The Islamic Revolution

The Islamic Revolution is the political-social movement of the Iranian people that began in the early 1960s and achieved victory on February 11, 1979. Standing against the oppression and tyranny of oppressive rulers and the encroachments of foreign colonialists is one of the characteristics of the Iranian people, to which they have been accustomed for a long time. By enthusiastically accepting Islam as a liberating and universal religion, they have stepped on the path of history with the family of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s) and stood against deviation from the right path. The connection between Iranians and the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad (s) strengthened the foundations of Shi’ah thought in Iran, and the Ashura uprising of Imam Husayn (as) developed a model for Iranian Muslims to stand up against oppressive governments and defend their culture and country. Following the teachings of the Ashura uprising, the Shi’ah clergy was able to keep a sense of fighting against oppression alive in people’s minds and hearts.

After the demise of Ayatollah Sayyed Mohammad-Hoseyn Boroujerdi, one of the great religious authorities (1961), the Pahlavi regime prepared the ground for the implementation of America’s desired measures in Iran, which were accompanied by the removal of religion from the society. In addition, it ended the practice of nominal cooperation with religious scholars which was seen in previous dynasties. Moreover, dreadful security apparatus of the regime began suppressing any dissenting individual or group. At the same time, the uprising of Imam Khomeini (ra), who enjoyed the support of various groups of people, in a short time, managed to impede the anti-religious measures of the Shah. Although this situation did not last long and the Shah, with the help of his powerful military and security forces, was able to suppress and contain the popular protests, the Revolution that had emerged in 1963, once again came to the surface in 1978.

From 1978 to 1979, the people’s demands gradually changed from economic and trade union spheres to idealistic issues finally turning into “independence, freedom and Islamic Republic.” Under the banner of the Islamic Revolution, an unprecedented unity was formed in the country, and on February 11, 1979, it eliminated the 2,500-year-old imperial regime in Iran, and on April 1, 1979, with a unanimous vote, people agreed to establish the Islamic Republic system in Iran.

Reference: The Encyclopedia of the Islamic Revolution.