Imam Khomeini’s Biography
Imam Khomeini was born on 24th September 1902 in Khomein (a city in central Iran). His father Sayyid Mustafa Musavi was a vocal critic of the khans (local self-appointed chiefs supported by the government). He was killed at the hands of the government mercenaries when Imam Khomeini was a 5-year-old child.
After studying Islamic theology in Khomein, he moved first to Arak and then to Qom in order to complete his studies. He started teaching philosophy at the age of 27. When Pahlavi regime’s tyrannical and suppressive moves against people intensified, he began criticizing and standing against the regime through awakening the Muslim nation of Iran.
Imam Khomeini’s unsubmissive stance against Capitulation Bill in 1964 led to his banishment to Turkey and then to Najaf. Imam‘s exile did not stall the Islamic revolution, but as it is stated in his biography, when in exile, he continued to bring to light the regime’s hypocrisy, plots and crimes. As the protests came to a head between 1977 and 1978, the Islamic revolution finally achieved victory in the winter of 1978.
Following the victory of the revolution, Imam Khomeini invited people to take part in an election to vote for their preferred political system. 98 percent of the nation chose the Islamic Republic in the event. Thus he founded the Islamic system of government in Iran. After the victory of the revolution, Imam Khomeini continued to lead the nation amongst the contentions and riots staged by Mojahedin Khalgh terrorist faction, continual assassinations of prominent revolutionary figures and then the imposed war. He always did his best to prudently solve problems and at the same time raise people’s awareness.
Imam Khomeini was struck by a heart disease in 1979 and went to Tehran by the order of the doctors he stayed there until his demise at the age of 87.
The Anniversary of Imam Khomeini’s Demise
The news of Imam Khomeini’s demise was announced to the Iranian nation on the morning of 4th June 1989. The newspapers of the time which allocated their whole front page to the news of Imam Khomeini’s demise, wrote that 4 days of holiday and 40 days of national mourning were declared by the heads of the legislative, executive, and judicial systems. The funeral of Imam Khomeini was held on 6th June. More than 10 million people from all over Iran caught up and participated in his funeral to see him off to his resting place. By testimony form media such massive crowd was gathered on imam’s tomb that the helicopter which carried his body finally managed to land after six unsuccessful efforts. He was finally buried after 10 hours. Each year thousands of his lovers take part in his demise anniversary ceremony held in his tomb.
After Imam Khomeini’s demise, the Assembly of Experts appointed the then president Sayyid Ali Khamenei as the new leader of the nation. The prosperity path Imam Khomeini envisaged for the people is still very well taken by his followers after 32 years. Imam Khamenei is in charge of leading the nation on the revolutionary principles set by Imam Khomeini.
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