How did the Soviet Union end?

The collapse of the Soviet Union made the bipolar world disappear, a world which through the last decades had decided about the political destiny of countries. This situation eased the reliance on culture to determine different layers of foreign policies in a government-nation level by the international players. On the other hand, it confirmed that along with the cultural role of politicians, we shouldn't forget that not seeing the effects of religious features, believes and traditions of nations on structuring a culture would cause disasters.

Gorbachev and Imam Khomeini

Gorbachev: “I’m sorry! I should have listened to Imam’s message”

In 1999, on the anniversary of the death of Imam Khomeini’s demise, in an interview with the IRIB News Agency in Moscow, Gorbachev regretted ignoring the Imam’s warnings three years before the collapse of the Soviet Union and said: “I think Imam Khomeini’s message addressed all the ages throughout history.” He also added: “When I received this message, I felt the person who wrote it was thoughtful and cared about the situation of the world. By studying the letter, I realized that he was someone who was worried about the world and wanted me to understand more about the Islamic revolution.”

The effects of the Imam’s letter to Gorbachev

Marzieh Dabbaq: The Imam’s letter to Gorbachev was monotheistic not diplomatic

Marzieh Hadidchi also known as Tahira Dabbaq, who was a political prisoner and an armed activist during the Pahlavi regime, started her anti Pahlavi activities in 1971. She escaped from the country with a fake passport in 1975 after being arrested and tortured by the SAVAK twice. She joined in food strikes in France and England for the freedom of Iranian political prisoners. In Saudi Arabia she spread Imam Khomeini’s announcements between the pilgrims. However most of his activities outside of Iran were related to training the Lebanese and Syrians in guerrilla fighting. During Imam Khomeini’s stay in Paris, she joined him and after the victory of the revolution she had some positions like the commander of Hamadan’s IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Sepah-e- Pasdaran) and manager of Tehran’s women prison. She was the first IRGC commander of the west of Iran after the revolution, three times MP, head of the women branch of Basij of I. R. Iran and the founder of the Intifada defenders union. She participated in this interview with Jamaran news agency despite her illness.

Sayyid Hassan Khomeini and Morals:

''If intentions are made pure, morals will kick in''

Sayyid Hassan Khomeini was visited by a number of Afghani men and women. He talked of Imam Sajjad (as) as the founder of a cultural movement among Muslims. He also told the Afghans to stay united, believe in themselves and work together to build Afghanistan.

Muharram pictures

Only pictures of head slashing are shown in Europe

After taking photographs of the Muharram ceremonies held in Iran, two Polish photographers talked of the new way they viewed the Shia and Iran. They stated that they saw Iran as a family, whose most loved member was Imam Hussein (as).

Eid al-Ghadeer in London

The Celebration Ceremony of Eid al-Ghadeer in London

Eid al-Ghadeer is a day which many Shi’as all over the world celebrate. It is the day when Amir al-Mu’mineen was named the successor of the Prophet (saw). The sermon the Prophet (saw) read on this day has been recorded not only by the Shia but also by authentic Sunni sources. The Prophet (saw) talks of two weighty things, the Qur’an and the household of the Prophet (saw), which Muslims must cling on to in order to stay on the true path of Islam. Unfortunately this sermon is overlooked by many Sunni Muslims.

Sayyid Hassan Khomeini said:

Art is not only an impartial means of expressing problems within society

"A group of mature and young poets met up with Sayyid Hassan Khomeini and recited their poems for him and gave their views regarding the society. Sayyid Hassan told them of their duties as artists, and said that they should not be an impartial means of expressing problems but should also step forward and help solve them, however difficult this transition may be."

The auspicious feast of Ghadeer Khumm

Wilayah and government, message of Ghadeer

The issue of Ghadir is not an event befallen the Imam. In fact, Ghadir is something the Imam created. This noble personality and fountainhead of sound human qualities prompted the Ghadeer to take place. Ghadeer has no value for the Imam. That which is valuable is the Imam himself. It has been known to Almighty God that after the Messenger of Allah there is no one among men who could implement justice in a pleasing and efficient manner. He commissioned the Messenger of Allah to appoint this person who had the power to implement justice in its true sense in the society and have a divine government.