Speech in Meeting with State and Military Officials and Guests Attending the Islamic Unity Conference

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

I also extend my congratulations on the blessed birth of the esteemed Prophet of Islam, Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him and his family), and also the birth of his pure descendant, Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him), to all Muslims of the world, to the noble and dear nation of Iran, and to you dear ones present in this assembly.

The sacred name of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is one of the most attractive Islamic phenomena for all Muslims of the world; because the issue is one of both emotion and faith. Therefore, the strength of the impact of this memory and this name for the scenes related to Muslims is greater than many other Islamic phenomena that rely solely on faith and in which emotions play no role. For this reason, some of the great thinkers of the Islamic world, in the period before us, have said that the axis of Muslim unity and their practical union can be the sacred name of this great figure and faith in him and the memory of that esteemed Prophet. This is a correct statement. Fortunately, this year, this ceremony coincides with the official announcement of the formation of the "Assembly for the Rapprochement of Islamic Schools of Thought," which our brothers have endeavored to start, and it must, God willing, move towards the lofty goals of Islam.

In the matter of unity, there are two fundamental points or orientations, each of which is important in its own right. When we raise the slogan of unity, these two fundamental points must be considered, and it is these that are effective for the practical life of Muslims:

One of these two points is the elimination of differences, contradictions, conflicts, and hostilities that have existed among Muslim sects and groups for centuries and have always been to the detriment of Muslims. If we return to the history of Islam, we will see that the origin and source of all or most of these conflicts and contradictions go back to the material power apparatuses. Look at the history of Islam, you will see that from the initial differences—such as the issue of the creation of the Quran and the like—to the rest of the differences that have occurred over time between Islamic sects—especially more frequently between Shia and Sunni—the thread of these differences in all Islamic lands is in the hands of the powers.

Of course, general ignorance and illogical prejudices and the incitement of emotions have an effect, but these are the groundwork and none of them create the great bloody events that we observe in history. Those great events go back to the power apparatuses that were seeking some benefit from these differences. When colonialism entered Islamic countries—some directly and some indirectly—it became clear that it too was pursuing this issue.

The behavior of some well-known European figures—whether political or cultural—is very instructive. When they went to Egypt, they spoke in one way; when they went to the Ottoman Empire, they spoke in another way; when they came to Shia Iran, they spoke differently. Their goal was to disrupt the system of unity that European colonialism and the leaders of industrial civilization feared; and they had a right to be afraid. They did their work and created a deep and strange division among Muslims.

The unity that we declare and raise the slogan for, and to which we are attached and for which we work and move, its first point must be aimed at eliminating these conflicts, contradictions, differences, and hostilities, which God Almighty is pleased with and believers, sincere ones, and the wise are satisfied with. The prerequisites and groundwork for this work must be prepared. They have doctrinal differences, let them have them; they have ethnic differences, let them have them; they have racial differences, let them have them. These should not necessitate or entail rivalry, conflict, and strife among Muslims. Everyone must work sincerely. Great scholars, thinkers, intellectuals, writers, poets, artists, must truly consider this a divine obligation. This noble verse of the Quran: "And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together" and other verses are addressed to us and all Muslims in the face of the enemies of Islam. Let us act upon these verses.

The second point is that this unity must be in the service and direction of the sovereignty of Islam; otherwise, it will be empty and meaningless. If the scholars of Islam accept that the Quran has said: "And We did not send any messenger except to be obeyed by permission of Allah," the Prophet did not come to give advice, to say something, and for people to do their own work and also respect him; he came to be obeyed, to guide society and life, to establish a system, and to lead humans towards the goals of a correct life. If the scholars of Islam accept that the Noble Quran says: "We sent Our messengers with clear proofs and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain justice," the establishment of justice and equity and the removal of oppression and the creation of a correct life for humanity is the goal of religions, then the movement must be towards the sovereignty of Islam, and the sovereignty of Islam in countries and Islamic societies is a possible matter.

Fifteen years ago, there was doubt as to whether the sovereignty of Islam was possible at all. The Islamic Revolution, the establishment of the Islamic system in Iran, the life-giving and great movement of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified), the power that that divine and celestial man showed in the face of material powers and proved that the power of religion and spirituality is greater than the power of materialism and money and weapons, should have removed the doubt from minds. Yes, the establishment of the Islamic system in the Islamic world is a possible matter.

