Imam Khomeini, an eternal leader

Imam Khomeini passed away on June 4, 1989. Although the Iranian nation mourns his departure, it also created a great national convergence.

It is said that Imam Khomeini possessed talents and characteristics that are rarely combined in a single person. 

He was a skillful politician. He organized millions of people in a short period of time and thus, by following the guidelines of Imam Khomeini, the masses overthrew the monarchist regime.

By making use of a logical policy that was based on non-violent resistance, Imam Khomeini overthrew the powerful Pahlavi regime, which was supported by the United States and other Western countries.

Although the United States and its Western allies employed various methods to keep the Iranian monarch in power in 1979, Imam Khomeini insisted that the shah had to leave Iran and that a religious democratic government had to be established in the country because he did not believe in a step-by-step policy.

The stance adopted by Imam Khomeini frustrated all the calculations of the United States and its Western allies and obliged them to accept the uprising of the Iranian nation, because they realized Imam Khomeini would never allow the continuation of the shah’s illegitimate rule.

Imam Khomeini’s character also had a strong religious dimension. As a religious authority, Imam Khomeini created a beautiful combination of a religious government and democracy that is unique since the early days of Islam.

Imam Khomeini possessed the necessary skill to establish a government combining religious values with modern democracy in a way compatible with international standards.

This type of religious democracy soon found a high status in the Islamic world, since many Muslims began trying to establish religious democratic governments in their countries after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.

Simplicity and non-materialism were other important aspects of Imam Khomeini’s personality. Through these characteristics he was able to attract the oppressed nations, who understood that dictators do not cherish their people.

This modesty and non-materialism were unique attributes for the leader of an Islamic country.

Imam Khomeini was also a talented commander. He had a deep knowledge of Iran’s internal affairs and directly supervised operations during the 1980-1988 Iraqi imposed war on Iran. This supervision finally led to the victory of Iran and the defeat of the Iraqi forces after the liberation of Khorramshahr.

The Iranian nation is aware that Imam Khomeini endured great hardships to found a democratic government and that they must maintain his achievements.

Now, 17 years after Imam Khomeini’s departure, the Iranian nation commemorates him and mourns on his demise anniversary.

SA/ER/HG

END

MNA