In 1989, not only the Iranian nation but the Muslim ummah as well as all the world’s oppressed, lost the greatest ever leader of modern times. He was the Father of the Islamic Revolution and the Founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini (may his soul rest in peace). He was a unique Leader who showed humanity how to have firm faith in God in order to overthrow corrupt and dictatorial systems. Barehanded, Imam Khomeini inspired the Iranian Muslims to topple the armed-to-the teeth British-installed and US-supported Shah in February 1979, and thereafter for a little over ten years he was at the helm of affairs to guide the dynamic Islamic Republic system through the stormy seas of plots hatched by Global Arrogance led by the Great Satan, the US. The Late Imam Khomeini’s worthy successor, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, continues to pay glorious tributes to that Sage of the Age 21 years after his passing away that we commemorate on June 4.

Ayatollah Khamenei, while paying homage to the immortal legacy bequeathed by Imam Khomeini to the Iranian nation, the Muslim ummah, and the world’s oppressed masses, says the political school founded by the Imam caters to the modern man’s needs and provides a perfectly new path for all humanity on the basis of Islam. The main characteristic of the people’s movement set in motion in Iran by Imam Khomeini is its Islamic nature. It has gifted the Iranian people with most effective style of government. As Ayatollah Khamenei points out, under circumstances when Godless rulers of the Muslim world ignored Islam, Imam Khomeini revived and revitalized religious teachings to restore people their human dignity. The Late Imam considered all Muslims a monolithic Ummah and spread the message of brotherhood and unity among world Muslims. Islamic unity was considered one of the prime goals of the Imam. Ayatollah Khamenei says: “Today all Muslims around the world feel indebted to Imam Khomeini for showing the political power of Islam to change international equations in the quest for justice. The Intefadha of the Palestinian people against the Zionist usurpers of their homeland owes its inspiration to Imam Khomeini’s ushering of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Imam Khomeini’s imprint on the anti-oppression aspects of the Islamic movement is all evident today, whether in Palestine or whether in Lebanon, against the state terrorism of the usurper state of Israel. In many other countries, Muslim youths have been inspired by Islamic teachings thanks to Imam Khomeini.”

Ayatollah Khamenei says in Imam Khomeini’s political school, human dignity is essential and is a powerful and effective instrument for achieving the goals of Islam. As a result, people’s votes play a basic role. Certainly from the Imam’s viewpoint people play effective role once they are united. This is evident by his transformation of the Iranian people into a solid and united nation on the basis of Islam. Ayatollah Khamenei drew attention in this regard to the immortal words of the Late Imam that the key to victory is unity of words, and if there is no unity of words, the Iranian nation cannot take a step forward. And God certainly helps those who are resolved to knit ranks as brothers-in-faith. Imam Khomeini was without the least doubt the most wise and prudent leader of modern times. He was totally indifferent of his worldly position. Ayatollah Khamenei who like the Late Imam leads a simple life points to the luxurious and selfish life of world rulers, even among Muslim states, and says: The Imam showed that the true leader of Muslims ought to lead a pious life by abstaining from luxurious palaces. Like the Prophets of God, he should be accessible to the masses, by frequenting the Hosseiniyeh and tackling people’s problems. Ayatollah Khamenei notes that in today’s materialistic world, Imam Khomeini revived the values of spirituality and showed the power of ethics that are never separate from either politics or social life. In other words, he showed that politics devoid of spirituality is devilish work, while politics on the basis of religious teachings and spiritual teachings is a form of worship and to the betterment of human dignity. These values are the key to the success of the Islamic Revolution and the failure after failure of Global Arrogance.