4th of June coincides with the anniversary of the passing away of the great figure of the Islamic world and the founder of the Islamic revolution Imam Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace). We express our condolences on this occasion and present you a special feature. On that day many thought that with the departure of Imam Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace) from the mortal world his path and goal would fade away and the world arrogant powers would be able once again to plunge the world in insecurity and violence by looting nations. But today more than two decades have passed from that doleful event, yet the world hegemonic powers have become amazed at the profound influence and ever-increasing attraction of the Imam's ideas and thoughts among nations.

Today the world is facing the growing tendency of the modern man to religion and spirituality and many people consider it to be impressed by the inexhaustible efforts of Imam Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace). The spiritual enthusiasm of the new era is reminiscent of Imam Khomeini who believed that nations are thirsty for the everlasting values of revelation which they will embrace if they get acquainted with.

The American author Robert Maquand describes the 21st century as the century of human spiritual curiosity and by presenting a series of figures he predicts that the 21st century will be the new era of religious excitements and under current circumstances there is no social power stronger than religion. Although experts have presented various analyses on the new inclination towards religion in the so-called advanced societies, many believe that this tendency to morality and spirituality is the outcome of self- awareness and vigilance among nations.

Imam Khomeini the sage and politician of the 20th century sincerely entered a historical field to change the improper ideas of the modern era. Thanks to his deep faith in God he invited the deprived nations to counter oppression. Imam Khomeini's ideas are not limited to a specific class of the society. He stressed sublimity of mankind on the basis of religious teachings.

In his comprehensive testament the Imam has illustrated a path which will bring mankind to his desired destination. In his meaningful and rich will, the Imam first embarks on the Hadith of Saqalein which is admitted by both Shiites and Sunnis. From Imam Khomeini's viewpoint what brings growth and prosperity for nations and drives the world to equity and justice is the application of the teachings of the holy Quran and ceding government to the qualified persons. In this relation, Imam Khomeini introduces the religious government in the best manner and in his viewpoint the rule of the pious and the righteous can secure the prosperity of this world and the hereafter. This type of government is naturally opposed to corruption and aggression.

It is evident that since such a government innately endangers the interests of the power-hungry entities on the basis of religious and spiritual values, it will face a lot of obstacles and hostilities by the enemies.

Imam Khomeini presented a very efficient political school in the last decades of the 20th century in which spirituality and politics have inherently interrelated. This school puts a new path in front of the contemporary man in which full attention has been paid to both material and spiritual aspects of human beings.

In his testament the Imam says: Islam is a school which unlike the polytheist schools supervises all personal and social affairs, material and spiritual, cultural, political, military and economic affairs and does not ignore even a tiny matter that plays a role in bringing up mankind and the society.

Islam has mentioned the obstacles ahead of perfection of man and society and has worked for their settlement.

Imam Khomeini calls on nations to pay attention to basic issues instead of secondary and distorting issues. The Imam invites nations to make progress in the field of science and technology and to shun the negative and destructive consequences of the western culture. In his point of view Islam in never opposed to progress in science but it is opposed to freedom in all sinful acts including promiscuity, homosexuality and the like which are strongly opposed by all divine religions.

Imam Khomeini has a deep faith in the determining role of people in their own fate believing that the masses can work for creating a world full of spirituality and beauty.

Imam Khomeini invites everybody to safeguard human criteria and social justice. Imam Khomeini's God-seeking ideas never compromise with ignorance and oppression.

Imam Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace) presented a realistic image of peace, social justice and dialogue among religions. His policy is based on this fact that if nations embark on defending human values and campaigning against oppression, the hegemonic powers can not continue their oppressive life.

Therefore if the nations keep aloof from being submissive to foreign powers, they will experience dignity and pride in the future.

Thus the high ideas of Imam Khomeini crossed the borders of time and place and created a wave of self- awareness among the oppressed nations.

About the international impacts of Imam Khomeini Ayatollah Khamenei says: A unique figure like the Imam deserves to be respected and glorified by the cleverest minds and the purest hearts and souls. There is a difference between the personality who is respected for his position and that whose glory makes any intelligent man respect him. Imam Khomeini was one of those people.

Once again we express our heart-felt condolences for the poignant passing away of Imam Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace).