Prophet’s Ascension in Iran ― Date, History, and Details

Prophet’s Ascension in Iran

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History of Prophet’s Ascension in Iran and How to Celebrate/ Observe It

In the early morning hours of May 8, 1979, Iranian revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned to Iran in triumph after 15 years of exile. His return came just days after the collapse of the regime of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who had been forced to flee the country. With the shah gone and the monarchy in disarray, Iran was in the midst of a power struggle between competing factions of the political left and right.

Khomeini quickly emerged as the leader of the conservative religious establishment and began to consolidate power. He established a theocratic government based on Islamic law, or sharia, and instituted strict moral and social codes. He also crushed the left-wing opposition, killing or imprisoning thousands of people.

In December 1979, Khomeini approved a new constitution that made Iran an Islamic republic ruled by a supreme leader—a position he would hold until his death in 1989. The constitution gave Khomeini sweeping powers and placed strict limitations on individual rights, particularly those of women and minorities.

During his decade in power, Khomeini used his position to further entrench the conservative religious establishment in Iranian society. He also supported radical Islamist groups abroad, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Palestine.

Khomeini’s legacy is complex. He is revered by many as a heroic figure who helped topple a tyrannical regime and established an independent Islamic state. Others view him as a despotic ruler who trampled on human rights and plunged Iran into a period of political and economic turmoil.