Ayatollah Ruhullah Musavi Khomeini

Born in 1901 A.D. his birthday coincides

with the anniversary of the auspicious

birth of Hadrat Fatima (S.A.), 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, Khomeini, 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 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.

Imam Khomeini was exiled to Turkey, Iraq (Najaf), Kuwait, and finally

to France (Paris). 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.

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.

On Saturday evening, June 3, 1989 (the 13th of Khurdad, 1368

corresponding to the 28 of Shawwal of the lunar year 1409) Imam

Ruhullah Khomeini (S.A.), the great leader of the Islamic revolution

and founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, passed away and joined

the high heaven. In Imam Khomeini's demise the world lost a great

history making revolutionary and a matchless leader who awakened

the Muslims, revived Islam and restored to it its pristine grandeur by

his honorable life.

Article taken from

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