webangah News Agency: the Pahlavi regime exiled Imam Khomeini to Iraq on September 8, 1965, hoping that Najaf’s apolitical surroundings woudl hinder his activities. They assumed his influence would be overshadowed by Najaf’s senior clerics and sought to create division between Ayatollah Hakim and Imam Khomeini.
The Pahlavi regime’s analysis proved wrong. Far from being eclipsed, Imam Khomeini earned deep respect among Najaf’s scholars. When Ayatollah Hakim passed away, some urged Ayatollah Sistani to endorse Ayatollah Khoei as the most learned scholar after Hakim. Sistani refused, responding: “How can I declare Khoei as superior while Imam Khomeini is present?”
On the 36th anniversary of Imam Khomeini’s passing, seyyed Abbas Mousavi, representative of Iraq’s Harakat al-Nujaba in iran, spoke with webangah News Agency about Imam Khomeini’s legacy in Iraqi public opinion and his role in shaping the Axis of Resistance.
Imam Khomeini never severed ties with society
Seyyed Abbas Mousavi noted that Imam Khomeini’s exile on September 8, 1965 profoundly impacted Iraqi believers-especially seminarians and active clerics-filling a major void in Najaf’s seminary during his 13-year stay.
“He wasn’t merely a scholar of jurisprudence or philosophy but a towering reference point,” Mousavi emphasized. “Despite political repression, he maintained unwavering connections with society-culminating in the fall of the U.S.-backed Pahlavi regime.” Even after relocation to France (Nouvel le Château), his teachings reached iraq through letters, fatwas (religious edicts), and audio recordings disseminated by emissaries.
Iraqi youth continue following Imam Khomeini’s path
“Unlike traditional jurists confined to seminary curricula,” Mousavi explained during an interview with webangah News Agency , “Imam was a sage attuned to contemporary challenges-a bulwark against conspiracies targeting Islam.” Citing Al-Kulayni’s hadith collection (Al-Kafi), he likened him to “an impregnable fortress protecting Muslims globally,” whose call for defending victims against oppressors left an irreplaceable void upon death on June 3rd ,1989 .
MousavI stressed : “For Iraqis today -36 years later - no figure has filled this vacuum . Their bond remains like thirsty children yearning guidance from their spiritual father.” Generations emulate him ; many prominent mujahideen scholars serving Islam trace roots back tO hiS school – one fostering jurists , thinkers & champions upholding Islam ‘S banner worldwide .Imam laid foundations fOr thE Axis oF Resistance
Concluding thE interview via webangAh newS agency , MouSavI stated : “Every victory achieved bY Lebanon ‘S Hezbollah stems froM seedS planted bY ImAm khOmeinI .” ThE resistancE axiS wasn ‘T built oN transient emotion but Quranic principles & Ahlulbayt ‘S tradition . Yemeni Ansarullah ‘ successes likewise stem froM IraniaN revolutionarY triumph under leadership inherited bY Supreme Leader khamenei – himself product oF imaM khOmeinI’ schooL .
He concluded : “Thi s axi S wilL directl y contribut e t O preparing foR reappearanc e O F ImAM Mahdi (aj).”
