In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
The great, honorable Sunni `ulama', Hujaj of Islam and shaykhs:
I have received your telegram. The preparedness and unwavering support of the various strata of the people, especially the distinguished `ulama' [may their blessings last], is a great source of strength to the dear soldiers and fighters who have driven the enemies of Islam into a corner on the battlefronts; who, by their phenomenal feats of valor, bring to mind the historic exploits of the indomitable soldiers of early Islam and who are giving us the tidings of total victory on all the battlefronts over the enemies and the superpowers of West and East. This unity and solidarity of the courageous people and the brave soldiers and pasdars is unprecedented in the history of Islam and the world. Honorable gentlemen! Wherever you are, you must make the people prepared to fight America and its bloodthirsty followers such as Iraq. A war is on and the respect and honor of our country and religion depends on this struggle. Our homeland, which is dearer to us than our lives, is now waiting for each one of its sons to prepare for the battle against falsehood. We will carry on the struggle for our land until every single Iranian warrior is martyred. Our victory is certain.
Today is the day when all the people must defend their cities and help [the people of] the war-stricken cities. It is now the time when it is incumbent upon the whole nation to extend the necessary, close cooperation to the soldiers and pasdars of Islam and Iran. This is the day for our dear, zealous nomads to defend their country's borders. This is the day for our people to join hands with the noble and brave army and the Islamic Guard Corps, and make the enemy understand that granting [the impossibility of] their entering a city, they will have to face the armed and combative inhabitants who will defend every inch of their city. It is now the day for our clergymen in the cities to instill courage and bravery in the people, which they, thank God, are seen to possess. It is the day of unity and oneness. And it is divine assistance and one of the great divine favors in that, contrary to the notions and desires of the mischief-makers and war-mongers, all the plots and the conflict have resulted in the unity and unification of the alert and vigilant nation which, God willing, will remove for ever the thought of aggression and the suppression of our magnificent Islamic Revolution from the minds of these stupid and petty-minded people.
While thanking and appreciating all the esteemed gentlemen, I wish to apologize for not being able to reply to all the telegrams individually because of their great number and the lack of time. I beseech the Exalted Lord to grant success to one and all. May God's peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini
7/5/1359 AHS