Of course, the Islamic society and the Islamic government have difficulties. Life has difficulties. A life without difficulties in the world is not possible. What is this difficulty the price of? If it is the price of freedom, independence, dignity, closeness to God, and acting upon Islamic laws and teachings, so be it. The Islamic Republic system stood with dignity, greatness, and power for these twelve years, fought, and naturally had problems. There were countries that lived under the heavy and ominous shadow of the rule and influence of foreign powers. Did their people have fewer problems and difficulties than the Iranian nation? If they did not have more, they did not have less. And what were their problems in exchange for? In exchange for bringing today to night, bringing night to morning, and spending their daily, aimless, undignified, and lightless life. The difficulties of the Islamic Republic are the same difficulties that the noble Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him and his family) endured during his blessed rule. There were propaganda, siege, and enemy attacks, but he emerged victorious from them; we too emerged victorious.

Of course, the enemies do not want to give up, and for this reason, they throw stones. This is a movement that the caravan of Islam makes, and from behind, a stone is thrown that will injure a shin; but they cannot block the way. During these twelve years, the enemies have campaigned against us; they have tried to show an ugly face of Islam and the Islamic Republic system; they have tried to distort things and spread fabrications among the people of the world; but the realities are different from these. The reality is a strong, determined, great, prosperous country moving towards even greater prosperity under the shadow of Islam and towards Islamic justice and dignity and power derived from the exaltation of the word of Islam and being the focus of attention and affection of the general Muslims around the world. Now, if the enemy also campaigns, says irrelevant things, makes an attack, gives an economic or political sting somewhere, what effect does it have? They have always done these things, and they will continue to do so.

Two brothers in the Islamic Republic engage in a verbal dispute over an issue, which is very normal, and its absence would be strange and a cause for astonishment and suspicion and would result from lethargy. Over the issue of the Assembly of Experts, over political matters, over economic matters, brothers stand in the parliament and elsewhere, one says this, the other says that. The difference of opinion and debate is to find the truth. The discussion is to clarify the path. Each expresses their own opinion. There is nothing, they are brothers. Anyone who wants to test it, let them test it. If there is any slight aggression against the Islamic Republic system, these same brothers who dispute over an issue will join hands, clench their fists, and face danger to defend Islam and the Islamic system.

Look at this brotherly debate and discussion, the radios create a fuss that an important event is happening!! No, the event that is happening in Iran is the decisive determination of the Iranian nation to pursue the goals of the Islamic system; as our dear Imam has outlined. The event that is happening in Iran is, God willing, a faster and more precise movement towards Islamic goals. Those events that they and the spiteful and sick hearts want have, thanks be to God, been far from our Islamic environment and will remain so. These are the difficulties of the Islamic system; these are nothing.

If in Islamic societies and countries, scholars, intellectuals, thinkers, and leaders and pioneers of unity, their direction of movement is towards the sovereignty of Islam, this movement is a successful movement; otherwise, if it is not so and they are submissive and compliant in the face of the sovereignty of tyrants and infidels and submissive and incompetent governments, it is clear that unity will not be guaranteed. You from this side, raise the slogan of unity, be enthusiastic, worry; from that side, unjustly spent money and a group of weak-willed, mercenary, servile people will be found and will squander your savings and will unravel the threads. This "Assembly for the Rapprochement of Islamic Schools of Thought" that we are here to establish and our brothers have endeavored—and I sincerely thank those who have cooperated and will cooperate—must prepare the grounds for rapprochement in doctrinal, theological, intellectual, jurisprudential, fundamental, and scientific aspects; but that fundamental goal must be remembered by Islamic thinkers. The enemies of Islam do not want this; but what God wants, that will happen. "And Allah is predominant over His affair."

We hope that God Almighty will include you gentlemen in His success, mercy, and grace. May He grant us the success to continue on the path of Islam and serve Islamic goals. May He make the sacred soul of our great Imam pleased and satisfied with what is happening and include us in the prayers and satisfaction of the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for him).

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings