The Narrative Awakening
IMAM KHOMEINI IN THE STRONGHOLD OF CHALLENGE AND UPRISING
The spirit of challenge and jihad in the path of God had its roots in Imam Khomeini’s religious background, in his family environment and in the sociopolitical conditions of his entire life. His challenges began when he was a youngster and gradually evolved and reached perfection alongside his spiritual and scientific maturity on the one side, and along with the evolution of sociopolitical conditions of Iran and of the Islamic society, on the other. During 1340-41 AHS/1961-62, the disputes over town and city councils9 presented an opportunity for Imam Khomeini to act as the leader of the clergy. Thus the allinclusive uprising of the clergy and the Iranian nation on 5 June 1963 (15 Khordad 1342 AHS) was characterized by two outstanding features, i.e. the sole leadership of Imam Khomeini and the all-Islamic motives, mottoes and objectives of the movement, marked a new chapter in the
struggles of the Iranian nation which later came to be known as Islamic Revolution worldwide. Imam Khomeini was born at a time when Iran was going through one of the hardest periods in its history. The socalled Constitution Movement10 came to naught by the tricks and opposition of British elements in the Royal Court of Qajar and because of internal frictions, and the treasons committed by a number of Westernized intellectuals. The clergy, in spite of their leading role in this movement, were put aside by ruses and deceits, and once again a dictatorial government was established.
The clannish nature of the Qajar monarchy, and the weakness and impotence of its rulers, had germinated the socioeconomic chaos of the country. The khans and rebels were afforded free hand to destroy the security of the people. In conditions such as these, in towns and cities and other areas, the clergy were the only refuge the people had and, as mentioned earlier, Imam Khomeini had, as a child, personally witnessed the murder of his noble father while he was defending the genuine rights of himself and those of the people of his country against the khans and agents of the government of the time. The family of Imam Khomeini had been used to migration for a long time.11 Imam Khomeini has described his memoirs of World War I when he was only 12 years old, in the following words: “I recall both World Wars. I was attending elementary school. I used to see Soviet troops in a center we had in Khomein.
In the First World War, we were often subject to raids.” Somewhere else, the Imam, relating the names of the khans and the rebels who, under government protection, were pilfering the people and trespassing on the chastity of the women, says: “I have been warring since childhood...we were invaded by the Zolqis and the Rajabalis12 and we had gun ourselves.
When I was in the early years of my adolescence, we used to visit the bunkers to help. The ruffians meant to raid and rob us....” Imam adds: “We used to build bunkers wherever we were in Khomein. I, too, had a rifle but I was only a child. By the age of 16 or 17, we were given rifles and we learned and taught how to use them. From the bunkers we could fight off the attackers. Chaos had overtaken everything and every place. The central government was powerless. They once took a borough of Khomein but the people fought them off. People took up guns and we were on their side.” The coup d’etat of the 3rd Esfand 1299AHS/1920 by Reza Khan13 Mir-Panj was, according to reliable historical accounts, arranged and supported by the British. Although it ended the Qajar’s rule and somewhat limited the medieval system of the scattered khans and rebels, but it generated such a dictatorial system in which a 1000-family clan ruled over the oppressed nation’s destiny and the Pahlavi family replaced the former khans and insurgents.
During his 20-year reign, Reza Khan got hold of about one-half of all fertile lands of Iran and had the ownership deeds and documents officially issued in his own name. He set up an organization much larger than an ordinary huge ministry, for preservation and protection of the Special Royal Estates. He went so far as to have scores of legislative bills passed by the puppet Majles legalizing the transfer to himself, of lands, even of the religiously endowed lands. The accounts concerning royal estates and jewels, usurpation of commercial firms and industries by Reza Khan, forms a major part of his biography written by his friends and foes. The domestic policies of Reza Khan centered around three points: "Rough and tough police- and military-rule"; "allinclusive fight against religion and the clergy"; and “Westernization". These long-lasting policies were enforced throughout his entire period of monarchy.
Source: "The Narrative Awakening" Book by Hamid Ansari
Other Links:
Islamic Solidarity: Islamic defense strategy
Islamic Solidarity: Infra-National Vision toward the Muslims
