Iran's glorious Islamic Revolution, led by Imam Khomeini, gave the promise of victory over oppression to the world people. It lit the rays of hope in the heart of the oppressed and downtrodden and proved that, through unity, consistency, resistance on truth and trust in God, oppression can be annihilated.

In view of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Islamic Revolution of Iran has unique characteristics which have caused it to survive and endure. Ayatollah Khamenei in his comprehensive statement, known as "The Second Phase of the Revolution", writes, "Among the nations suffering from oppression, few make an effort to stage a revolution; and among those nations that have risen and staged a revolution, few have been witnessed to have pursued it to the end or moved beyond merely changing the government and safeguarding their revolutionary ideals. But the glorious Revolution of the Iranian nation- which is the greatest and most popular revolution of the contemporary era- is the sole revolution that has covered forty years of pride without betraying its ideals, and has preserved its dignity and originality of its slogans vis-à-vis all temptations which seemed irresistible; thereby entering the second phase of self-building, society-refurbishing and civilization-building."

In Ayatollah Khamenei's opinion, the Islamic Revolution was a novel discourse that was raised in the world; a revolution with the combination of Islamism and Republicanism that broke the hackneyed frameworks and put a new path ahead of the world people. The Iranian people, in every demonstration, would chant "Allah-o Akbar", "Independence" and "Freedom" and these mottos have persisted up to now. People were fed up with the corruption and extravagance of the monarchic system and called for the rule of spirituality and ethics in society. Thus, they relied on Imam Khomeini, as the symbol of all divine virtues, and pursued a government that could secure them both materially and spiritually. Therefore, more than 98.2% of the Iranians voted for the Islamic Republic system of government. This Revolution was neither like the Crusades that were based on religious bigotries; nor was it like secular governments that omit God and religious values to merely maintain hedonism. The Islamic Republic, through combination of Islam and people's role, displayed the most beautiful picture of balance and moderation. Ayatollah Khamenei says, "It is possible to assume an expiry date for anything; yet, the global mottos of this religious revolution are exceptional. They will never expire, because they match human nature in every era. Freedom, ethics, spirituality, justice, independence, dignity, rationality, brotherhood; none of them is related to a single generation and a single society so that they would radiate in one era and decline in the next. Never can we imagine a people who despise these values."

In view of the Leader, one of the important characteristics of the Islamic Revolution is that it is a living and resolute phenomenon. This can be seen in the broad participation of people in the important decisions of the government. The Iranian people, whether in parliamentary election or presidential election, demonstrate their spectacular turnout every four years proving that they are determined to pursue the sublimity and progress of the Islamic Republic system. The Iranian people pour to the streets on the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution's victory on February 11, to display the greatest national unity in the world and prove to the bullying powers that they support their revolution and system of government. They support the oppressed people of Palestine, Yemen, Myanmar, Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, Bahrain and everywhere in the world. The nationwide demonstrations of World Quds Day are held every year in Iran, like in many other Islamic countries, to express the support for the Palestinian nation and animosity against the usurper child-killer regime of Israel. Ayatollah Khamenei writes in his statement, "This global and regional realm of action beside the oppressed of the world represents a source of pride for Iran and Iranians, and may it persist for ever."

The Islamic Republic of Iran is dynamic and moving phenomenon. Campaign against arrogance, insistence on truth, defence of national dignity and scientific achievements, like nuclear ones, are examples of dynamism of the Islamic Republic in the world. Today, the important status of Iran in creation of stability and security in West Asia is an undeniable fact which has been acknowledged even by the enemies.

In continuation of describing the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei writes, "The Islamic Revolution- like a living and unwavering phenomenon- is always flexible and ready to correct its mistakes, but it is not revisionary or passive."

To better understand this part of the Leader's remarks, we can refer to the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Constitution is a very important base for stability and survival of the religious system which was outlined and compiled by prominent and knowledgeable people like martyr Ayatollah Beheshti. It is a comprehensive book of laws which are capable of addition and omission. In other words, although it is firm and robust it is flexible so that the legal defects of the country are met. In view of the Leader, the Islamic Republic is committed to the revolutionary values; but it is capable of correcting its mistakes and it accepts criticism as it considers it as a divine bounty. Ayatollah Khamenei stresses that the Islamic Revolution "by no means takes distance from its values, which thanks God, are blended with the people's religious faith."

 Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei continues to describe the Islamic Revolution, "The Islamic Revolution of Iran has been powerful; but merciful, forgiving and even oppressed. It has not committed any of the extremist and deviated acts that have marked many uprisings and movements with stigma. In no conflict- not even against America and Saddam- did it ever shoot the first bullet and, in all cases, it defended itself after the enemy's attack; of course it has blown the defensive strike vigorously. Since its inception, this Revolution has never been merciless nor had it ever shed blood; it has neither been passive nor hesitant. It has stood assertively and bravely against the bullies and thugs and has defended the oppressed and downtrodden."

RM/ME