In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Greetings to all the Muslims of the world and the ummah of the great Prophet on the auspicious occasion of `Id al-Qurban. Greetings on the occasion of this great Islamic `Id to all the oppressed people of the world who rose against the arrogant entities and the taghouti authorities. Greetings to the great Islamic nation of Iran that rose up righteously and bravely against the devilish authorities. And greetings to the armed forces of the Islamic Republic and the brave combatants of the western and southern regions who with their dedication to Islam and devotion to the Exalted Lord are standing like a wall of iron in their sacred crusade and defense of the Muslim country, and are driving out, and will drive out, the bloodthirsty forces of the wicked Ba`ath Party of Iraq and the slaves of Islam and humanity from our country.
The day of bliss of Islam and Islamic nations will come when the bloodthirsty oppressors will lose their power over the Muslim countries. The day of bliss of our noble people will arrive when the Islamic Republic comes into force in the full sense of the word in our Islamic country, and the progressive laws of Islam replace the inhumane ones.
The great Islamic nation of Iran faces two choices at present: the path to everlasting bless under the auspices of the honorable struggle for God and the defense of the Islamic country, or the path of eternal wretchedness and ignominy in case you display slackness and apathy in this sacred struggle. I am sure that our people will never countenance disgrace. They will not cease fighting until the fall of the crumbling Ba`athist regime. And they will not stop their sacred struggle until they have rescued the noble people of Iraq from the repression and persecution to which they are being subjected. O valiant youths of Khouzistan, the western regions and the other warfronts: remain steadfast in this field of honor and devote yourselves with all your might to the defense of your Islamic country. You will be victorious by the will of God, and the Devil's army made to retreat in utter disgrace. And the armed forces that are confronting the unbelievers in Khouzistan and the war-torn borders: be vigilant, be coordinated, and act according to the orders of the Defense Council. Eschew differences and discord, and with the God-given victory tucked under your arms come out honorably from the field of battle with your heads held high, God willing. And firstly, I wish to warn the Iranian people to prepare themselves and have their weapons ready. They should be in a state of readiness so that, in the event of a general mobilization becoming necessary, God forbids, and the order for an all-out, holy crusade is given, they should proceed at once to the field of battle and defend the religion of God and the Islamic country. Secondly, I wish to notify the armed forces that they must make every effort to place without delay, the armaments that they have in abundance, at the disposal of the combatants, whether of the armed forces or all the other devoted young fighters. They must know that even the slightest negligence in the matter is inadmissible. Moreover, I want the Defense Council to keep me informed every day of the situation at the warfronts. In case reinforcements are needed, they should say so as the enthusiastic youths all over the country are ready to join battle. The army commanders must quickly arm the volunteers [who come to fight] and dispatch them to the fronts. They must also equip the army with the various types of weapons, explosives and artillery. They ought to know that negligence in this matter is an unforgivable sin in the eyes of God and the nation, and so must avoid its consequences. I would like to assure all classes of people that Islam and the Islamic country will be victorious while a defeat will be the enemy's fate.
I pray for the Exalted Lord's mercy upon the souls of the dear martyrs of this imposed war. They died for the sake of Islam, and favored by the profuse blessings of the Great Lord, they have attained eternal bliss and honor. I offer my condolences and congratulations to their bereaved families. You dedicated Muslims have fulfilled your obligation to the great religion of Islam and to the Exalted Lord, and have shown us the path of faithfulness and sacrifice. May the Almighty make us join you and not deprive us of this great blessing. I would finally like to stress that steadfastness in this vital matter and intensity of action has brought glory to our youths.
I pray to the Almighty for the glory of Islam and the Muslims, and the victory of those that are crusading for His sake. May God's peace be upon those who follow the right path.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini