• Ruhollah Khomeini was the political and religious leader of Iran from December 3, 1979 until his death on June 3, 1989.

• Fast Facts

  1. Birth name: Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini
  2. Born: September 24, 1902 south of Tehran, Iran
  3. Birth name means "inspired by God"
  4. Father and both grandfathers were Shia clerics
  5. Began to study the Quran at age six
  6. Spent fourteen years in exile, mostly in Turkey and Iraq
  7. Returned to Iran on February 1, 1979
  8. Spouse: Batoul Saqafi Khomeini
  9. Religion: Islam (Shi'a - Twelver)
  10. Usually known as "Imam Khomeini" inside Iran
  11. Usually known as "Ayatollah Khomeini" outside of Iran

• Legacy

  While leader of Iran, Khomeini established an Islamic constitution, rebuilt the army to enforce his religious doctrines and ordered thousands murdered in the name of religion. His legacy could be considered his defiance of Western culture and beliefs, and Iran's acceptance of the same under his leadership.TIME: TIME 100: Ayatullah Ruhollah Khomeini (April 13, 1998)

• Death and Burial

  1. Died: June 3, 1989 at age 86
  2. Cause of death: Heart attack
  3. Funeral attended by two million peopleCountries and their Cultures: Iranians
  4. 5,000 acre, $2.5 billion cultural center and shrine built on his burial siteThe New York Times: Khomeini's Tomb Attracts Pilgrims (July 8, 1990) CAIS: Khomeini Tomb and International Airport Lies on 3,200 Year-old Treasure (January 24, 2005)
  5. Succeeded by Hossein Montazeri

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Iran | Islam | Iraq | Salman Rushdie | Turkey | Shia Islam | Zahra Eshraghi | Ali Eshraghi | Iranian Revolution (1978)

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