Islam and Islamic Ideology
|
Islam and Islamic Ideology
by Hazarath Ali Khamenei
Leader of the World
In early days of its advent and even today, Islam has shown - and still showed - the way to a new world, ensured a life of abundance, moral rectitude and salvation for mankind. Before the advent of Islam, in early days of the Islamic community and today, the main causes of distress and grievance to man which Islam intends to eradicate, have essentially remained the same: poverty, ignorance, discrimination, war, insecurity, and finally incarceration in the prison of materialism and subjection to evil proclivity.
And Islam is the religion of humanity, moderation, wisdom, and submission to God just as all religions had evidently been so before being distorted. As such, Islam has brought non-extravagant remedies to human pain and suffering in logically and rationally acceptable ways. Islam beckoned mankind to remembrance of Allah, to supplication before, and establishment of a spiritual relationship with the Almighty. Islam has taught man and commended him to fight evil, aggression, corruption and to be on constant diligence against vanity, selfishness, and pursuit of carnal desires.
Islam's principal commandments have taken shape in this way, and the Islamic program for man's personal, social, moral, and political life has grown out of these roots.
In Islam, social justice, different types of freedom, equitable peace, struggle against oppression and aggression, male - female relationship, relationships between individuals and among communities, self-edification, innate relationship with the Almighty are all based on those pillars and are geared toward alleviating the perennial and chronic afflictions that grip humanity.
Today, too, despite the colorful and congenial veneer of human life, mankind suffers from the same pains and tribulations that have beset humanity in the course of history: The majority of people of the world are poor, while a small minority have access to much of the wealth on earth. Most nations are deprived of scientific progress, while a few have used their scientific achievements and knowledge as means to mete out oppression on others. Wars flare in nooks and crannies of the world, while many live under the constant fear of war. All over the world, we observe discrimination against nations, while there are class differences within most countries. The Western materialistic civilization bid everyone to materialism, while love of money, greed, and carnal urges are presented as the main objectives people should aspire. Finally, in many parts of the world, candor, truthfulness, altruism, and self-sacrifice have been replaced by deception, conspiracy, avarice, jealousy, and other indecent motives.
Compared with the past, progress in science, technology, equipment, speed, and tools has dramatically transformed the world, yet man's chronic and age - old pains and afflictions remain the same. The major problems of today are no different fro those of the past.
Western liberalism, communism, socialism, and all other -isms have been put to the test and proved effectual. As in the past, today, too, Islam offers the sole remedy, cure and is the saving angel of man. As was the case one thousand four hundred years ago, today, too, the following call echoes:
Indeed, there hath come unto you light and a clear Book from Allah; wherewith Allah guideth him who shall follow His pleasure into the ways of safety and bringeth them out of utter darkness into light by His will and guideth them onto the path of righteousness
(Holy Quran, Sura Maidah, Verses 15 and l6)
The important consideration is the observation and recognition of the true visage of Isla (devoid of any embellishments). The illuminating visage of Islam has been defaced and defiled in the course of several centuries by enemies and in even longer span of time by ignorant and heedless friends. They have deliberately or ignorantly made additions to or deletions from Islam.
At present, too, an incorrect understanding and self-interests are still at work from within to tarnish the image of Islam. But without a shadow of doubt, feeble publicity in this regard is by far more effective as it tries to embark upon this course in astute and sly ways.
One instance of the enemies' incessant effort to this end is the massive bulk of publicity against the Islamic Iran after the establishment of the Islamic government in Iran. They felt that leveling accusations and spreading mendacious news would be the most potent way to stave off the impacts of this grand revolution. They have uttered such falsities about us and ascribed such things to us that their words have become repetitive and completely monotonous and boring for the listeners. The Zionists, the notorious global Zionist media, and agents of the world arrogance, in particular the Americans - namely those who have sustained the greatest losses due to the revolution -- have been and are - most active and vocal in this area.
Muslim brothers: On this basis, our great task is to understand Islam and make it better understood and to become more familiar with one another.
2. The Islamic Ummah
The Islamic Ummah which took shape in Madinat ul - Nabi and enjoyed astounding and legendary growth in size and quality within a short span of time was the first political human product of Islam.
In less than half a century after the advent of this auspicious phenomenon, it treaded almost half the entire territories of the three large- neighboring and ancient civilizations, namely Iran, Rome, and Egypt. A century later, it developed brilliant civilization and a grand and powerful state in the heart of the world which was bordered the Great Wall of China in the East and the Atlantic Coasts in the West and the Siberian steppes to the North and southernmost part of the Indian Ocean to the South.
The third and fourth centuries After Hejira and beyond are embellished with brilliant civilization whose academic and cultural achievements can still be traced in the modern world after a thousand years. When recounting the history of science and civilization, Western historians overlook and neglect this grand and unprecedented uprising, transformation, and revolution in science, culture, and civilization and trace the ancestry of modern sciences from ancient Greece and Rome to the Renaissance, as though science and civilization had ceased to exist for a thousand years and were reborn of a sudden during the Renaissance!
But the truth of the matter is that the Middle Ages was a period of darkness, ignorance, and consternation only in the West and Europe, while in the Muslim world that, spanning from Andalusia to China, was several times larger than Europe, it was a period of radiation, awakening, and academic sublimation and boom.
This reminder does not mean to boast of the past or lament the decline of those days. The aim is to underline the fact that Islam and its life-inspiring knowledge which gave rise to such a colossal civilization are now at our disposal and warn us:
O you who believe! Answer (the call of ) Allah and His Apostle when he calleth you to that which giveth life unto you...
(Holy Quran, Sura Anfal, Verse 24)
Islam has proved that it has the capacity to lead its ummah toward civilizational and scientific resplendence and political might and ability. Faith, struggle, avoidance of discord are the only prerequisites for the fulfillment of this grand objective. The Holy Quran teaches us:
And be not infirm, and be not grieving, and you shall have the upper hand if you are believers.
(Holy Quran, Sura A'Iay lmran, Verse 139)
The Quran also teaches us:
And (as for) those who strive hard for Us, will most certainly guide them in Our ways; and Allah is most surely with the doers of good.
(Holy Quran, Sura Ankabut, Verse 69)
It also offers the following instruction:
And obey Allah and His Apostle and do not quarrel for then you will be weak in hearts and our power will depart, and be patient; surely Allah is with the patient.
(Holy Quran; Sura Anfal, Verse 46)
Weakness in relation to these three factors has at present plunged the Islamic ummah into a pitiable sate. At least, over the past two centuries, persistent and cunning enemies who possessed prudence and political skill, alongside certain incompetent Muslim governments in combination with diverse historical and political factors and conditions have crucially contributed to this condition and left it to us as legacy of past generations.
Brothers, let us bequeath something more glorious to the posterity.
In studying the external factors that have led to the present condition, I believe that the assault by the arrogant on the cultural front is most effective. In our culture, arrogance refers to a power clique which relies on its political, military, scientific, and economic power and is inspired by a discriminatory outlook toward mankind in order to exert pressure on and exploit large groups of human beings, namely nations, governments, and countries through exertion of bullying and contemptuous domination, to interfere and intervene in their affairs, to plunder their assets and wealth, to bully governments, to oppress the nations, and to insult their cultures and traditions. Salient examples are colonialism, neo-colonialism, and recently the extensive and all - out political, economic, publicity, and even military invasion by former colonizers and their heirs. All these are carried out in front of the eyes of our nations, which are tasting their bitter fruits.
In this forceful assault, Western powers have reaped the benefit of their academic and technological progress and of some of their national and indigenous features. should not reprimand only the enemy. Those who pave the ground for the victory of their enemies and make for their own defeat through shortsightedness, sloth and love of comfort and self-centricity deserve to be rebuked as well.
