Election of Ayatollah Khamenei to lead the revolution and Iranian prisoners
When Imam Khomeini (RIP) passed away, Iranian captives were not only deeply saddened by the loss of that great leader, but also worried about what would happen in the country after the death of Imam Khomeini. The psychological warfare of the enemy, along with the bitter and sad incident of the death of Imam (RIP) and the lack of information about what was happening in Iran, had complicated the situation for the bereaved captives. Everyone was feeling restless. The signs of concern about the conditions of the country after Imam`s (RIP) death were visible on the faces. In that critical and despairing atmosphere, the spread of the news of Ayatollah Khamenei's selection to succeed the departed Imam (RIP) lit the sparks of hope in the hearts of the captives and lifted their hearts.
The effect of the election of Ayatollah Khamenei on the morale of Iranian prisoners in the very difficult conditions of captivity after the death of the Imam can be seen in the writings and statements of a number of LCs:
Hossein Tahan remarks about the effect of the election of Ayatollah Khamenei on the morale of LCs as follows:
"When we heard the news of Imam's death, all our hopes turned to despair, our legs sagged and we felt too weak and overwhelmed to say something... But the news of the election of Ayatollah Khamenei revived the prisoners and soothed our broken hearts. We thanked God that such a rightful choice could guard the Islamic movement against thousands of conspiracies and the happiness of the enemies did not persist."[1]
Mehdi Shahsawari, who like his other inmates had witnessed the sad event of Imam's death, says about the election of Ayatollah Khamenei:
"While mourning for the Imam, the normal state of the camp was disrupted for forty days. The only thing that could calm the captives during this time was the news of the election of Ayatollah Khamenei as the leader, which was really the best and happiest news for everyone, along with the worst and saddest news. That day, one of the Iraqi officers told us: God loves you, he took an old imam from you and gave you a young imam instead.[2]
Ahmad Yusefzade says about the event of Imam's death and the election of Supreme Leader:
"There was a heavy atmosphere of despair and languor governing the camp. The news of Imam's death was a terrible blow that we could hardly bear... On the evening of the 4th of June, Iraqi radio announced the election of Ayatollah Khamenei as the leader of the Islamic Republic. This news raised our morale and drove away our disappointments and became a balm for the wound that we had in our hearts following the death of the Imam. [3]
Regarding the effect of Ayatollah Khamenei's election on LCs` spirit, Mohammad Reza Hosni Saadi believes that this election blended sadness and happiness in LCs` hearts:
"The news of the election of the Supreme Leader turned worries into confidence. The sorrow of Imam`s loss, and the joy and happiness of the election of the Supreme Leader were mixed together. [4]
Jawanmard Ahmadi asserts about the departure of Imam (RIP) and the election of Ayatollah Khamenei:
"... no one felt like going out of the sanatorium; Even the plates containing food remained untouched... With the election of Ayatollah Khamenei as the Imam's successor, the lads came back to life ." [5]
Seyyed Mohsen Yahyavy, who endured the hardships of captivity for ten years in the prisons of Saddam's Baathist regime, remarked in response to the news of the election of Ayatollah Khamenei and its effect on the spirit of the LCs thus:
"Every declaration of approval of the leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei that was heard on the radio (secret radio) was similar to water poured on the burning fire of our worries and discomforts regarding the revolution and what was going to happen in the country." [6]
Bahram Ali Farhadi, who was worried about the future of the country after the death of Imam Khomeini (RIP), like all LCs, says:
"One of our worries and concerns was that we thought that after the departure of Imam (RIP), the Islamic revolution and the country would be finished. We were wondering, who could follow in the footsteps of Imam (RIP) taking responsibility of leading the society. Until on the 4th of June, we were informed by the camp guards that the Assembly of Experts had elected Ayatollah Khamenei as the leader. This news mitigated our sorrows and hope sparked in our hearts." [7]
The death of Imam (RIP) was terrifying for the captives who had endured all hardships in the path of this divine love and longed to see him in their hearts. But the news of the election of Ayatollah Khamenei created a new atmosphere and brought the captives back to life. Seyyed Hossein Tajzadeh also explains the situation after Imam Khomeini's death:
"... that day (4th of June) was the most difficult day of captivity. Due to the severity of the incident, we thought that we had reached the end of the road and there was no hope for the survival and stability of the revolution. Therefore, a state of painful expectation for the future had come over us... The news of the leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei brought back relief and peace to our hearts. Upon hearing this good news, we prostrated ourselves to show our gratitude for God's grace and boundless blessings and began to pray and praise."[8]
The grief of Imam's death was so heavy that it was feared that some of the captives might die of that grief. Hossein Alijanian points to such a situation in the camp and says:
“Captivity was really hard for us; Because our big supporter was down. Some were on the verge of dying and as a matter of fact, what prevented them from perishing was their immense faith in God, the Prophet and all the saints. Upon hearing the news of the leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei, our batteries were recharged and our trust in the new religious leadership lifted our hearts." [9]
Ismail Shams, referring to the concern of captives regarding the state of the country after the death of the Imam, says:
"Everything seemed to be finished in those difficult circumstances and we were in a state of confusion and suspense. Not knowing about the conditions of the country after the Imam's death had rendered us totally apprehensive. This situation continued until the news of the election of Ayatollah Khamenei reached us. This news somewhat took the edge off the bitterness of the news regarding Imam`s death and raised our hopes for the future of the country."[10]
Saeed Ohadi, who was imprisoned in the same camp as Hojjatul Islam Haj Seyyed Ali Akbar Abu Toraby Fard (known as the Lord of Captives amidst them) at the time of Imam's death, says: " Once the news of Ayatollah Khamenei`s election as the Leader was announced by the Assembly of Experts, Mr. Abu Tarabi Fard wrote a letter addressing the captives thus: This good subject of God has been appointed as the Valy-e-Faghih (the most prominent clergyman responsible for the Islamic community) .
