[edit] Guide Note
Ruhollah Khomeini was the political and religious leader of Iran from December 3, 1979 to his death on June 3, 1989. Although he is most famous for his leadership as a politician, Khomeini was a marja al-taqlid for Twelver Shi'a in the nation of Islam. While leader of Iran, Khomeini ordered an Islamic constitution, eradicated secular beliefs, rebuilt the army to enforce his religious doctrines, and ordered thousands murdered. His legacy after death is his defiance of Western culture and beliefs, and Iran's defiance of the same under his leadership.1
[edit] Fast Facts
- Birth name: Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini
- Born: September 24, 1902 south of Tehran, Iran
- Birth name means "inspired by God"
- Father and both grandfathers were Shia clerics
- Began to study the Quran at age six
- Spent fourteen years in exile, mostly in Turkey and Iraq
- Returned to Iran on February 1, 1979
- Spouse: Batoul Saqafi Khomeini
- Religion: Islam (Shi'a - Twelver)
- Usually known as "Imam Khomeini" inside Iran
- Usually known as "Ayatollah Khomeini" outside of Iran
[edit] Funeral
- Died: June 3, 1989 at age 86
- Cause of death: Heart attack
- Funeral attended by two million people 2
- Tomb and surrounding facility, when completed, will cover 5,000 acres
- Cost: $2 billion dollars 3
- Succeeded by Hossein Montazeri
[edit] Related Pages on Mahalo
Iran |
Islam | Iraq | Salman Rushdie | Turkey | Shia Islam
