Unburdened Sorrows

Following Imam Khomeini Begins

When Grand Ayatollah Boroujerdi passed away, the Shah’s regime tried hard to show that Ayatollah Hakim in Iraq was officially the most high-ranking Shia clergy in order to transfer Shia power core out of Iran; however, presence of Ayatollah Khomeini and subsequent events showed these attempts were useless.

In 1962 when Asadollah Alam government ratified the bill of “Provincial Councils”.[1] The Clergy and activist groups including Islamic Coalition Party (Hey’at-haye Mo’talefeh Eslami) shaped a movement and many announcements were issued in opposition with this bill.

The announcements and telegrams of Grand Ayatollahs such as Imam Khomeini, Milani, Qumi, Shariatmadari, Golpaygani, Mar’ashi Najafi were read for public in mosques and other religious circles by preachers like Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Taqi Falsafi.

The name of Ayatollah Khomeini was not familiar to me among other Ayatollahs whose announcements were read. My brother had talks about his morals, knowledge and fights against the regime. All the announcements would be read but it was his announcements that would attract people and me. I remember at that time I would hear the people were asking each other: “Who is he? Where has he been up to now?” His candid positions were important to people and would bring hope and joy for them. This way, people were acquainted with Imam’s name.  Gradually real combatants found their way and were attracted to Imam Khomeini’s movement. I also would add my information about Imam day by day. I found out despite being in a higher rank of knowledge, Imam had not published his treatise on shari’a (Islamic Jurisprudence).

I clearly remember one day when Mr. Falsafi read Ayatollah’s announcements in Arg Mosque, Imam’s announcement deeply impressed me. Despite he had not published his treatise I decided to follow his highness.

After public protests and issuing announcements by the clergy and teachers finally the bill of “Provincial Councils” was abolished.