Islamic Revolution in the eyes of Western intellectuals (6)

The Islamic Revolution that triumphed in Iran these days in 1979 under the leadership of Imam Khomeini (God bless him) to rid the country from domestic despotism and foreign hegemony, was one of the greatest events of the twentieth century – if not the past few centuries.

One of the factors for its victory was the mass participation of people from all classes and walks of life in the fight against the British-installed and American-backed Pahlavi regime. The second feature which distinguishes the Islamic Revolution from other revolutions is its religious nature. As part of our programmes to mark the 38^th anniversary of the victory of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, in a series of short episodes we will attempt to introduce this great Revolution to our listeners from the standpoint of intellectuals. Today we will refer to the views of Mohammad Lancel, Professor Ismail Kylbs, Daniel Pipes, and Barry Rubin.

The Islamic Revolution in Iran was the beginning of a new era in the contemporary world. It restored to human societies the spiritual, Islamic and religious nature. If we were to consider a date for the revival of Islamic nature in the modern world, the date should be February 1979 when the victory of the Islamic Revolution took place in Iran. Hence, the 1980s are considered as the first decade for the revival of this trend. This event triggered a massive rise in religious thinking, not just for Islam but for all religions.

Head of the Cultural Centre of Islamic Resurgence in Austria, Mohammad Lancel, writes in an article titled “Impact of the Movement of Imam Khomeini”: Undoubtedly, the movement of Imam Khomeini not only presented a new image of Islam, but it also revolutionized or changed the religious life of non-Muslims. In other words, today, even in Europe, being religious is considered having a new value and meaning. Such remarks were expressed even by the former Austrian President in a speech that the Islamic Revolution granted a new life and self- esteem to the all religious-minded people.

Prominent Spanish philosopher, Professor Ismail Kylbs points out to the rebirth of religion in human life, by the movement of Imam Khomeini, and says: “Religion has been refreshed and churches have been revived. Showing interest in religion and religious thoughts is not considered weird and abnormal anymore. Spiritual beauties in everyday life have been rediscovered. The world has revealed shown interest and tendency towards the power of religion and spiritual attractions in order to save and beautify its social relations. All of these have been made possible by the invitation of the Father of the Islamic Revolution whose thoughts and ideas began to change the thinking and mindset of the international community.

In a recent conference in Istanbul, Turkey, President of the Association of United States Foreign Policy, Daniel Pipes, said: “We should admit we didn’t consider any space for religious thinking before the occurrence of the Islamic Revolution. From now on, it is vital for us, the Americans, to provide grounds to study and do research about religion.

In an article presented at a meeting in Brussels, Belgium, prominent western journalist and author of “Islam Normal”, reveals yet another aspect of reality in the revival of interest in religion, following the triumph of the Islamic Revolution. He said: Washington had not figured out the significance of religion in political communications and diplomacy in the past years. This matter has brought about a great deal of problems for us, the Americans, costing Washington a fortune.

Rubin added: If we would not like to encounter such an issue in the future, we have to accept and understand that religion is a basic and fundamental reality of the human societies. 

MA/AS/SS