Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati in his Tehran University Friday Sermon: Muslims Should Endanger English and American Interests

June 4, 2004 Channel 1, Iranian TV

Channel 1 of Iranian TV broadcast a Friday sermon from Tehran University, delivered by Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, Secretary of the Guardian Council, on June 4 2004. The following is a verbatim translation of excerpts of his sermon:

Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati: Why do the Muslims remain silent? The day will come and they too will get involved because of their silence. What consequences will this bring them? In Palestine - This kind of disaster has come and still comes upon the Muslims and you remained polite, you kept silent, held conventions, condemned, acted ceremoniously, and got up and left.

This situation developed in Iraq. If the situation in Iraq continues, as it does in Israel, tomorrow they will come to Egypt. Tomorrow they will come to Algeria. All the Arab countries and the non-Arab countries will be their targets. They continue the line of swallowing the world. We are no longer speaking of geographic borders but of swallowing the world. Therefore, every Muslim and every honorable man who is not a Muslim must stand against the Americans, English and Israelis and endanger their interests wherever they may be.

Audience: Allah Akbar Allah Akbar Allah Akbar Khamenei is the leader Death to the opposers of the rule of the Jurisprudent Death to America Death to England Death to the hypocrites (Mujaheedin-e Khalek) and Saddam Death to Israel

Jannati: They must not have security. If Muslims have no security, neither must they. When there is no security for a Muslim's life, land, honor, and property, why should they have security? They are the people of “Dar Al-Harb,” so why should they have security?

I say to my Iraqi brothers and sisters, Oh brother and sister, resist, stand fast. Eventually, God is with those who are patient. God is behind you. He supports the oppressed. The Shiites of 'Ali support the oppressed. The genuine Muslims support the oppressed. Stand fast. If you are patient and God-fearing, their designs will not harm you at all. This is my recommendation to them.

Another thing, set aside the disagreements. They do not like the Kurds, nor the Arabs, the Sunnis, nor the Shiites. They have come to fight the people of Iraq. Basically, they have come to fight Islam. There is no need for wars between the Kurds and Arabs and the Sunni and Shiites. All of you gather under one flag. When you see that source of emulation, Ayatollah Sistani, God save him, standing strong and steadfast, full of the fear of God, and wisdom. In any case, he is out there. Others must not stand against him. He must be accepted as a religious source of authority. Anyhow, religion is your savior. Without religion, you will not be saved, you will be massacred, and for no reason.

Audience: Islam is victorious, America will be annihilated. Islam is victorious, America will be annihilated. Islam is victorious, America will be annihilated. Islam is victorious, America will be annihilated. Islam is victorious, America will be annihilated.