A Biography of the Ayatollah Khomeini
Ayalollah-al-Udhma Imam Khomaini
With an outstanding personality since childhood, Ruhollah al-
Musavi al-Khomeini, has achieved not only his own personal high
level of Jurisprudence but has guided the Muslims of the world to
revolt against the tyrannical and oppressive regiemes that dominate them.
Imam Khomeini's Childhood
Born in 1901 AD his birthday coincides with the anniversary of the
auspicious birth of Hadrat Fatima (SA), the most revered and
highly respected woman in Islam. Imam Khomeini was born into a
religious family; his father, Ayatollah Seyyed Mustafa Musavi was
educated in Najaf and Samarra, and later returned to his birthplace,
Khomein, where he was the religious leader of the people until his
death at the age of 42. Imam Khomeini's mother also had a religious
background for she was the daughter of Ayatollah Mirza Ahmad, an
exalted theologian.
Due to the early death of his father, the Imam was brought up under
the loving care of his mother and his aunt Sahiba, however, when
he was at the early age of fifteen his aunt came to an untimely end,
and shortly afterwards his mother also passed away. The loss of his
dear ones was a severe blow to one so Young but it also served to
strengthen the will of Imam Khomeini and cemented his faith in
Allah the Almighty all the more:
From early childhood the Imam paid keen interest in his studies. At
a very early age he learned to read and write, and his elder brother,
Ayatollah Passandideh also taught him Arabic grammar and logic
along with the rudiments of many other subjects: .
To further his studies Imam Khomeini studied literature at the
Center for Theological studies in Arak and later in Qom, and
became an authority on theological and canon law.
The Qualities of This Man The Symbol of Love, Independence And Freedom
A self made man, refined in manners the Imam has always stressed
the performance of religious duties and observance of the Islamic
tenets. Wed versed in all branches of the rational and traditional
sciences, he began to teach philosophy at the age of 27, and he has
written many books on various aspects of religion. At the age of 30,
Imam Khomeini married the daughter of a religious scholar and
their marriage was blessed with two sons and three daughters.
The Imam has always spoken out against the oppression and
tyranny in the world with a resonant voice. His constant protest
against the former tyrannical regime in Iran stirred fire in the hearts
of the Pahlavi regime and their hatred was openly displayed when.
after imprisoning the Imam, they eventually exiled him from his
native land.
In October of 1962 the Cabinet of the despotic government of the
Shah approved a bill for the establishment of provincial and city
councils. According to this bill, the stipulation of 'Islam' which the
constitution of the country ordained that all those elected to the
Majlis should believe in, was omitted from the law and then elected
representative could take an oath on any holy scripture they
accepted, not necessarily the glorious Qur'an protests from Qom
spat defiantly at the Shah on this issue and Imam Khomeini sent a
cable to Alam, then Prime Minister in strong protest of his actions,
opposing the bill and for the first time he issued warnings against
such councils and their Zionist inclinations and warned them
against this action whilst calling the people to struggle. He openly
protested against the torturing and imprisonment of the people by
the government and at the same time the government supported
Zionism and safeguarded the interests of the US
Public opposition surged and the religious circles in Qom proposed
an all-out strike of the Iranian work-force. A state of emergency
was declared in Tehran and two months later, in a press conference
the P.M. announced the former approval of the bill - null and void.
Events of 1963
The religious circles in Qom had declared that the Muslims should
not celebrate the New Year (the vernal equinox) because the
anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam As-Sadiq (A.S.) fell on the
second day of the New Year. The deposed king was dismayed when
he saw the people supporting religion and Imam Khomeini, so he
decided to frustrate his opponents' plan. On the morning of the
second day of Farvardin (the first month of the Iranian calendar), a
number of the Shah's supporters and SAVAK (Shah's secret police)
agents arrived in Qom in cars and buses. Troops in army vehicles
armed with heavy machine guns poured into the town. The Imam's
home was full of people. All of a sudden anti-religious slogans
were heard. At the Faiziyyeh School, some hooligans created
disturbances and attacked the people there. The Shah's agents
opened fire on the people and the Muslim clergies. The Shah
wanted to bully the clergy into remaining silent so that he could
have a free hand, and further tyrannize the nation, thereby pleasing
his master - the US government.
No sooner had the Imam received the news of the event than he
came to pacify the people. He said: "Keep calm. You are the
followers--, of those leaders in your religion who suffered greater
atrocities. Such an outrage serves as a boomerang. Many a great
figure of Islam suffered death in order to uphold Islam and entrust
it to you. Therefore it is up to you to preserve this sacred heritage."
The Imam's speech carried weight not only because the speaker was
threatened with death, but because at such a critical time he
promised victory for the people and defeat for the Shah.
