8/12/2019 A Crucial Migration Imam Khomeini

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A Crucial Migration Imam Khomeinis Migration to Paris, a Turning Point in Irans History

Compiled by Mohammad JavadQorbi

In 1978 and while Islamic movement of Iranian people led by Imam Khomeini had reached its

culmination, the Shahs regime, disappointed at compromising with Imam Khomeini, tried somepolitical measures to limit his activities or deport him from Iraq.

At a meeting of the foreign ministers of Iran and Iraq in New York, a decision was made to

deport Imam Khomeini from Iraq. On 24 September 1978, Iraqi troops laid siege to ImamKhomeinis house in Najaf. The news of the siege angered the Muslims in Iran, Iraq and other

countries. In his visit to Imam Khomeini, Iraqi security chief, indicated that if Imam wished tostay in Iraq he must give up his challenge and politics, and the Imam replied that, due to theresponsibility he felt for the Muslim ummah, he was not willing to remain quiet nor was he willing

to make a compromise.

Imam Khomeini, determined to continue the struggle at any cost, decided to leave Iraq for Syria,

but due to strained relations between the two countries it was decided that he transits Kuwaiti

territories to Syria. While a visa on his arrival to Kuwait had been issued, Kuwaiti officials issueda decree to prevent him from entering the country. Imam stayed the night in Basra and decided

to fly to Paris. In a message addressing the Iranian nation, he mentioned the reasons for hisflight, Now that Im forced to leave neighborhood of Imam Ali (A.S.) and do not hav e freedom in

Islamic territories to serve you the oppressed nation who are attacked by foreigners and their

affiliates, and in a situation that they have stopped me from entering Kuwait while I had a visa, Itravel to France. No matter where I am, what is of significance to me is fulfilling my divine duty

and high interests of Islam and the Muslims. Now that the Islamic movement has reached acritical stage, you and I are responsible. Islam expects us to do something.

Accordingly, Imam and his companions went to Baghdad on October 6, 1978, and the following

day he began an epochal flight for the sake of God, in which after a short stay in Paris heresided at Neauphle-le-Chteau village.

Officials of the Elysee Palace apprised the Imam of the views of the French President that theImam must not indulge in politics. The Imams sharp reaction and answer was that suchlimitation contradicts the Frances claim to democracy, and that he would rather, commute

between airports, from one country to another than give up his objective.

Quite contrary to the Shahs expectation, Imams stay in Paris accelerated the pace of

revolution and many reporters and journalists rushed to Imam visit every day and that small

village turned into the focus of world news. After few months the Islamic Revolution achieved itsvictory.