In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
The respected and most learned Zanjani scholars residing at Qum Religious Seminary, may their graces last:
I do acknowledge with gratitude the receipt of the respected letter of the gentlemen, which conveys kind sympathy and religious sentiments. I am grateful for the efforts and kindness of the honorable nation of Iran, particularly the learned scholars and clerics, may their blessing last. I pray to God, the Exalted, for their success and assistance (to be rendered to them). Although my exile to Iraq has provided me the opportunity to visit the holy shrines of the Imams of Islam, may God's peace and salutations be upon them all, and thanks to God, I have been favored by the religious sources of emulation and senior scholars and the blessing of the holy shrines, my absence from the holy seminary in Qum and my failure to partake in the suffering and pains of the Iranian nation, specially religious seminary, has caused my anxiety and sadness. You should worry for the unfavorable incidents that you learned scholars- may Allah, the Exalted, always assist you- have suffered in your effort to serve Islam and the Muslims. By relying on the immense blessings of God, the Blessed and Exalted, you should struggle along the path of propagation and protection of Islam, and of defending the seminaries and faith so that you would be successful and glorious in the Holy Presence of God, the Exalted.
I pray to God, the Exalted, for the glory of Islam and the Muslims, particularly those who serve the ordinances of Islam. May God's peace and mercy be upon you.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini