The Father of Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (R.A.)

Syed Ali Shahbaz

On June 4 AD, the Father of Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (RA) passed away at the age of 87. Following the announcement this report, world Muslims and conscientious people throughout the globe, mourned for the Sage of the Age, who had not just transformed Iran into a powerful independent country, but by inspiring the people to overthrow the British-installed and American-supported Pahlavi regime, also shattered big power equations in Iran and the region.

A mujtahid and a Gnostic of the highest order, he was exiled for some 14 years for opposing the despotic Shah, before returning home to an unprecedented welcome, to lead the Islamic Revolution to victory in February. For the next ten years he ably guided the Islamic Republic of Iran, defeating the conspiracies hatched by Global Arrogance, including the 8-year war the US imposed on Iran through its agent, Saddam of Iraq’s repressive Ba’th minority regime.

In addition to grooming prominent scholars, Imam Khomeini has left behind numerous valuable compilations, including “Tahrir al-Wasilah”, “Mesbah al-Hedaayah” and “Islamic Government”. He gave to the world the dynamic system of “Velayat-e Faqih” or rule of the Supreme Jurisprudent in the absence of the Infallible Imam, pointing the absurdity of rule by unprincipled and immoral persons, even if democratically elected.

His thoughts continue to guide the people of Iran and all conscientious people around the world. We hereby extend our heartfelt condolences on the anniversary of the passing away of Imam Khomeini, and later in our programme will present you a special feature on his life and thoughts. As noted by the present Leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the uprising which Imam Khomeini inspired is a reminder of the missions of the Prophets of God. He revived religious insight and promoted spirituality in the modern world.

On June 3 , the Father of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (RA), while commemorating the anniversary of Ashura or 10th Moharram, marking the tragic martyrdom of Imam Husain (AS) in Karbala, castigated the British-installed and American-supported Shah for his anti-Islamic policies. In his address in Qom, to a large gathering of people, students and religious scholars, the Imam exposed the treasons of the Pahlavi regime to the Muslim Iranian nation. He pointed out: They are against the foundations of the divine religion of Islam and the ulema and aim to destroy Islam and the ulema. People; you should know that our Islam and country are threatened. We are deeply concerned about the situation of Iran and the state of the Shah’s despotic regime.

On June 5 AD, the Iranian people staged massive demonstrations against the British-installed and US-backed Shah, following news of detention of the Father of Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (RA) in the aftermath of his bold exposure to the public of the evil nature of the Pahlavi regime. The regime attacked the people and brutally suppressed them, martyring and wounding a large number of Iranian Muslims. The historical uprising known as "15th of Khordad" marked the starting point of the Islamic movement which was to change Iran's destiny. Though Imam Khomeini was exiled a year later, the movement culminated in his eventual return home and the triumph of Islamic Revolution on February 11 .

On June 4 AD, the Assembly of Experts elected Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei as Leader of Islamic Revolution, a few hours after the passing away of the Founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini (RA). The political and divine testament of the late Imam was read and the participants discussed and studied the future leadership of the holy Islamic system. Members of the Assembly of Experts, who are elected by people’s vote, after long debate and discussions, elected Ayatollah Khamenei, who till then was the elected president of the Islamic Republic. Their decision was because of his deep Islamic insight, religiousness knowledge, awareness of issues of the contemporary world, political acumen, vigilance, courage, prudence, management, and devotion to Islamic revolutionary values.

On June 6 AD, the Father of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (RA) was laid to rest in Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery. The funeral was unprecedented in history and saw some ten million people take part. The funerary was a grand display of the loyalty of the people of Iran for the beloved Founder of the Islamic Republic.