Iran (IMNA) - After spending 15 years in exile, the late founder of the Islamic Revolution arrived back in his home country. Ayatollah Sayyed Ruhullah Mousavi Khomeini, a revered Muslim cleric and Marja, emerged as the political leader behind the momentous 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, which successfully toppled Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the final Shah (king) of Iran.
Imam Khomeini: Influential Islamic Theorist and Marja-e taqlid, Spent Exile Years in Najaf
Imam Khomeini, widely regarded as a Marja-e taqlid by many Muslims, held significant influence in Iran. Addressed officially as Imam rather than Grand Ayatollah, his followers faithfully adhered to this convention. Notably, he was a pioneering Islamic political theorist, renowned for his groundbreaking concept of velayat-e faqih, the "guardianship of the jurisconsult."
During his exile, Imam Khomeini resided primarily in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq, spanning over 14 years. Initially, on 4th November 1964, he was sent to Turkey, where he stayed briefly in the city of Bursa for less than a year. During this period, he found accommodation in the residence of Turkish Colonel Ali Cetiner, who graciously hosted him.
Imam Khomeini's Journey from Iraq to France Shapes His Revolutionary Ideas on Governance
In a significant turn of events, Imam Khomeini, the prominent Iranian religious leader, was granted permission to relocate to Najaf, Iraq, in October 1965. However, his stay in Najaf was abruptly cut short in 1978 due to the expulsion ordered by then-Vice President Saddam Hussein. Consequently, Khomeini sought refuge in Neauphle le Château, France.
During his time in Najaf, Imam Khomeini delivered a series of lectures on Islamic Government in the early months of 1970. These lectures, which delved into the concept of velayat-e faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists), were subsequently compiled and published as a highly influential book under the titles "Islamic Government" or "Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists." This masterpiece served as a crucial platform for Khomeini to articulate his revolutionary ideas on governance during that period.
Imam Khomeini's Quiet Rise to Prominence as Opposition to the Shah Grows
Imam Khomeini skillfully avoided publicizing his vision of clerical rule beyond his Islamic network of Shah opposition, which he diligently cultivated over the next decade. His impassioned lectures, recorded on cassettes, circulated widely in Iran's markets, vehemently denouncing the Shah as "the Jewish agent, the American snake whose head must be smashed with a stone." These recordings played a significant role in debunking the Shah's power and prestige.
As the protests intensified, so did Imam Khomeini's influence and significance. In the final months of his exile, he became a sought-after figure, attracting a continuous stream of journalists, supporters, and notable individuals eager to hear from the spiritual leader of the revolution.
Imam Khomeini's Triumphant Return to Iran Draws Massive Crowd of Three Million
Only two weeks after the Shah fled Iran on January 16, 1979, Imam Khomeini made a triumphant return to Iran on Thursday, February 1, 1979. Invited by the anti-Shah revolution already in progress, Khomeini's homecoming was met with an astonishing crowd of at least three million Iranians, according to conservative estimates.
Originally scheduled for January 26, Ayatollah Khomeini's entry into Iran was delayed due to Prime Minister Shapour Bakhtiar's announcement that the airports would be closed. In response, Khomeini, from Paris, vowed to return as soon as the airports reopened. The closure sparked widespread protests and strikes, resulting in the deaths of 28 people in Tehran alone. Finally, on January 29, the airport was reopened, paving the way for Khomeini's historic return.
Millions of Iranians Welcome Imam Khomeini, Marking End of Monarchy
Upon his arrival to the country, Imam Khomeini was greeted by millions of Iranians, intensifying months of widespread protests against the Pahlavi regime. On February 8, 1979, a delegation of commanders, pilots, and staff from the Air Forces (Homafaran) visited Imam Khomeini's residence, pledging their allegiance to the revolution.
On February 11, 1979, the armed forces' leaders gathered at Imam Khomeini's home and tendered their resignations, declaring their support for the founder of the Islamic Revolution. With the armed forces assuming neutrality, the regime's key institutions and remaining remnants crumbled.
In the wake of these significant events, Shapour Bakhtiar hastily fled to France, symbolizing the end of the country's 2500-year-old monarchy. Imam Khomeini urged the people to restore peace and order in the aftermath of these transformative developments.
Millions of Iranians Commemorate 45th Anniversary of Islamic Revolution
In a nationwide celebration, millions of Iranians from diverse backgrounds took to the streets to mark the 45th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. This annual event, held on the 22nd day of Bahman in the Persian calendar (February 11th), serves as a platform for Iranians to reaffirm their loyalty to the Islamic establishment and honor the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini.
Even after four and a half decades, the remarkable ideals and principles inspired by Imam Khomeini continue to serve as a guiding light for freedom-seeking nations and sovereign Muslim countries worldwide.
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