Speaking about unity from Imam Khomeini's perspective, director of Ravaq-e Hikmat (Porch of Wisdom) Institute said that unity was central to late Imam Khomeini's thoughts and that such a discussion had impacts on actualization of the ideals of the revolution in Iran and on attaining the concept of Islamic Ummah outside of the country. He also said that focusing on spirituality, God and Hereafter was one the Imam's strategic characteristics.
Speaking to Mehr reporter about Imam Khomeini's strategic thoughts, Ayatollah Hadavi Tehrani said, "One of the most important strategic thoughts of Imam Khomeini concerning internal issues had to do with the unity which the Imam talked about and propounded from different angles and dimensions. One of its dimensions related to the unity among Islamic religions which Imam Khomeini greatly emphasized upon. In fact, he was the pioneer and reviver of the concept of Islamic unity. In the past also, the concept of unity amongst the Islamic religions was propounded by Shia's intellectuals and scholars like Ayatollah Boroujardi but during late Imam Khomeini, the concept of Islamic unity acquired another aspect and that was its instrumental role in attaining the objectives of the revolution in and out of Iran."
Ayatollah Hadavi Tehrani further said that Imam Khomeini's great emphasis on unity caused the Imam to become known as a popular figure inside and outside of Iran to the extent that he was seen as a model and a leader by the followers of other Muslim religions. He said that there are some leaders of Islamic movements who are still under the influence of the Imam's thoughts. Another dimension of the unity which late Imam Khomeini attached importance to was unity among various tribes and ethnicities within the country, Iran. Imam Khomeini (r.a.) held that differences among various tribes should not serve as a cause of disunity and enmity. Rather all the tribes should work together and endeavor to help the revolution bear fruit and achieve its objectives.
Director of Ravaq-e Hikmat Institute said that another dimension of the unity which was stressed by the Imam and considered by him to be effective for attaining the objectives of the revolution was unity between the Islamic Seminary and the University. "Late Imam Khomeini (r.a) attached importance to the Islamic Seminary and university as the two institutions bearing science, knowledge and expertise. He emphasized that the seminary and university should be together and that they should supplement each other and benefit from each other's capacities," he said.
"The independence of our country was one of Imam Khomeini's strategic and main concerns. In fact, one of the movements led by Imam Khomeini during 1960s was launched on the basis of independence. Independence was the main concern of late Imam Khomeini and in this regard he took concrete actions which led to formation of popular movements and the becoming of the Imam as the leader of the people," he stressed.
Lecturer at the Kharij (postgraduate) level of jurisprudence and legal theories in the Islamic seminary of Qom further added, "When the issue of capitulation was raised and the Imam felt that it would trample the independence of the country and the aliens' would be given an independent right to interfere in the affairs of the country arbitrarily and to enjoy legal protection, he reacted vigorously against it. Imam Khomeini wiped out the dependency that had been created during the Pahlavi regime and introduced "independence" as the strategy for the country. This strategy went far beyond Iran and is now propounded as a strategy for the entire Islamic world.
Dr. Hadavi Tehrani went on elaborating on the key strategies of Imam's thoughts saying that Imam attached importance to spirituality. "Perhaps some may not consider discussing about spirituality as a political strategy but Imam Khomeini did emphasize on spirituality in all his speeches and he endeavored to strengthen and consolidate the people' spiritual morale at all times and places," he noted.
"When Iran was in the most difficult circumstances and was under intense pressure due to the war, every one was expecting the Imam to adopt a clear-cut strategy about a certain issue but he allocated much of his speech giving moral and spiritual advice to the audience. Only at the end of his speech, he would make a short reference to the issue which the audience expected him to speak about. What he insisted and stressed upon and was a basic strategy in his politics was to give attention to spirituality, God and Hereafter," he further said.
Ayatollah Hadavi Tehrani added that the Islamic government distances itself from its identity if it does not pay attention to divine concepts and spirituality. Spirituality is a key concept and forms the essence of the Islamic government, something that could be seen in the Imam's strategy. He showed this through his conducts as the axis of his policies towards Iran and other countries. The 32 years experiences of the revolution show that we have been successful whenever we pay attention and adhere to these concepts. Our victory in the war fronts was the result of our attention to spirituality and we must pay attention to spirituality as the revolution continues to survive.
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