Ayatollah Ruhollah Mussavi Khomeini

Background

Khomeini, Ayatollah Ruhollah Mussavi was born on May 17, 1900 in Khomein, Iran. Son of Sayed Mustafa and Hajar (Saghafi) Mussavi.

Career

Teacher Madresseh Faizieh. Leading opponent of Mohammed Reza Shah. Led clergy in general strike against Government of Shah, 1962.

Arrested, detained, under house arrest, 1963. Arrested, 1964; exiled to Turkey. Exiled to Iraq, 1965.

Head theological school, Iraq, 1965—1978. Expelled by Iraqi government, 1978. In exile in Neauphe-le-Chateau France, 1978—1979.

Returned to Iran, 1979. Forced resignation of existing government, appointed new government, 1979. Returned to City of Qom, 1979.

Formed special militia Army of Guardians of Islamic Revolution, 1979. Took control of Iran in November, 1979. Named political and religious leader of Islamic Republic of Iran for life, 1979.

Connections

Married; 1 son, Sayed Ahmed, 3 daughters.

Father:

Sayed Mustafa Mussavi

Mother:

Hajar (Saghafi) Mussavi