Imam Khomeini requested the exalted religious leaders in Tehran to
disclose the atrocities of the region. He also urged the religious
preachers to refer in their sermons to the outrageous behavior of the
regime towards the clergy, to the threat of Israel and its agents and
to the actual threat to Islam.
Imam Khomeini was always welcomed warmly by the people. The
heartfelt support that the masses gave to the religious leadership
filled the regime with frustration. The regime saw this as an
obstacle to its policies. The only religious figure remaining who
gave the religious leadership weight with the people and allowed it
to be a determining factor in Iranian society was Ayatollah
Khomeini. Thus he was threatened by SAVAK to stop giving
sermons at the Faiziyveh School. However he went there on the
afternoon of Ashura the 10th of Muharram, (to comemorate the
martyrdom of Imam Hussain) and said:
"We have come to the conclusion that they are against Islam and the
religious leadership. Israel wants to discredit the Qur'an. our Holy
Scripture. and wipe out the religious leadership. Israel wants to
tighten its grip on our economy, trade and agriculture."
The Imam's Arrest
This crushing speech caused the Shah to fly into a rage. On the
night of the 15th of Khordad, troops besieged Qom and rushed to
the Imam's home and took him to Tehran where they held him in
custody in the Qasr prison. He was later transferred to the Ishrat
Abad Garrison. The next day the people in Qom took to the streets
and led by Haj-Mustafa Khomeini, the Imam's son, shouted the
slogan: "Either Death or Khomeini!". In Tehran the people
demonstrated, shouting for his immediate release from prison. The
bazaar and the university in Tehran were closed down. Troops
opened fire on the people; casualties were heavy. Despite the
security crackdown, the next day, (the 16th of Khordad), there were
again demonstrations in Tehran in support of Imam Khomeini. In
many other cities and towns of Iran the people went out on strike.
There was no casualty list available, but some 15,000 and 400
people were reported killed in Tehran and in Qom respectively.
The atrocities of the Shah's martial law during these days and the
support the masses gave Imam Khomeini were reflected in the
foreign press. Although the western press, especially the imperialist
papers, have never been able or willing to appreciate the struggles
of the oppressed people of the world to rid themselves of the yoke
of Colonialism, the 15th of Khordad uprising and the leadership of
Imam Khomeini made a great impression on them which could not
be overlooked.
The strike was broken and the bazaar reopened when the people
received the news that the Imam was well and in good health.
Nearly two months later, he was transferred from prison to SAVAK
owned house in Davoodiyeh. This lessened public tension.
After Imprisonment
Nearing the first anniversary of the Faiziyyeh massacre, troops once
again occupied Qom, but under strong public pressure, the Imam
was released from prison and returned to Qom. His first speech
delivered at Masjid Azam.
"They call us reactionary. Certain foreign newspapers are bribed
lavishly to say that we are adverse to all reforms and try to lead Iran
back to the Middle Ages. The Ruhaniyat(Clergy) oppose the
adversity the people suffer here. We want them to maintain the
independence of the country. We do not want them to be humble
servants of others. We do not oppose civilization nor does Islam.
You have violated all laws, whether human or divine. The radio and
television programs are nerve-shattering. The press poisons the
minds of the youth.
You have here military experts from Israel. You send Iranian
students to Israel. We oppose all this. We do not oppose freedom
for women, but we do not want women to be made-up dolls for the
purposes of men. Your educational system is at the service of
aliens."
Besides disclosing the evil scheming of the Pahlavi regime, the
Imam always urged the unity of Islamic nations against Zionism
and imperialism.
The Extraterritoriality Bill
The puppet government of Mansour, the then Prime Minister,
submitted the bill to the Majlis (the Lower House of the Iranian
legislative branch of the government during the Pahlavi regime)
which passed it. The Imam was soon informed of this treacherous
act and in a speech he explained his reasons for opposing the bill.
In less than ten minutes more than 40,000 copies of an
announcement embodying the Imam's views were distributed by his
supporters in Tehran.
The Shah felt so threatened by the power of Ayatollah Khomeini
that he arranged for his exile.
The Imam's Life in Exile
On the night of Aban 13, 1343 (November 1964) Qom was again
occupied by troops. They arrested the Imam and drove him to
Mehrabad Airport to send him into exile in Turkey. In the morning
the people of Qom were not allowed to leave their homes and
troops surrounded the houses of religious leaders. Haj Mustafa
Khomeini was arrested and imprisoned in Tehran. He was likewise
sent into exile in Turkey some two months later.
