Imam Khomeini: The Dynamic Star That Never Sets, By Charles Samson Makari, Tehran, Alhoda International Publication & Distribution, 2009. 148 pages. ISBN: 978-964-439-397-6 (Paperback)

THE title may mislead the reader that this is yet another biography on the iconic Iranian leader Imam Khomeini. The book is, in fact, more than that as it gives glimpses of the life of the famous leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran.

According to the preface, the 16-chapter book is an exploration "of Imam Khomeini’s leadership drive bearing unique qualities".

True, the book details how the "Imam lived an untiring life struggle in order to better the lives of the poor and the oppressed people of Iran". (p7)

On the one hand, the book is tracing the illustrious history of one man, Imam Khomeini. On the other, it becomes a rendition of the national history of Iran as it takes the reader through a journey to recall and relive the events and processes that culminated in the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran.

The purpose of the book, according to the author, is "not to paint a superficial picture of a super human being. The sole aim is to look at those unusual attributes in the man that enabled him to affect his surroundings and trigger events that changed the whole course of history in Iran". (p16)

The book aptly starts with a chapter titled "The History of Iran". Imam Khomeini’s speech delivered on February 1, 1979 in Tehran is quoted at the beginning. "We want a strong country with a stable and powerful system. We do not want to reverse the system. In fact, we want to maintain it. We only want it to be based on, and in the service of the people. This system should not be supervised by or take orders from strangers . . ." (p17) Iran, a part of the Persian Empire, has traces of some of the world’s renowned civilisations. Geographically, the country is bordered by the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf and the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

What is clear here is that the great Iranian leader never supported foreign interference in the affairs of sovereign states. Herein lies the source of continued conflict between Iran and countries like Israel but other countries in mostly the Western world, which are bent on exerting influence in pursuance of the furtherance of their interests. Archaeological evidence quoted in the book is said to show that the land was inhabited by people around the later stage of the Stone Age and they domesticated animals and tilled the land as early as between 6000BC and 3000BC. This evidence comprises hand-made painted pottery and tools found around the eastern Zagros Mountains. These are evidence of the Iranian people’s workmanship.

The remains of the walled city of Sialk prove that the settlement was one of the earliest fortified cities in Iran. The author breaks Iranian history into two parts — the pre-Aryan era and the Aryan era. It is to the earlier era that the fortification of the city of Sialk is credited.

The second era looks at the period from about 2000BC when a group of Aryans or Indo-Iranians migrated from central Asia to settle in the Iranian Plateau.

The first Persian state was established around 653BC by Teipes, the son of Achaemenes. After his death, two of his sons shared the throne and ruled as Cyrus 1 of Anshan and Ariamnes of Persia. A number of other rulers followed with one of the greatest being King Darius the Great, who is credited with starting the construction of the Persepolis, making it the country’s capital city around 500BC. The monument is considered as one of the most important in Iran.

The country was considered as a bridge, which facilitated trade and communication links with other nations of the world. Iran therefore has remained a country of strategic importance for the rest of the world.

The second chapter of the book looks at the "Holy City of Mashhad" while the third explores how Islam takes "Iran by storm". Imam Khomeini is said to have petitioned Muslims: "O Muslims and oppressed of the world! Arise and take your destiny into your own hands. How long will you sit and let Washington or Moscow determine your fate? How long will the lying myths of East or West confound the powerful Muslims?" (p31)

The beginnings of Islam in Iran are the concern of this chapter and this happened following attacks on Persia and other lands by Arab armies. "By and by, Islam took root among the larger population of Iran. By the late 10th century, the majority of Persians had been converted to Islam. Today the Islamic Republic of Iran is known as a stronghold of the Islamic faith." (p32)

The Islamic Revolution of Iran is dealt with in Chapter 8 and is one of the most important sections of the book. Again the chapter begins with an excerpt from Imam Khomeini’s inspirational speech on International Quds Day, August 1, 1981: "From fear to courage, from despair to confidence, from selfishness to devotion to God, and from disunity to alliance, that miraculous change led us to resolve this very great problem that perhaps the entire world had thought impossible to solve." (p63)

The revolution was targeted at ending the era of the Shah whose rule rested on a tough and rough police force and military. The Shah had the support of foreign powers and the Imam was clear in attacks and condemnation of this. In dealing with discontent, the Shah responded with a heavy hand. On one occasion, the Shah "unleashed his notorious army and security agents at the seminary … The brutal soldiers fired savagely at the crowd butchering and maiming the innocent unarmed students. Their blood gushed and flowed everywhere covering the surrounding streets. The massacre was perpetrated by heavily armed soldiers against unarmed defenceless college students, boys under the age of seventeen". (p67)

The success of the Islamic Revolution of Iran was inevitable as explored in Chapter 9. "The unity was due to the unity of purpose of Muslims, to the unity of expression and to the solidarity among the political and spiritual strata. We all understand that the unity of purpose is the secret of victory," said the Imam in a speech in Tehran on February 1, 1979. (p75)

The book also includes testimonies of family members. At the beginning of Chapter 14, the Imam is quoted as having been sensitive to gender. "From the viewpoint of human rights, there is no difference between men and women, for both are human beings, and women are entitled to interfere in matters that concern their destiny just as men . . ."(p109)

In Imam Khomeini, the Star That Never Sets, Charles Makari shows that contrary to other sources, Imam Khomeini was, in fact, a nation builder who led the Islamic Revolution of Iran.

For those readers keen on getting certain accounts of Imam Khomeini and even of the revolution in Iran, this book becomes invaluable.

Charles Makari was born at Serima, Gutu in Masvingo Province. A University of Zimbabwe graduate, Makari has authored a number of books, mainly in indigenous languages. Most of his books have been used as set books in schools. Makari once served as a director at the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.

This book on Imam Khomeini is based on extensive research on the great Iranian leader.

edmore.zvinonzwa@zimpapers.co.zw

Source: http://www.herald.co.zw