The West, in its all-round offensive, has also targeted our Islamic faith and character. In the light of its stocks of scientific tools that everyone needed, the West undertook the massive and persistent export of laxity and disregard for religion and ethics to us, a culture with which it is, itself, gripped. Indubitably, this ethical quagmire will, in not too-distant a day, engulf the present Western civilization itself and wipe it out totally.
At the present juncture, the world of Islam is in a calamitous condition because of this hostile onslaught, coupled with the inner factors that have affected the past generations. Poverty, ignorance, academic backwardness, moral laxity, and worst yet, the cultural and at times political domination of its enemies on the one hand and great problems such as those existing in Palestine, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iraq, Kashmir, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Caucasus, and others on the other hand, bring governments, political notables and leaders of the Muslim world face to face with a long list of divine and human responsibilities.
Today, we should take the initiative. Up to now, the enemy has always held the initiative, and we have, at most, complained.
In a historical process marked by the enemy's dozens of initiatives, Palestine has been turned into the personal property of the Zionists. First, lands belonging to the Palestinians were purchased. Then the immigrant Zionists were armed. Afterwards, civil war raged , and Palestine's dismemberment was declared. Then additional parts of that Islamic and Arab country were conquered and occupied, and ultimately it was usurped entirely while parts of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan were also annexed.
Up to this point. the Arab neighbors of Palestine have had the initiative on only one occasion. And that was the October 1973 attack by Syria and Egypt during the holy month of Ramazan. This offensive did not achieve its full results because of the cooperation between U.S. and Israel and the inaction of the Islamic countries; nonetheless, it was a source of honor for the Arab front and led to the liberation of a part of the Arab territories.
From then on, the Zionists and their supporters, headed by the U.S., have all along held the initiative in chanting slogans of compromise and acting to consolidate the illegal occupation of Palestine, and they have driven back their rivals to the utmost distance.
We Muslim governments should have offered more serious assistance to the frontline states to rescue and save Palestine. In the past, some of our governments have even covertly worked to the disadvantage of the frontline states. A prominent example was the government of Iran during the Pahlavi era. Regrettably, at that time, Iran was a safe haven for the Zionists and a sincere colleague of the usurping Israeli regime.
Dear Brothers,
This condition is incompatible with Islamic dignity and far removed from remedies to the pains and grief of the Muslim ummah. All Islamic countries should assume their fitting roles in restoring the rights of the Palestinian people, and the world of Islam should also move from the state of passivity to a condition in which it can have the initiative. But these duties are at present carried out wholeheartedly and with puissance and devotion only by the faithful and dignified youths of Palestine and Lebanon. Hail to them!
Our opposition to the so-called Middle East peace process stems from the belief that it is unjust, arrogant, contemptuous, and finally, illogical. The imposed principle of "peace for land" means that the Zionists would return the lands of neighboring countries, provided that we concede that Palestine belongs to them. What could be more unjust than such utterances? What recompense can be offered to the ancient people of Palestine in this in this deleterious transaction? Ironically, the Israeli regime considers even this much as inappropriate and has rejected it!! Isn't the time rife for the world of Islam to respond to this spirit of arrogance?
If we organize our ties and make them brotherly, we will have power to do so. What can the U.S. do against the united front of the Islamic countries, ranging fro Indonesia to North Africa? Today, global arrogance gains hope and strength through creating discord and disunity in this front. Is it not time to bolster and strengthen the ranks in our own favor?
Perhaps the existence of an enemy such as Israel in the heart of the Muslim lands could have brought us closer ... But the covert hands of arrogance effaced even this peril from along its way: It did something to us that right now we fear each other more than fear the enemy! The temptations, falsehoods, and sly publicity have made the Islamic countries erroneously and unduly feel intimidated by one another.
For eighteen years now, the political designer of arrogance have breathed their poisonous breath to make our neighbors in the Persian Gulf wary of Islamic Iran which holds the banner of unity and brotherhood. I declare that Islamic Iran poses no threat to any Islamic country.
