Feb 17 2011
Islamic Centre of England Special Program On 32nd Anniversary of Islamic Revolution
On Saturday 12th of February 2011, the Islamic Centre of England held a seminar commemorating the Victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran. A number of speakers were invited for the occasion to address a variety of topics. The following is a summary of the speeches.
Shaykh Moezzi, translated from Farsi by Sayyed Razawi
Ayatollah Moezi, head of the Islamic Centre described his generation over 30 years ago would have never imagined that religion could be the force behind an uprising and a roaring voice against oppression. Nobody would have imagined that a revolution could spring out from a religious movement. He also described the Islamic Revolution in Iran nothing less than a miracle, considering the large population of Iran and the political influences of the time. Everyone would have expected Marxist forces to be the only possible opponent to the dictatorial monarchy of the Pahlavi Shah.
Mr. Moezi explained that after the victory of the Islamic Revolution political analysts estimated a short life for the Islamic Revolution and how today after 32 years the world media are astonished to see that the revolution and the Islamic Republic which sprung from it are still standing strong.
He highlighted the fact that many experts believed such event were only possible in Iran because of its specific peculiarities. However, Ayatollah Moezi said that the recent event in North Africa (Tunisia and Egypt) proves that despite the passage of time such event can be reproduced.
Ayatollah Moezi called the coincidence of the overthrown of Mubarak from Egypt on the same date of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran on 11th February 1979, as incredible. Also interesting was the fact that Egypt under Sadat was the country that gave sanctuary to the deposed Shah of Iran.
The head of the Islamic Centre of England reminded the audiences of the promised made by God in the Quran that the success will come to those who are patient.
He described the process towards success slow and sometime marked by set-backs but these are never permanent and with patience and perseverance from us, God would deliver sudden and unexpected victory to the believers, like the recent event in Egypt.
Mr Moezi exhorted all the believers to conduct their religious responsibility diligently and to put one’s trust in God’s help. He congratulated all for the anniversary of the victory of Iran’s Islamic Revolution and for the success of the people of Egypt. He also showed his gratitude to the founder of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini for having guided us on the way and making it all possible. He also thanked Ayatollah Khamenei for his current leadership and steering Iran successfully during difficult times.
Dr Saeed Shehabi
Dr Saeed Shehabi the second speaker described how he and many other Muslim youth activists lived the event of “those days” with anticipation and considering the Islamic Revolution in Iran a Divine Gift that became an inspiration for many.
Dr Shehabi explained that the Islamic Revolution ushered a real Islamic resurgence and a re-evaluation of the meaning of being a Muslim at a time when being a practicing believer would constitute a problem. “Suddenly Muslims became proud of their identity”: said Shehabi. “Today after 32 years since the Islamic Revolution of Iran, Islam has become a world player. Despite the negative propaganda, Islam has got public attention world wide and has become a reality to reckon with.
Dr Shehabi also congratulated the people of Egypt for their resolution to stand up against the dictatorship of Hosni Mubarak and remove a modern day Pharaoh from power.
Dr. Shahabi drew parallels between the formation of a provisional government in Iran after the departure of the Shah and the current provisional government of Egypt saying that often these provisional governments do the interest of the previous regime and do not represent the genuine alternative.
He explained how under the leadership of Imam Khomeini the provisional government of Bakhtiar was unmasked and defeated. Imam Khomeini immediate return to Iran from exile after the departure of the Shah was an act of resolute will and a demonstration of his total submission to the will of God.
Dr Shehabi further explained that his advisers had warned the Imam not to return to Iran so soon, especially after Bakhtiar, head of the provisional government, had threatened to shoot down his plane if he tried to come back. But the Imam was resolute in his decision and also called on all people to go to the street and demonstrate in mass against the provisional government. Imam’s order was based on his principle of implementation divine orders/duties. “Absolute faith in God”: he said.
Dr Shehabi described the current situation in North Africa and the Middle East as a serious loss for America whose attempt to curtail the influence of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, has pushed her towards unsavoury alliances and the support to so called “Islamic” terrorism. He also accused America and its allies of supporting sectarianism among Muslims to prevent the development of Iranian style Islamic popular revolutions in other places. Shahabi also exhorted Muslims to take care of their religious duties and be hopeful of God deliverance.
