Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

 Permission is given to use religious funds to back the Palestinian and Lebanese struggle

It is necessary that the benevolent Muslims, in particular the A warning to people of Iran who are in the forefront of charity giving, set about as soon as possible this crucial task of saving the defenceless refugees. They should rush to their aid with whatever means possible, and with a sense of responsibility before God the Almighty. They should not refrain from giving them any kind of honourable assistance. If so desired, they are permitted to use up to a third of the monies from the blessed share of the Imam (sahm-i imam), upon whom be peace, to help the refugees and those affected by the war.

Imam's message marking events in Lebanon, 22 March 1978 (2 Farvardin 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 22, p. 123.

 

Israel is a great disaster for the Muslims

One of the great disasters to have struck the Muslims is the aggressor Israel, which is presently in a state of war with the Muslims and is busy advancing on Lebanese soil while receiving help from the Shah. The Muslim governments are mainly indifferent to this vital issue, heedless of the fact that if Israel is successful in its advances, God forbid, it will treat the other countries in exactly the same manner. These disasters which have befallen us stem from America and its henchmen.

Imam's message dated 24 March 1978 (4 Farvardin 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 2, p. 41.

 

I will persist in my aims to unite the Muslims against Israel

Question: Do you wish Iran to close ranks with the Arab countries against Israel?

Reply: I have always and persistently expressed my desire that the Muslims of the world unite in a struggle against their enemies, Israel being one of them. Unfortunately, however, the different regimes that have come to power in the Muslim countries have not heard my calls. I hope that finally these calls will be heard. As for myself, I will persist with this course of action.

Question: The last series of military attacks by Israel resulted in the occupation of another Arab land, that is the south of Lebanon, where the people are Shi`ites. What are you going to do about this?

Reply: The people of south Lebanon must return to their homes through whatever means it takes. It is their duty to struggle for the restoration of their land before the Israelis settle their own people there.

Imam's interview with Le Monde, 6 May 1978 (16 Urdibihisht 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 2, p. 48.

 

Twenty years of exhorting unity

For approximately twenty years now I have been exhorting the Arab countries to come together and drive out this corrupting element. If Israel gains power, it will not be content with Beit ul- Moqaddas. Unfortunately, however, my advice has had no effect on them. I ask  God to awaken the Muslims.

Imam's remarks dated 7 May 1978 (17 Urdibihisht 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 6, p. 116.

 

We have always been at one with you

Mr Abu Ammar:

We have always opposed the Shah, Israel and their supporters on the issue of Palestine, while agreeing with you on this matter and making the nations aware of Israel's tyranny. Now that the Iranian people are being trampled beneath the boots of the Shah's executioners, are besieged by tanks, guns and machine guns, and Israeli soldiers are helping by positioning themselves in the streets of Tehran to kill the defenceless people of Iran, unite with our innocent people and make our voices reach the world through your propaganda machinery.

Imam's reply to Yassir Arafat, 19 September 1978 (28 Shahrivar 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 2, p. 107.

 

We support the Arab countries which oppose Israel

Question: What is your position on the Arabs?

Reply: We extend our hands to the Arab countries who are continuing with their struggle against Israel, and indeed have always supported them against Israel. It is hoped that the Arab nations will defend the struggles of the Iranian nation.

Imam's interview with a representative of the Arabic language Al-Qaumi al-Arabi magazine, 11 November 1978 (20 Aban 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 3, p. 103.

 

We will stand in the same line of battle as our Palestinian brothers

Question: What is the view of His Holiness, the Ayatullah, on the Palestinian movement and the Palestinian people on the whole and in particular on Beit ul-Moqaddas? What relations exist between you and the Palestine Liberation Organisation?

Reply: For many years now, we have always spoken of Israel and the fact that it is a usurper. Our intention has always been to stand by our Palestinian brothers, and whenever we gain power, we will join them in defending their rights like brothers standing as equals in the same line of battle as them. Beit ul-Moqaddas must be returned to the Muslims, the Israelis are usurpers. Unfortunately, I cannot understand why, despite their large populations and all the kinds of vast material means they have at their disposal, the Arab governments cannot regain their rights and their lands and defend their homeland. the reason is the different ideas which exist among them. I hope they will put an end to these differences and will pay attention to Islamic issues, so that, God willing, they will tear this cancerous element out from their lands.

Imam's interview with the Lebanese Al-Nahar daily, 11 November 1978 (20 Aban 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 3, pp. 104-105.

 

Twenty years of support for Palestine

Under the present circumstances, the Shah's regime supports Israel. For nearly twenty years now I have, in my declarations and speeches, opposed this policy and have declared my support for the rightful struggles of the Arab and Palestinian people.

Imam's interview with the German Third World daily, 15 November 1978 (24 Aban 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 3, p. 161.

 

No freedom seeker officially recognises Israel

Neither the Muslim people of Iran, nor indeed any Muslim, and in general no freedom seeker officially recognise Israel, and we will always support our Palestinian and Arab brothers.

Imam's interview with the Middle East News Bulletin, 17 November 1978 (26 Aban 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 3, p. 178.

 

Quds must be returned to the Muslims

Question: What is your view on the fate of Quds?

Reply: Quds belongs to the Muslims and must be returned to them.

Imam's interview with the Lebanese newspaper Al-Safir, 23 November 1978 (2 Azar 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 3 p. 238.

 

Be united and rely on Islam so that they do not aspire to dominate you

Question: Do you have a message for the Arab people?

Reply: My message for the Arab and Muslim brothers is this:" put your different items aside and offer each other the hand of brotherhood, be in step and unite with all the Muslim brothers, even the non-Arab brothers. Make Islam your only point of reliance. Only by having uncountable material resources and, more importantly, by possessing divine and spiritual resources which are to be found in Islam, you can  become a power over which the superpowers will never aspire to dominate and will not subject to attacks from the left and the right in this manner and plunder everything you have.

Imam's interview with the Lebanese newspaper Al-Safir, 23 November 1978 (2 Azar 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 3 p. 238.

 

We will throw the Israeli advisers out

We will throw these American military men out of Iran, we will throw these military advisers out of Iran along with those from Israel and those others who are swallowing up the people's land and destroying the Muslims' resources. God willing, we will throw them out, and it will be the hand of God which will do this.

Imam's remarks, 19 November 1978 (28 Aban 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 3, p. 206.

 

We will have no relations with Israel

Question: If the Shah goes and the government Your Holiness envisages is established in power, what changes will appear in the relations between your government and Israel?

Reply: We will reject Israel and will have no relations with it. It is a usurping government and our enemy.

Question: Does that mean that Israel will not be supplied with oil from Iran?

Reply: It will not.

Imam's interview with an American reporter, 1 December 1978 (10 Azar 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 3, p. 275.

 

We support the oppressed Palestinians

Question: Is it true that you support the aims of the Palestine Liberation Front?

Reply: We support the oppressed. We support whoever is oppressed wherever they may be, and the Palestinians are oppressed, the Israelis oppress them. For this reason, we support them.

Imam's interview with an American reporter, 1 December 1978 (10 Azar 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 3, p. 275.

 

Freeing Quds from the malice of Israel is the duty of all Muslims

Question: In their defence against Israel's continual aggression, Amal has given a lot of martyrs. What advice do you have for the people of south Lebanon?

Reply: Everyone should unite and stand in a united front against these aggressors. They should act and chop off their usurping hand. This is the duty of all Muslims in general, to free Quds and put an end to the malice of this germ of corruption in Islamic lands.

Imam's interview with Amal, 7 December 1978 (16 Azar 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 4, p. 31.

 

Selling the wealth of the Muslims to Israel is forbidden

It is prohibited for anyone to scatter to the winds the wealth of the Muslims, that wealth which belongs to a nation, or sell it to the enemies of Islam such as Israel who is presently at war with the Muslims. It is said that most of Israel's oil is supplied by Iran, and in exchange, so it is said, many of our number killed were murdered by Israeli soldiers.

Imam's remarks dated 9 December 1978 (18 Azar 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 4, pp. 43-44.

 

Under no circumstances will we officially recognise Israel

Israel has been rejected by us and never will we supply it with oil, nor will we, under any circumstances, officially recognise it.

Imam's interview with the American CBS channel, 11 December 1978 (20 Azar 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 4, p. 52.

