biography
| name: |
Khomeini, Ayatollah Ruhollah
|
pronunciation:
[homaynee]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1900–89)
|
| biography:
| Iranian political and religious leader, born in Khomeyn, WC Iran. A Shiite Muslim who was bitterly opposed to the pro-Western regime of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, he was exiled to Turkey and Iraq in 1964, and from Iraq to France in 1978. He returned to Iran amid great popular acclaim in 1979 after the collapse of the Shah's government, and became virtual head of state. Under his leadership, Iran underwent a turbulent ‘Islamic Revolution’ in which a return was made to the strict observance of Muslim principles and traditions. In 1979, a new Islamic constitution was sanctioned, into which was incorporated his leadership concept of the Vilayet-i faqih (Trusteeship of the Jurisconsult). This supreme religious and political position was recognized as belonging to Khomeini, as was the title Rabhar (Leader). |
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