Islamic Revolution in the eyes of intellectuals (10)

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 discuss the viewpoints of some intellectuals from the US, Germany, Austria and England.

Each revolution pursued its own set of objectives and ideals. Thus the Islamic Revolution is based on certain objectives. Unlike other revolutions, its goal is the enlightenment of humanity and promotion of spiritual values. In view of the fact that the dynamism of Islam is its base, it attracted millions of people, and continues to attract tens of millions. The Islamic Revolution brought plenty of benefits for Iran and the whole world of Islam. It changed world equations. The sequence of its events astounded analysts. It attracted intellectuals from the East and the West. Contemporary American thinker, Noam Chomsky says: the Islamic Republic of Iran was the first instance of a country ignoring and casting aside red lines set by the US. Iran paid scant regard to such red lines and became independent.

Canadian scholar, Robert Calston says in this regard: In my view as a Western and non-Muslim person, it’s quite a miracle for a revolution espousing divine values and spirituality to triumph in today’s world in quest of the path of justice. Undoubtedly this revolution is guided by God.”

US anthropologist, Michael Fischer, describes the Islamic Revolution of Iran as a spiritual revolution and writes: For Ayatollah Khomeini, the Islamic Revolution was not a political or an economic revolution. For him it was a spiritual revolution designed to change the values and criteria of social behaviour, including the functioning of the government.

Professor Michael Danes Berdyne of the US Arizona University, states: I believe, the Western civilization will soon reach a stalemate and will be replaced by the Islamic civilization. The US and the whole world are facing an acute crisis today that is unprecedented in history. Just like Islam dispelled the age of ignorance, in our times, it is the Islamic Revolution that can set free my country and the entire world.

Professor Jaus Ousves of the “Islamic Path in Europe Union”, which is based in Germany, says Imam Khomeini awoke all the monotheists from deep slumber. At the time when materialism and material tools as well as anti-spiritual notions had surrounded the human community, the revival of religion and spirituality is indebted to Imam Khomeini and those who contributed to the success of the Islamic Revolution.

British sociologist, Anthony Gideon holds similar views. He believes: From the early 1980s, following the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the global process has started, and is firmly moves on the path of revival of religious thinking.

Austria’s Muslim intellectual, Professor Mohammad Hussain Hoda believes: The successful movement of Imam Khomeini embodied a comprehensive cultural revolution against the West and its values. The example of Iran once more indicated to the West that its culture and values were misleading, and thus void. What the world requires is Islamic values.

MA/AS/ME