 

The Iranian nation has always supported Palestine

Question: Would you say that you have links with all the freedom movements in the different Arab countries, each one of which fights for independence (like the people of Palestine), autonomy, political, economic and ideological freedom in its own special way and its own particular circumstances?

Reply: The sacred Islamic movement taking place in Iran has no organised links with groups outside the country. However, we hope that because the Iranian people always supported the struggle of all freedom-fighters, in particular that of the Palestinian brothers against the aggressor Israel, and because for more than fifteen years in my directives and speeches I have always endorsed their movement and assisted them as far as possible, they, and indeed all freedom-fighters throughout the world, will today support the justice-seeking struggles of the Iranian nation. We hope that this will happen as soon as possible and to the greatest degree possible.

Imam's interview with the Italian Communist Party newspaper Unita, 14 December 1978 (23 Azar 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 4, p. 70.

 

Palestine is like one of our limbs

Question: In 1948, Palestine was seized unlawfully and, with the co-operation of the big imperialist governments, Zionist dreams were realised. How did this tragedy affect the people of Iran at that time and what reaction did it provoke?

Reply: Actually it must be said that the usurpation of Palestine by the aggressor Israel with the co-operation of the big imperialist governments was a tragedy for all Muslims including those in Iran. It was a very painful tragedy in which it must be said the imperialist governments of the time were the main aggressors for they were the ones who devised this plot against the Muslims in this region. Indeed, the Islamic countries have suffered many disasters at the hands of the superpowers and this was just one of those huge disasters, only this time it was perpetrated by the Zionists.

Because of the people's deep Islamic sentiment, the loss of Palestine for the Iranian nation - and that does not include the Shah and his government - was like losing one of its own limbs. For this reason, and despite the co-operation of the Shah and his puppet governments with Israel, the Iranian nation has always offered its deepest and sincere sympathies to the Palestinian fighters.

For more than fifteen years I have repeatedly protested against the co-operation of the Shah and his government with Israel, and so many Iranians, clergymen and laymen alike, have gone to prison and been tortured for protesting about Israel's aggressions. We have always defended Palestine to the best of our ability as part of our Islamic duty, and, God willing, we will always carry out this divine duty alongside other Muslims.

Question: Could you talk about the kind of relations that exist between you and the Palestine resistance? It is well known that open relations exist between the Shah and Israel in different areas and in particular that the Shah helps Israel to a great extent by supplying its oil. Could you elaborate on what your relations with Israel will be after Iran has been freed from the Shah's rule?

Reply: As I pointed out before, we will always, to the best of our abilities and with all our might, help our Palestinian brothers to bring an end to Israeli aggression and free Islamic lands from the hands of the usurper Israel. We will never assist Israel even in the smallest degree.

Imam's interview with a journalist from the Palestinian Vefa news agency, 15 December 1978 (24 Azar 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 22, pp. 151-153.

 

We will not allow even the slightest bit of negligence

Because of his actions against the interests of the Muslims, the Arab countries and the Palestinian brothers, Sadat has been ostracised by the Arab and Islamic world. According to Islam, the Muslims and indeed all international criteria, Israel is a usurper and an aggressor, and we will not allow even the slightest bit of negligence or weakness in putting an end to its aggressions. At appropriate times, I have supported Yassir Arafat's measures and attempts to obtain rights for the Palestinians and have Islamic lands returned to the Muslims.

Interview dated 31 December 1978 (10 Dey 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 4, p. 114.

 

Israel is a usurper

Question: Will the Ayatullah and the new government change Iran's policy on Israel and South Africa? Will the sale of Iranian oil depend on the past and present political stance of the purchasing country on Iran?

Reply: Israel is a usurper and no kind of relation will exist between Iran and a handful of usurpers. Who on earth would be prepared to sell oil to a racist, criminal country?

Interview with foreign journalists, 4 January 1979 (14 Dey 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 4, p. 134.

 

We will not give oil to Israel

Question: When you return to Iran, what decision will you make on the issue of oil supplies to Israel and South Africa?

Reply: Israel is at war with the Muslims and is the usurper of our brothers' lands, we will not supply it with oil. Other countries, however, which have dealt with us in a just manner, will benefit from our oil.

Imam's interview with a reporter from the BBC, 5 January 1979 (15 Dey 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 4, p. 140.

 

We will not have relations with Israel the usurper

Question: In the field of foreign policy, what position will Your Holiness adopt on countries such as the United States, Russia and Israel?

Reply: We will not have relations with Israel because it is a usurper and is at war with the Muslims. However, as regards America and Russia, if they do not interfere in our internal affairs and seek proper relations with us, we will establish relations with them.

Imam's interview with French television's Channel 2, 8 January 1979 (18 Dey 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 4, p. 172.

 

Even if Israel repents, we will not have relations with it

Question: If those governments which throughout the present revolution in Iran have openly supported the Shah express their regret, would you continue relations with them?

Reply: Yes, apart from Israel. Israel is the exception, as is South Africa and any country which supports racism.

Question: In your comments you have said that Israel is the enemy of Islam. Is then it possible that an Islamic government will declare war on this country.

Reply: It depends on the circumstances at the time.

Imam's interview 23 January 1979 (3 Bahman 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 4, p. 260.

 

There is no valid reason for Israel's existence

Question: What is your view on relations with Israel and the collaboration of the army with the Arab army against Israel?

Reply: The Arab countries will not need us in a war against Israel. They must not allow the entity Israel to become more deep rooted. We will cut off all relations with Israel because there is no valid reason for its existence.

Imam's interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel. Kayhan newspaper, 5 February 1979 (16 Bahman 1357 AHS).

 

A warning to Arafat: the superpowers are not a reliable refuge!

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Even though the material strength of our revolution is little, its spiritual power is what has caused its progress. So it was that our people with only their fists and blood prevailed over a great satanic power which was supported by the superpowers equipped with all kinds of satanic paraphernalia, and over those powers which before this victory supported the Shah and expressed loyalty to him. It was the power of the people's faith that caused them to be victorious over all of these with only their fists and blood. And in addition to the power of faith which existed, the true secret of this victory, indeed something which was a consequence of this power of faith, was the people's ideological unity.

Because this was an Islamic and human revolution, it spread like wildfire throughout all the regions of Iran, from the remote villages to the major cities, and through all sections of society. It was because of this ideological unity that these satanic powers were unable to resist it and one stronghold after another was relinquished. Of course, we still have many problems to face; they have plundered our country, they have  turned our country upside down and perverted all signs of civilisation. In the name of a great civilisation they have put our educational system in a state of backwardness; in the name of progress they have completely destroyed our agrarian economy; and in the name of freedom they have suppressed the freedoms of all our newspapers and propaganda organs. We have inherited a country which is in a terrible mess. Everything in it is ruined and must be built anew. However, through God's grace, because the affair is a divine one and I feel that it is God's intention that the weak will be victorious, all sections of the nation are united to overcome these difficulties of ours, and, God willing, through the efforts of our people we will solve our problems.

I ask of God the Blessed and Exalted that our brethren nation of Palestine will overcome their difficulties. We are their brothers. From this movement's inception more than fifteen years ago, I have always, in my writings and speeches, spoken of Palestine and called attention to the crimes that Israel has perpetrated there. God willing, after we are freed from these fetters then to the same degree that we stood with you at that time and are now standing with you, I hope that we will confront the problems together like brothers. I beseech God the Blessed and Exalted to exalt Islam and the Muslims and to return Quds to our brothers.

Yassir Arafat addressing Imam: It was my misfortune, or good fortune, to have been born there; it is my homeland. Fate decreed  me to be born there, but that does not mean I alone am responsible for freeing Beit ul-Moqaddas. You are all responsible. After this great victory in Iran, your responsibility is greater than mine, even though I was born there. I have nothing to offer in the way of freeing Quds apart from my blood, but you, with this great victory and the means at your disposal, have a great flood at your command; you must do something so that you can all pray in Quds. God willing.

Imam: God willing.

Yassir Arafat: An earthquake is now in the offing and may have even arrived. "When thou threwest a spear, it was not thy act but God's." (Qur'an 8:17). In reply to Dayan and Begin, I told them they could go and choose a patron and rely on America, but I too could find support and indeed have done so: I rely on the Iranian nation under the leadership of His Holiness the Grand Ayatullah Musavi al-Khomeini.

Imam: The Shah too relied on America, Britain, China, Israel and the others, but these refuges are powerless. That refuge which is not powerless, but powerful, is God. God is our refuge. I advise you, my own people and your people, to always turn to God, not to these powers. Do not rely on material things but on the spiritual. The power of God is greater than all these powers, thus it was that we saw a nation which was weak and empty-handed prevail over all the powers, and, God willing, will continue to do so. When we are with God, we are not afraid of anything, for if we are slain in the way of God, we are blessed, and if we slay in the way of God, we are also blessed.

Yassir Arafat: Last year, a large force from the Israeli military was sent to the south of Lebanon to crush the Palestinian people and the Muslim people of south Lebanon. The fighters gathered to resist these large military units did not exceed 2,000. Facing them were 65,000 Israeli soldiers, either reserve forces behind the front line or forces on the battlefield who believed that they would destroy them in two hours. We found ourselves in a very difficult situation. At the height of the difficulties, I turned to God and said: 'Oh God, if these people, this group of people are killed, there will be none of your worshippers left in this region', then victory arrived. That man, Mr. Brzezinski, had said goodbye to the Liberation organisation, believing it to be lost, but we saw that God granted us a great victory, a victory in southern Lebanon. A year had not passed since that victory - and our victory in southern Lebanon was a small, simple victory - when we achieved the greatest of victories here "Truth has now arrived and falsehood perished, for falsehood is by its nature bound to perish." (Qur'an 17:81).

We struck terror into the hearts of our enemies. When Begin says that a dark period has begun for the Israelis, it has great meaning. This is the cause of their fear. When Kissinger says: 'the greatest event since the Second World War has occurred', he is referring to the victory of the revolution in Iran. How is the victory of the Islamic revolution in Iran dangerous for America? If America does not adopt the measures in Iran that it took in Vietnam, the revolutionary movement in Iran will be maintained until it reaches Israel. This is what Kissinger said yesterday. From his comments we can see just how dangerous it is for American interests in the region, and from the mouth of our enemy we can understand the truth of our situation.

When I went to Baghdad, I told the heads of the Arab countries there, the Arab rulers, that the very least I had heard from them was: 'What do you have to do in Iran? What business do you have with Grand Ayatullah Khomeini?' This was the least of their remarks. Others told us our interests would best be served with the Shah in power. 'Keep the Shah and your interests may even be furthered,' they said. In the last meeting with the leaders of the Persian Gulf states in the Persian Gulf, just a few days before your victory here, they said information had reached them to the effect that Bakhtiar would be victorious and the Americans could keep him in Iran.

Imam Khomeini: All the estimations that the big governments made turned out wrong because this was a divine affair.

Yassir Arafat: "And the unbelievers plotted and planned, and God too planned; and the best of planners is God." (Qur'an 3:54).

Imam: They continue to make these appraisals and will do so in the future, but they will all turn out to be wrong.

Yassir Arafat: They say an earthquake has taken place, we say an explosion of light has occurred. We say the time has come when our people and our region will be free and independent. Many problems lie before us, but nevertheless I am optimistic about the future. A greater jihad and even more exhausting struggles lie ahead of you, rebuilding a society is more difficult than fighting and achieving victory. The Shah has ruined this place.

Imam: We place our hopes in God and do not despair of Him. God willing, we will overcome our problems, but we don't believe we will overcome them through material means, victory is attained through spiritual means. As long as our people put their trust in God the Blessed and Exalted, they will progress, and if, God forbid, there is any deviation, then it will be the end for us all.

Yassir Arafat: I don't think that the conspiracies of the enemies have ended. When we look at the flood of events, we are certain that the enemy will not let such a fortress collapse as easily as this.

Imam: The enemy doesn't want this to happen, but God will act against him, if He so wills.

Yassir Arafat: Even though I may smile now, the smile is only on my lips. My heart is bleeding because of the killings that have occurred in Iran.

Imam: God willing, your heart will be gladdened.

Yassir Arafat: God is my witness that in my life I have not been as happy as I was when you achieved victory.

Imam Khomeini: May God protect the Muslims, God willing.

Yassir Arafat: In Lebanon, shooting bullets into the air in celebration is not allowed. It has been forbidden for more than a year now, the commander-in-chief of the Palestine Liberation forces having given the command that no one must waste any bullets no matter what the occasion. Yet with all of Lebanon engulfed in flames, Abu Ammar himself broke this law for the first time by shooting five bullets into the air in celebration. The villages in the south of Lebanon, the Shi`ite-inhabited regions, these Shi`ite villages will undoubtedly be pounded in air raids now, for Begin is grieved about events in Iran. May God protect the south of Lebanon from the Israeli bomb attacks. May He protect the forces of the Arab governments. God willing, may He protect His Holiness the Grand Ayatullah and his people.

Imam: I hope that God will protect them.

Arafat: It is true that Israel has friends, but we too have brothers and friends.

Imam Khomeini: We place our trust in God the Blessed and Exalted.

Yassir Arafat: The last week was the start of a new period.

Imam: God willing.

Imam's remarks in a meeting with the Palestine Council, 18 February 1979 (29 Bahman 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 5, p. 92.

 

Unity and relying on God are the requisites for victory

I ask God the Blessed and Exalted that just as our people triumphed through ideological unity and reliance on God the Blessed and Exalted, freeing themselves from the yoke of this dynasty and the people who supported and promoted them, so too may God Almighty free our Palestinian brothers. The important thing is that they have ideological unity and rely on God the Blessed and Exalted.

The secret of our victory was ideological unity, reliance on God the Blessed and Exalted and the power of faith. The power of our nation's faith was such that martyrdom was seen as a blessing. The people sought martyrdom, they had no fear of death, and thus it was that their fists prevailed over the tanks. The other nations, the Palestinian nation, must find ideological unity and place their reliance in God the Blessed and Exalted. Wherever this secret of victory materialises, victory will ensue. Our dear Palestinian people must be united and rely on God the Blessed and Exalted, they must turn their attention to the clergy, to spiritual matters and to God the Blessed and Exalted so that they will be victorious. I ask God the Blessed and Exalted to grant victory to all the oppressed nations.

For many years now, perhaps twenty years, I have repeatedly aired my views on Palestine and Israel, and I will say again: We condemn Israel. Israel is a usurper. The land it has taken it has taken unlawfully. Quds must be freed and Israel driven out. The Arab governments must unite and drive Israel out of their lands and sever the hands of the colonisers. I ask God the Blessed and Exalted to grant that we achieve these aspirations and we can meet in Quds.

Imam's remarks at a meeting with a group of Palestinians and Bishop Cappucci, 2 April 1979 (13 Farvardin 1358 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 5, p. 242.

 

Uprising of the people, the path to freeing Palestine

Do not wait for your governments to do something for you. For more than 15 years now, I have been exhorting the Arab governments to unite together and free Quds, but my words had no effect at all because they are not concerned about this problem . . . not one of them is concerned about the people, the people must think about themselves. If we were expected to sit and wait until the governments did something for us, we would still have that same state of backwardness that we had and the former Shah would still be ruling over us. It was through the power of faith that our people acquired that we opposed the superpowers and, praise be to God, were victorious and severed their hands. If you want to overcome your problems, if you want to free Quds, if you want to free Palestine, if you want to free Egypt and the other Arab countries from the hands of these agents, from the hands of the foreigners, then the people must rise up. The people must do this, they cannot sit by and wait for the governments to do something about these problems, for they only act when it is profitable for them. The people must rise up, they must realise that the secret of victory is to wish for martyrdom and place no value on material life, on the worldly, animalistic life. This is the secret that can take the people forward, this is the secret that the Qur'an has revealed.

Imam's remarks, 6 April 1979 (17 Farvardin 1358 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 5, p. 262.

 

Unite and deracinate this germ of corruption

Unfortunately, the differences that are evident in the region, particularly the Arab region, have made it possible for Israel with its small population to resist the Arabs with their large population and the vast means they have at their disposal. This germ of corruption covets the whole region, if it is not stopped it will not be content with just Palestine and the al-Aqsa mosque, it wants to conquer everywhere. It is up to the Muslims and the Muslim governments to unite and deracinate this germ of corruption and not allow those who support it to continue doing so.

I beseech God the Blessed and Exalted to enhance the power of Islam, to exalt Islam and the Muslims and bring them unity.

Imam's remarks dated 21 April 1979 (1 Urdibihisht 1358 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 6, p. 5.

 

The people must awaken

For many years now I have continuously spoken about Israel and its crimes in my sermons and writings, and have brought to the notice of the Muslims that Israel is a cancerous tumour in a corner of the Islamic countries which will not be satisfied with Quds and the other places. No, they (the Zionists) intend to move on. They are the followers of America's policy and America does not simply aspire after one place, just as all the superpowers wish to bring all the countries under their control if they can . . . the Muslims must awaken. Today is not the day for the Muslims to be sitting in a corner, each living his own particular life, this cannot be. At a time when it is the policy of the superpowers to swallow up every place, the Muslims must awaken. I hold out no hope for most of the governments, but the people must awaken and come together under the banner of Islam and the command of the Qur'an. God be praised, the Muslims number about a billion, their countries are rich and their people are meritorious. However, those who seek to rule over these countries (the imperialists) have, through the distorted propaganda they have circulated over the past few hundred years and the influence they have achieved in the universities and the centres which educate the sons of Muslims, made the Muslims lose hope in themselves, they have made them lose themselves. The Muslims must strive to find their greatness.

Imam's remarks at a gathering of Shi`ite representatives from southern Lebanon, 21 May 1979 (31 Urdibihisht 1358 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 6, p. 218.

 

We are by your side fighting Israel

Brothers, after offering you greetings and wishes for good health and peace, I would like to say that the situation in Lebanon and the disasters which are being brought upon our brothers have not escaped our attention. We are deeply grieved by these inhuman actions being carried out against Muslim countries, particularly against the people of Lebanon and our brothers, by the Zionists with the help of America. We hope that God the Blessed and Exalted, who is the supporter of the weak and oppressed, will help you and all our brothers. We are fighting Israel and America by your side and hope that the forces of Truth will defeat the satanic and tyrannical forces. Your troubles and suffering are not new to Islam and the Muslims, the forces of tyranny have always opposed Islam and fought with the Muslims. I ask for your victory and the success of all the Muslims.

Imam's message to the Shi`ites of Lebanon, 6 June 1979 (16 Khurdad 1358 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 7, p. 65.

 

Prayers for the Palestinian and Lebanese brothers

Now all the Muslims and the oppressed, particularly (those in) beloved Iran and (the) usurped (lands of) Lebanon and Palestine, are facing a sensitive period. Iran confronts agitators connected to the regime along with renegades and international Zionism, while Lebanon and Palestine stand against Israel the enemy of Islam and the Muslims and the man-eating corrupter. At present, our Muslim brothers in Palestine and Lebanon are bedevilled by the inhuman aggressions of Israel, and if, God forbid, Israel is victorious on that front, its aggressions will spread to other countries. It is required that in the gatherings during the holy month, prayers are offered for the Palestinian and Lebanese brothers.

Imam's remarks dated 21 August 1979 (30 Murdad 1358 AHS).

Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 8, p. 218.

 

Advice to make revelations about Israel in public gatherings

I have repeatedly warned the brothers in Islam in all countries, and particularly the Arab brothers and the great Arab nation who are the vanguard of Islam, of the great danger the foreigners, especially Zionism, pose to them. In the month of Ramadan, which is a month of Islamic assemblies, it is necessary that the believers pull back the curtain on the plots of this world-devouring monster in their public gatherings and reveal the dangers posed by this enemy of mankind.

Imam's remarks dated 25 July 1979 (3 Murdad 1357 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 8, p. 219.

 

If the Muslims come together, Israel will be destroyed

If the Muslims were united and each one of them threw a bucket of water over Israel it would be washed away, yet still they are helpless before it. I am puzzled as to why, when they know this, they do not turn to the sure remedy which is unity and alliance? Why do they not neutralise the plots which the imperialists use to undermine them? At what time will this puzzle be solved and who is to be the one to solve it? Who should neutralise these plots other than the Muslim governments and the Muslim nations?

Imam's remarks dated 16 August 1979 (25 Murdad 1358 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 8, p. 236.

 

The need for the Muslims to unite in order to rectify the basic mistake

With the deepest of regret I must state that the governments and nations of Islam, in particular the Arab governments and nations, made a mistake. The mistake that all the Muslims made, particularly the Arab nations and governments, was to give Israel a respite. The personal interests of the governments prevented them from stifling Israel's voice at the very start and stopping it from gaining power. Unfortunately, their interests prevented them from heeding our exhortations, which we have been voicing loudly over the past 20 years, or a little less, along with our call to unite against Israel. They gave it a respite until the affair reached the stage it has. Now its aggressive hands have reached out and set southern Lebanon aflame, and it means to extend the borders of Palestine even further.

We have said repeatedly that Israel, this germ of corruption, will not be satisfied with Quds, will not content itself with Beit ul-Moqaddas. If it is given further reprieve, all the Muslim governments will be placed in danger. The past mistake must be rectified through the Muslims' unity and through the formation of a 'Party of the Oppressed' to stand against the imperious ones at whose head are the criminal America and its most corrupt servant Israel.

This was the mistake of the Muslim governments and the Arabs in particular; they must rectify this mistake and repent before God the Blessed and Exalted.

Imam's remarks dated 18 August 1979 (27 Murdad 1358 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 8, p. 250.

 

It is incumbent upon every Muslim to arm himself against Israel

Dear sisters and brothers, in whatever country you may live, defend your Islamic and national honour! Defend fearlessly and unhesitatingly the peoples and countries of Islam against their enemies: America, international Zionism and all the superpowers of the East and West. Loudly proclaim the crimes of the enemies of Islam.

My Muslim brothers and sisters! You are aware that the superpowers of the East and West are plundering all our material and other resources, and have placed us in a situation of political, economic, cultural and military dependence. Come to your senses; rediscover your Islamic identity. Endure oppression no longer and vigilantly expose the sinister plans of the international bandits, headed by America.

Today, the first qibla of the Muslims has fallen into the grasp of Israel, that cancerous growth in the Middle East. Today, it is suppressing and slaughtering our dear Palestinian and Lebanese brothers with all its might. Today, with all the diabolical means at its disposal, Israel is casting dissension among the Muslims. It is incumbent upon every Muslim to arm himself against Israel. Today, our African Muslim countries are writhing beneath the yoke of America and other foreign powers and their agents.

Imam's remarks dated 29 September 1979 (7 Mehr 1358 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 9, p. 226.

 

We must unite and deracinate Israel

The Islamic countries must adopt an inimical stand against the occupying regime in Israel, which has caused most of the problems they now face, and must uphold the aspirations of the dear Palestinian and Lebanese people with all their might. We thoroughly condemn the plot of Egypt, America and Israel to suppress the great movement of the people of Palestine. Leaders and representatives of countries gathered in beloved Algeria, come let us unite and sever the hands of the criminals of the left and right - at whose head stands America - uproot Israel and entrust the rights of the people of Palestine to their own hands. I ask God the Exalted to awaken the Muslims and grant the Islamic countries unity and greatness.

mam's remarks dated 30 October 1979 (8 Aban 1358 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 10, p. 79.

 

Why do one billion people sit back and watch?

How can Israel, with such a small number of people, come and prevail over these countries which possess everything and have all kinds of powers, the way it has? Why should it be this way? Is it not because the nations are divided and stand apart from their governments, and the governments are disunited, that a population of one billion Muslims, with all the means they have at their disposal, are sitting by and watching as Israel perpetrates these crimes in Lebanon and Palestine? Is this what they should be, merely onlookers? The voice of our brothers there is raised so loudly yet we merely listen and sit back as spectators. When are we going to discover our own power?

Imam's remarks dated 1 November 1979 (10 Aban 1358 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 10, p. 93.