Br Imran Panjwani
Mr Panjwani a researcher from Centre for Islamic Shi`a Studies, concentrated on the people rights and the right of the state to regulate society and stated that these are not in opposition to each other. Mr Panjwani described the effort of Imam Khomeini in line with the teaching of Imam Husayn (as) and how an Islamic revolution should transcend its geographical location. He asked the audience what should be for us living in the West the equivalent of an Islamic Revolution. He described the teaching of Imam Zainul Abedeen focusing on awareness of one’s actions and responsibilities towards oneself and society, as the foundation for a personal and internal revolution.
“Muslims in the West have a responsibility to stand against unjust government actions and policies by being active in the society”, said Panjawani. He denounced any type of terrorism and stressed that a true revolution is to respect our biological tools of action (hands, feet, mouth….) by preventing them from doing action that are questionable and unjust towards others. He described the responsibility of a Leader as compassion towards his subject.
Shabbir Hassanally
Sheikh Shabbir Hassanally referred to the Islamic Revolution in Iran as a gift from God that liberated the Muslims giving new hope that the struggle for justice initiated by Prophet Muhammad 1400 years ago is still a reality and a force for change. He reminded the audience of the story of Prophet Ibrahim (as) whom in his search for certainty asked God for proofs of His greatness and how in response God brought to life a bird who had been dismembered and how likewise God has the power to make Islam a living force after its apparent decline.
He described how an “old man” (reference to Imam Khomeini) was able to shake the super powers of his time.
Referring to another story from the Qur’an Sheikh Shabbir Hassanally said, like the Ka’ba was protected by God during the attempted invasion of the Ethiopian invaders which terminated in humiliation, the Islamic Republic is protected from its enemies by God. He described the Revolution as a movement from within the people and loyal to the revolutions of the Prophet (S) and of Imam Husayn (as). He stressed that to support the Wali- Faqhih is to be loyal to the previous revolutions.
He concluded that at the base of the success of all the Islamic Revolutions is to believe in the declaration of “La elaha ella Allah” (there is no god but God). He congratulated the people of Iran and of Egypt sending greetings to Imam Zaman (May God hasten his re-appearance).
Shaykh Bahmanpour
The last speaker of the seminar was HIWM M S Bahmanpour, Head of the Islamic College, in London. He noted that this year we are not only celebrating the victory of the Islamic Revolution of 32 years ago, but also an incredibly unexpected event, the uprising of the people of Egypt who have demanded the departure of Hosni Mubarak.
HIWM Bahmanpour explained that the coming of Imam Al Mahdi (as), can take place just as quick and unexpectedly of the folding of events in Egypt. Despite the demand of people for Mubarak to go, he was playing the “Islamist card” stating that if he goes there is a risk that the Islamist will take other.
According to HIWM Bahmanpour it is because the people of the Middle East and North Africa are turning towards God and religion that we are seeing these events unfolding before our eyes.
Mr Bahmanpour described how the victory from God can take shape in many forms when people turn towards Him. In Egypt in a democratic way people have turned to the street with trust in Him and He has responded.
HIWM Bahmanpour explained how the mercy of God is two-fold, one general, for the whole of His creation that anyone benefits from and a more specific mercy, which is given to those who actively ask for it and want it. He further explained that if one rejects His mercy, one will be left alone to oneself. He will no longer be that person’s guardian. But His guardianship is global for all who desire and want it. This mercy is showed to us by following what he has revealed to us.
HIWM Bahmanpour stated that when God guards an individual or a nation, He will definitely protect them. The life of the Prophet is such an example, and in modern time the Islamic Revolution represents another example. Despite global hatred and conspiracies towards it, it could not be destroyed nor his message contained.
He concluded by exhorting all Muslims to place themselves under the guardianship of their Lord especially in this critical times. He expressed optimism that this turning to God will help all the Muslims to unite and be positive contributors in the unfolding of human history.
On three intervals during the programme, Children from the Iranian School in London sang live hymns, celebrating the victory of the revolution.
Source: ICEL
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