The Iranian Revolution of 1979 began with Ayatollah Khomeini promising Iranians full freedom and a government by the people and for the people. In his speeches leading up to the Revolution, the Ayatollah proclaimed that, “A nation that doesn’t have freedom does not have civilization. A civilized nation is one that is free.” He also said that, “There should be freedom of the press and people should have the right to their opinion” and “In our government, clergy will not govern but help you with your spirituality. In our government, women will be free, and officials can be publicly criticized.”
People, joyful of his positive messages, turned their backs on the Shah–who had brought them peace, respect, and luxury–in the hope of the political freedom that was nonexistent during the Shah. Sadly, this joy quickly turned to horror. Instead of the freedom he’d promised, Khomeini snatched back the liberties women had begun to gain under the Shah, reducing them to second-class citizens without the right to inheritance, child custody and divorce. Khomeini and his cohorts forced women to wear the Islamic hijab–whipping them if they didn’t–and reverted to stoning woman for adultery. The Islamic regime claimed that anyone speaking against them was mohareb, an enemy of God. Because the regime purported to be representatives of God on Earth, they ordered the execution of all opposition. Teenage girls were raped before their de… >>>
