While the Iranian regime suppressed insurgent groups and imprisoned and tortured the clergy, it also continued with its anti-Islamic programmer. The most brazen plan brought forth was its sex education programmer for high-school students, a plan that was justified in articles published by the government-controlled press. The programmer was unsuccessful due to the strong opposition and objections of many of the clergy. However, the regime continued in other ways to disseminate Western culture and spread corruption.

The opening of mixed schools was part of a programmer which was gradually brought into effect ^{( 469)} . Other actions included the establishment of the “Youth Palace”, a place where the regime’s un-Islamic and valueless objectives for young boys and girls were achieved; there were a few centers set up in Tehran and gradually branches were established in the provincial capitals and other large cities.

Another deplorable tragedy in Iran was brought about by police officers who viciously attacked students holding a protest gathering at Tehran University, and then at the Science and Industry University (previously known as Aryamehr) and Tehran Polytechnic on April 4, 1971 (Ordibihisht 10,1350 AHS) as university students there protested at the arrest of Tehran University students. In this incident, over 450 students were injured and arrested. Their slogans “Salutations Khomeini!” revealed the influence Imam’s speeches had on the students and their acceptance of his leadership.

The massacre of workers from the Jahan Cheet factory in Karaj as they held protest a rally was another depressing incident which saddened Imam ^{( 470)} . Also at this time, Muslim students, resident in Europe, wrote letters to Imam seeking his guidance and Imam responded by requesting that they help to bring together the educated classes and the religious scholars.

The Mujahidin-i Khalq organization, which later revealed its true nature and became known to the Iranian people as the “Munafiqin,” (the Hypocrites)

Appeared to also espouse an Islamic ideology, though its members believed strongly in armed struggle. They decided to use Imam Khomeini’s spiritual and political influence, which was becoming more widespread daily among the educated and university students, in order to acquire financial benefits and to strengthen their organizational situation.

One of the combatant clergymen who was present in Najaf when some members of this group visited Imam there states: “Some of the original members of the Mujahidin - later known as the Munafiqin - visited Imam in Najaf to obtain his sanction of their principles and receive confirmation of their decision to embark on an armed struggle. Imam welcomed them with open arms and, over several visits, permitted them to put forth their opinions. Even though they had only brought two of their publications for him to study, through reading them and listening to their ideas Imam told them that now was not the time for an armed rebellion, and contrary to letters of authorisation which they had from some of the high-ranking ‘ulama, he refused to support their objectives and methods. After reading the book, “Rahe Anbia, Rahe Bashar” (The Way of the Prophets, the Way of Mankind), Imam realized that they did not believe in ma ‘ad (the day of resurrection). They believed in the evolutionary perfection of material in this world ^{( 471)} .”

The tendency towards Marxism among members of this organization between 1973 and 1975 ( 1352- 1354 AHS) and their actions after the victory of the Islamic Revolution which were in complete co-ordination with the anti-revolutionary grouplets; their seeking refuge in America and Western countries; and their later co-operation with Saddam was a sign of the depth of Imam Khomeini’s insight ^{( 472)} . When the Iranian regime saw Imam Khomeini’s obstinate stance regarding the Ba’ athist regime of Iraq, it decided to strike up a close relationship with him in order to achieve its own aims. The chief SAVAK representative in Iraq received orders to meet with Imam and inquire as to whether he was interested in returning to Iran or going on to Pakistan. However, because he was aware of Imam’s firm stance he wrote his report for the Iranian authorities without first speaking to Imam and in this he stated that Imam’s return to Iran would prove detrimental to the interests of the Shah’s regime.

Imam was very optinstic that the movement he had founded would end in victory, and the machinations against him proved to be ineffective. When the leader of the movement realized that Iraq opposed his proposed departure from that country he fearlessly made an emotional speech to a group of religious students and clergymen, and while he was aware of the presence of Iraqi spies and secret agents, he said: “Governments come and go, their life is very short.”

With regard to the oppressive Ba ‘ athist regime of Iraq which had suppressed the voice of the people in its prisons, even silencing the remonstrations of the late Ayatullah Hakim, the highest-ranking Shi’ i marja ’, by placing him under house arrest, Imam addressed the clergy of Najaf on the need to preserve their unity and for self-purification, and advised the Iranian people to provide for those driven from Iraq , stating: “. This government, which cannot really be called a government, has no power to resist nations and if they confront you and I, they cannot confront the nation   if the Iranian clergy are expelled, the clergy from other countries must stand up and carry on with their religious duties...”

One can say that if this stirring speech had not been made, when the Iranian clergy had been expelled, the other religious students and clergy would have left also and the highly renowned theological centre at Najaf would have been deserted. This in fact was the ultimate aim of the Ba’ athist regime of Iraq, and possibly of the Iranian regime as well. However, Imam Khomeini encouraged the other religious students to stay at the centre and resist this inveterate plot of the Ba’ athist regime of Iraq thus rendering it fruitless.

SPEECH NUMBER TWENTY-THREE

IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE COMPASSIONATE, THE MERCIFUL

During his time in Mecca before his migration to Medina, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his descendants) was concerned only with propagating the word of God and acquainting the people with God the Exalted and with Islam. He had no assistant to help him combat the polytheists and spread Islam. Just as one sees in the Holy Qur’an, the suras which were revealed to him in Mecca concern the aspects of introducing Islam, preaching and guidance alone, there is no mention of disagreements or war and even the laws are spoken of less.

The ordinary man who looks only at the surface of things could not have predicted what benefits his migration from Mecca, under such unpleasant circumstances and having suffered a defeat, would hold for him. However, when he went to Medina, then the results of his migration became clear and he was able to spread the word of Islam and find followers there, eventually returning victoriously and successfully to Mecca in such a way that the elders of the Quraysh tribe were humbled .