Imam's speech during a meeting attended by `Abbas Wa`iz Tabasi, Imam's representative and superintendent of the holy shrine of Imam Rida, representatives of coordination center of Islamic associations of Mashhad, staff of the governor-general office, personnel of air force, and members of the Islamic Republic Party of Mashhad:
Today, we have very dear guests. These dear guests come from where the heart of the angels of God frequent. Basically, the center of Iran is the holy shrine of Imam Rida (`a). We hope that God will help us be among the servants of the holy shrine. How happy you are who live in Khorasan Province- whether those who are directly serving the shrine or those who serve the people, Islam and the Islamic Republic in this province.
All forces and powers everywhere stand in need of the attention of Imam Rida (`a). The governor, the air force personnel, Islamic associations and all are part of the staff of this holy shrine. You, brothers, who directly work in the holy shrine enjoy great happiness though you might not heed much. I hope that, God willing, the Islamic Republic will proceed victoriously as it has so far done, thanks to the holy shrine of Imam Rida (`a). Hope the Islamic Republic will perpetuate, keeping its Islamic nature until the appearance of the Savior and this republic solves the problems under his guidance.
Today, we are faced with many problems, which you, gentlemen, are aware of. Iran's problems today are not covert; they are overt and the people are of the government and the government of the people. The government and its affiliates are the servants of the people and the people are the supporters of the government. As long as this coordination persists among all walks of life, this Islamic Republic will not suffer.
You know that today we are seen from a superficial natural viewpoint, alone. Almost the entire East and West are directly or indirectly opposed to us. If, among them, governments are found that are neutral or occasionally in favor of us, they are few in number. Big powers are opposed to Islam, not the Islam which is concerned merely with prayers and mosque, but the Islam that settled the needs of nations in its advent, the Islam that interfered in the political affairs of nations and in social affairs of nations directly…
Thank God, the Iranian people are unique. Today, you cannot find a country to chant the slogan of neither East nor West; they are either officially dependent on East or West overtly or covertly. As for the non-aligned organization, don't believe that they are non-aligned. If among them real non-aligned countries are found, they are few in number.
Today we are facing Eastern and Western blocs and all powers that command power in the region and the world. From the beginning, our nation knew its path, and with empty hands, without any weapons, except the weapon of faith and spirituality stood against the bullies and overthrew the sinister Pahlavi regime, which would obliterate Islam if it had remained in power for a few more years, curtailing the hands of all powers from its oil reserves. Unfortunately, while all Islamic governments should gather round this center and gravitate towards Islam, the Islam that has brought them independence and freedom, they pay no heed to it or do but are hampered, by carnal desires, from acting as they should. Today almost all propaganda operations in the mass media apparatus run by Eastern and Western blocs write or speak against the Islamic Republic. The reason is clear: The Islamic Republic plans to preserve its independence and curtail the hands of world-devourers and their affiliates from this country. The Islamic Republic wishes all Islamic countries and all the governments dominating Islamic countries to wake up from their deep slumber…
Do you think Germany, Britain and, on top of them, the US want your interests? …They seek their own interests. They chain you to take advantage of you. The day they see they cannot take advantage of you, they will discard you and will no longer cooperate with you. Today when the Iranian nation has risen up and you see how much they have progressed and refused to let all powers interfere in their country, you had better come and join hands with them to rescue ourselves from the clutches of powers that want to destroy us and colonize us in its new form, while each country remains an independent country. For how long do you want to remain captive in the hands of American advisors? You saw that the people of Iran discarded the American advisors and that they are running everything themselves. If Iran is given the opportunity, it will find such a power that no power can interfere in the country, shattering the hope of covetous powers to devour this country, God willing…
All Islamic countries should know that Iran in no way covets their countries. Iran has everything to cater to its population. Iran is not an intractable country, nor does it want to exercise domination over other. Iran has risen up for God and will continue for God. We will not attack any country, though we will defend against any aggression…
May God protect all Islamic countries from the evil of these mischief-makers, tyrants and world-devourers and awaken Islamic governments to fulfill their duties- Islamic and human duties. I hope they all sit together and curtail the hands of criminals from their countries. May God enlist us as servants of Islam! I hope that with your prayer we can find the honor of visiting that holy shrine.
May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.
July 25, 1982 [Mordad 3, 1361 AHS/ Shawwal 4, 1402 AH]
Sahifeh-ye Imam, vol. 16, pp. 337-42