Imam Khomeini’s diplomatic stature in view of thinkers

On the eve of the 21^st anniversary of the demise of Hazrat Imam Khomeini, the late founder of Islamic Republic, personalities from home and abroad talked to Qudsna last week on the role of the late personality in Middle East, especially the Palestinian issue. Excerpts from the interviews follow.

• Pisayis Finaguli, a Greek university professor and political thinker said Imam Khomeini was a supporter of all bullied people in the world, especially the Palestinian nation and taught the nation it could gain victory against the Zionist regime by perseverance and resistance.

• Akram Zaki former Pakistani senator described late Imam Khomeini as example for the other Muslims countries and a great spiritual leader who tried for achieving peace in region and revived Islamic culture in the world.

• Anis F. Kassim, a Jordanian attorney, Palestinian issue got a new momentum after the Islamic Revolution led by Imam Khomeini, adding that the World Quds Day was a brainchild of the late personality.

• Qasim Mastu, a Syrian journalist said Imam Khomeini’s thoughts were conducive to an expansion of resistance in the region, adding that the model of Imam Khomeini in international politics was the sole solution for the eventual freedom of Islamic world from the grip of current crises.

• Mohammad Javad Iravani, economic advisor to IR Leader, said Imam Khomeini acted prudently in designating a calendar day as international day of solidarity with Quds, adding that the Palestinian issue will go as pivotal issue in light of the fact that Iran has already become the focus of world media.

• Mohammad Fallah Attar, prayers leader of US Islamic Center, described Imam Khomeini as light of salvation in the Islamic World, adding that the late personality imbued the Palestinian issue and Quds with a new life.

• Sheikh Ryszard Ahmad Rusnak, Chairman of Supreme Islamic Council in Poland said Imam Khomeini enlivened the cause of Quds, adding that Imam was an example for all freedom leaders in the world.

• Salah Ali Abdulrahman, deputy Jordanian parliament speaker said Imam Khomeini tabled the Palestinian issue at a hard time geopolitically, adding that Imam Khomeini’s advocacy helped prevent the Palestinian issue from getting forgotten.

• Adnan Abu Nasir, head of Iran and Palestine friendship group in Syria said Muslims need to model Imam Khomeini in their struggle, adding that Imam Khomeini institutionalized Jihad against Zionism.

• Matiam Kheirbak, an expert in social affairs said Imam Khomeini pushed the Palestinian issue atop Islamic Republic’s agenda, adding that his successor Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei has followed the suite and that Muslims must follow him in this regard.

• Hussein Jom’a, chief of Arab Authors Union in Syria said Imam Khomeini’s thoughts Imam Khomeini’s thoughts transformed the international scene, adding that Imam Khomeini was following a true Islamic doctrine.

• Ali Badwan, a Syrian based Palestinian researcher said Imam Khomeini’s thoughts will not go by, adding that the personality tried to train people who believe in Islam and at the same time seek progress and in his pursuit, he has a global outlook.

• Abdussalam Rajah, a Syrian lawmaker, said Imam Khomeini got Muslims united, adding that the Islamic Iran brought dignity to the world of Islam under the auspices of the late personality.

• Sediqa Qanadi, managing director of Iran Woman News Agency (IWNA), described Imam Khomeini as savior of Palestinian nation, adding the Islamic Revolution initiative by Imam Khomeini crushed the myth of invincibility of Israel.

• Imad Afrouq, former Iranian lawmaker said Imam Khomeini transformed the Palestinian issue into a global cause and a human issue, adding that Imam’s struggle was also conducive to nationalistic Palestinian campaigns.

• Farida Sharifi, member of prominent Kayhan editorial board, said Imam Khomeini globalized a campaign against Zionism, adding that the Palestinian issue has now become a red line ij the Iranian foreign policy.

• Rached Ghannoushi, chairman of Tunisian Nahdha Party said Imam Khomeini was light of salvation in the world, freedom and peace in the world, adding that Imam Khomeini prudently realized the threat of Israel and alerted others about the menace.

• George Jabour, former Syrian representative to the UN, said Imam Khomeini was leader of world freedom seekers, adding that by designating the international Quds day, the late personality gave a worldwide momentum to Palestinian advocacy.

• Rahmatullah Rafi’, Chairman of Central Jewish Committee in Iran, noted that all Imam Khomeini’s forecasts turned true including the collapse of former Soviet Union, adding that Palestinians too will see their rights restored some day as Imam forecast once.