Who Was Ayatollah Khomeini?
Regarded as one of the influential personalities of the 20th Century. Ayatullah Khomeni was an Iranian Muslim Shi`i Cleric who brought a Revolution in Iran which eventually ousted the long serving Shah of Iran. Till his death he was the first Supreme Leader of Iran. Ayatullah Khomeni holds extreme respect among the Iranians for his works in bringing Iran back to a disciplined Muslim state. His vision for a united Muslim community was never achieved as Iran fought an 8 year ugly war with Iraq as soon as Khomeini took over the country in 1979. Being a devoted Muslim Khomeini disapproved of the West, particularly the United States. He believed that a Muslim Shari ah should be practiced at all times and therefore denounced the Western way of governance. He also particularly believed that Iran should work to be independent from the western countries. He believed that some aspects of western culture were harmful for the youths of Iran. His teachings has been so influential that his words wer