 

Oh endless sea of humanity, rise up and defend the centre of revelation

Oh Muslims of the world! Oh you Muslims who have risen up! Oh endless sea of humanity! Rise up and defend your national and Islamic existence. Israel has taken Beit ul-Moqaddas from the Muslims and has met only tolerance from the (Muslim) governments. Apparently America and its corrupt appendage Israel now intend to seize the holy mosque and the mosque of the Prophet. Still the Muslims sit back, indifferent onlookers. Rise up and defend Islam and the centre of revelation. Do not be afraid of this ballyhoo, for today Islam needs you and you are responsible before God Almighty. Trust in God Almighty and march forth united.

As followers of the great religion of Islam, we support all the weak and oppressed and back you as we do any organisation in the world which has risen to save its own country. We completely support the struggle of the Palestinian brothers and the people of southern Lebanon against the usurper Israel. By the will of God Almighty we will be victorious over the enemy of mankind and Islam. It is hoped that God's help and the victory

of the Muslims are close.

Imam's message dated 25 November 1979 (4 Azar 1358 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 10, p. 228.

 

I hope we can remove the problems in Palestine's path

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Mr. Yassir Arafat, chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organisation executive committee.

I received your kind message while in hospital. I thank you for the concern you have shown over my illness. It is hoped that by the grace of God this indisposition will be remedied and we will be able to carry out the heavy responsibility we bear with greater strength and remove the difficulties that the enemies of Islam, namely the occupier Israel and the agents of Zionism, have created in our way, one after the other from the path of the Muslims of the world particularly the Palestinian brothers. Perhaps we can bring about even greater victories for them.

I ask God Almighty to grant success to all struggling in this path.

Imam Khomeini's reply to Yassir Arafat's telegram dated 31 January 1980 (11 Bahman 1358 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 11, p. 252.

 

Let us all rise up and destroy Israel

We will defend the defenceless people of Lebanon and Palestine against Israel. Israel, this germ of corruption, has always been a base for America. For nearly 20 years I have pointed out the danger posed by Israel. We must all rise up and destroy Israel and replace it with the brave nation of Palestine.

Imam's remarks dated 11 February 1980 (22 Bahman 1358 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 11, p. 266.

 

Support for the courageous people of Palestine

We are at war with international communism no less than we are struggling against the global plunderers of the West, headed by America, Zionism and Israel . . . Once again, I declare my support for all movements and groups that are fighting to gain liberation from the clutches of the superpowers of the left and the right. I declare my support for the courageous people of Palestine and beloved Lebanon.

Imam's message dated 21 March 1980 (1 Farvardin 1359). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 12, p. 19.

 

If the Muslims had been united, the Quds problem would not have arisen

In any case, if the Muslims were united, then they would be faced with no issues such as Quds, Afghanistan or other issues which have arisen and will arise for Muslims in other places (in the future).

Imam's remarks dated 6 August 1980 (15 Murdad 1359 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 12, p. 272.

 

The people must arise, let us not seek shelter in the lap of these wolves

If the Muslims become conscious of the fact that we are from God and we must be for God, they will experience no harm and Israel will no longer force its way forward. We must determine to drive Israel out of these Arab lands, not simply be satisfied with telling it not to establish anything in Beit ul-Moqaddas. No, and we must not be deceived by America and these councils which have been created, nor by the dramas they direct with the aim of devouring us. We must not be deceived by them. Each person must rise up himself. The Muslims must themselves rise up against these. They must not expect their governments to do this for them, for they won't do anything. The people themselves must act. You should not seek shelter in the arms of one expecting it to protect you from the other. No, for they are all wolves and they will devour all of you. You must protect yourselves. Turn your attention to God and Islam, rise up for God and for Islam, march forward for God and for Islam, then, God willing, you will be victorious.

Imam's remarks dated 6 August 1980 (15 Murdad 1359 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 12, p. 277.

 

To solve the Palestinian issue, the people must return to the early age of Islam

Until the time that we return to Islam, the Islam of the Prophet of God, our problems will remain. Until that happens, we can solve neither the Palestinian problem nor the problems besetting Afghanistan and other places. The nations must turn to the earliest age of Islam, if their governments do so with them there is no problem, otherwise the nations should detach themselves from their governments and do to them what the nation of Iran did to its government, so that the problems can be solved. Otherwise, we can commemorate Quds Day as much as we like, we can shout, the gentlemen can gather and talk, but shouting and talking will not stop them. Certainly sometimes it may, but we don't even talk.

Imam's remarks dated 9 August 1980 (18 Murdad 1359 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 12, p. 282.

 

All together beneath the banner of Islam

The Muslim population is approximately one billion, so why then, when we have a population of one billion, should the Zionists be able to take our Quds and place the other governments under their control? If these governments were to unite, they would form one huge government. Each one would still rule its own area, but all would be together under the banner of Islam.

Imam's remarks dated 5 March 1981 (15 Esfand 1359 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 14, p. 116.

 

Has not the time arrived to tear open the heart of Israel using weapons

Oh Muslims of the world! Oh oppressed people under the sway of oppressors! Beware! Rise up and offer the hand of unity to one another. Defend Islam and your destiny and fear not the hue and cry of the superpowers, for this century, by the will of God the all powerful, is the century of victory of the oppressed over the imperious and haughty and of truth over falsehood. The world must know that Iran has found the way towards God and it will continue in an irreconcilable struggle against America, the global plunderer and the bitter enemy of the deprived of the world, until its interests have been severed.

Not only will events in Iran not set us back even for a moment, but they will make our people more determined to destroy American interests. We have begun our decisive and unceasing struggle against America and we hope that our children, free from the yoke of the oppressors, will hoist the flag of divine unity (tauhid) in the world. We are sure that if we continue to closely pursue our duty, which is to fight against the criminal America, our children will taste the sweetness of victory.

Is it not a disgrace for the Muslims of the world, with all of this human, material and spiritual capital they have at their disposal and with such a progressive religion and divine backing, to surrender to the control of the arrogant powers and the sea and land robbers of this century?

Has not the time arrived to put aside carnal desires, to offer one another the hand of friendship and brotherhood and drive the enemies of humanity from the scene, bringing an end to their heinous, tyranny-laden existence?

Has not the time arrived for the brave and militant nation of Palestine to strongly condemn the political games of those who claim to be fighting against Israel and, using weapons, tear open the heart of Israel, this staunch enemy of Islam and the Muslims?

What excuse will the Muslims have to give God Almighty who has called on them to hold fast to the rope of God and shun division and dispute?

Do they not consider it their duty to support the nation and government of Iran who through holy jihad have pulled down the banner of blasphemy and raised the great and noble flag of Islam?

Do the court-affiliated preachers consider crushing the Islamic revolution of Iran to be more imperative than opposing America and Israel?

We call upon our brothers in Islam in the lands of the East and West to act in unison with the Islamic Republic of Iran for a single purpose, namely, with help from God the Exalted, to rid the Islamic countries and the deprived lands of the evil of these criminals and this policy of plundering, thus giving a positive response to God Almighty's call in this vital matter.

We ask the pilgrims to the sacred House of God to pray for the victory of Islam while at the noble stations and to convey the message of the Iranian nation and the call of 'Oh Muslims' of this oppressed nation to their countries.

I most humbly beseech Almighty God to grant us all the blessing of unity and familiarity with Islamic duties.

Imam's message dated 6 September 1981 (15 Shahrivar 1360 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 15, p. 125.

 

The Egyptian army must not bring this shame upon itself

Today, the Egyptian nation has the power in its hands. It is not certain that the army is with the government, except for those elements that are in the pay of America. The Egyptian army must be careful not to bring shame upon itself by supporting this government which has announced that it is dependent on America and Israel and has openly asserted that it will suppress anyone who breathes a word about Islam. Do not give Israel the opportunity to once again tomorrow enter your country and lord over you, or for America and Israel to take your destiny into their hands.

Imam's remarks dated 9 October 1981 (17 Mehr 1360 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 15, p. 184.

The way out

The Muslims should not sit back waiting for their governments to act for them and save Islam from the hands of Zionism. They should not sit back waiting for the international organisations to do something for them. The people themselves must rise up against Israel. The nations must rise up and force their governments to stand against Israel, and not be content simply with condemnation. Those who have a friendship agreement with Israel also condemn it, although their condemnation is in reality a farce. If the Muslims are sitting back waiting for America or its agents to do something for them, then this process will be held up for an eternity. One method which was chosen many years ago to encourage and strengthen the unity of the Muslims, the aware Muslims, was to bring them together in gatherings to commemorate festivals, among them the birthday of the Most Noble Messenger or other birthdays and other religious occasions.

