In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
We are on the threshold of the elections for the 3 rd Islamic Consultative Assembly. I do not think that there is anyone unaware of the role and importance of the elections and of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. Thank God, as the glorious Islamic Revolution proceeds, the committed Muslim people of our country become more familiar with the importance of their decisive presence and active role in all the scenes of the revolution, discovering the secret behind the survival and consolidation of their divinely revolution.
Now, taking into account the high political awareness of the God-conscious people of Iran, perhaps there is no need to reiterate the importance of participation in the elections. Nevertheless, I would like to remind you of the following points by way of precaution in observing our religio-political duty:
1. From the outset of the revolution up to now, one of the sinister objectives sought by arrogant powers of the world and its external and internal agents, have been to distance the people from the scenes of the revolution and to dissuade them into relinquishing their unwavering fidelity to the socio-political ideals of Islam. To accomplish this objective, they have resorted to numerous ruses and stratagems which, thank God, went flat. People displayed their great power in different events of the revolution. The victorious nation, exemplified it in their stormy sea of unity and solidarity that will not diminish. God willing, the world-devourers will die with their wish to undermine the sacred unity of our people unfulfilled. Nevertheless, the purpose behind the recent brutalities of Saddam in the missile attack on residential units is to threat and intimate people to dilute their turn-out on the one hand and to eclipse their successive defeats in the battlefields. At this moment, we should rest assured that the arrogant media apparatus will cover stories about people's low-key presence in the election. Through insidious comments and insinuations mixed with threat and intimidation, they will try to distract people from election and preoccupy them with other issues. However, they are negligent of the fact that the Muslim people of Iran have demonstrated throughout the years that they are not afraid of these hullabaloos and will resolutely and vigorously stand against all superpowers. With the help of God, the most Exalted, the noble nation of Iran will decisively and effectively hold the elections on the appointed day with their massive turn-out. The people will through the polling precincts and fulfill their religious and divine duty even under missile attack.
And the undersigned will participate in the elections under whatever circumstance. God willing, the world will observe how the lovely people of Iran would repeat their epic presence throughout the Islamic country as in the early years.
2. As I have said time and again, the people are free in the elections; people do not need tutor. No individual, group or faction has the right to impose any candidate on people. The Islamic Iran, characterized by political insight and maturity, has accepted the Islamic Republic, its lofty values and the sovereignty of God's laws, remaining loyal to their noble pledge and commitment. The people are certainly able to identify and elect the best candidate. Of course, consultation in affairs is greatly recommended in Islam. By consultation, people can find the responsible and trustworthy candidate among themselves. Individuals, groups and clerics can introduce the candidate in their own constituencies within the deadline declared. However, nobody should expect that others would express their view and show their presence.
At any rate, people have identified the candidates in light of their insight, intelligence and research. They pay due attention to the background of the presidential aspirants and their commitment to religion, inquiring about their political leaning. The heroic people of Iran would meticulously cast their votes in favor of candidates who are devoted to Islam and committed to the people. They would elect ones who have a sense of responsibility in rendering services to people, who have experienced the bitter taste of destitution, and support the Islam of the barefooted on earth in their words and deeds. They should back the Islam of the downtrodden, the Islam of the oppressed people in history, the Islam of the combatant mystics, the Islam of the good-natured mystics. In a nutshell, they are supporters of the pure Muhammadan (s) Islam. They rebuff the Islam of capitalism and expose it to people and brush aside devotees of this version of Islam, the Islam of the arrogant people, the Islam of the impassive wealthy, the Islam of the hypocrites, the Islam of the luxury-mongers, the Islam of the opportunists and, in a single word, the American version of Islam. Islamic Consultative Assembly is home of the nation and hope of the downtrodden. At the present circumstances nobody should expect members to come from a particular group and class. There are still questions that should be resolved in favor of the deprived ones. It is not difficult to distinguish those dedicated to serving Islam and the deprived from others.
3. The advice of an old father to all the candidates running for Majlis (Islamic Consultative Assembly) is to try to perform your electoral campaigns within the framework of the lofty teachings and morality of Islam, and to avoid actions repugnant to Islamic standards. The objective behind the elections in the final analysis is to preserve Islam. If the etiquette of Islam is not observed in the campaigns, how could the campaigner be a preserver of Islam? Take care lest anybody should ever be insulted. In case one's political rival is elected finding his/her way into the Majlis, one should not break off relations or sever the bonds of friendship and brotherhood, which are sweeter than anything else.
The martyr-nurturing nation of Iran should know that these days are days of divinely trial. It is the day of dispute with those who have old animosity to Islam. It is the day of vengeance against disbelief and hypocrisy. It is the day of devotion and sacrifice. Today, is the day of `Ashoura'. Today, Iran is Karbala'. O followers of Husayn! Be prepared." Equip yourselves with the inner qualities and arms." Do not be afraid. As you are not afraid, prepare yourselves. O free and noble ones! Stand on your own feet. The superpowers of the East and West want to crush you under their blood-stained boots and unclean clutches such that you cannot even afford to utter a moan. Today is the day of resistance. Strike Saddam, America and the Western imperialism such that its lightning would blind the eyes of the Eastern arrogance. Today is not the day for delay. Today is the day of polishing humanity of human beings. It is the day of war. It is the day of demanding justice. Right should be restored. To expect the world-devourers to help us is futile. Today is the day of presence in the bridal suite of jihad (holy struggle) and martyrdom in the battlefield. It is the day of joy for the lovers of God. It is the day of celebration and rejoicing for the divine mystics. Today is the day when angles sing the praise of our combatants. Today's delay will bring about tomorrow's slavery. Today, the garment of love of the world must be taken off and the armor of jihad and resistance worn. One should be in the vanguard of struggle, watching the dawn of victory from the horizon and guarantee the perpetuity of the ever lasting blood of the martyrs.
My children, the enemy has demonstrated the peak of its cruelty and brutality by chemical bombardment of the residential areas. By this chemical attack on the defenseless people of Iraq, it has even weakened the pillars of its own supports. Rush toward the warfronts so that your successive blows would take away the enemy's strength and security, emerging victorious. May peace be upon the righteous servants of God.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini
Farvardin 11,1367 AHS