In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Content of culture in the former regime
The works you quoted is complimented and confirmed. Things, which normally start from zero in other places, should start from below zero here. Things dealing with culture and the guidance ministry should be started from below zero. We should make great efforts to get to zero, because in the course of the monarchy, especially during the reign of the last two monarchs, the development of everything and particularly the thoughts of the youths had been kept down. Those who were educated boasted of modernity by which they meant debauchery. Due to extensive foreign and domestic propaganda campaign and the efforts of newspapers, this concept had been inculcated in their minds that modernity was equal to modeling on foreign things. It was as if there were no other life styles. To change this situation, and steer the thoughts to a right path takes a long time.
Of course, with the development-taking place in Iran, many steps were taken without anyone's interference and our youths were rescued from this vortex of corruption by the grace of God and are prepared to work on them.
In the former regime everything, particularly culture and art had lost its content. That is to say, one who heard the name of cinema thought that cinema should be center of corruption and immorality or a venue for opposition to everything. The terms theater conjured up trite things in minds and corruption was regarded as being commonplace in there. So were other things. The important thing is to prepare the minds of these youths and even the old and pseudo intellectuals to realize that we are human beings capable of doing it. We should not stretch our hands before others to borrow everything, even our ethics and language. There are a number of people who have brushed aside their own language and regard it a value to master few English words in a book, even though they can get across the same idea in their own language. If a book does not contain some foreign words, it is considered worthless. The aliens wanted all our existence to be at their disposal to act in whatever way they wished. Moreover, as you saw in the past, the store signs of most places ranging from drugstores to bookstores and other bore foreign names. The purpose was for us to forget our own culture. A number of others escaped from Islam in the name of the culture of ancient Iran. Some time ago, a number of them had a gathering in a foreign country. One of their arguments was," Strangely, we should bow down before the `Arab's Ka`bah and say prayer 17 times a day, while if we take back Iran's culture from the `Arabs nothing will remain but camels." These statements are made while the European scholars maintain that Islamic civilization was superior to other civilizations. In the past, Iranians were made to believe from vey early in life that they had to learn everything from Europe and that human valueslay in greater westernization, and that they had to wesrenized from head to toe. These gentlemen do not sit to compare the difference between Islamic culture and other cultures. Should we object to Islam simply because it has come from `Arabs? Is this not the racism by which the Europeans want to colonize us and separate the `Arabs, Persians, and the Turks?
Therefore, we should toil for some time and come to believe that we have a great human culture with Islamic values. If today there is a shortage of man power it is because thoughts had been accustomed to the western mentality. Therefore, building a theater, which conforms to human-Islamic ethics, is a task that requires hold work. If cinema wants to be so, we need time. Cinema and theater are not necessarily centers of corruption. However, their art consisted of commonplace shows aimed to deflect our youths in universities and individuals here and abroad.
Foreign propaganda deplorable
God almighty favored this nation and feed us from the evil shadow of the Pahlavi regime. I hope we that through the efforts of these youths we will be able to go to our proper place, especially in the ministry of culture and Islamic guidance. God willing, we can do so and should not be disappointed.
Thank God, everything in Iran has been settled and we have no dependence. We should work in this direction so that the future generation knows its way. I hope you will be successful in all affairs, particularly regarding foreign propaganda, which is deplorable. What is going on in the world? What are they saying? Foreign radios disregard the good points in Iran and project the weak points. If they find a minor defect, they magnify it and use it against the revolution. We trust God and it is hoped that God will
favor us and purify our purpose. One who is with God, God will be with him and victory is with him.
May God's peace and mercy be upon you!