Islamic Revolution, foundation of Popular Religious Rule

The triumph of the Islamic Revolution in Iran set in motion many important developments in the region and the world. The different political, social, and economic aspects of these developments can be studied from different angles.

One of the resounding accomplishments of the victory of the Islamic Revolution was the wide-scale participation of people in the scene of elections in Iran. The Islamic Republic system of government established a new political system in which the people from walks of life participated through casting of votes in elections, while maintaining a commitment toward religious criteria and principles, based on Islamic values. This proves the dynamism of popular religious rule in Iran which is far better than any democracy anywhere in the world.

The Iranian nation has displayed its solidarity in the post-revolution era in all scenes, especially through elections, which are the most important elements in determination of the political fate of the country. The fact is that the Iranian nation has widely taken part in several elections, turning every single one of these elections into influential events. It should be recalled that within two months after the victory of the people’s grassroots Islamic movement led by Imam Khomeini (God bless his soul), the first ever nationwide referendum was held in Iran in which 98 percent of the participants voted for the Islamic Republic system of government. Since then, the people of Iran have been regularly going to the polls to elect the president and parliamentary deputies every four years, representatives to the Assembly of Experts every 8 years, in addition to exercising their right in casting their votes for the city and town councils. Now, in less than a month before the month of February ends, the people of Iran will once again cast their votes for the parliamentary polls and the Assembly of Experts elections.

Elections are the symbol of people’s rule, and this important feature has always been maintained in Iran’s elections. According to analysts, Islamic Republic of Iran is the forerunner in the region in regard to elections. This is while the US has made feverish efforts over the past 37 years to dissuade the Iranian people from taking part in elections, but to no avail. The US has been hell-bent to downplay and discolour the elections in Iran. Nonetheless, poplar religious rule in Iran has turned into a role model for other nations.

The Leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in a recent meeting with thousands of people of the holy city of Qom, referred to the historical and landmark uprising of the people of Qom in the year 1978 against the Shah’s despotic regime, while comparing the Islamic Revolution with some of the important developments of the contemporary history of Iran and the world. He referred to deviation of the French and Russian revolutions from their goals, while pointing out that the Islamic Revolution in Iran is the only revolution which has successfully secured its durability on the basis of its primary principles and ideals. The Leader went on to stress that the main goal of the think tanks of Global Arrogance has been to wipe out the Islamic Revolution, and the enemies have made utmost efforts to this end via a number of means such as the 8-year war which the US had imposed on Iran in the 1980s through Saddam of the repressive Ba’th minority regime, the economic siege of Iran, and imposition of illegal and illegitimate sanctions against the Iranian people. He reminded that in 2009, the US officials were intent on sabotaging the outcomes of elections in Iran via financially and politically supporting a fraction of a minority that had failed to garner votes. However, this seditious plot was an utter failure, thanks to the huge presence of the Iranian people on the scene. Ayatollah Khamenei went on to reiterate that the US administration fully backed this seditious plot. However, the timely presence of the Iranian people in the scene foiled this conspiracy. Currently, the enemies of the Iranian nation continue to hatch numerous plots to try to marginalize elections in Islamic Iran. Elections, however, maintain an elevated status within the framework of the primary tenets of Iran’s Constitution, and every member of the Iranian community senses a responsibility toward elections. The massive turnout in elections in Iran, even under difficult conditions, such as the era of the imposed war, was rather exemplary.

The massive participation of people in elections has always prevented the enemies from accomplishment of their ominous plots. According to the Leader of Islamic Revolution, there are two topics of importance in relation to elections. Firstly, it is the principle of participation in elections. The second important topic is election of the best qualified nominees. Maintenance of these principles is the secret behind the durability and sustainability of the Islamic Revolution. On this basis, the Leader of Islamic Revolution has noted that the unanimous and massive turnout of people in elections cements and reinforces the Islamic Republic system of government; leads to continued security; enhances the credibility and reputation of Iranian people in the eyes of the international community; and promotes the grandeur of Islamic Republic of Iran. The Leader of Islamic Revolution has gone to underline that elections belong to the Iranian nation, Islamic Iran, and sacred Islamic system of government.

Several elections have been held in Iran over the past 37 years which shows the importance attached to elections in the Islamic system of government. The institutionalization of elections is part of the achievements of popular religious rule in Iran, which is a thousand times better than the democracies of the West and the East. In the view of Islamic Republic of Iran, the legitimacy of the ruling system is rooted in the votes cast in elections by the Iranian people. In fact, elections are the source of strength and legitimacy of the sacred Islamic system. According to Article 56 of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Constitution, absolute rule of the world and mankind belongs to God Almighty, and God has made it possible for mankind to determine his social destiny. No one can deny this right of mankind or allocate this right to serve the interests of a particular individual or group. Undoubtedly, this is firm focused on Islamic beliefs, while recognizing the right of people to determine their own fate. The fact of the matter is that upon the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the stage was set for the political participation of people. From the very beginning of victory of Islamic Revolution in Iran, the Founder of Islamic Republic of Iran, the Imam Khomeini (God bless him) strongly believed in the votes and views of Iranian people. Article 6 of the Constitution emphasizes that Islamic Republic of Iran’s Constitution focuses upon the role of people in administration of the ruling system’s affairs.

MG