People and government play the key role in every country's progress and development. If the performance of these two is coordinated, they can be hopeful of achieving their goals. But if the people do not matter for the government they won't have a practical role in the future of the country.
Before the Islamic Revolution, the Iranian people's role was insignificant in the administration of the country, policies and the decisions. The despotic Pahlavi regime, due to being installed by the British and supported by the US, was dependent and relying on foreign aid rather than the grassroots support. Hence, it would suppress any effort by the people to have a chance of making decisions in cultural, political, social, administrative and other domains. Thus, it was natural that real progress would never take place and the conditions of the people would deteriorate on a daily basis. As the people had grown weary of the regime's despotism and corruption, they launched an uprising under the leadership of Imam Khomeini and overthrew it and replaced it by a popular system of government. In the referendum for determining the form of government, over 98% of the Iranian nation voted for the Islamic Republic system. Now, 40 years after the resounding triumph of the greatest revolution in the 20th century, the Islamic Republic has proved its efficacy in various domains in spite of all-out 8-year war, economic sanctions, political pressures and media hype.
The Iranian nation pursued numerous objectives in their uprising against the despotic Pahlavi regime, which were summarized in three demands, namely, independence, freedom and Islamic government. The Islamic Republic is, no doubt, the greatest achievement of the Islamic Revolution. This popular system of government has by far exceeded the criteria of the western democracy and has in fact marginalized it as it is popular and democratic in the real sense of the word. The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei, says, "We brought a novel experience. We adopted democracy from religion. Our democracy is accompanied by spirituality and religion; hence it became religious popular rule. It became the Islamic Republic."
Another important principle in the Islamic Republic is "Vilayat-e Faqih" which pertains to the leadership of the system. This leader enjoys certain criteria and specifications. The Islamic Republic of Iran's Constitution has mentioned the characteristics of Vali-e Faqih (supreme jurisprudent). They are piety, justice, courage, management, prudence, awareness of domestic and foreign political issues and mastery of Islamic sciences. The most important responsibility of the leader is to determine general policies of the system and supervise their proper implementation. His other responsibilities include appointment and dismissal of some of the political officials like the judiciary chief and IRIB president and military commanders of the army and the IRGC. The leader is the Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces. He also deals with the differences among three branches of government and solves them.
Vali-e Faqih as the leader of the Islamic Revolution is appointed by the Assembly of Experts who are in turn elected by the people's votes. The Assembly of Experts supervise his performance and have the authority to dismiss him in case of any mistakes or loss of the ability and conditions for leadership. The 4-decade experience of the Islamic Republic clearly shows that the leader plays the prime role in preservation of the system, the rights of the people and resolving the internal and external problems. The Islamic Revolution granted the Iranian nation freedom in various fields. The Iranian nation had been suppressed for centuries, especially during the Pahlavi regime. Any dissent would be quenched and opponents would be jailed, tortured and murdered. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, people are free to hold legal gatherings and meetings and express their opinion in various matters. They elect the officials of the country including the president, members of parliament and city councils. They also elect the members of the Assembly of Experts who appoint the leader.
Through the 4 decades of the Islamic Republic, 36 elections have been held including 3 referendums, 12 presidential elections, 10 parliamentary elections, 5 Assembly of Experts elections, 5 elections for city and village councils and an election for the Constitution. The massive turnout of the people at ballot boxes indicates that they use the best opportunity that the Islamic Republic has granted them to determine their fate. Moreover, religious minorities, as part of the Iranian nation, enjoy freedom and have representatives in the parliament. Besides, they can perform their rituals and political and social activities freely.
As for the media, the Islamic Revolution has granted freedom to the media to express their ideas and criticize the officials. Plus, after the Islamic Revolution, the written and audio-visual media have dramatically increased in number.
Independence was another demand of the Iranian nation in their revolution. This stemmed from the fact that the former regime was fully dependent on the US and it took no decision without the Washington's information beforehand. There were almost 50 thousand American spies and CIA operatives in the country who were euphemistically called as "advisors". They had full control over every aspect of the government and the army. Other countries like Britain, France and Germany were also complicit with the US in plundering the resources of Iran. Even the fabricated regime in Tel Aviv was engaged in looting the resources of the country. This was very humiliating and the nation couldn't tolerate it. The Islamic Revolution cut off the hands of the US and other foreign powers which intended to control the whole affairs of the country. The Islamic Revolution became a role model for other nations who seek to come out of the yoke of domineering powers and determine their affairs independently. Now, the Islamic Republic of Iran, relying on the votes of people, administers the country without foreign interference and this has infuriated the western colonialists, especially the Great Satan the US. Plus, Iran continues taking independent stances strongly in accordance with its national interests and support of the oppressed and downtrodden people in the world. In article 152 of the Constitution it is stressed that, "The Islamic Republic of Iran's foreign policy is based on negation of any dominance and acceptance of dominance, preservation of all-out independence and territorial integrity, defence of the rights of all Muslims, non-commitment against domineering powers and mutual peaceful relations with non-hostile governments."
Opposition to the US's and Zionist regime's domineering and warmongering policies and support for nations like Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen are carried out on the basis of this article.
The Islamic Revolution, immediately after the victory materialized the major ideals of the people such as independence and freedom as Imam Khomeini said beautifully, "The Dawn of the Revolution is the rising of the Sun of independence and freedom." This is also made clear in article 9 of the Constitution, "In the Islamic Republic of Iran, freedom, independence, unity and territorial integrity are inseparable from each other and it is the duty of the government and each individual of the nation to safeguard it."
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