“Those who know nothing of Islam pretend that Islam
counsels against war. Those [who say this] are witless. Islam says: Kill all
the unbelievers just as they would kill you all! Does this mean that Muslims
should sit back until they are devoured [by the unbelievers]? Islam says: Kill
them [the non-Muslims], put them to the sword and scatter [their armies]. Does
this mean sitting back until [non-Muslims] overcome us? Islam says: Kill in the
service of Allah those who may want to kill you! Does this mean that we should
surrender to the enemy? Islam says: Whatever good there is exists thanks to the
sword and in the shadow of the sword! People cannot be made obedient except
with the sword! The sword is the key to Paradise, which can be opened only for
Holy Warriors!” - The Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran responding to apologists for Islam.
(Taheri, Amir, Holy Terror, London 1987, pp. 226-7)
