Thoughts on Imam Khomeini, His Holiness

The revered spiritual leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khomeini, is the subject of this reflection piece by Iran peace delegation member Barbara Spring of Albany, NY:

Who is this long-bearded, stern man looking at us from the minute our plane lands in Tehran? His portrait is in all of the official buildings, on billboards, and painted on the walls of tall buildings. Even the airport is named after him.

In the quietness of 2 a.m., the ribbon of lit highway curves the 30 kilometers through the valley toward Tehran. In the darkness, a mass of color and lights stands alone on the horizon – I think it must be an amusement park, but we soon learn from our guide it is Ayatollah Khomeini’s mausoleum. Four tall towers reach upward and two lovely turquoise domes dramatically fill the space.

I begin to learn some basic facts about Khomeini:

• September 24, 1902, a child was born in Khomein (or Kholmain), a town in the central province of Iran, to a religiously devout family.
• At only 5 months old, his father was martyred by government agents because of his critical teaching.
• He was educated in theology under the supervision of his devout mother and noble, truth-seeking aunt.
• He was completely orphaned at 15.
• He continued studies in Arabic literature, jurisprudence, science, and math.
• He became a sought-after teacher of the Qu’ran at the theological center in Qom.
• By June 1963, he had begun speaking out publicly against the Shah, with a famous speech that began the revolution.
• He was jailed, but was soon released in response to public demand; he was sent into exile, first to Turkey, then Iraq, and then onward to Paris.
• He continued to teach via cassette tapes, which were multiplied by the thousands and distributed throughout Iran.
• He returned from Paris in 1979 as the Shah was being run out of the country.
• Soon afterward, he became the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.

Our guide, Seyed, took us to Khomeini’s modest home and teaching mosque. He spoke of the crowds of people that filled the room each day to listen to Khomeini speak. Seyed was amongst the throng of adoring men.

From there we went to the Shah’s palace to experience the contrast.

The next day at the Peace Museum, I met Elahe, a lovely 28-year-old art teacher. I told her of our visit to Ayatollah Khomeini’s home. Her face filled with admiration as spoke of having met him as a young girl. She said his eyes penetrated her soul and his hand felt gentle on her head.

I did not ask her, but presume she as an adult was among the 10 million people who lined the procession way for the Supreme Leader upon his death in 1989.

His influence is continually felt and taught. A class of 4th grade girls was visiting Khomeini’s home at the same that we were. They asked to have a conversation with us, and we told them we were excited to be in Iran, we loved them and the Iranians, and we wanted peace and happiness for them. Hopefully, they will remember our words as they drive by the old U.S. Embassy, where large posters are painted on the wall with defiant words from Khomeini and as they listen to the evening news.