Imam's remarks dated 16 December 1981 (25 Azar 1360 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 15, p. 263.

 

If you unite together Israel would not have the nerve to do anything

It is regretful that other countries do not follow the example set by Iran. Why don't they follow Iran's example and unite and work together with their people and with one another to stop Israel from prevailing over them? You saw how Israel took the Golan Heights paying no heed to any of you, and how it declared that no power could make it change its mind. Why instead of inviting everyone to make a united front against Israel, against an Israel which is the enemy of Islam, the enemy of humanity, which is your enemy, the enemy of the Arabs and which bears animosity towards you all, must you create such a state of disunion amongst yourselves? Why do you create divided communities amongst yourselves? Why do governmental groups create divisions? Why do you form different fronts? This front forming goes against Islam, goes against the Noble Qur'an. The Noble Qur'an calls the Muslims to unity and you call them to disunion and confrontation with one another. You must let reason be your leader and Islam be your guide. All of you submit yourselves to Islam and act according to the rules of reason. Reason and Islam say that you should unite, for if you do, no country can commit an aggression against you and Israel will not dare stay in these countries, in these lands, it has usurped. Now that differences exist among you, Israel shouts out that no power can stop it, for it has America behind it. But our people have God backing them. What happened to make you start forming fronts? You know that forming fronts has no advantage for you, indeed it is to your detriment.

Islam wants you to unite, it wants you to come together as one, it wants you to hold fast to the rope of God. Why do you not hold fast to the rope of God together? Why do you each turn to one direction, either the East or the West? Come, stop doing such things, unite together and be as brothers to one another. Just as God the Blessed and Exalted has stated that the believers are brothers, be as brothers to one another. Reject the opponents of Islam and be certain that if you unite, you will be victorious and no power of the East or West will be able to rule over you.

I ask God the Blessed and Exalted to grant unity to the Muslims and awareness of the laws of Islam and the interests of the Muslims to the Muslim leaders.

Imam's remarks dated 28 December 1981 (7 Dey 1360 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 15, p. 272.

 

Drive out this germ of corruption with ideological unity

Another problem concerns the Muslims, it concerns the Muslim countries and must be solved by them. You all know, as does everyone, that the difficulties of the Muslims have been brought upon them by these great powers and that which can solve these problems is the Muslims' ideological unity. The Muslim governments and people should hold hands together and attack Zionism, this staunch enemy of Islam, which has attacked Islam and intends to take the Muslims' countries off them one after the other. But instead of uniting together and driving this germ of corruption and cancerous growth out of Muslim lands, cleansing them (of Zionists), they are all either sitting back simply talking, or sometimes even discussing things which are to their interests. All that worries some of these countries is the fact that Iran wants to establish Islamic rule. Every day they make such a song and dance about Iran, claiming different things along the lines that, for example, it is colluding with Israel, while from the very beginning it has shouted out: we must free Palestine, we must free Quds.

Imam's remarks dated 24 January 1982 (4 Bahman 1360 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 16, p. 20.

 

The presumptuousness of Israel is a result of the division amongst the Muslims

If there were not this division amongst the Muslims, would it  be possible for Israel with such a small population to be so presumptuous and trample over the dignity of all the Muslims the way it has? If these differences did not exist among the Islamic countries, among the Muslim governments, could America rule over them and plunder their resources?

Imam's remarks dated 10 January 1982 (20 Dey 1360 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 15, p. 280.

 

The command of the Qur'an, battle with Israel

Oh Muslim nations! Oh oppressed nations of all Islamic countries! Dear nations who have been placed under the rule of individuals who hand over your wealth to America while you yourselves live in hardship and abjectness! Awaken and rise up! Oh oppressed of the world, rise up and stand against the superpowers! For if you stand against them, they cannot do anything. You saw how the Muslim nation of Iran united and rose up empty-handed, unarmed against those great satanic powers of Muhammad Riza and the superpowers who lined up behind him, pushing them all aside. They drove this corrupt government and this illegal and corrupt monarchy from the scene with the power of their faith and the cry of Allahu akbar (God is the Greater), sending them to hell. And as you see today, even though they had no financial, physical or military resources, only the power of their faith, in their place they established an Islamic government, a government which supports the weak and oppressed of the world.

If you assist God the Blessed and Exalted, he will assist you. "Oh ye who believe! If ye will aid (the cause of) God, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly." (Qur'an 47:7). To assist God, you must assist his religion, his servants and the oppressed. If you stand against the oppressors and demand justice for the oppressed, if you stand against the superpowers like America which comes from the other side of the world and seeks to rule over us, to bring us all under its sway and destroy our resources, then God will help you. Unfortunately, the governments consent to their actions more than they (the superpowers) expect or even want them to.

Islam is today suppressed, the Qur'an has been abandoned. The laws of the Qur'an have been abandoned. The call to prayer rings out from the minarets and you perform your prayers (namaz), but you pay no heed to most of the political laws of Islam, and the Qur'an remains in its state of abeyance. Of course reading the Qur'an and its presence in all affairs of man's life is necessary, but it is not enough. The Qur'an must be acted upon in all affairs of our life. When the Qur'an states: "And hold fast all together to the rope which God stretches out for you, and be not divided among yourselves" (Qur'an 3:103), and "Fall into no disputes, lest ye lose heart and your power depart" (Qur'an 8:46) these are progressive political decrees which if acted upon will bring you world supremacy. We have all abandoned this Qur'an and have paid no heed to this problem. The Qur'an should be involved in all affairs (of man's life). It should be read, it should occupy the thoughts of all of us, everywhere, all of the time. The Qur'an should be involved in all aspects of man's affairs, not simply involved in some and not others. Amongst its political directives is the command to fight against those who are waging war against the Muslims, and today Israel is standing against the Muslims and wages war against them, America is standing against the Muslims and wages war against them, and Saddam, America's mercenary, is standing against the Muslims and wages war against them. God has commanded you to fight against those who have risen up against the Muslims or against a group of Muslims.

Imam's remarks dated 10 February 1982 (21 Bahman 1360 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 16, p. 39.

 

The hand of brotherhood for the expulsion of Israel

As I and the officials of the Islamic Republic have announced time and again, the nation and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran submit to the holy laws of the Qur'an and Islam and, in accordance with the command of the noble Qur'an, consider themselves to be the brothers in faith of all the Islamic nations in the various countries whatever their cultural and geographical position. They seek peace and a peaceful existence with all the governments and nations, and as long as a government does not violate their country's borders and adheres to the commands of Islam, they regard it as a brotherly government. They want the countries and nations to unite together, to rise up with one voice against the aggressors, whoever they may be, to deliver themselves from the clutches of the world devourers, and in accordance with the command of Islam, defend their rights against infringement, their borders against violation, and teach the aggressors a lesson. It is in this way that, by the grace of God Almighty, no power will be able to stop them in this holy defence. I exhort the governments to cease in this vindictiveness and muscle flexing and extend the hand of brotherhood to the Iranian nation and government so that together we can drive the usurper Israel out of the Islamic countries and occupied lands. Abandon this racism and these ideas about superiority of language which Islam has condemned and rejected, so that happiness in this world and the next can be yours and no power can confront you.

Imam's message dated 11 February 1982 (22 Bahman 1360 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 16, p. 48.

 

The Iranian nation's long-standing wish

Today, Iran stands firmly by what it said from the very first day: we do not seek war with any country, Islamic or non-Islamic, and we desire peace and harmony for all. Hitherto, we have been engaged in defence which is for everyone a divine precept and a human right; we have never had the intention to attack other countries, nor do we have. We want the Islamic countries to stand together in an Islamic pact to defend the rights of the Muslims and the Islamic countries against aggressors and bellicose elements like the aggressor Israel. And if this long-standing wish of the nation and government of Iran is realised, no power, however great, can attack the Islamic countries or one of them, or bring their power and might to bear on them.

Imam's message dated 1 April 1982 (12 Farvardin 1361 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 16, p. 100.

 

Defending the uprising of the oppressed in the occupied lands

It is right to speak as one with the oppressed people who have risen up in the occupied lands of Palestine and actively support their demonstrations and uprising against the injustices of Israel, so that in the same way as Iran with its demonstrations and Islamic revolution brought down the tyrannical imperial regime, they too can triumph over this man-eating fiend and atheist usurper. It is hoped that the oppressed in the occupied centres continue with their demonstrations and anti-Zionist activities until they achieve victory.

Imam's message dated 1 April 1982 (12 Farvardin 1361 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 16, p. 103.

 

Now that the Muslims of Palestine are roaring out, with what excuse can one remain indifferent?

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

The Quds problem is not a personal one, nor is it a problem peculiar to just one country or to Muslims of the world in the present age. Rather it is a matter which has concerned the monotheists of the world and the believers from the day the foundations of the al-Aqsa mosque were laid to the present, and will continue to concern them in the future.

How painful it is for the Muslims of the world in the present era that, even with all the material and spiritual means they have at their disposal, such presumptuous actions can still be carried out before their very eyes against God Almighty and His exalted messengers, and by a bunch of criminal riffraff at that. And how shameful it is for the Muslim governments who, with the lifeblood of the world superpowers in their hands, sit back and watch as America, the super criminal of history, establishes a corrupt, worthless element in their midst and, with only a paltry few, unlawfully seizes their holy place of worship and their first qibla from them, and with the utmost insolence puts on a show of strength before them all. How heinous silence is in the face of this great tragedy of history, and how wonderful it would have been had the loud speakers of the al-Aqsa mosque sounded from the very day that Israel, this malicious element, set to perpetrating this great crime.

Now that the revolutionary and brave Muslims of Palestine are, with great determination, roaring out from the place of ascension of the last messenger (peace be upon him and his descendants) with a divine call to the Muslims to rise up and unite in a movement against global unbelief, what excuse does one have before God Almighty and the aware human conscience for remaining indifferent to this Islamic ordinance? Now that the walls of the Quds mosque are stained with the blood of the beloved Palestinian youth, their legitimate demand for justice having been answered with machine-gun fire from a handful of villains, is it not shameful if the zealous Muslims do not respond to their appeal and do not proclaim their sympathy for them? Let it be that their shouts of sympathy stir the governments to use the great power of Islam, to sever the hand of America - the word devourer, this criminal in history who, from the other side of the ocean in support of tyrants, clasps the unclean hand of the Israelis - and to save themselves and the oppressed nations of the world.

It is hoped that God the Beneficent will confer His favour on mankind and fulfil His promise as revealed in the Qur'an soon, and the weak and oppressed of the earth will triumph over the proud and arrogant ones.

Blessings upon Quds and the al-Aqsa mosque.

Blessings upon the people who have risen up against Israel the criminal and the Muslims and oppressed of the world.

Ruhullah al-Musavi al-Khomeini

Imam's message on the occasion of the uprising of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories, dated 14 April 1982 (25 Farvardin 1361 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 16, pp. 128-129.

 

Israel, the common enemy

Iran does not intend to give up on the Muslim governments, it still hopes that Islam will be successful and that these governments will themselves conform to Islam. We have common ground. Repulse our common enemy, which today is Israel and America and the like, who wants to destroy our dignity (and resources) and once again bring tyranny upon us. When you have done this, then each country can have their own government in their own land.

Imam's remarks dated 3 June 1982 (13 Khurdad 1361 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 16, p. 175.

 

Use force to throw Israel out, then there can be a cease-fire

We say that unlike you, we are not bellicose and we speak the truth, the fact that we are defending ourselves (against you) is proof of this. You call yourselves peace-seekers, your peace seeking is like that hitherto demonstrated by Israel. Even now Israel says 'Come, let us make peace', but what does it mean? It has entered Lebanon and taken its towns and now it calls for a cease-fire. The day they force Israel out of their towns will be the day there is a cease-fire. It is on that day they can say 'very well, now let us talk of a cease-fire, let us sit down and see who the culprit is'.

There should not be peace at any price, it should be made clear who is to be held accountable. Can Israel just come, perpetrate whatever crime it desires then turn around and say 'very well, we've finished what we set out to do, you go about your daily affairs while the places we have taken will remain in our hands'? Is this what a cease-fire is all about?

Imam's remarks dated 13 June 1982 (23 Khurdad 1361 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 16, p. 193.

 

Nations must stand

So long as the Islamic countries, the Islamic nations, do not take what happened in Iran as their model and spill out into the streets demanding that their governments confront Israel, then do not expect these blind and deaf people to come to their senses. The nations must stand up and demand that their region's armies and governments help these Palestinians and Syrians who have been subjected to oppression, until this cancerous tumour is destroyed. If they don't, if they simply act as observers, watching to see what happens, if they are indifferent and bring the excuse that it is the governments who should act, then they will not be able to offer God a credible excuse. Iran is evidence for all countries. Perhaps in the hereafter, God the Blessed and Exalted will cite Iran as evidence for those who tolerated oppression, surrendered to oppressors and did not rise up. If they believe in God and the day of resurrection, they must prepare an answer for God the Blessed and Exalted. On that day, America and Israel will not be able to come to their aid. And if they do not believe, still they must provide an answer for the oppressed nations of the world and for the future generations who may, God forbid, fall into the trap because of the policy their predecessors had adopted. If religious values count for nothing to them, then let them consider the values of their own system, their national and human values and not succumb to abjectness for the sake of a few days of rule, abjectness under the heel of Israel at that!

The Muslims must rise up. God has said: "I admonish you to do one thing: to arise for God, it may be in pairs or it may be individually." (Qur'an 34:46). Thus, you cannot use the excuse that you are alone, for we must rise up whether alone or in a group. We must rise up together. We are all duty bound to rise up for God, to rise up to protect the Islamic countries against these two cancerous tumours, one of which is the corrupt Ba'ath party of Iraq and the other Israel, and both of which issue from America.

Imam's remarks dated 13 June 1982 (23 Khurdad 1361 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 16, p. 200.

 

Advice to the Palestinian leaders

I advise the Palestinian leaders to stop their shuttling to and fro, and with reliance on God the Exalted, the people of Palestine and their own weapons fight Israel to the death. For these comings and goings will cause the combatant nations to lose faith in you. Rest assured that neither the East will be of use to you nor the West. With faith in God and reliance on weapons, wage war against Israel and be as the nation and armed forces of Iran who, without relying on other powers or the superpowers and with faith in God the Exalted and His eternal power, will not lay down their

arms until their legitimate demands have been met.

Imam's message dated 16 July 1982 (25 Tir 1361 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 16, p. 228.

 

The turn will come of those who remain silent in the face of Israel's crimes

Israel is now standing against all the Islamic countries and telling them not to do a damn thing. Is this not deplorable? Those who run affairs are not human that they allow Israel to stand against them and tell them to stop poking their noses into its business. It took Beirut, perpetrating all those crimes, it threw the liberation organisation into confusion forcing everyone to scatter. Know that the turn will come of those of you who have remained silent in the face of these crimes and do not take a stand against them, Israel will come after you too.

Imam's remarks dated 22 August 1982 (31 Murdad 1361 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 16, p. 257.

 

Those who want to officially recognise Israel should be afraid of our people

Observe how deplorable the situation is when Israel can bring such suffering upon the women, children and old people of Lebanon right before the very eyes of these governments who call themselves Islamic. It has killed so many people, made many more homeless and is now busy with its activities there. How deplorable it is that such things have taken place in the presence of these governments. Now unfortunately, they are on the point of accepting these plans that America is proposing, these conspiracies that it is plotting, for all its plans are anti-human and anti-Islamic. They intend to accept the proposals America made previously, such as those at Camp David and others of that ilk which followed, and all agree that the Muslims should now recognise Israel, which has perpetrated so many crimes, as a responsible, independent government. How painful this is for any decent human being.

