Definition

Proper noun: * Ruholla Khomeini: An Iranian Shiite religious leader and political figure. He was the central leader of the Iranian Revolution in 1979, which overthrew the monarchy of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Following the revolution, he established the Islamic Republic of Iran, becoming its first Supreme Leader, a position endowed with ultimate political and religious authority under the new constitution.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini returned to Iran from exile in 1979.
  • The policies of Ruholla Khomeini shaped the modern state of Iran.
  • Scholars often analyze the speeches of Ruholla Khomeini to understand the ideology of the Iranian Revolution.

Advanced Usage

• "The Khomeini era": Refers to the period of Iranian history from the 1979 Revolution until his death in 1989, characterized by the consolidation of theocratic rule and the Iran-Iraq War.
  • Foreign policy during the Khomeini era was defined by the principle of "neither East nor West."
• "Khomeinist" (adj/n): Pertaining to or a follower of the political and religious ideology of Ruholla Khomeini.
  • The group follows a Khomeinist interpretation of Islamic governance.

Variants and Related Words

• Ayatollah Khomeini: The most common form of reference, using his religious title "Ayatollah" (a high-ranking Shiite cleric).
• Imam Khomeini: A title of respect used by his supporters, meaning "leader."
• Khomeinism: (n) The political ideology derived from his teachings, emphasizing clerical rule () and Islamic revival.

Synonyms

• Ayatollah Khomeini (the standard synonymous reference).
• The Supreme Leader (in the context of his official role in Iran post-1979).

Related Phrases and Concepts

• The Iranian Revolution: The 1979 popular uprising that he led.
• The Islamic Republic: The system of government he founded.
• Velayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist): The concept of Islamic governance central to his political theory, where a senior cleric oversees the state.
  • The constitution is based on the principle of Velayat-e Faqih.

Noun

1. Iranian religious leader of the Shiites; when Shah Pahlavi's regime fell Khomeini established a new constitution giving himself supreme powers (1900-1989)