render these mosques useless. These gathering for commemoration of the martyrs, mosques ceremonies and weekly meetings being held for the commemoration of the martyrs of Karbala attract the attention of people and create harmony. It will not feasible for the governments if they intend to create a harmony among all lyres and accomplishing of such goal wouldn't be simple for them even by spending millions of tumans.

It was the Doyen of the Martyrs (s) who coordinated our actions. Shouldn't we weep for such a great man who has coordinated our activities? It has been these tears which guaranteed out survival. Our youth should not be deceived by those devils who try to deprive us of such assets. These have protected us, and these tears have secured our country.

You gentlemen have a duty to remind people of Imam Husayn's agonies in Karbala. The duty of general public is to take huge and glorious groups, practicing chest beating rituals, towards the streets: They should refrain from those actions which are Islamic ally improper. But the bands should proceed in the streets and beat their chests. However, they should safeguard their unity. These bands have made us survive. This coordination has been very effective. They deceive our dear youth with pure hearts by uttering some inappropriate expressions in their ears like what we have to do with weeping and wailing? Imam Husayn (`a) would not benefit from our weeping even if we cried up to the doom's Day. We are the ones who will benefit. Lets consider the worldly gains yet the benefits related to the world hereafter own their certain place; taking worldly gains in to account and psychological aspects how it brings the hearts in harmony. We should not leave these stronghold. Those who try to take away this stronghold from us have been deceived by some corrupt agents on the back stage the Scenes. They wish to destroy our nation. We should be awakened and our nation must remain alert.

In the end, I would like to warn all the walks of our nation against one stranger, one foreigner who is determined to plunder our country. We are facing with a stranger whose espionage center had been working against all Muslim nations and the most functional existed here. Now we shouldn't be seated indolently just for criticizing each other; I make a criticism on him and you give comments about him and this one condemn that one. Oh! Our writers, orators and other associations including writers associations and lawyer unions; whole the country is yours and gentlemen must sustain this country. They determined to plunder it. It is up to you to protect it. In order for you to keep it, you should stay united. Now look at that walk of society which you call `the low class', but I prefer to call it the high class. See how united they are. See who calls Allahu Akbar (on the roofs of the houses) tonight. They are determined to express their feelings by uttering the expression of Allah Akbar. You must move out to observe who are expressing" God is great". They belong to same class and lyres. We are gratified grateful to them for their favors, I kiss their hands and we owe a lot to this class who move out tonight and utter the expression" God is great" and take part in rallies tomorrow. Let's up them hold and don't get involved in activities which are followed by no purpose more than merely seating, writings, uttering and performing heated discussion.

Our nation has elected a group of members for the Assembly of Experts and each one selected his legal representative. You insist on democracy; can you find a type of democracy better than this one. No body was forced to cast his ballot. You may not find a single case in Iran in which force was used to compel someone to take part in the elections. Even electoral propaganda was scarcely made yet the people were well familiar with them. Everyone was well aware of his local zones and cast ballots in his favor and they won the majority of votes. Why these want to make turbulences and quarrelling over? Why do you always express your comments in a certain way that it is good enough or satisfactory? This is proper expert assembly for which people desired so what you have to do with this matter? The people have elected their representatives and deputies for the assembly. These were the representatives of the people and they passed the laws and regulations. As I observed to some extent; perhaps I had observed over all; divert from Islamic standards was not found; you gentlemen and all cleric orator, speakers, writers, and presenter might back the issue up; it would be a fault if we get seated and criticize merely which can lead towards our failure for compiling constitution. This one is a sound constitution. Let us vote for it unanimously. You, gentlemen, should awaken people and make them vigilant. Those students of seminaries who leave Qum for other cities and suburbs should inform people of the facts. They should stay in those locations till the election is over. You students stay there for `Ashoura. There is no need to come back because there is a gap of only one day; it is not too much as they are already there during the days of `Ashoura. When `Ashoura is over they should stay there to make the people vigilant and guide them. The same thing should be done by our writers and our preachers. Suppose if some matter goes against someone's opinion as he is modernist yet such ones should comply with the public votes and consensus. People have unanimously voted for the Constitution. What people decide, we will comply with. The last Muharram brought for us the gift of demise of our minor enemy «5» and I hope that this Muharram will keep our major enemy «6» within its own size. May god protect you and bless you with success and favors.