In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Mr. Falsafi: One day in the morning, Imam had a friend of mine deliver a massage to me asking me to go to Imam. When I arrived at his home, Imam was alone. He started talking about the political party of Khalq-e Musalman. «1» Imam said:
We are aware of the fact that the foreigners, especially the United States, are enemies of this Revolution and try to damage it by any means they can reach to. Now they have established a political party. This party of Khalq-e Musalman definitely has its roots in the foreign sources. They have used the word khalq (people) in the title of their party, in the same way that they tried to incorporate the term" democracy" inside the title" Islamic Republic of Iran," so that it could be read as" The democratic Islamic Republic of Iran." By khalq in Persian we refer to `masses'or people. From the outset they want to create conflicts among the Muslims by bringing forth the duality of the Islamic Republic Party and the Party of Muslim people. This will be a severe blow to the Revolution and cause waste of the Muslims' blood. They are decided to defeat this Revolution this success, and to substitute something for it to secure their own interests.
The problem lies in the fact that Mr. Shari`atmadari has announced his affliction with this party with the title of" Ayatullah" and has announced its affiliation with himself. This is taken to imply that there is cooperation between Mr. Shari`atmadari and this political party. This is extremely hazardous, indeed. It might waste all our efforts. The reason why I asked you to come here was for you to go to Mr. Shari`atmadari and tell him this party has its roots in foreign sources. He that has accepted such a task is either aware of the facts or he is ignorant. Tell him for me that it is to his benefit to announce through the mass media that he has withdrawn from it and that he has no affiliation with this party. Only through this approach could he save his prestige.
Mr. Falsafi: I immediately left Imam, and headed for Mr. Shari`atmadari's home. I let him know of the Imam's message. Mr. Shari`atmadari was also required, in the massage, to write and sign a letter, announcing that he was not related with this party, and that the party was not reliant on him, either. When I told him the message of Imam, Mr. Shari`atmadari found the issue very strange and replied:" Sir, this party belongs to the Muslims. I am affiliated with this party. I have formally announced it and everybody is aware of it. If I deny my association, I will lose my dignity. Should I belittle myself by announcing that I am not related to this party? I will never do such a thing." He emphasized this negative statement strongly. Then I left Mr. Shari`atmadari to visit the Imam. I told the Imam," He says he is reluctant to endanger his prestige by denying his affiliation with this party. He says by such act he will lose many of his friends that have been the founders of the party."
The Imam was sorry and then added: This man does not realize the situation. Go and tell him that his prestige will be ruined by being affiliated with such a party. Tell him he will even lose his prestige more if he continues his cooperation with this party. Tell him if he disconnects with the party his dignity will remain intact. Tell him he is quite" a gentleman" in Qum. This is my last word.
Tell him if he loses his dignity by denying affiliation with this party, we will protect him and we will compensate for it.
Mr. Falsafi: I let Mr. Shari`atmadari know the Imam's intention and I added: I advise you to write your resignation and sign it. Then we will have a meeting at the A`zam Mosque. We will also invite the reporters from the radio and television. We will invite Mr. Golpaygani and Mr Najafi. We will ask the Imam to participate. I would be the speaker and I would speak of anything that you recommend. For example, I would say that Ayatullah Shari`atmadari, who has done a lot for the Islamic Revolution, has recently found out that the party of Khalq-e Musalman is pernicious and is against the interests of the Islamic Revolution. In fact, the Islamic Revolution is a sole truth and that is Islam. For this reason, I would announce that Ayatullah Shari`atmadari, having consulted with Imam Khomeini, has decided to resign from this political party and written that the party is not afflicated with him. Since, in presenting this topic a lot of respect was used, he answered," I do not think the Imam will do so." I replied," Okay, I will go and ask him. If Imam Khomeini promises to do so, will you sign your resignation? Besides Imam, Mr. Golpaygani and Mr. Najafi, too, will be present. They definitely will take part in the session." Once again Ayatullah Shari`atmadari was puzzled, then he added:" Okay, go and tell Imam. See if Imam will be ready. If he is ready, we will do what he wants."
For the third time I went to see Imam, saying, Mr. Shari`atmadari agreed with my proposal, but he is worried you might not agree. Do you agree? Imam replied:
Yes, the Islamic Revolution and the keeping of the dignity of Islam and the curtailing the hands of the foreigners from our internal affairs is so significant in my view that I will agree with this proposal. I will also take part in that session. I will come and sit there. Please express anything you may find expedient.
Mr. Falsafi: For the third time I went to Mr. Shari`atmadari's home and let him know of Imam's decision, adding" It was decided that you prepare a text. You and I will review it tomorrow and correct any problems it may have. Then we will take it to Imam. If he agrees, we will sign it and then we will hold the session." He replied," Yes, it is not bad, I agree with it. But on one condition: Tonight I have to consult with some friend. Without consultation, I will not make a firm decision. Let me use tonight as a consultation time. I will write the text. If we consulted and if some features were added, tomorrow you and I will finalize it." I thought the issue was resolved. I left Mr. Shari`atmadari's home for Imam's residence. I let Imam know of Mr. Shari`atmadari's decision. Imam replied: Stay in Qum tonight and leave here tomorrow.
Mr. Falsafi: When the following day I went to visit Mr. Shari`atmadari, he answered," My friend did not agree with this proposal and have said that both in Qum and Azarbayjan a lot of people would lose their dignity and I, too, would suffer the hardest blow. They advised me not to give my consent. Therefore, I will not write the text." I returned to Imam's home and let him
know what was said. Imam became sorry. Then later those events happened that everybody knows of. «2»