In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Hello to you, too!

Ayatollah Sayyed Muhammad Baqir Hakim, damat barakatuh.

Same to you, buddy!

The news of the explosion at the honorable home of Ayatollah Sayyed Muhammad Said Hakim, damat barakatuh, made me very sad and concerned.

Not half as sad and concerned as it made him...

The criminals who perpetrated this bloody incident move in line with evil policies aimed at weakening the great Najaf Hawzah and threatening the lofty position of marjaiyah.

I always try to keep my marjaiyah lofty, too. It's been kinda droopy lately, though...

Such criminal acts could be used as an excuse by the occupiers of Iraq for police tactics and suppression and could lead to unrest and domestic disputes at a time when the oppressed people of Iraq have the greatest need for unity of expression. If the perpetrators of this crime are not direct mercenaries of the aggressor enemy, they are undoubtedly deceived people who have acted contrary to the dictates of religion, wisdom and ethics.

They're dingbat followers of Moqtada Sadr. They're not with us. Somebody left 'em there...

I strongly believe that, with vigilance and a firm resolve, the pious and brave people of Iraq will overcome all the conspiracies of the enemies, and by relying on dear Islam and seeking the attention of the Pure Imams, God's peace be upon them — for Iraq is the place of their pure mausoleums — they will raise the banner of Islam, independence and freedom over that country, Insha Allah.

Either that, or they'll blow the crap out of each other's ayatollahs...

I pray to God for greatness for Islam and Muslims and success for your excellency. Peace and God's mercy be upon you.

Signed) Sayyed Ali Khamenei. 2 Shahrivar 1382 (24 August 2003).