Blessed by the Quranic injunctions, today, Islamic Iran more than ever desires unity, dignity, and might for the world of Islam. Thanks to the Islamic faith and notwithstanding the enemies' publicity ploys, we Iranians have upheld and preserved our national unity in an unprecedented way and enhanced public involvement in political affairs contrary to the claims and innate wishes of our enemies. The brilliant presidential elections this year was an example of growing public involvement in political affairs.
The government is united and uniform and all our officials are friendly with one another Confidence and self-reliance are the major decisive factors in our academic, political, economic, and cultural efforts. Possessed of this belief in our selves, which Imam Khomeini taught us, we have been able to reconstruct and rehabilitate a ruined and backward country left from the Pahlavi era and ruined even further by an eight year - long imposed war. We witness the same endeavor in some other brotherly countries as well.
But political dignity and power are of greatest importance. Our nation and our government have eradicated the influence and intervention of foreigners from their country by recourse to Islam. Nowadays, the Islamic ummah is eager for that self-confidence and for this dignity and independence. And all of us should muster our efforts to this end. This is an historical responsibility. Today, the ground is paved for the fulfillment of this duty and for acquiring dignity, power, and full independence of the world of Islam. |
A Brief biography of
Ayatullah al-Udhma Sayyid Ali Khamenei
"Right from the assassination attempt on my life, I had a feeling that Allah had chosen me for a great task for which I had prepared . At the time I did not know the nature of the task. However, I had no doubt that I would be ready to shoulder a great weight in His way for the sake of the revolution and in the service of you, Oh people."
1. Birth and Lineage
His Eminence Ayatullah al-'Udhma al-Haj as-Sayyid 'Ali al-Husaini al-Khamenei (May Allah prolong his life) was born in 1939 in the Holy City of Mashhad, Iran, in a respected scholarly family.
His father, Ayatullah al-Haj as-Sayyid Jawad, was amongst Mashhad's erudite 'ulama (clerics).
For years on end, he used to lead Fajr (morning) prayers at the Guharshad mosque and dhuhr (midday) and 'Isha (evening) prayers at the Bazaar-e-Mashhad mosque. He was a well-known preacher.
His mother was the daughter of Sayyid Hashim Najafabadi (MirDamadi), one of the well-known 'ulama of Mashhad. She was a chaste and honourable woman, who had knowledge of religious injunctions. She had very high moral principles.
2. His Childhood
Ayatullah al-'Udhma Sayyid 'Ali Khamenei lived his childhood under the care of his father, who was a loving parent and committed to bringing up his children in the best way. He spared no efforts in teaching them. Those years were very hard on Sayyid Khamenei because of poverty. He said, " I can recall that sometimes we had nothing to eat. At dinner time, my mother used to take the money which my grandmother gave me and my brothers and sisters, to buy milk and raisins for us to eat with bread."
3. His Education and Studies
At the age of five, Ayatullah al-Udhma Sayyid 'Ali Khamenei and his elder brother Sayyid Muhammad were sent to Maktabkhaneh (Qur'anic classes). Then they were enrolled into a religious primary school by the name of 'Dar ut Ta'lim e Diyanati'.
After he finished the primary school course, he attended evening classes in a state school, without the knowledge of his father, and obtained a certificate. He then enrolled in a secondary school for two years where he obtained a certificate.
As for religious studies, he studied Arabic grammar at the religious school. He read some of the books from "Jami' al-Muqaddamat", which are Arabic syntax books, under the supervision of his father. At the age of fourteen he joined the Sulaiman Khan school to study religious sciences. After completion of the study of Arabic grammar and the preliminary religious sciences he studied some of the Intermediate religious stuides (Sutuh) till the end of Lum'ah (concise but comprehensive text of Fiqh). Subsequently he joined the Nuwwab Religious Seminary to complete his Sutuh level of studies at the young age of sixteen.
This led to his attending Bahthil Kharij (graduation classes) under the supervision of Ayatullah al-'Udhma Sayyid Milani.
