Iran preparing to mark anniversary of Imam Khomeini’s passing

31 May 2012 | 20:24 Code : 1902175 Latest Headlines

Tehran Times- Iran is preparing to mark the 23rd anniversary of the demise of the late Imam Khomeini, the Founder of the Islamic Republic, which occurs on June 3.

Assembly of Experts Chairman Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani issued a statement on Wednesday to commemorate the occasion and the anniversary of the 15th of Khordad uprising of 1963.

The demonstrations of June 5 and 6, 1963 in Iran, called the 15th of Khordad uprising, were a protest against the arrest of Imam Khomeini, who was detained after giving a speech in which he vehemently criticized Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Israel, and the United States.

In the statement, Ayatollah Mahdavi Kani said that the Islamic movement initiated by Imam Khomeini altered the global balance of power.

“The Imam’s Islamic movement shook up the equations of power in the world and created a new order in the bipolar world. In this new order, Islam came to prominence as a democratic and religious power on the world stage,” the statement read.

Ayatollah Mahdavi Kani also said, “The realization of the ideals of the Islamic Revolution requires unity revolving around the Imam’s line and obedience to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution.”