Alwaght- Iranians, Muslims and freedom seekers across the world are holding mourning ceremonies marking the 28th anniversary of the demise of the founder of Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini.
Imam Khomeini passed away on June 3, 1989 at the age of 87 after devoting many years of his life to standing up to the US-backed Pahlavi dynasty, and eventually paved the way for its downfall and the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Rouhollah Mousavi Khomeini, better known as Imam Khomeini, was born to a family of religious scholars in 1902 in the central Iranian city of Khomein.
He led a popular protest against the policies of the tyrannous Pahlavi regime which was a key ally of the US. He guided a churning grassroots movement which was seeing the country’s religious values under attack.
Imam Khomeini was arrested and imprisoned in 1963 at a time of mounting protests. Upon release, he made a historic speech in the holy city of Qom, where he lambasted the "capitulations law" granting immunity to Americans on the Iranian soil.
The following years marked his exile to Turkey, Iraq and France before returning to Iran in 1979 which culminated in the victory in of the Islamic Revolution.
The anniversary of his passing falls on Sunday this year, with tens of thousands descending on his mausoleum south of Tehran to attend commemoration ceremonies. Millions of other Iranians will also hold mourning ceremonies across the country.
In other parts of the world Muslims and freedom seekers are also marking the sad demise of Imam Khomeini who was considered by many a leader of the Muslim ummah and champion of the oppressed.