Ayatullah al-'Udhma Khamenei in addition to Fiqh and Usul also learnt and taught Islamic Philosophy, Rijal (Biography of Narrators of Holy Traditions), Diraya (Science of Comprehension of Traditions), Astronomy and Tafsir (Quranic Exegesis). He studied under eminent scholars and jurisprudents like Ayatullah Mirza Javad Agha Tehrani, Ayatullah Hakim, Imam Khomeini, Ayatullah al-'Udhma Burujardi and 'Allamah Tabatabai.
Ayatullah al-'Udhma Khamenei spent most of his student days in Mashhad. In 1947 he also visited the Holy City of Najaf where he studied for two years. In 1958 he migrated to Qom where he studied for six years.
4. Teaching Career
His Eminence Ayatullah al-'Udhma Sayyid Khamenei started teaching early in his student days. Whatever he learnt with his God-given ingenuity and great devotion, he taught with complete mastery.
He expalins, "I started teaching right after I graduated from the primary school, during the time of my religious studies at the Islamic seminary. I supervised the learning of two elderly students, who were reading the book "Sarf -e-Mir". Up to 1958, at which time I started living in Mashhad, I used to teach Arabic syntax and grammar, figures of speech, principles of jurisprudence and jurisprudence.
In Qom I also combined study with teaching. After my return from Qom to Mashad in 1964, teaching was one of my main occupations. During these years, and until 1977, I supervised students at the level of advanced sutuh, teaching Makasib (an advanced profound text of Fiqh) of Sheikh Ansari in jurisprudence and Kifayah in usul (an advanced profound text on principles of Jurisprudence) and 'Aqaid (beliefs)."
Ayatullah al-'Udhma Sayyid 'Ali Khamenei obtained a licence for ijtihad (deduction of legal judgements) from his teacher, Ayatullah al-'Udhma Hairi in 1974, after attending bahth ul-kharij for more than fifteen years.
Throughout his political career after the victory of the revolution, as testified by his colleagues who pursued academic discussions with him, he never abandoned his research and teaching. He would manange his time skillfully to engage in study and research especially in the field of Fiqh.
5. His Struggle from 1962 Onwards
A great part of his life has been dedicated to struggle, either through his writings, speeches, or taking up arms, especially when the late Imam inaugurated his Islamic Revolution in 1963. A detailed description of his struggles would require several volumes. However, a brief outline follows.
Responding to the call of Imam Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace) in 1962, the centre of religious learning, seat of knowledge and heart of jihad in Qom assumed an invigorated role. With courage and zeal, 'ulama and students alike took it upon themselves to disseminate the messages of the Imam and other religious authorities to every corner of Iran. Their instructions and calls were printed and circulated widely through the support and help of all popular forces. This new found vigour and zeal spread to the other centres of theology in the country, especially the Islamic seminary of Mashhad.
Ayatullah al-'Udhma Sayyid Khamenei (May Allah prolong his life) played a decisive role in this awakening. Alongside his activities in Qom, he strengthened his bond with the 'ulama and students of Mashhad. Counting on the activities and support of the 'ulama of Khurasan, he succeeded in mobilising theology students in a better way.
His fiery sermons exposing the treachery of the regime and widespsread activism against the oppressive Pahlavi rule led to his arrest and imposition of harsh treatment.
.
He was forced to do menial work, kept in solitary confinement, insulted and severely humiliated, threatened with death and subjected to other tortures in jail.
After his release from detention, Ayatullah al-'Udhma Khamenei decided to settle in Mashhad instead of going back to Tehran or Qom. He took up teaching as his prime concern. He gave classes in Qura'nic commentary, specially tailored for theology students, and other classes for university students and youth. He used these classes as a platform to disseminate revolutionary ideas, a rallying point for revolutionaries, and a centre for awakening. These classes turned into an axis of popular sentiments and Islamic dissent.
These activities in the fields of knowledge, teaching, jihad and service of the people contributed to Ayatullah al-'Udhma Khamenei's becoming, with time, a focus of jihad in Mashhad. People came to see him from far flung places in Iran. He in turn had contacts with the people in all areas.
Ayatullah al-'Udhma Khamenei thus, commanded the respect of the Iranian people for his integrity, morality and courage. Invitations from many bodies and institutions in Iranian towns and cities such as Isfahan, Kirman, Yazd and Tehran were raining down on him to come and give lectures and talks. He spared no efforts to make use of all occasions to disseminate Islamic revolutionary ideas, tell the truth about the regime's practices, and encourage people to adhto the path of jihad and revolution.
Besides his lectures, the books he either wrote or translated gave life to revolutionary ideas and fervour. Books like the Treaty of Imam Hasan (peace be upon him) The Future is This Religion's, and The Role of Muslims in India's Awakening played a great role in educating the youth and grooming them for revolution.
After the departure of Ayatullah al-'Udhma Burujardi in 1970, Ayatullah al-'Udhma Sayyid Khamenei embarked on the task of promoting Imam Khomeini as a Marj'a, (religious authority); he thought the time was right for such a move; the years 1968 to 1971 witnessed the building of peaceful revolutionary culture. The youth were still taking their first steps in the realm of revolutionary Islam.The 'ulama became their most deadly weapon. The latter did not miss the opportunity of spreading pristine Islamic knowledge and sciences amongst the youth, using every available medium, be it the pulpit of the mosque, private classes, free and open discussion sessions, or publishing books and leaflets. Sayyid Khamenei calls this period the " years of clandestine activities."
As he was keen on educating revolutionary cadres, enlisting the support of trusted elements, and establishing contacts with activists, he accepted an offer to combine teaching with the task of leading prayers, i.e. being the Imam of the congregation.
Capitalising on the strength the Islamic movement had achieved , it was thought fit and timely to create organised Islamic cells, headed by the 'ulama and those well-versed in jurisprudence and politics instead of ordinary people or politicians. The first of these cells was set up, headed by the late Imam Khomeini and supervised by revolutionary ulema in Mashad.
The Mujahidin 'Ulama League was born; its emergence was a prelude to the founding of the Islamic Republican Party after the revolution.
The activities of the League were responsible for mobilising and organising millions of people in marches and demonstrations during the period 1977 to 1978. Sayyid Khamenei's role in establishing the League was pivotal. It is worth noting that the Savak prevented him from leaving the country for ten years from 1965.
His exile lasted till 1978, the year when the masses took the upper hand so much so that matters went out of the hands of the regime. Availing himself of the turmoil into which the ruling establishment was thrown, Sayyid Khamenei returned to Mashhad to continue his jihad with a vengeance.
6. During and After the Revolution
1. Membership of the Revolution Command Council
Besides the leader, the Revolution Command Council played a major role in administering the revolution and eventually rendering it triumphant.
2. Member of Imam Khomeini's Reception Committee
3. Representative of Imam Khomeini in the Revolutionary Council in the Defence Ministry
4. Commander of Revolutionary Guards
5. Imam of Tehran Friday (Juma'h) Prayer
6. Member of the Islamic Consultative Council in the first term.
7. Imam Khomeini's counsel in Supreme Defence Council
8. President of the Republic for two consecutive terms
7. His Leadership
After the sad demise of the founder of the Islamic Revolution, the Council of Experts on 4th June 1989 unanimously elected him to the Leadesrhip post of the Islamic Revolution and the Muslim Ummah.
During his wise leadership he has succeeded in discharging his responsibilities in the best manner and steers the revolution on the same pristine path trodden by the late Imam Khomeini. It is no wonder for he is one of the disciples of the Imam.
We pray he continues his firm but wise leadership till the reappearance of the Awaited Saviour of mankind, the Original Leader of the Global Islamic Revolution, the Holy Imam al-Mahdi (may our souls be sacrificed for him)
Biography of H. E.
Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei
The Leader of The Islamic Republic of IRAN
Childhood and Education
Sayyed Ali Khamenei was born in Mashad, the holiest city, in the north-eastern province of Khorasan, in 1939. Both his parents belonged to clergy's families and spent the year 1964, he achieved the highest degrees in his theological studies at the Theological Academy of Qum but continued his studies at the Theological Academy at Mashad up to the age of twenty-nine.
Political Activities before Victory of The Islamic Revolution
During the rule of the deposed shah, Ay. Khamenei was a favourite pupil of Imam Khomeini, the leader of the Islamic Revolution, he was also considered to be one of the most eminent and dependable leaders of the movement of the Iranian Muslims, this movement entered a new phase in 1962 after Imam Khomini`s pronouncements against the Shah regime.
Responsibilities After the Victory
In the course of these struggles, Ay. Khamenei was arrested many times and spent three years in prison between 1964 and 1978. He was also exiled to a place with worst climate condition for almost a year.
In 1978, upon return from exile and the height of the revolutionary of the Iranian Muslims, he, together with a few close associates led the struggle of the people in Khorasan.
Later, in the same year when Leader of the Revolution was temporarily in Paris, he was selected as a member of the government of the Islamic Republic of IRAN. He was entrusted with the responsibility of representing the Revolutionary Council in the Army as well as Deputy for Revolutionary Affairs at the National Ministry of Defence and some time later. He was appointed to the post of the Revolutionary guards.
At about this time, Imam Khomeini chose him to lead the Friday congregational Prayers in Tehran and in 1980 he was elected to Islamic Consultative Assembly by the people of Tehran. After the formation of the Supreme Council of Defence, Ay. Khamenei joined it as the representative of Imam Khomeini.
Ay. Khamenei was one of the founding members of the Islamic Republic Party in IRAN and held the post of the Secretary-General of the Party.
Ay. Khamenei was the victim of an assassination attempt on 27th June 1981. having delivered an important speech at the consultative assembly, which ended in the dismissal of Bani-Sader from the Presidency of IRAN, he was addressing the faithful at poor residential area in Tehran, after leading the congregational prayer, when a time-bomb exploded nearby which injured him in the hand, chest and face. He was immediately transferred to a hospital by the deboted people of Tehran and he miraculously survived; his right hand, however, is not still functioning properly.
Presidency
In the 1981, following the martyrdom of the second President of the Islamic republic of Iran, he becomes a candidate and, in September of the same year, he was elected the Third President of the Islamic Republic of Iran with %95 of the votes cast in his favour by the Iranian people (the total number of votes was 16,847,717). He was reelected as president in 1985 for a second four-year term.
Ay. Khamenei heads the Supreme Council of Defence and the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution.
Since the beginning of the imposed war, he has often visited various war fronts and has often inspected the frontline in order to help remove any shortcoming or to advise on organizational matters.
Leadership
In 4th June 1989, One day after demise of Imam Khomeimi, Assembly of Experts closed Ayatollah Khamenei to lead the Islamic Revolution of IRAN.Since 1994, Ayatollah Khamenei has been introduced as the Religious authority in religious authority for Shi`ait people in the world by the Ulama from different countries.
Family
Mr. Khamenei is married and has six children.
Works & Books
He has a good command of the Arabic and Turkish and English language and, in addition to writing, he is a good judge of literary and poetic works. He has translated and written numerous books on Islam and history. His translations include " Future of the Islamic lands," " A Thdictment against the Western Civilization," and " Ima Hassan`s Peace Treaty." From among his writings, one may mention: " The Role of Muslims in the Independence struggle of India." General Pattern of Islamic Thought in the Quran," The Question of Patience," On the Inner Depth of prayers," "Understanding Islam properly," "Imam Al-Sadegh`s Life," and a collection of lectures on the question of Imamate. He was also a co-writer of the famous pamphlet " Our Positions," which helped the political, social and philosophical advancement of Islamic Republic Party. Other contributors were martyred Ayatollah Beheshti, martyred Hojjatol-Eslam Bahonar and Hojjatol-Eslam Hashemi Rafsanjani
|