I state categorically here and now that if these governments in the Persian Gulf region and other areas approve such an action, as they did the American plan and subsequent plans that have been laid, and recognise Israel, our people, our army, our revolutionary guards, Islam and God the Blessed and Exalted will not forgive them. They should fear the day when this nation, this army and these revolutionary guards feel that they have the duty, the religious duty, to teach these people who have approved the Camp David accords or similar agreements for the independence and recognition of Israel a lesson. What happened in Lebanon and Iran, the attacks on Iran and Lebanon were carried out in accordance with an American plan. Because it realised it had lost Iran, America laid the plan and contrived to create problems for Iran. (It created as many problems as it could, however all to no avail). So then it created the problem of the war and sought to prolong it by not allowing the truth to be acted upon so it could take advantage of the situation. The same was true in Lebanon too. It had a plan to execute there. It brought Israel in to perpetrate those crimes, so that plans which are to America's advantage, and which make all countries even more of a prisoner of America than they already are, could be executed there. How much longer are these Islamic nations and these so-called Islamic governments going to put up with this submissiveness and accept such humiliation? How much longer are they going to ignore the fact that an honourable life is better than a pleasant one which lacks honour? They should come to their senses and give this matter due attention. If they give their approval to the Camp David accords and others like them for recognising Israel, then maybe it will become our religious duty to deal with them in another manner.

Imam's remarks dated 5 September 1982 (14 Shahrivar 1361 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 17, pp. 5-6.

 

Israel must be erased from the pages of history

You saw how a frail government of (a nation of only) two million people, the government of Israel, confronted a billion Muslims and attacked Lebanon, perpetrating so many crimes that the action was unprecedented in history. Yet we see that the Muslim governments are presently trying to formally recognise it. We say Israel must be erased from the pages of history, Beit ul-Moqaddas belongs to the Muslims and is their first qibla.

Imam's remarks dated 8 September 1982 (17 Shahrivar 1361 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 17, p. 14.

 

Recognising Israel, a tragedy which makes every self-respecting Muslim shudder

The honourable clergy and the committed writers and speakers must defend Islam and the Islamic revolution of Iran in the presence of Muslims at every appropriate opportunity and show their true visage to the people of the world in order to counter the poisonous propaganda, rumours and lies busily being disseminated by the mass media aligned with America and Israel against Islam and the Islamic Republic of Iran. To prepare the nations, they must highlight the Islamic achievements gained through the unrelenting struggle of the committed nation of Iran in the face of all the problems and hindrances created by the enemies of Islam inside and outside the country. They must raise the curtain on the calumnies trumpeted against this nation over the enemies' propaganda loudspeakers and reveal the plans and machinations devised by America and those dependent on it. They must inform the people of the world about the attacks carried out by the army of the Aflaqite Saddam on the orders of America and with the support of countries dependent on it. They must notify the Muslims of actions taken by some American-controlled rulers against them and Islam, the worst of which is officially recognising Israel followed by the savage attack on the Islamic country of Lebanon and the martyring and injuring of tens of thousands of innocent, defenceless people. Then perhaps the nations, with faith in God the Most High, can prevent this great tragedy in history, this tragedy which will bring shame upon the Muslims in the eyes of the world and the future generations, from taking place. Perhaps then they can save beloved Islam and the Muslims from this great disgrace and free themselves from this humiliation and this undesirable abjection, the thought of which makes every self-respecting Muslim shudder.

Imam's message dated 20 September 1982 (29 Shahrivar 1361 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 17, p. 31.

 

The Muslims look on

And today we see that in different Muslim lands, Muslims are being subjected to tyranny and oppression. Lebanon is set aflame by America, troops are mobilised there by the US, France and their henchmen for the sake of a handful of innocent Shi`ites, of innocent Muslims, yet the rest of the Muslims sit back and look on. The most the (Muslim) governments did was to refrain from celebrating the feast day. Is this enough? This is an action, but the tyranny continues. Our youth in Lebanon and Palestine are still being killed in their dozens, crimes are still being perpetrated in Afghanistan, Iraq and against Iran. Is it enough to say 'we won't celebrate the feast day this year'? Will this make things right? Will this lift the burden of responsibility from the shoulders of these governments? They attack with bayonets, with guns and tanks while the tyrannised are left to stand on their own. Nevertheless they are hitting back. The governments, however, sit back, watching, and the most they can do is announce that the feast day will not be celebrated.

Imam's remarks dated 26 September 1983 (4 Mehr 1362 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 18, p. 128.

 

The people will not sit back

If these governments join hands together with their people, and their people are ready to do this, and if they surrender to the (will of) their people, then they (the superpowers) would not be able to perpetrate such heinous acts in this region and Israel would not be able to go there (to Lebanon) and do such harm. Unfortunately, however, it is these governments themselves which are paving the way for the great powers. Consider how much wealth there is in this region, wealth which the superpowers are taking from these governments, how much oil alone there is that each day about twenty million barrels of it are taken and swallowed up by different countries. Still these governments sit by. They have poured into their home, for Lebanon is the home of Arabs, they have poured into the home of Arabs and are perpetrating such crimes against them, yet the Arab nation sits back and says nothing. When Iran gets involved they retort: 'But they're Persians.' Well, they (the Lebanese) are Arabs, but you don't care, you don't care if people are 'Persian' or 'Arab', all you care about is having the high life for a few days. But ask yourselves how long will this last? For how long can a human being sacrifice his reputation, his honour, everything for the sake of the high life? These big powers too, who have made you their agents and who are presently perpetrating these acts in Lebanon against the poor Lebanese people, should also realise that the people will not sit quietly by watching as these acts are perpetrated; eventually what happened in Iran will be repeated elsewhere.

They should start thinking about it from now. The Americans should not suppose that they can tyrannise the people and they will sit by and accept it. The explosion at their base showed them this. The same thing can happen again, however hard they try to prevent it. The people have had enough, the Lebanese people have reached the end of their tether, the Palestinians have had enough and thus they are willing to commit suicide.

Imam's remarks dated 7 December 1983 (16 Azar 1362 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 18, p. 176.

 

Our crime is defending Palestine

Today everyone knows that from the point of view of the world plunderers and aggressors our real crime is defending Islam and making the Islamic Republic government official instead of the oppressive, imperial regime of the taghut. Our crime and our sin is giving life to the traditions of the Prophet (may the peace of God be upon him and his descendants); acting upon the commands of the Most Noble Qur'an; promulgating the unity of Muslims in general, Shi`ite and Sunni alike, in the confrontation with the plots of global atheism; supporting the bereft people of Palestine, Afghanistan and Lebanon; closing the Israeli embassy in Iran and declaring war on this cancerous tumour and world Zionism; waging war on racism and defending the deprived people of Africa; and annulling the obsequious contracts made by the vile Pahlavi regime with America the world plunderer.

Imam's message dated 28 July 1987 (6 Murdad 1366 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 20, p. 116.

 

Defending the true sons of Islamic Palestine

Defending the honour of Muslims, defending the lands of Muslims and defending their resources is an imperative and we must ready ourselves for achieving these divine goals and for defending Muslims. In the present circumstances particularly, where the true sons of Islamic Palestine and Lebanon, that is the Hizbullah and the revolutionary Muslims of the usurped land and Lebanon, let out the cry of 'oh Muslims' as they sacrifice their lives, we should stand against Israel and the aggressors with all the spiritual and material strength at our disposal; we should confront all that bloodshed and savageness; we should intervene and hasten to assist them identifying the compromisers and introducing them to the people as we do so.

Imam's remarks in a meeting with members of the central council of Hizbullah in Lebanon, dated 28 February 1988 (9 Esfand 1366 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 20, p. 184.

 

Animosity with Israel: a source of pride for us

Our nation, indeed all Islamic nations and oppressed peoples of the world, are proud of the fact that their enemies, who are the enemies of God Almighty, the Most Noble Qur'an and beloved Islam, are rapacious animals who stop short of no crime or treacherous act in order to achieve their sinister, criminal aims. They recognise neither friend nor foe in their quest to attain leadership and realise their base desires. And at the head of these enemies are America, this terrorist by nature that has set the whole world aflame, and its ally international Zionism, which, in order to realise its designs, will commit crimes about which pens are ashamed to write and tongues to speak. It will stop short of no crime in its attempt to realise this stupid fantasy it has of creating 'greater Israel'. The Islamic nations and the oppressed of the world are proud that their enemies Hussein of Jordan, this criminal huckster, Hassan (of Morocco) and Hosni Mubarak share the same stable as felonious Israel, and who in order to serve America and Israel will perpetrate any act of treason against their own people.

Imam's last will and testament dated 5 June 1989 (15 Khurdad 1368 AHS). Sahifa-yi Nur, Vol. 21, p. 172.