Speech [Need for unity and solidarity and overcoming disputes among Muslims]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

I would like to thank the clergies for taking the trouble to come to this humble house which they have lightened up. It is one of the blessings of the revolution that sometimes the clergies from different places can get together. In such meetings attended by both Sunni and Shi`ites Muslims I would like to discuss some points. The question of unity among all Muslim brothers is an Islamic issue, about which God has commanded everyone to stick together and not to be disunited. «2» Its secret is quite clear; that is, the best way for those who want to take advantage of Islamic countries is to implant dispute among the brothers. Well, one way is to create dispute among the Sunni brothers and Shi`ites. They have worked a lot on this, but their attempt in Iran has not, thank God, borne them any fruit. Muslims here have come together and become united. However, the enemies will not let similar unity take place elsewhere. The agents of superpowers do not want such a thing to happen outside Iran and keep on bringing up issues.

See how good and valuable is the Unity Week, proposed by Mr. Montaziri from Qum, that can bring together and unite the brothers. Well, there is no main point of difference; there is only a minor difference in dates. Some of us believe that it is the twelfth «3» and some of your clergies say it is the twelfth. This does not mean that they have not one origin; we have one origin. Stick together and be brothers to each other. Our prophet is one. At the same time that there is a voice calling to unity, we hear another voice from Hijaz calling celebration of the prophet's birth anniversary is an act of unbelief- I do not know on what basis? Why is it an act of unbelief? Of course, this person is Wahhabi. Even Sunni Muslims do not approve of Wahhabis. Not only we, but also all our Sunni brothers do not recognize the Wahhabis. Do you think that such a thing as celebrating for the prophet and paying tribute to him can make people unbelievers? This time it is not just related to Iran; it is something to do with showing respect toward the prophet which all Muslims do. Why have the y focused on Iran and say that Iranians celebrate the birth anniversary of the prophet, they are unbelievers? Well it is quite clear: Iran is a place in which the notion of unity has emerged. The point is that unity among Muslims, whether Shi`ite brothers or Sunni or nations or governments, has always been our aim. If Muslims are united, no one will impinge upon them, because there are one billion people with enormous resources at their command. While we have all resources, land and everything, what has happened that we are under the domination of two superpowers? Well, the reason is that we did not listen to the Qur'an; our governments did not listen to the Qur'an which states" O you who believe! Take not the Jews and Christians for friends." «4» Actually most of them are their agents and not friends. At the time of Rida Khan the interests of this country were given away and then they curried favor with them. At the moment the same is true about other places. Why should be like that? Because we are not on the same wavelength.

They have not realized that it was due to harmony that a small country with a population of about 30 million- compared with one billion Muslims- was able to topple a powerful 2500- year-old regime. This victory was become all brothers got together, resolved the differences they had or had been created for them, closed their ranks and became unanimous. In fact, non of them voiced support for us. I was in Paris and knew that all were against us, but when unity was created, they recognized us. Well, some of them still aggravate differences. We cry for unity and have declared the Unity Week, because we have one religion, one Qur'an and one prophet while they still take side against us. recently they have asked all the Islamiccountries to get united to oppose Iran. Well, those who call for such a thing including the comrades around the Gulf never think that if they put all their power together, they cannot cope with the power of the Shah who was backed by the U. S. and in whom America was more interested than any of these Shaykhs, because he was a much better agents for the U. S. Now if any of these Shaykhs is topple, America will not care at all. They do not think that they can not oppose the government of Iran; I mean a sort of opposition that can have an effect. Second, there is no reason to oppose us. Finally, two or more Islamic countries which see that Israel, their main enemy, continues with its aggression and does not care about any of them, have left Israel aside and turned on Iran, insists on getting rid of Israel, and urges all to get out of domination of the superpowers. If Muslims come together and unite, they will have great power to oppose them. They need you, but you do not need them. They want your oil. The lifeline of these superpowers is in the hands of Muslims; they need you. Well, while they need us, why do you have to be subservient to them? Why do you offer your oil to them? You offer them things that belong to your people. You have become a market for America and the Soviet Union. The reason is that, politically speaking, we are not mature.

These governments do not know that if they come to terms with their people. They will become more powerful than the time they are separate from their nations are allied with the U. S. If they are on good terms with the nations. The nations will not reject them, because the want a government like the Iranian government. Now, in Iran there is no social stratum that says they do not want this government; they all want it because they all serve people; they do not want to rule over the people; they want to serve them. They present themselves as officials at the service of people. They say," A society needs an administration, and we are here to run your affairs, we do not want to lord it over you, oppress or plunder you." We are all friends. For example, a group of us is well-versed in political issues, the people chooses them for government; now that the people do not want a government. The people want an Islamic and compassionate government. You, governments outside of Iran know what the situation is like in Iran and what it was like before? In the past if, let's say, a war broke out at the time of Muhammad-Rida, it would not be possible for the nation to be on his side; they would have prayed for him to get defeated. I witnessed an instance of this argument when the allies came into Iran. Though everything for Iranian Muslims was at stake, they thanked the allied forces because they ousted Rida Khan. Well, people thanked the aliens for coming and ridding them of the king, and it shows that this ouster was a gift for the nation. They do not think of what things were like back then and what they are like right now. There is war West and south of the country and the entire people of the country from East to north help one another with foodstuff and every way possible. If other countries become like this where the people have understanding and think of the people as part of them, the people are better than many of us, when they think that the people are better than themselves and are like themselves and come to terms with them, the people will choose them and work for them. If such a thing happens in the Islamic countries no one can oppose Muslims. Unfortunately, some of their clergies implant dispute; they go to Taif and turn it into the hotbed of dispute. From there they want to implant dispute between Sunni and Shi`ite brothers in Iran. From there they draw up a plan to implant a dispute here. The reason why they want to implant a dispute here is that people here have became united and thus check the intervention of the superpowers in their affairs.

Therefore, we should not forget to be grateful to God for this divine gift that He has endowed upon the nation. We should be grateful to God that the people now have one view, one purpose and one way. If there are problems, well, then everywhere there are problems. It can be said that the Soviet Union which staged a revolution about sixty some years ago does not have food supply; they have these same queues you see here; they need America for their food supply, have many internal disputes, but put them down by force. If one day the Kremlin forgets about the use of force, it will understand what the Soviet Union is; all will oppose it. But here at the present everyone is on good terms and are friends to one another. Of course there are some grumbles but they are friendly ones which can be resolved. A revolution as big as this and I do not think that no revolution as big as this which with a few people and with having nothing, could defeat such a power which had everything and all supported it and now the revolution is properly advancing. Iran got rid of powers and no one power has anything to do with Iran and this is their main concern that we should not we interfere and God willing they will not interfere till the end. My advice to those Shaykhs and those around the Gulf is that they pay attention to such issues. They should not think that with their coming together something will happen. No. if all of you get together, you will pale in comparison to Muhammad-Rida, yet we defeated him, but we want to be friends, comrades and brothers to you and to stick together. Aside from that, we should be united against those who oppose Islam" one hand against the aliens" «5» and not to quarrel among ourselves.

As for you the clergies I pray for you who should call the people to unity and solidarity. If they have any problem, the clergies should resolve it. Maybe there are some small disputes everywhere now. Friday and congregational prayer leaders should resolve the problems of the people; they should have understanding with the people and talk to one another. And anywhere the governors should act in ways that can keep the people satisfied. People are satisfied when you act well. The people are satisfied with you. I hope that God favors us and we do not ruin this harmony and unity of expression we have achieved. Maintain the unity among all the brothers.

May God's peace and mercy be upon you.