Imam Khomeini’s legacy transcends frontiers of time and space: Analyst 

By Hiba Morad

The glorious legacy of the founder of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, continues to inspire millions of people worldwide, according to a prominent Lebanese author and journalist.

In an interview with the Press TV website on Friday, Mona Sukkariya described Imam Khomeini as "the most prominent leader" of the past century.

There are many well-known leaders who led different revolutions throughout history and achieved victories, according to Sukkariya, but most of these revolutions were limited to a particular time and their impact remained confined to the borders of countries.

But the revolution spearheaded by Imam Khomeini was multi-faceted and its impact and influence crosses the frontiers of time and space, and so does the legacy of Imam.

The Lebanese analyst hailed Imam Khomeini as a leader who launched and admirably led the unique and enduring revolution of dynamic values.

“He led a long-lasting revolution despite being jailed in dark dungeons, tortured, exiled to different countries, and subjected to oppression," Sukkariya told the Press TV website in an interview.

"It is important to note that the secret to the popular revolution and thought of Imam Khomeini lies in the fact that despite all the pressure, he was able to successfully address the awareness and minds of people and not only attract their attention and feelings."

Revolution cutting across barriers 

According to her, Imam Khomeini’s revolution and ideas have transnational appeal and transcend the lines of color, race, religion and schools of thought.

This is because his thought is based on the binary of oppressed and oppressor, which describes the reality of this world precisely and fits every time and place, Sukkariya said.

His revolution was a paradigm shift that influenced and inspired sociologists, intellectuals, and psychologists, who adopted his thought, she hastened to add.

“By establishing the Islamic Republic of Iran, he was able to pave the way for a new world order, mark the beginning of the decline of Western Imperialism and influence contemporary Islamic societies which adopted his thought,” the Lebanese journalist stressed.

Palestine: Imam’s main cause

Sukkariya, who has covered Palestine as a journalist for years, said there is no doubt that Imam Khomeini’s dynamic thought and ideology are still alive, especially when it comes to Palestine.

She described Palestine as the most important issue facing the world, which must concern every free man, adding that Imam strongly championed the Palestinian cause.

“He described the Israeli regime as a cancerous tumor that should be removed. I still remember his move, when as soon as he arrived in Iran in 1979, he took down the Israeli flag and awakened the consciousness of thousands around the world by his move,” the Lebanese journalist said.

“I cannot forget the days of the revolution when Ayatollah Khomeini was a game-changer in altering the status-quo of a unipolar world where no country was ready to stand up for itself and its values.”

From Sukkariya’s perspective, those who read history know it is fair to say that the revolution did not actually start in 1979 but during the 1960s when Imam Khomeini was fighting to raise his voice and convey his thoughts in order to awaken people to the dangers of Western hegemony.

“He is such a unique leader who believed in his thoughts and was able to read history correctly.”

Imam Khomeini: A school of thought

Today, according to Sukkariya, we see the reflection of Imam Khomeini’s school of thought in more than one arena, especially in terms of Iran’s allies who have made use of his ideas in resisting imperialism and colonialism, supporting the oppressed and standing firm against oppression, as well as in understanding and realizing economic independence and self-reliance.

Governments and resistance movements worldwide have followed Ayatollah Khomeini’s lead, including movements such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Palestinian resistance in Occupied Palestine, which proves that the revolutionary thought of Imam Khomeini works well in terms of achieving autonomy and resisting all forms of colonialism and hegemony, she noted.

“Whether in Lebanon or Palestine, the world witnessed how the resistance movements and the free people of these countries reaped the fruits of Imam’s school of thought, which is based on the welfare of people, especially the weak and underprivileged,” Sukkariya said.

“The Lebanese and the Palestinian resistance learned a lot from this revolution and benefited from Ayatollah Khomeini’s thought. They hold their arms in the face of the enemy and the oppressor, and they work for the well-being of the people and to support the weak wherever they are.”

Revolution here to stay

The Lebanese journalist and author told the Press TV website that Ayatollah Khomeini’s thought, which has today spread across the region as well as other parts of the world has prompted Western powers led by the United States to impose harsh sanctions on Iran to limit its impact, which is a proof enough that his revolution has been successful.

“During the past four and a half decades, the West led by the US has been imposing different kinds of sanctions and pressures on the Islamic Republic thinking such actions can limit the revolution and Imam Khomeini’s thought. However, it has empowered the revolution and brought more attention to it, especially from the oppressed people in different continents of the world,” she said.

Maximum pressure campaign against Iran has failed to work, Sukkariya said, referring to the recent unrest and riots in the country that she said, “proved to be futile.”

Looking at the future, she said attempts to destabilize Iran will continue to fail as the Iranian revolution was based on “just ideas and values that respect humanity, freedom and justice”.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk