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The Ayatollah Khomeini and other Muslim leaders opposed the Shah of Iran for his friendship with Western countries. They felt like he was selling out and the Muslim influence in the area would soon be replaced with Western teachings.

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Ayatollah Khomeini's predominant objection to the Shah of Iran was the Shah's twin policies of Westernization and Secularization. There were several reasons for Khomeini's objections to Pahlavi Westernization and Secularization in Iran:

Loss of Political Influence: Many of these political reforms were done to increase the secularization of the Iranian State, and as a result, the Muslim clergy (including Ayatollahs), which had historically had a large role in governance had their political roles threatened. As a result, they rose to defend their interests in maintaining political power.

Loss of Religious Education: Less self-centered than the previous one, the clergy lamented that the focus of education would now be to learn secular knowledge and sciences as opposed to religious education. These clerics feared that a whole new generation of Muslims would grow up without their religion or with a minimal understanding of it. They saw what modernization had done to religiousity in Europe and wished to prevent this.

Westernization Values: Westernization imparts different social values than the ones that Islamic clerics like Khomeini considered valuable. For example, Westerners value a person more often by his productivity than by his character and humility. The clerics saw the reforms as a slow creep of Western-style thinking, which they considered backwards and pejorative, into Muslim people's minds.

Westernized Foreign Policy: The Shah of Iran, in creating a West-leaning foreign policy, became very close to the United States and United Kingdom. He also had cordial relations with Israel. Khomeini and a number of Islamic clerics saw this closeness with the West and relations with Israel to be an abomination towards Iranian traditional values and ideals, as rooted in the unity of the Islamic World vis-a-vis all other nations and peoples.

Traditionalists: The Muslim clerics, like most religious leaders have been, were traditionalists and as traditionalists they would oppose change merely because it is change. (This is as opposed to progressivists who actively seek out change and development, usually in a liberal direction.)

Nationalism over Pan-Islamism: Iranian Reforms strengthened nationalist ideologies and supported the uniqueness of the Iranian people by discussing their particular histories and values. Most clerics, like Khomeini, were Pan-Islamists, believing that all Muslims should be under a single united Islamic government. Therefore, they stressed the commonality of all Muslims and instilling the idea of a unified Islamic world. These two world views clashed quite strongly.

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He was a dictator and puppet of US and slave of Israel .

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The Shah

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Yurh

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Q: Why did Ayatollah Khomeini not like the Shah of Iran?
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Who was ayatollah khomeini and what was speical about him?

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How long has Iran been a monarchy?

No, There is no monarchy in Iran`s government. BUT, There is a relegious leader in Iran named "Khamene ee" Recently some intervention of him in administration of Iran has been seen. But he is not the king or something else. It looks like POP of christans. By the way, I have to add that the administration of the Iran`s militay is with Iran`s relegious leader !


What was the reason for khomeinis success?

The reason behind his success was faith in truth, faith in God! He was a true leader if he would not come in Iran today Iran would be like Iraq, Afghanistan. Shah was a dog for American's who was obeying them, people were dying in Iran, and he was doing parties in his country, to make his master happy! Khomeini rejected all of it, and he did what was shah duties, he brought peace in Iran, shah didn't allow him to come in Iran because he knew he would bring the revolution, and his government would be finished! Khomeini rejected America's offer, they wanted him same as shah a dog for them in which they have the dog ruling Iran, and they have the rope tight around shah's neck controlling him!


Who led the over throw of the shah of Iran in 1979?

Iran is mostly Shiites who are deviated from the mainstream straight path of Islam; they visit the graves to perform some practice that invalidates the genuine creed of Islam such as asking the dead people to benefit them, help them or protect them etc. With regard to your question, it was the Khomeini who made the new regime on Iran in 1979. Thx.


First in charge of Iran?

The supreme leader of Iran is Ayatollah Khomenei, he is elected by the Assembly of Experts. The Assembly of Experts are elected by the people. though, in my opinion, he is a sick man, he forces unfair laws based on religion unto the people. I my self am Iranian and I love my country, but he ruined it all.


Who is Iran's ruler?

Up until Ayatolla Khomeini overthrew the Iranian government in 1979, Iran constituted the world's oldest sustained monarchy - over 2,500 years old in 1971. Kings of Iran (or Persia, as it was known before 1935) included King Darius, Xerxes and ArteXerxes. Xerxes is the King remembered for ruling over the largest empire on Earth until he was overthrown by Greek King Alexander the Great. Xerxes is also known as the King who attacked Greece and fought the Spartans at the pivotal Battle of Thermopylae. That battle is considered one of the most single important events in Western history. Had the Spartans not sacrificed themselves at the Thermopylae Pass, and their fellow Greeks not defeated the Persian Army weeks later, Western ideals of Freedom, Government and Society would likely not exist as it does today. Western countries owe much to the Greeks of old. More recently, the last Emperor, or Shahanshah (Shah), to sit on the Persian throne was Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, of the Pahlavi Dynasty. While a staunch ally and friend of Western Nations (the US in particular), his secret police force, known as Savak, became infamous in Iran for its torture methods and treatment of civilians. It was Savak and the rapid pace of modernization to western culture and ideas that led to the Shah's downfall. Contrary to popular belief, the Iranian people are extremely friendly - they are right now just under tyrannical rule. Which brings up the old adage "Be careful what you wish for". They were so adamant to get rid of the Shah and the monarchy, that they never considered the consequences of Khomeini taking power. They and the world are still paying for that mistake. The Persian Monarchy line still exists in exile - the Shah's son and wife, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, lives about 40 miles from me here in the D.C. area, and his mother Empress Farah, lives in California. He also has several sisters and children, though one of his sisters, Leila, died in 2006. He constantly works toward betterment of lives in Iran, and the end to torture and tyrannical rule there. He was living in Texas in 1979 training to be a fighter pilot when his father's government was overthrown. While I don't personally agree with some of his political views, I do admire his unwavering support for his people. While some would talk peace with Iran, the western press doesn't bother to report on the true conditions there. Execution of children has long been an approved punishment for crimes or minor infractions, real or implied by the government. Women who have been abused by their husbands and have fought back, may receive either executions or dismemberment. As bad as things were even when I lived there in 1970, the Shah was never that cruel. Since that time, Iran has been ruled by totally inept mullahs and low ranking officials. Most people of education left Iran, and things are almost at a tipping point now where another internal revolution is entirely possible.


What country is ruled by an ayatollah?

THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN is the only country in the world that is currently (or has ever been) ruled by an Ayatollah. (Previous Shiite Theocracies, like the Safavid Empire, were still ruled by monarchs and the Ayatollahs had an advisory role, but no direct power.)


Why did fundamentalist Muslims in Iran overthrow the Shah in 1979?

Iranians in general were opposed to the Shah and opposed him from nearly every political perspective. These include:Some said that the Shah was not religious enoughSome believed that the Shah's policies were too oppressiveSome believed that the Shah was modernizing without preserving Iran's cultural heritage and others were angry that he was moving too slowlySome believed that the Shah was a sellout to foreign interests and others believed his foreign focuses were too narrow.Some believed that the Shah did not grant women enough rights and others thought that women had too many rights.Some believed that the Shah should have encouraged more middle class growth and others believe he should have put more capital into industry.Some wanted more privatization and others wanted more nationalization.As concerns the specific reasons for the Iranian protests and the eventual revolution, they were numerous:Wealth & Employment Issues: Most importantly was the wealth inequality between the Shah and the nobility and common Iranian citizen. There was immense poverty throughout the country and high unemployment, underemployment, low wages, and few protections for laborers.Religious Conservatism: Most Iranians were religiously conservative (similar to the American Bible-belt as opposed to the Fundamentalists) and resisted the Shah's Westernization and Secularization movements in Iran. The Shah made clear that religion was not important to him as a ruler, whereas it was a concern among the people.Puppet to Foreigners: The Shah was also seen as a Western puppet, especially when the CIA overthrew the Iranian President Mossadegh in 1953 to re-install the Shah of Iran and considering how Iran profited very little from its own petroleum.Brutal Secret Police: The Shah had a notorious secret police called the SAVAK which harassed people and killed scores of others.Authoritarianism: Iranians wanted to be in control of their own affairs. Iranians wanted some form of self-government or democracy. The Shah was an authoritarian who prevented people from expressing their own opinions.Issue for Fundamentalists: Particularly in the fundamentalist camp, the fundamentalists in Iran felt that the Shah epitomized a Western culture of greed and materialism, because he tried to establish a more secular government. As with many rulers, he accumulated vast personal wealth. He also employed various means to suppress political dissent. It was ultimately the exiled Ayatollah Khomeini who in 1979 succeeded the Shah and established an Islamic religious government.Note: The fact that these grievances existed does not mean that the Islamic Republic of Iran afterwards "fixed" these problems.Answer 2The main reason was that majority of Iranians are Shia Muslims and wanted a Islamic government of jurist and Shah was in fact an anti-Islam dictator.


