Speech on the Occasion of the Second Anniversary of Imam Khomeini's (may his soul be sanctified) Passing with Foreign Guests

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

I extend a warm welcome to all you dear brothers and sisters who have come from the corners of the Islamic world to your own home. It is evident that the great calamity of the loss of the Imam of the Nation is not exclusive to us Iranians; all Muslims of the world, indeed all the oppressed, share in it.

The point I find appropriate to mention here is that, with a glance at the global scene, it is felt that the great Islamic movement is growing stronger day by day, and the passage of time is in favor of Islamic and spiritual values. The Muslims of the world have awakened and are awakening. Whether the arrogant powers and bullies like it or not, whether America approves or disapproves, this is a reality that is happening. We must be vigilant and watchful of the dangers of this stage.

Despotisms, colonialisms, tyrannical governments, and the enemies of Islam have kept Muslims in weakness and humiliation for centuries. Today, as the movement towards the dignity and awakening of Muslims is underway, the enemies will undoubtedly have ambushes along the way; we must be cautious of them. I will mention one of these dangers, which is the discord among Muslims, the differences between Islamic sects and schools, and the divisions among Muslim ethnicities.

Look around, where in the Islamic world are there not treacherous hands attempting to create division and discord? And where have the vile minds of the designers of global arrogance not found the simple-minded and the weak to serve their goals? Our immediate goal and major step is to create unity among Islamic sects and Muslim groups. Some have taken it upon themselves to create division to strike at the dignity-creating Islamic movement; identify them and confront them wisely. If Muslims are vigilant and consider themselves dignified by the dignity of Islam and strong by the strength of Islam, undoubtedly this movement will be able to achieve its goals.

Once again, I sincerely welcome all of you dear ones, brothers and sisters who have come from various countries, from Pakistan, Kashmir, Soviet Azerbaijan, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, from African countries, and other places, and I emphasize that this is your home. Tehran is the home of Muslim brothers, and the people here are your brothers. We hope you have a pleasant stay.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings