PDP3 - The Uprising of Khurdad 15, 1979

Author Bio: Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was the former Supreme Leader of Iran. He also was a Shia Muslim religious leader and hoped to remove the Shah from power. Khomeini was arrested several times for speaking out in what he believed in. Khomeini also founded the Islamic Republic of Iran and lead the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Date/Context: This document fits into our understanding of history and culture because it talks about how Muslims played the key role in overthrowing the Shah. It also talks about many of the Western influences in the Middle East, specifically Iran.

Summary: In summary, this document discusses the importance of Muslims, as well as everything achieved in Iran was through Islam means. Khomeini stresses that non-Islamic people did not play a role, and if one tries to look for a non-Islamic person that did, no one will be found. Khomeini then goes on to talk about Western influences. He says that the Westerners do not care about human rights, instead they care about having power. He uses this claim to say that Islam is the only religion that cares about humanity. Lastly, Khomeini concludes by stating that the Western-Style should not be supported and people should try to preserve the mosques.

Key Quotation: “You who have chosen a course other than Islam--you do nothing for humanity. All you do is write and speak in an effort to divert our movement from its course.”