Cables were sent to the Turkish Embassy in Tehran in support of
the religious leadership. Meanwhile, Hassan Ali Mansour, who was
responsible for the bill and the exile of the Imam, was assassinated
by a member of the Fadaeiyeen-e Islam.
The following letter was addressed to the UN Committee of Human
Rights, dated April 1965:
"We would like to draw your attention to the measures the UN
might take against the policies of the Iranian government aimed at
violating human rights. The matter has been given publicity in the
New York Times, the Times and Le Monde issues of November 5.
The religious leaders of Iran have been sent into exile as a 'security
measure'. "
The top religious figures are jailed and nearly all other leaders are
under police surveillance at their homes.
The exile of Imam Khomeini to Izmir, Turkey, is the worst of all
violating Article 14 of the Constitution of Iran to the effect that no
Iranian shall be sent into exile or forced to leave his residence to
reside elsewhere, unless otherwise stipulated by the law. Charged
with revolt, the Imam has been under police surveillance since
1962. So, how can he be guilty of later provocation? This is rather
more important, taking into account the practice of the Turkish
government to accept a religious leader of so considerable caliber
in its territory and keep him under control. We shall appreciate
your investigation into the merit of the case and your decision
thereon as the UN Charter stipulates."
The Turkish government under pressure was obliged to transfer the
Imam to Iraq with collaboration of the Iranian regime. The Iraqi
government agreed with such a transfer, provided that Iran had no
right to intervene in the Imam's fate, freedom of activities of length
of his exile in Iraq.
Exile to Iraq
The Imam lived in exile in Turkey only for a short period during
which he was engaged in writing books. In Najaf, Iraq, he resumed
his activities, but in an announcement he pointed out that the
resumption of his activities should not be considered as termination
of his exile and the public should be enlightened accordingly. They
were! For fifteen years in exile, Imam Khomeini, wrote, spoke out,
lectured, informed and amassed public fervor against tyrannical
regime in Iran. He returned fifteen years later bringing the 'Dawn of
an Islamic Revolution.' TV and radio stations, all over the world
struggled to accommodate the influx of news that was coming from
Iran; the Imam has returned. Some quoted thousands had gone to
meet him and others, hundreds of thousands, but the truth is that
millions thronged to receive the Imam when he landed on home
ground. <Picture>
Immediately after his triumphant return he addressed the millionic
throng at Behesht-e-Zahra cemetery. The following area excerpt s
from his speech ..... "We have suffered many disasters ..... but
during this period, big disasters but great victories have also been
achieved ..... I cannot compensate for all the damage done to this
nation .... I lost everything. May God the Almighty reward it ...
Muhammad Reza Pahlavi has gone ..... He fled after destroying
everything... He ruined our country and made our cemeteries
flourish..... Our agriculture is Wiped out..... He kept our culture in
a backward state... We have had universities for more than fifty
years..... Due to treason committed against us however, there has
been no human development..... .
"As regards oil, it has been given totally to foreigners whether to
America or other countries.....If. God forbid, that man had remained
on the throne for several more year.' our oil reserves would have
been exhausted... The blood of our young has been shed for these
same causes and for freedom... We want a strong country with a
stable and powerful system. We do not seek to reverse the system
totally, in fact we want to maintain it, only let it be based on. and in
the service of the people."
Imam Khomeini has been true to his words. Since the ousting of the
Pahlavi regime and the establishment of an Islamic Republic in
Iran, the government has acted towards the benefit of the people
themselves. The system of Islamic government in Iran has not been
estranged from the people in any way and has enjoyed their full
support. Development activities, under the circumstances have
achieved wonders far beyond the realms of expectation, and the
support of the people when fighting against the despotic regime of
Iraq which imposed war upon them serves to show that their faith in
the Imam's guidance and the grace of Allah shall never flounder.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, having followed the guidance of
Imam Khomeini, now has a strong and powerful system both at the
national and international level. Islamic tenets and laws are referred
to when policies and decisions are made in government and this at
all times ensures that any activities or proposals carried out are in
the interest of the people. The nations of the world shall be envied
in future Years, for having lived through this era of transition of the
Islamic Revolution, for having experienced its glorious 'Dawn' led
by the most honorable Imam Khomeini.
Contrary to the views expressed by the Western media. the people
of Iran have gained a new respect and dignity. They can proudly say
that what they have is self-achieved that their modest dress is
proper and is their cultural identity (and not an outdated custom),
and that their values are Islamic and pure.
Imam Khomeini returned to Iran, from exile and brought with him
the 'Dawn of the Islamic Revolution,' but now the light of the full
sun shines from the faces of those who have followed his guidance
and accepted the tenets of Islam. The Islamic Republic of Iran like a
beacon, shines out across the globe and embraces the oppressed.
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