June 4, 1989, is one of the bitterest and saddest days in the history of Islamic Iran; the day when the late Imam Khomeini (RA) left for his final abode and the Iranian nation was plunged into a world of sorrow and grief. Minds conscious of the Higher Being rededicate themselves to the cause of justice every time the name of Imam Khomeini comes to mind. He was anti-nobody, pro-justice, an advocate of truth, and opposed injustice and immorality with every fiber of his being. This is because he and justice were inseparable; he established contact beyond the grave and ensured that even when he is no more, the masses will find his ideas sufficient to sustain resistance against evil and promote uprightness.

The reasons that Imam Khomeini provoked such intense thought are not immediately evident for they require purity of heart. His political thoughts were not for fame and relevance; they were well aligned with God’s teachings. He was for the Islamic Republic and against oppressive and nefarious systems. His influence and viewpoint reached every corner of the world, hence there are Muslims in parts of the world that did not know about the teachings of the Progeny of the Prophet. The teachings of the Progeny of the Prophet would not have reached Africa and other continents that were deprived, had he not dedicated himself to spreading their message. His ideas influenced the world without discrimination, invoking admiration from friends and foes, uniting Muslims, and attracting activists. South African religious and political activists drew inspiration from him and renewed the belief that revolution can be achieved even with the less sophisticated artillery.

Imam Khomeini intended to pursue his divinely aligned policies regardless of his enemies within his country or abroad. Iran is a key area in terms of the geopolitics of the Middle East. Because of its wealth, size, and proximity to Arab countries, the Imam’s opponents had reason to fear the consequences of an Islamic regime.

The Islamic Republic is primarily concerned with the tasks of eradicating corruption, fighting injustice, empowering women, and increasing access to education and health care, with the larger goal of liquidating any form of Western influence. Iran’s neighbors should find comfort in knowing that Iran is for truth and justice. During his leadership, Imam Khomeini successfully implemented programs that vastly reduced immorality, encouraged decency, increased literacy rates, boosted fair representation of women and other religious denominations in the Iranian parliament, and ensured the rights of religious minorities are protected.When his enemies could not falter his ideas they resorted to blasphemy and sanctions, but still, that did not deter him. It then becomes evident that independence was only the prelude to a proud and patriotic nation led by a government that stands for justice. He proclaimed that the Islamic Revolution would be shared with others and he kept his word. Other oppressed nations drew lessons from Iran’s foreign policy, even though they are yet to be implemented. He put the Islamic law first and encouraged those holding government posts to have knowledge of jurisprudence, and justice, as well as intelligence and administrative ability. It is this system of Islamic rule that prevented injustice and upheld righteousness. Corruption and oppression of the poor and weak by the powerful as well as exertion of innovation (in religious matters) and deviation from Islam and Islamic law are not tolerated as per the teachings of the Imam. Foreign anti-Islamic influence and conspiracies by non-Muslim foreign powers are rejected with the strongest possible means.

The world should know the truth about this great man. He ascended the highest seat through the ballot box, and over 98% voted in favor of replacing the monarchy with an Islamic Republic. And subsequent elections were held to approve the newly-drafted Constitution.The constitution requires that a president be elected every four years, but only those candidates approved indirectly by the Council of Guardians may run for the office. This has helped Iran to deter any foreign influence.Imam Khomeini was instituted as the Grand Leader for life and officially decreed as the “Leader of the Revolution”.

Thirty-four years have passed since the demise of a man who shook the world.