" . . . Do not be upset or worried, do not become anxious; distance yourselves from fear and panic. You are the followers of those leaders who were both patient and steadfast in the face of certain calamities and hardships which were so severe that what we face today is nothing in comparison. Our great leaders have survived such events as those which occurred on the day of `Ashura and the eve of Muharram 11; and they have borne these tragedies in the path of God's religion. Now then, what do you have to say? What are you afraid of? Why are you worried? It is wrong for one who claims to follow Hazrat Amir (Imam `Ali (pbuh)) and Imam Husayn (pbuh) to surrender because of the kind of ignominious and shameful deeds perpetrated by the ruling regime. This regime has caused its own disgrace and derision by committing such an outrage, and it has clearly revealed its Genghis Khan-like identity. Indeed, by becoming associated with this catastrophe, the tyrannical system has ensured its own defeat and destruction. We are the ones who have triumphed. We asked God to reveal the true identity of this regime and for it to disgrace itself; and indeed it did.

The prominent figures of Islam were killed in their endeavours to safeguard both Islam and the ordinances of the Holy Qur'an. They went to prison and sacrificed their lives so that Islam could be preserved until the present day and be passed on to us. Today, it is our duty to readily endure any kind of hardship in our confrontation with the dangers threatening Islam

 

 

and the Muslims. Only in this way will we be able to sever the hand of those who betray Islam and to frustrate their designs and ambitions . . .

---

1-  Barrasi va Tahlili az Nihzat-i Imam Khomeini, Vol. 1, p.358.