What is the content of Supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei's message to western youth?

Ayatollah Khomeini blames Islamic State for increasing terrorism in the West, but faults the United States and Saudi Arabia for openly plotting to create Islamic State. Of course, while the first part of the statement has some merit, the arguments for the latter part are quite clearly wrong and read like a conspiracy theory.


Which middle eastern country is ruled by an ayatollah?

THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN is the only country in the world, and specifically in the Middle East, that is currently (or has ever been) ruled by an Ayatollah. (Previous Shiite Theocracies, like the Safavid Empire, were still ruled by monarchs and the Ayatollahs had an advisory role, but no direct power.)


How did Reza Shah Pahlavi Transform Iran?

He argued that plans to modernize and Westernize Iran were insulting to Islam.


In the Islamic Revolution why were people afraid of modernization?

This misunderstands what the Iranian Revolution in 1979 was really about. The issue concerning modernization (and only among certain sectors of the population) was not that the Shah was modernizing Iran, but rather the way he undertook that modernization. The Shah's reforms led to an increasing amount of Iranians joining the lower classes and toiling away while a corrupt few were able to be incredibly wealthy. It is worth noting that even the fundamentalist Muslims led by Khomeini, who would eventually seize power, were not Luddites and were actually quite technologically astute (much like the way that ISIL is technologically astute). They oppose modern Western culture that many believe is part and parcel of modernity.In general, Iranians opposed the Shah from nearly every political perspective. These include:Some said that the Shah was not religious enoughSome believed that the Shah's policies were too oppressiveSome believed that the Shah was modernizing without preserving Iran's cultural heritage and others were angry that he was moving too slowlySome believed that the Shah was a sellout to foreign interests and others believed his foreign focuses were too narrow.Some believed that the Shah did not grant women enough rights and others thought that women had too many rights.Some believed that the Shah should have encouraged more middle class growth and others believe he should have put more capital into industry.Some wanted more privatization and others wanted more nationalization.As concerns the specific reasons for the Iranian protests and the eventual revolution, they were numerous:Wealth & Employment Issues: Most importantly was the wealth inequality between the Shah and the nobility and common Iranian citizen. There was immense poverty throughout the country and high unemployment, underemployment, low wages, and few protections for laborers.Religious Conservatism: Most Iranians were religiously conservative (similar to the American Bible-belt as opposed to the Fundamentalists) and resisted the Shah's Westernization and Secularization movements in Iran. The Shah made clear that religion was not important to him as a ruler, whereas it was a concern among the people.Puppet to Foreigners: The Shah was also seen as a Western puppet, especially when the CIA overthrew the Iranian President Mossadegh in 1953 to re-install the Shah of Iran and considering how Iran profited very little from its own petroleum.Brutal Secret Police: The Shah had a notorious secret police called the SAVAK which harassed people and killed scores of others.Authoritarianism: Iranians wanted to be in control of their own affairs. Iranians wanted some form of self-government or democracy. The Shah was an authoritarian who prevented people from expressing their own opinions.Issue for Fundamentalists: Particularly in the fundamentalist camp, the fundamentalists in Iran felt that the Shah epitomized a Western culture of greed and materialism, because he tried to establish a more secular government. As with many rulers, he accumulated vast personal wealth. He also employed various means to suppress political dissent. It was ultimately the exiled Ayatollah Khomeini who in 1979 succeeded the Shah and established an Islamic religious government.Note: The fact that these grievances existed does not mean that the Islamic Republic of Iran afterwards "fixed" these problems.