I should thank you, the Iranian nation and the people of Qum, who, in this uprising over the past couple of years, thwarted all the plots and drove away the agents of colonialism from your country, and those remaining will also be flung out. You have curtailed the hands of colonial powers, severed the hands of profiteers and international plunderers. You gave blood and sacrificed your young sons, but these young people and their blood were for the sake of Islam and served its interests. Islam is precious enough for us not to fear the shedding of blood and the sacrificing of our youths for its sake. Islam has had so many martyrs. The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.), may God's peace be upon him, was a martyr of Islam and he achieved martyrdom for the sake of Islam. Hussein ibn Ali (a.s.) was martyred for the cause of Islam. We have no fear of martyrdom; nor do we have any fear of being killed. You, the Iranian nation have insured Islam with your blood and that of your youths, and have severed the hands of foreigners. You have made all of us grateful. I am indebted to all of you. I am your servant. I cannot ever appreciate enough, to the extent that I should, this blessing bestowed on those zealous Iranians across the land and on us
Sahifeh, vol.6, Page: 238-239
Speech, March 1, 1979