Ruhollah Khomeini
Ruhollah Khomeini was an Iranian Shia cleric and politician who led the 1979 Iranian Revolution and became the first Supreme Leader of Iran.
Ruhollah Khomeini was an Iranian Shia cleric and politician who led the 1979 Iranian Revolution and became the first Supreme Leader of Iran. He was the central figure in the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran and remained in power until his death in 1989.
Early life and religious training
Khomeini was born in Khomeyn, Iran, though sources differ on whether his birth year was 1900 or 1902. He studied Shia Islamic theology and became a cleric and religious authority.
Role in the Iranian Revolution
Khomeini became the leading figure of the opposition to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. In 1979, the revolution succeeded, ending the Pahlavi era and creating a new political order.
Supreme leadership
After the revolution, Khomeini became Iran’s first Supreme Leader and the country’s highest political and religious authority. He held the position until his death in 1989.
Political and religious ideas
Khomeini is closely associated with the doctrine of velāyat-e faqīh, which gives senior Islamic jurists a governing role. His policies and ideology influenced the Islamic Republic’s institutions and later political culture.
Key facts
- He led the Iranian Revolution that overthrew Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in 1979.
- He became the first Supreme Leader of Iran after the revolution.
- He helped establish Iran as an Islamic republic.
- He promoted the concept of velāyat-e faqīh, or guardianship of the jurist.
- He died in Tehran on 3 June 1989.
Khomeini’s leadership reshaped Iran’s foreign and domestic policy, affecting Canadian diplomacy, Middle East policy, and the experiences of Iranian Canadians and broader diaspora communities.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Ruhollah Khomeini?
What was Khomeini’s role in the Iranian Revolution?
What is velāyat-e faqīh?
When did Khomeini rule Iran?
Where was Khomeini born?
When did Khomeini die?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruhollah_KhomeiniSupports: Basic biographical details, revolutionary role, and tenure as first Supreme Leader.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ruhollah-KhomeiniSupports: Biography, role in the Iranian Revolution, and concept of velāyat-e faqīh.
- BBC — https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/khomeini_ayatollah.shtmlSupports: Khomeini as Iranian religious and political leader and founder of the Islamic Republic.
- Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran — http://english.khamenei.ir/news/2116/Imam-Khomeini-s-BiographySupports: Stated birth date, revolutionary leadership, and role as Grand Leader until death.