It was the first time we heard the phrase the “good subject” of God with reference to Ayatollah Khamenei. In that letter, he gave us in-depth information about the life and personality of the leader and that pacified the dwellers of the camp. We were convinced that with the leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei, we had a mighty supporter and this greatly comforted us." [11]
Hossein Eslahy, after explaining the difficult conditions of the Iranian captives after the death of the Imam (RIP), regarding the effect of the election of Ayatollah Khamenei on the morale of fellow prisoners, says:
"The Imam's death was the biggest incident in the ten-year history of our captivity, and we have never seen anything more bitter than that. But due to what happened one day later, we all straightened up and hope sparked at our hearts. This was nothing but God's grace favoring us in those circumstances." [12]
Abdul Majid Rahmanian also remarks on the same score:
"If you ask any captives about how they felt when Ayatollah Khamenei was elected as the Supreme Leader" They will say that this choice has been a divine one and, thanks God, peace and stability have ensued his election." [13]
After the death of Imam Khomeini (RIP), the prisoners faced two psychological crises:
the first was the death of the Imam, which dealt a heavy blow to them, and the second was the deep concern about the conditions of the country after the Imam`s departure, which caused them lots of anxiety. On this score, Mohammad Javad Fazlinia says thus:
"In that difficult situation, in which the lads were overwhelmed with grief, when the news of Ayatollah Khamenei's succession spread in the camp, it was reassuring for us. He was a well-known figure for the prisoners. This news was gratifying in two ways: first, it relieved everyone that the country was in good hands; Second, the successor of the Imam was one of the elites and distinguished figures of the country." [14]
Regarding the effect of Ayatollah Khamenei's election on the spirit of the LCs and the change in their psychological atmosphere, Mohammad Hossein Nikparvar states:
"Silence ruled the camp. Depression was evident on all faces. We were concerned that some might go crazy. God favored us, and Ayatollah Khamenei was elected as the leader. After the death of the Imam, his election was our best day; we heaved a sigh of relief and felt encouraged and hopeful once again. The captives said that from now on, even If we are not released, we will tolerate anything."[15]
In examining a collection of published diaries and interviews with the liberated captives, one finds an emphasis on the significant impact of the timely and swift election of the leader by the Assembly of Experts which was necessary for keeping the morale of the captives in the exhausting conditions following the Imam's death. This action was deemed of paramount importance during the period of resistance.
See also
- Management and Leadership
- Clergymen
- Death of Imam Khomeini
- Captivity in the discourse of Imam Khomeini (RIP) and the Position of Supreme Leader
Bibliography
- ↑ Tahan, Hossein (2011). Secret of survival. Tehran: Payam Azadegan Cultural and Artistic Institute.
- ↑ Attarian, Saeed (2016). The Resistance Code. Vol. 1. Tehran: Payam Azadegan Cultural and Artistic Institute.
- ↑ Yusefzadeh, Ahmed (2013). *I Am Seventeen Years Old*. Tehran: Payam Azadegan Cultural and Artistic Institute.
- ↑ Hosni Saadi, Mohammad Reza (1387). *3000 Days of Captivity*. Kerman: Lashkar Tharullah.
- ↑ Goodarzy, Ali Mohammad (2011). *Eagles in Captivity*. Tehran: Aja.
- ↑ Yahyavy, Seyed Mohsen (1379). *Ten Years of Loneliness*. Tehran: Farhang Islamic Publishing House.
- ↑ Farhadi, Bahram Ali (1383). *1271 Days of Captivity*. Tehran: Shahid.
- ↑ Tajzadeh, Seyyed Hossein (1375). *The Sky of Fakke*. Tehran: Art Field.
- ↑ Attarian, Saeed (2016). *The Code of Resistance*, Vol. 1. Tehran: Payam Azadegan Cultural and Artistic Institute.
- ↑ Kiyany, Bijan (2008). *Hojjat –ol-Eslam*. Tehran: Payam Azadegan Cultural and Artistic Institute.
- ↑ Ohadi, Saeed (2014). Interview. Center for Documents of the Islamic Revolution of Iran.
- ↑ ^ Eslahy, Hossein (2014). Interview. Iranian Islamic Revolution Document Center.
- ↑ ^ Rahmanian, Abdul Majeed (2014). Interview. Iranian Islamic Revolution Documentation Center.
- ↑ Fazlinia, Mohammad Javad (2014). Interview. Center for Documents of the Islamic Revolution of Iran.
- ↑ Nikparvar, Mohammad Hossein (2014). Interview. Payam Azadegan Cultural and Artistic Institute.
To read more
Pirhadi, Mohammadreza (2018). Through high walls. Tehran: Scientific and Cultural Publications of Sahib al-Zaman (Aj) Nouri, Hassan, 2014, interview. Islamic Revolution Documents Center
Bagheri, Abbas, 2014, interview. Payam Azadegan cultural and artistic institute.
Bijan Kiyany Shahvandi