In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
O' Muslim Ummah,
The disastrous happenings in Iraq have reached such an extent that make any Muslim individual or any person with human feelings quite worried. The carnage of thousands of women, children and civilians, the execution of the injured, the arrest of innocent people, the destruction of homes and mosques, and the encroachment on the privacy of families taking place on a very large scale in Fallujah have taken away sleep from the eyes and comfort from the hearts. Now, after what has happened in Fallujah, there are words about the repetition of the above-mentioned tragedy in Mousul, Samarra, Baqoubah and some other Iraqi cities.
The occupiers are justifying their crimes on the pretext that there are some terrorists among the people. Even if it is true that some terrorists are among the people - although there is serious doubt about this claim - is there any justification for killing the innocent people, leaving the injured without medical treatment and leaving the children without food?
It is surprising that those taking pride in the abolition of death penalty for criminals are now callously witnessing the mass execution of innocent people in Iraq.
How are the Islamic and Arab countries willing to play the role of impartial bystanders? The people of Iraq are calling for assistance from their Muslim brethren. Are the Muslim nations and their governments not feeling obligated to, at least, raise objections to the great suffering that is being inflicted by the arrogant powers on some innocent Muslims?
I hereby call on the Islamic Ummah throughout the world, especially the Muslim and Arab states and their intellectuals, to perform their duties in the present juncture that is momentous for the Islamic Ummah.
Sayyid Ali Khamenei
Shawwal 5, 1425